Ford sees the new Mondeo as a direct competitor to the Toyota Camry in our market. Can the fresh player shake up the established balance in the business class? We check in a head-to-head comparison.
Toyota Camry
Very soon, the Camry will become the first Toyota model to be assembled in Russia. This will certainly affect the price tag. The car, as it is fashionable to say now, will become more affordable. But even today, thanks to excellent handling and reliability, there are plenty of people willing to buy it.
My nine-year-old son asked to come along for the test and, seeing the new Mondeo, declared: "I'm not riding in the Camry!". In principle, one can understand him. A new thing always attracts more than an old and familiar one. Of course, the hand will reach for what was just brought in.
Here it is — a fresh car, smelling of paint and plastic, beckoning with new lines and features. A day, a week will pass, and it, like all the others, will take its place in the toy box. But for now...
For now, the Mondeo arouses more interest not only in the child but also in ourselves. And yet, to render a fair verdict, we first get into the Toyota.
What can I say — the Camry is definitely a success. A success in every sense. Solid, dynamic, comfortable. It has everything a car designed to emphasize the owner's status needs.
"You have a Camry?" — and the interlocutor already looks at you differently. In his gaze, there is both respect and even slight envy. Of course, if you were in an S-class or a "seven", the reverence would be greater. But those who drive such cars move in completely different circles.
And the Camry is just a good job, a decent salary, a spacious apartment, a dacha, and faith in tomorrow. Simple. And I am pleased that, while I am behind the wheel of this car, I am treated that way. Even if it says "test drive" on board. So what. Envy me, I'm taking a closer look!
And I like almost everything about it. I like how the 167-horsepower engine literally shoots the car forward from a light touch of the gas pedal. I like how the suspension provides confident yet comfortable ride smoothness.
I like the brakes, which instantly stop this run. I like how the automatic 5-speed gearbox works. I appreciate that it has no manual mode: I see that they are not fawning over me. They offer me to relax and enjoy other things, rather than dubious interference in the transmission's operation.
I only dislike one thing — the high-quality interior is spoiled by "Karelian birch" inserts. And I also don't understand the turquoise color of the center console. Why?
Driving
Calm, measured driving in the Camry is a true pleasure. However, a pseudo-sporty style is not alien to it either.
Interior
Solid and spacious. Fully corresponds to the class both in materials and equipment.
Comfort
Above all praise. You get exactly what you expect.
Safety
A full set of active and passive safety systems. True, only in a fairly expensive version.
Price
Reasonable.
I get out of the Camry and move into the Mondeo. A different world! I know the Mondeo's interior is more spacious, but I don't feel it. I am as comfortable here as in the Toyota. In the second row, there is almost no difference either.
But just by the interior design alone, I understand: this car must drive differently. It has something that, even if slightly, sets a different driving style.
The new Ford Mondeo today possesses that set of qualities that only yesterday was inherent only in premium cars. It has not just become bigger — it has become more technological and safer. Add to this quality finishing materials, rich equipment — and we get a tasty morsel.
The Mondeo is more aggressive. Aggressive in everything. From the seats with developed lateral support to the air duct wells on the dashboard. Kinetic design, which Ford is proud of, is felt in every detail. And here I also like it, but...
But for some reason, it's not very cozy. Maybe because I search for a long time for the audio system button? Among the scattering of keys on the center console, doing this the first time is not easy. Or maybe because the tachometer on the ultra-modern instrument panel looks unusual?
And even if engine revs are not the main thing for me, such asymmetry is not pleasing. Although, to be fair, the Mondeo has two more variants of instrument clusters. But this one is the most sophisticated, and it is installed on rich versions. In general, unlike the Camry, you need to get used to the Mondeo. Is that good? By learning new things, we forget the old. Remember your old, simple mobile phone. You probably don't even remember how to get into the settings menu.
But the current, much more complex device, you will reconfigure in seconds. So, most likely, it will be with the Mondeo: having gotten used to it, the owner is unlikely to complain about inconveniences. Rather the opposite — simpler solutions will seem boring to him.
Although what boredom are we talking about when you feel what the Mondeo is capable of on the move. It is more emotional than the Camry. And although the latter also will not leave anyone indifferent after the test, the Mondeo is still more interesting.
Firstly, it steers better, sharper, so to speak, and excellent feedback allows you to feel the car better during maneuvers. The Mondeo's suspension is slightly stiffer. This certainly affects comfort, but it is precisely this composure that instills more confidence in non-standard situations. With such a suspension, it is easier to take corners. The Camry in this regard is more laid-back and therefore prone to deviating from the trajectory. Its suspension encourages calm driving, not dashes.
And, of course, the engine: the 2.5-liter turbo engine works every liter of gasoline to the fullest. The dynamics are excellent. The Camry also does not let down, but it has only two engines in our market, while the Mondeo has as many as six, two of which are diesel. More than enough for everyone to choose.
Driving
The car's composure constantly provokes dynamic driving. And why not? If it comes easily.
Interior
Complaining about crampedness in such an interior is absurd. But the ergonomics of the center console puzzled me. You definitely need to get used to it.
Comfort
At the level. Except that sound insulation could be a little better.
Safety
Equipped with an impressive and uncompromising line of active and passive safety systems.
Price
Adequate.