Ford Mondeo Titanium X
The Czech motor is an accomplished family car, but can it beat our reigning champ from the blue oval?
One of the various dictionary definitions of the word superb is “impressive in size or appearance”, so it seems the Skoda’s name is apt. Not only are its dimensions huge, but the Superb also has immense road presence.
It was conceived in-house at the Czech firm’s Mlada Boleslav design centre, where the stylists took some inspiration from classic British limousines. And thanks to the combination of the newcomer’s length – it’s 60mm longer than the Ford – and high shoulder line, it certainly has the air of a large executive saloon.
From SE models upwards, you get chrome trim on the window surrounds and boot to add to the upmarket feel. Overall the design is nondescript, though, and with the Mondeo’s shorter overhangs, tighter dimensions and smart looks, the Ford still has the upper hand in the style stakes. But whether you are a family car buyer or a business user, it’s the interiors of these models that really matter. Big boots, comfortable cabins and material quality count for a lot in this battle. And, in the Mondeo, the new Superb has a tough rival.
The Ford is our reigning New Car Honours champion in the Best Family Car category and comes with a well built, comfortable cabin, plus a huge 540-litre boot. But the Skoda has a unique selling point in its armoury. The twin-door variable boot design means this vehicle is both a saloon and a hatchback. Normally the lid flips up like a conventional saloon car’s, but press a second button to the right of the release catch and it opens as a hatch. This enables even better access to the generous 565-litre luggage area, yet cleverly allows the Superb to retain the aesthetics of a big saloon. The advantage is that when parked in a tight spot against a wall, you don’t need to worry about raising the huge tailgate.
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The luggage area itself is 25 litres bigger than the Ford’s, and with the back seats folded, the advantage grows to 210 litres. However, the rear seat backs don’t fold flat, so this limits ultimate carrying practicality. However, rear legroom is excellent. Only mighty executive saloons such as a Mercedes S-Class and Audi A8 can match the passenger room of the Superb. There’s a massive 870mm of legroom – 120mm more than in the Mondeo. Add the small transmission tunnel and supportive seats, and rear passenger comfort is fantastic. But don’t think the Superb is only good for being chauffeured around in, because the firm’s engineers have worked hard to make the new car drive better, too. The wheelbase has been shortened by 42mm and the suspension redesigned to give good balance from behind the wheel.
The result is very impressive; despite its size, the Skoda doesn’t feel unwieldy. Compared with the previous-generation Superb, body control is massively improved; it turns in sharply and remains very composed when cornering. The suspension set-up is similar to the smaller Octavia’s – very comfortable on the motorway and composed on A-roads. The damping is well engineered, and while severe bumps can send shocks into the cabin, pitch and roll are well controlled. General refinement is a real strong point. However, with its more communicative steering, sharper turn-in and sublime damping, the Mondeo is the superior driver’s car of the two.
But the Superb is easy to cruise in, and just as comfortable. It’s worth mentioning that our Mondeo came with the optional £650 adaptive damping system, while both cars have stability control and seven airbags as standard. Only when you’re using your family car on a twisty country road will the Mondeo’s advantage really be evident.
With identical 320Nm torque and evenly matched power outputs, performance is similar, too. The Ford was a bit quicker on our timed increment tests, but on the road the cars are equally responsive. The Mondeo’s TDCi delivers its power in a smoother manner, but the Skoda has plenty of punch. Anyone after more urge can opt for the more costly 170bhp version, which also benefits from a common-rail system for greater refinement and efficiency. Even in 140bhp form, the Skoda is
just as refined on the motorway as its Ford rival, as the lack of wind and engine noise in the Czech car is amazing.
You can’t fail to be impressed by the equipment in the SE, either. A touchscreen radio is standard, along with cruise control, parking sensors, climate control, a six-disc CD changer and a multifunction steering wheel. The top-spec Mondeos are luxurious, too – but pricier. So the roomy, refined, great value and well built Superb makes a strong case for itself in this clash.
Details
Price: £23,295
Model tested: Ford Mondeo Titanium X
Economy
In Titanium X trim, the Mondeo is seriously expensive compared to the big Superb. Even the mid-range 2.0-litre TDCi in Zetec trim is £19,545 – £515 more than our comparable Skoda SE variant. Insurance and road tax costs are very close, though, as are the prices for scheduled servicing. However, the Ford has a slight financial advantage from returning 39.5mpg. That would translate into an annual saving of about £250 over the thirstier Superb.
