Between Mazda 6 and Ford Mondeo...

[Tbt001]

Mz 6 2.5 vs Ford Mondeo

 

Some updates on my thoughts.

 

The FC for the Mondeo is revised to 12.5km/l and it seems to have

gained weight. Strange..... how can a car (same model) gain weight?

Over 50kg more. The former stated FC was more than 13km/l.

 

The latest US reviews on the Mz6 seems to be getting better while the

Fusion (Mondeo) seems to be sliding.

 

I test drove the Mondeo in Singapore about 2 months ago with my

2 adult sons in the back seat. We are all about 1.8 m tall. We don't

have any problems with the headroom, unlike one or 2 other cars

I have tried. The interior (to me) is better than the Mz6 although

I have not tried the latest version. My experience with the Mz6

was a older version (2013?) in the UK when I rented it for 2 weeks.

 

So I am still undecided. Probably the $$price$$ will help us decide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[7hm]

Mz 6 2.5 vs Ford Mondeo

 

Some updates on my thoughts.

 

The FC for the Mondeo is revised to 12.5km/l and it seems to have

gained weight. Strange..... how can a car (same model) gain weight?

Over 50kg more. The former stated FC was more than 13km/l.

 

The latest US reviews on the Mz6 seems to be getting better while the

Fusion (Mondeo) seems to be sliding.

 

I test drove the Mondeo in Singapore about 2 months ago with my

2 adult sons in the back seat. We are all about 1.8 m tall. We don't

have any problems with the headroom, unlike one or 2 other cars

I have tried. The interior (to me) is better than the Mz6 although

I have not tried the latest version. My experience with the Mz6

was a older version (2013?) in the UK when I rented it for 2 weeks.

 

So I am still undecided. Probably the $$price$$ will help us decide.

 

The new car is heavier and larger than the previous Mondeo. The one with the Aston Martin look. It's also got a lower, sportier roof line. There's a recessed section in the rear of the roof behind the panoramic sunroof, which makes it possible for me to sit their comfortably, but those at 1.8m or so will probably have issues.

 

Mazda 6 top spec Luxury 2.5 is more expensive than a Mondeo 5dr. Mazda 6 is a journalist darling due to its sporty handling, while the new one has an interior that's more modern. It's not as refined or powerful however and imo its space inside is not as good.

 

The Mondeo is less 'direct' and 'responsive' compared to the old one though it retains its agility and control, at least according to journalists. As you probably know by now, any car that has amazing handling tends to become a scorer in the press. Other high-scorers in this regard include the Ford Fiesta, the smaller Mazda 3 (even though it is poorly insulated), VW Golf, BMWs and so on.

Edited May 27, 2015 by 7hm

[Tbt001]

i guess the earlier versions of the brochures I saw misprinted the specs.

These are the numbers I saw with the new "Aston Martin" looking model.

 

Earlier brochure: 1644 kg and 13.3 km / l (4 door sedan)

Current brochure: 1695 kg (4dr), 1712 kg (5 dr) and 12.5 km/l (which is the same as the old model specs).

 

I note that RM has recently advertised a "from $159,999" price which is lower than the list price of both

versions of the Mz6 2.5. Too early to go in and negotiate prices.

 

Agree that the Mondeo's cabin space, internal fittings, and power is better.

Also agree that the handling of the Mz6 is better.

 

Also note that the Mz6 FC and reliability stats in the US and UK are better.

 

Hence a hard choice.

 

 

 

[7hm]

i guess the earlier versions of the brochures I saw misprinted the specs.

These are the numbers I saw with the new "Aston Martin" looking model.

 

Earlier brochure: 1644 kg and 13.3 km / l (4 door sedan)

Current brochure: 1695 kg (4dr), 1712 kg (5 dr) and 12.5 km/l (which is the same as the old model specs).

 

I note that RM has recently advertised a "from $159,999" price which is lower than the list price of both

versions of the Mz6 2.5. Too early to go in and negotiate prices.

 

Agree that the Mondeo's cabin space, internal fittings, and power is better.

Also agree that the handling of the Mz6 is better.

 

Also note that the Mz6 FC and reliability stats in the US and UK are better.

 

Hence a hard choice.

 

I think reliability wise neither will go really wrong, but check the MZ6 thread in Japanese talk. Most complaints are related to NVH & suspension noise, but few problems with car mechanicals. The MZ6 FC is definitely better due to the high-compression & lightweight SkyActiv platform...

 

Ford seems to be reasonably proven reliability wise.

I think the current batch may have differences in equipment to older ones, but last I know the Mondeo 5dr is 1,712kg. I do not track the 4dr model so I don't know. What I hear mostly is 12.5km/l (8l/100km), not 13.3km/l.

 

"From $159,999" is for the 4dr. 5dr is $2,000 more.

 

 

Taking the full luxury spec MZ6, it has almost the same list of equipment e.g.; adaptive LED headlamps with beam patterns, dual-zone aircon and infotainment system (MZ6 has GPS included but their navigation doesnt seem so good) while upping the ante with blind-spot monitoring though it does not have a collision mitigation system. The MZ6 also has a heads-up-display which is hard to get these days, while the Mondeo instead has some very nice combination digital-analog instruments with very informative dual-multifunction-displays.

Mondeo though I was told the blind-spot monitor actually is a non-guaranteed thing, previously they said sedans have it but 5dr dont have. Don't understand why but there's a concern with IDA for it so some batches come with it some don't. If you order a Mondeo you might or might not get the BLIS on your car.

 

Mondeo 5dr is infinitely more practical than the MZ6 though, but the hatch's d-pillars do obscure visibility more than i like.

[Sam7770]

 

I think reliability wise neither will go really wrong

 

...

 

 

Mondeo though I was told the blind-spot monitor actually is a non-guaranteed thing, previously they said sedans have it but 5dr dont have. Don't understand why but there's a concern with IDA for it so some batches come with it some don't. If you order a Mondeo you might or might not get the BLIS on your car.

 

Mondeo 5dr is infinitely more practical than the MZ6 though, but the hatch's d-pillars do obscure visibility more than i like.

 

 

Good points - but the sunroof in the Mazda not an issue for anyone? Pointless really and an extra liability down the road.

 

I only test drove the 4 door Mondeo and I know that the 5 door has more limited rear-visibility. However I would not want a bright orange blind spot detector on my wing mirror anyway. I wouldn't ever rely on it and it should never tell me about a vehicle I haven't already seen. Same goes for the lane keeping warning - I'd turn it off.

 

I forgot to mention in the above that the Mazda has eco start stop, which is well implemented but might be annoying, whereas the Ford does not have a start stop system (which is a plus in my opinion). Also I find the Mazda seats to be quite narrow and this might put off larger framed drivers or their larger framed passengers! Also the Mondeo is significantly quieter in cabin and a softer ride generally.

[Little_prince]

Actually for the price of mondeo and m6 wagon.

 

I think the infini better deal

[MQX87511]

Reliability & running cost wise Mz6,

Performance wise ford,

Departs on What you keen to

100km sprint

Mz6 vs Mondeo: 8.2s vs 7.9s, not as much as actual performance difference, 189bhp vs 237bhp

and paper stated FC 15.4 vs 12.5, so real world should be 11+ vs 8+

Edited May 28, 2015 by MQX87511

[Samshio]

Actually for the price of mondeo and m6 wagon.

 

I think the infini better deal

 

infiniti costs around $200k? more ex than mondeo and mz6

 

also mondeo and mz6 are the best handling cars in their class, don't think anyone who chooses these 2 cars would settle for the infiniti.

[Little_prince]

 

infiniti costs around $200k? more ex than mondeo and mz6

 

also mondeo and mz6 are the best handling cars in their class, don't think anyone who chooses these 2 cars would settle for the infiniti.

infiniti last promotion abt 160k iirc

[Tohto]

100km sprint

Mz6 vs Mondeo: 8.2s vs 7.9s, not as much as actual performance difference, 189bhp vs 237bhp

and paper stated FC 15.4 vs 12.5, so real world should be 11+ vs 8+

 

In real world, the higher torque at lower rpm from the Mondeo turbo engine will make a big different.

[MQX87511]

 

In real world, the higher torque at lower rpm from the Mondeo turbo engine will make a big different.

Since Mondeo high torque lower rpm, how come its FC so much worse than Mz6?

[bsswan]

 

infiniti costs around $200k? more ex than mondeo and mz6

 

also mondeo and mz6 are the best handling cars in their class, don't think anyone who chooses these 2 cars would settle for the infiniti.

 

 

I bought the Q50 at $170k and didn't "settle" for it over these two, which I tested.....the Mondeo just a week or two after it was road legal.

 

There is plus and minus about them all but in the end the Q50 won me over. A 7s 0-100 helped but all the kit inside and Wearnes' service and attention also helped. The 6 is cheap in comparison yes, but it is also clear to see where and why.

 

The Mondeo does a good job of trying to achieve it's price and it comes very, very close but in the end the handling of the FWD lost it for me......just. That and the light coloured interior (no choice) which, with a kid, is a bad idea.

[7hm]

100km sprint

Mz6 vs Mondeo: 8.2s vs 7.9s, not as much as actual performance difference, 189bhp vs 237bhp

and paper stated FC 15.4 vs 12.5, so real world should be 11+ vs 8+

Since Mondeo high torque lower rpm, how come its FC so much worse than Mz6?

It's mainly due to engineering differences: the Mazda6 is around a good 250kg less I think, while SkyActiv is particularly focused on low fuel consumption (according to Mazda) which is achieved via a naturally aspirated engine with exceptionally high compression ratio. That said SkyActiv, while quite economical, rarely meets its claims in day-to-day driving without being light-footed... and I think most Mazda drivers aren't that kind of leisurely paced people. Most I think are getting about 12km/l if they don't really try, right?

 

The EcoBoost in the Mondeo is a turbocharged proponent of the downsizing trend, but it's pushing a lot more weight and it's been around longer than the Mazda 6 if I'm not wrong. The EcoBoost brand is also rather infamous for failing to meet its claims, but generally speaking the car should get 10km/l at the least from what I saw. Still definitely lower than the Mazda 6 but the low-down torque will make the car greatly more punchy to drive. Reviewers do point out that although the Mondeo doesn't have blistering acceleration, the SkyActiv engines feel slow and can sound strained if pushed.

 

Those points said, the Mondeo may actually cost more or less the same in the long run unless you cover a lot of miles as there is a $550 difference in road tax between them, though obviously it will have shorter range per tank.

 

There's another small point I want to bring up and that's resale/depreciation; the Mondeo comes in at a higher OMV I think, $27.5k last recorded while the Mazda6 2.5 Luxury R-Grade seem to be just 23k. This would equate to lower depreciation on the Mondeo for a full ten-year tenure if you paid the same money for both. Though the Mondeo sedan is going for much lower than the MZ6-R's list price is, you probably have more negotiation room on the MZ6's list price which might actually get it for you at less than $160k.

In resale; the Mazda is more likely to court buyers at the current market, due to Mazda, well, having a name. People see Mazdas on a daily basis today, though I'm frequently told their resale value is subpar at least compared to Toyota/Honda/Nissan. Trying to sell a Ford on the other hand right now might not even get you a search hit - just like Mitsubishi, people have forgotten the Ford name. But in a few years time, I could be wrong, seeing as Ford seems to be seeing a little bit of a resurgence given that there are actually people asking about it now.

 

Ah yes, one last point I haven't brought up previously for people who want to choose the Mondeo 4dr sedan instead of the 5dr hatchback; I would suggest looking for a different car (such as the MZ6) if you want a conventional boot - the load-bay opening of the 4dr is miserably narrow vertically. Its volume is still cavernous, but the opening itself is just too small for a person to comfortably push things inward, reducing the 'useful capacity' by a great, great deal.

 

 

I bought the Q50 at $170k and didn't "settle" for it over these two, which I tested.....the Mondeo just a week or two after it was road legal.

 

There is plus and minus about them all but in the end the Q50 won me over. A 7s 0-100 helped but all the kit inside and Wearnes' service and attention also helped. The 6 is cheap in comparison yes, but it is also clear to see where and why.

 

The Mondeo does a good job of trying to achieve it's price and it comes very, very close but in the end the handling of the FWD lost it for me......just. That and the light coloured interior (no choice) which, with a kid, is a bad idea.

How'd you score it at that price? It's like $205k listed right now... I don't find it very convincing compared to the much more established IS250, even though the IS250 is a lot more expensive.

Edited May 28, 2015 by 7hm

[Little_prince]

It's mainly due to engineering differences: the Mazda6 is around a good 250kg less I think, while SkyActiv is particularly focused on low fuel consumption (according to Mazda) which is achieved via a naturally aspirated engine with exceptionally high compression ratio. That said SkyActiv, while quite economical, rarely meets its claims in day-to-day driving without being light-footed... and I think most Mazda drivers aren't that kind of leisurely paced people. Most I think are getting about 12km/l if they don't really try, right?

 

The EcoBoost in the Mondeo is a turbocharged proponent of the downsizing trend, but it's pushing a lot more weight and it's been around longer than the Mazda 6 if I'm not wrong. The EcoBoost brand is also rather infamous for failing to meet its claims, but generally speaking the car should get 10km/l at the least from what I saw. Still definitely lower than the Mazda 6 but the low-down torque will make the car greatly more punchy to drive. Reviewers do point out that although the Mondeo doesn't have blistering acceleration, the SkyActiv engines feel slow and can sound strained if pushed.

 

Those points said, the Mondeo may actually cost more or less the same in the long run unless you cover a lot of miles as there is a $550 difference in road tax between them, though obviously it will have shorter range per tank.

 

There's another small point I want to bring up and that's resale/depreciation; the Mondeo comes in at a higher OMV I think, $27.5k last recorded while the Mazda6 2.5 Luxury R-Grade seem to be just 23k. This would equate to lower depreciation on the Mondeo for a full ten-year tenure if you paid the same money for both. Though the Mondeo sedan is going for much lower than the MZ6-R's list price is, you probably have more negotiation room on the MZ6's list price which might actually get it for you at less than $160k.

In resale; the Mazda is more likely to court buyers at the current market, due to Mazda, well, having a name. People see Mazdas on a daily basis today, though I'm frequently told their resale value is subpar at least compared to Toyota/Honda/Nissan. Trying to sell a Ford on the other hand right now might not even get you a search hit - just like Mitsubishi, people have forgotten the Ford name. But in a few years time, I could be wrong, seeing as Ford seems to be seeing a little bit of a resurgence given that there are actually people asking about it now.

 

Ah yes, one last point I haven't brought up previously for people who want to choose the Mondeo 4dr sedan instead of the 5dr hatchback; I would suggest looking for a different car (such as the MZ6) if you want a conventional boot - the load-bay opening of the 4dr is miserably narrow vertically. Its volume is still cavernous, but the opening itself is just too small for a person to comfortably push things inward, reducing the 'useful capacity' by a great, great deal.

 

 

How'd you score it at that price? It's like $205k listed right now... I don't find it very convincing compared to the much more established IS250, even though the IS250 is a lot more expensive.

 

list price is list price.

 

go find the sales exec talk. they will have much better deals etc for you....

 

same goes for merc and bmw

[7hm]

list price is list price.

 

go find the sales exec talk. they will have much better deals etc for you....

 

same goes for merc and bmw

 

Are you referring to the Infiniti Q50 or MZ6? 170k is still quite a lot of reduction, that's $35k. Surprised Wearnes would be willing to sacrifice that much margin.

Edited May 28, 2015 by 7hm

[bsswan]

How'd you score it at that price? It's like $205k listed right now... I don't find it very convincing compared to the much more established IS250, even though the IS250 is a lot more expensive.

 

 

Bought at end of March......times change. I was offered the Mondeo at ~$145k I think at launch but I can't properly remember. The Mz6 was well less than $140k then.

 

It's a little unfair, at the moment, to compare a Q50 with an IS250 even if Infiniti want to believe that's their target. They are still some ways off that in terms of technology, refinement, reputation, image and hence the price as well but I think if they are given time, a reasonable worldwide sales volume and feedback they'll improve.

 

I don't knock the Mondeo or the Mz6. I came very close to opting for Mondeo, more so than saving 10k and going for a 2.5L Mz6, with it's very low OMV, higher RT etc.

[7hm]

Bought at end of March......times change. I was offered the Mondeo at ~$145k I think at launch but I can't properly remember. The Mz6 was well less than $140k then.

 

It's a little unfair, at the moment, to compare a Q50 with an IS250 even if Infiniti want to believe that's their target. They are still some ways off that in terms of technology, refinement, reputation, image and hence the price as well but I think if they are given time, a reasonable worldwide sales volume and feedback they'll improve.

 

I don't knock the Mondeo or the Mz6. I came very close to opting for Mondeo, more so than saving 10k and going for a 2.5L Mz6, with it's very low OMV, higher RT etc.

 

Gotcha. If you've received your Q50, I hope you're enjoying it

Is it the Premium or Sport trim?

Edited May 28, 2015 by 7hm

[bsswan]

 

Gotcha. If you've received your Q50, I hope you're enjoying it

Is it the Premium or Sport trim?

 

 

Hi, enjoying it to bits (Premium) whilst finding its flaws.

 

The Mondeo I think has better cabin noise insulation, noticeable when getting in and out of the test mule at Ford's front door. It's also huge, inside and out. An awful lot of car, metalwork and safety items, for the money. As usual, not offering free SatNav due to "licensing rules" was something I considered, when others had it or could give FoC.