Both Ford Mondeo and Toyota Camry are already well known to us - sedans with a "blue oval" were in the editorial office in different versions on a long test, and we compared Camry last year with Honda Accord and Nissan Teana (details - in the material "Slumdog Millionaires "). Since then, Camry has been updated (read the article “In pursuit of youth”), which means that this is a good reason to find out if it is ready to fight back against the newcomer to the Russian market. Moreover, the Camry continues to hold the lead in this class, and the Mondeo is clearly aimed decisively and must compete for a younger clientele.
Admittedly, he has all the external data for this - we have repeatedly noted a dynamic silhouette and a catchy “face” with slanted headlights and a radiator grill, like, yes, Aston Martin supercars. Unless 17-inch wheels look small in the Mondeo arches, but for the 18th in “our” Titanium configuration, you need to pay another 22 thousand rubles. By the way, Mondeo has risen in price since October 1 - now such a sedan with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine will cost 1,579,000 rubles. But there are still discounts - its maximum volume can reach 170 thousand if you use trade-in services and take a loan under a proprietary financial program.
Camry against the backdrop of Mondeo - the embodiment of solidity, although the designers tried to put on a heavy "face" a little frivolous make-up like chrome swirls around foglights. I don’t know how much they managed to attract young people with such a step and not scare off officials, but the Camry now looks like a huge catfish from the front. The fishermen will love it. But the same 17-inch wheels look more organic than in the Mondeo arches. Yes, and Toyota dealers have nothing to offer in return - except for 17-inch anthracite wheels for an impressive 65 thousand rubles. Camry 2.5 is slightly more expensive than its St. Petersburg "neighbor" - a sedan painted in white mother-of-pearl performed by Elegance Plus costs 1,587,000 rubles. However, as in the case of the Mondeo, a special offer is valid until the end of October - 1,519,000 rubles.
Mondeo is equipped a little better - Camry is deprived of "navigation" and car parking. By the way, you can refuse these options in Mondeo, which we talked about in the article “Return positions. Long-term test Ford Mondeo "and save 88 thousand rubles on this. Both cars have a dual-zone “climate”, heated front and rear seats, comfort access systems, parking sensors, power seats, powerful audio systems from Sony (Ford) and JBL (Toyota), multimedia systems with touch screens and, of course, a full set of airbags . Is that the flat "chairs" Camry covered with slippery leather, and chairs Mondeo have tenacious Alcantara inserts.
Inside, by the way, the theme of body design continues - completely different impressions! Toyota is like chopped with an ax - strict forms, an abundance of rectangular buttons. As the Germans would say: “Kvadratish, praktish, gut!” But everything is convenient and located in intuitively expected places, although the steering wheel is large by modern standards. The steering wheel itself is new, Camry got it after restyling. And the woodgrain inserts, after many years of shock, have finally acquired a noble shade. In addition, the bright Camry interior seems more spacious, although not as practical - the armrest and seats of a car with a range of 19 thousand kilometers already need to be cleaned. And everything would be fine if it were not for ... crookedly fitted lining on the windshield pillars! At the plant near St. Petersburg, the quality began to “float”? Previously, we did not notice this with the Camry.
Toyota Camry (left) is equipped with a niche for wireless mobile phone charging. Glove boxes are convenient and roomy in both machines - they easily fit folders with A4 documents. Sloppyly fixed lining on the pillars of the windshield - nonsense for this segment!
Mondeo inside is completely different. Landing in the seat is tight, the body is fixed, as if it were in a sports car. The small steering wheel is covered with soft leather, and the strongly inclined center console protruding into the cabin enhances the feeling of the cockpit. The details are more elegant, and the shapes are not reminiscent of the office furniture of the 80s. And no wood - just a combination of black and silver plastic. Instead of an analog instrument panel, there is a screen with painted scales, and the menus of the Sync 2 multimedia complex do not look as simple as the graphics and blue background of the Toyota Touch 2 system. Both cars do not have the usual mechanical “handbrake” - in Mondeo it is activated by a button, and in Camry - foot.
Both four-cylinder engines with a volume of 2.5 liters love high "revs", have a chain drive camshafts and dephasers. The hoods of both machines are with pneumatic stops. The Mondeo motor is deformed, so in terms of its capabilities it is between Toyota 2.0 and 2.5
It's a pity, but on a straight road, the Ford Mondeo can't prove its status as a high-tech modern sedan. In any case, with a 149-horsepower 2.5 engine - it is derated from the "American" 175 hp. and 225 N∙m. And it is felt - having an advantage in power and torque (181 hp, 231 N∙m), Toyota Camry easily leaves the opponent. And especially pleased with the pleasant pickup in the middle zone of "revs", the groovy motor! Moreover, according to passport acceleration to hundreds, the difference does not seem big - 10.3 seconds for Ford and 9 seconds for Toyota. But in fact, Toyota is more dynamic in all driving modes, even despite the six-speed automatic tuned for a smooth ride.
The Toyota Touch 2 multimedia complex in the Elegance Plus configuration has a 6.1-inch touch screen, but in terms of functionality it is far from the Ford Sync 2 system, the menu is simple, and the marking lines in the image from the rear view camera are static. A more advanced version with a 7-inch display is installed in the Camry, starting with the Prestige version
The Mondeo automatic also does not seek to break records for switching speeds, snapping at active actions with the gas pedal in jolts. But it will be a little cheaper to drive it - with a fuel consumption of 11 l / 100 km similar to Toyota, the Ford engine is designed to use AI-92 gasoline instead of Camry's 95th. But where Mondeo will win back with a vengeance, it's on winding paths. Pure pleasure! We will not tire of repeating - the chassis is set up perfectly! A large sedan follows the wheel with the ease of a “charged” hatchback, as if it does not weigh more than 1.6 tons. Although some drivers may find its responsiveness and actively steering rear axle intimidating. Will have to get used to.
The 8-inch Sync 2 system, developed by Ford in collaboration with Microsoft, has a nice interface, lots of customizable options and voice control, but the performance is lame. The interior of the Mondeo has a switchable "atmospheric" backlight, the color of which can be changed through the menu
Behind the wheel of Camry - no revelations. Reseeding immediately from the Mondeo, you notice “loose” brakes with a long pedal travel, and the “steering wheel”, even though the rim section resembles BMW M-series steering wheels, actually has nothing to do with them - neither feedback nor informativeness. What's going on with the front wheels? Only Yokohama tires know. Do not excite "driver's" strings and decent rolls, because of which you slide off a flat leather "chair". And in long turns, the body begins to sway on soft springs. In fact, you can go fast on a Toyota if you suddenly need it - let it roll and sway, but cling to the asphalt. The difference is that for the Mondeo, swirling paths are a joy, while the Camry is simply able not to hit the ditch with its face.
And for rear passengers, Camry is still out of competition and outright outperforms Mondeo in this regard - it is more convenient to sit on the Toyota sofa, there is more legroom and headroom. The surprising fact is that the wheelbase of the Mondeo (2850 mm) is as much as 75 mm longer than the distance between the axles of the Camry (2775 mm). In addition, Camry can be purchased in the Prestige package, which adds a remote control for the audio system, climate control and electrically adjustable backrest angle. But the Ford is quieter. You close the door and seem to shut yourself off from the surrounding reality - a very decent "shumka"! For long-distance trips, Mondeo is preferable - the higher the speed, the more confidently it stands on the road, as if clinging to it, and the whistle of the wind is almost inaudible. Only tires on rough pavement are heard. The Camry also has the worst insulated wheel arches (again, this Yokohama Decibel spoils everything!), And in general, the overall noise level is higher than in the Mondeo - you can hear the cut air.
It was logical to assume that the softer suspension would give the Toyota a better ride, but this is only partly true - and the Mondeo shock absorbers do a great job with every little thing like patches, waves, and even through truck-squeezed and cracked regional tracks, Ford goes like clockwork. Only large potholes or pits with sharp edges can knock him off balance. Camry, on the contrary, copes better with the joints of Moscow flyovers, speed bumps and deep asphalt defects, but sways more strongly on the waves.
The trunk is definitely better in the Camry, although formally it loses 10 liters to the opponent's "hold" - 506 liters versus 516. But the opening in the Toyota is wider, there are additional hooks for bags. The Mondeo compartment is too long and narrow. Toyota is equipped with a full-size spare wheel, and for Ford this is an option for 5 thousand rubles - there is a “dokatka” in the database
A strange picture emerges. In terms of the combination of qualities, these two sedans are on the same level, but in character they are diametrically opposed! Therefore, it is very easy to choose between them. Toyota Camry is no doubt better suited for those who drive in the back or often travel with the whole family - it has a more comfortable sofa and trunk, quieter powertrain settings, and in corners it does not seek to overtake everyone and everything. You will have to put up with high insurance rates and frequent maintenance (once every 10 thousand km). The Ford Mondeo, on the other hand, is a car for those who drive and enjoy it, and its chassis settings are more selfish. And we confidently declare that the Mondeo, with its good noise isolation, highway abilities and "cat" agility, is the best alternative to the Camry in its class.
Competitors
There is no abundance in the segment of large affordable sedans - only a few models are among the popular cars, and we brought one, the Volswagen Passat, here in advance. Plus, a new generation of Skoda Superb is entering our market. The issue of leadership in the class has not been raised for a long time - it is firmly held by Toyota Camry, which occupies already the 10th line in the ranking of the best-selling cars in the Russian market for the first 8 months of this year.
You can become the owner of an updated Mazda 6 (read more about the car in the article “By Russian Command”) for 1,085,000 rubles, but it will be a sedan with a 150-horsepower 2.0 and mechanics. The car on the machine in the basic version of Drive is 1,155,000 rubles, and the “six” with 2.5 (192 hp) is available for at least 1.295 million. Nissan Teana is a little more expensive and is offered only with a CVT. The price list starts from 1,293,000 rubles for version 2.5 (173 hp), and the top model with a V-shaped "six" 3.5 (249 hp) will cost 1,734,000 rubles.
Koreans are represented by "kindred souls" Kia Optima and Hyundai i40. The new generation of Optima has already been revealed to the world, but it has not yet reached Russia. Therefore, dealers sell the current generation at a price of 1,009,900 for a sedan with a 150-horsepower 2.0 and mechanics - a discount of 90 thousand rubles applies to all modifications for those who buy an Optima by handing over their Kia on trade-in. A car with the same engine and automatic transmission will cost 50 thousand more, and a more powerful version (2.4, 180 hp) starts from 1,209,900 rubles. We recently tested the updated Hyundai i40 (read the material “Hyundai i40: head of the transport department”): for 994,900 rubles you can buy an i40 with a “handle” and with 135 hp 1.6, and the minimum equipment with an automatic (2.0 150 hp) costs from 1 094 900 rubles. There is also a turbodiesel (1.7, 141 hp) - such an i40 will cost 1,244,900 rubles. But Hyundai i40 can be bought with a station wagon!
Such a body is also available for the new generation of Skoda Superb (read more about the model in the article "Exclusive "Auto Mail.Ru": the first test of the new Skoda Superb". Prices have already been announced, but so far only for the liftback - a car with a 125-horsepower 1.4 TSI engine and mechanics will cost at least 1,184,000 rubles.The seven-speed DSG robot is available with a 1.4 TSI engine (150 hp) - such a Superb already costs 1,264,000 rubles.There are also all-wheel drive modifications - a rich performance by Laurin & Klement for 1,989,000 rubles with a 150-horsepower 1.4 TSI and a 280-horsepower Superb 2.0 TSI for 2,059,000 rubles, while the most expensive in the class is the new Volkswagen Passat, dealers offer it with a 125-horsepower 1.4 TSI on the handle, modification 1.4 TSI (150 forces) with a DSG robot is already 1,579,000 rubles, and Passat 1.8 TSI (180 forces) already costs from 1,779,000 rubles.
Ford Mondeo Price: from $24000 rub. On sale: 2007
Toyota Camry Price: from $33,700. On sale: 2006
Ford sees only Toyota Camry as the main competitor for its new Mondeo in our market. Will the newcomer be able to shake the already established priorities when choosing a business class car? We find out in the course of a comparative test.
Toyota Camry
Camry is a good job, a decent salary, a spacious apartment and confidence in the future.
In the near future, Toyota Camry will become the first Toyota car produced in Russia, which will undoubtedly affect its price. The machine, as they say now, will be closer to the people. However, even today, thanks to the high running and operational characteristics, there is no shortage of those who want to become its owner.
A nine-year-old son who asked for a test with us, when he saw the new Mondeo, categorically stated: “I won’t go to the Camry!”. Well, it can be understood. A new toy always arouses more interest than, albeit beloved, but old. And of course, initially the hand will reach exactly for what they just brought.
Here it is, a new car, smelling of fresh plastic and paint, attracting with its new forms and content. Then, maybe in a day, or maybe in a week, he, like everyone else, will take his place in the toy box and will wallow among the others. But for now...
So far, Mondeo definitely arouses more interest not only among the child, but also among us. And yet, in order to more objectively evaluate the new product and really make a verdict on who is better, we first head to Toyota.
What can I say, Camry is definitely a good car. And successful in every way. Solid, dynamic, comfortable. It has everything that should be in a car, the essence of which is to emphasize the status and wealth of its owner.
"What is your car? Camry? - and now your interlocutor looks at you with completely different eyes. In his eyes and reverence, and even envy. Of course, if you were driven in an S-class or a BMW "seven", there would be even more respect. But, as a rule, those who move in such machines rotate in completely different strata of society.
Camry, on the other hand, is just a good job, a decent salary, a spacious apartment, a summer house and confidence in the future. Just... And I like that while I'm driving this car, they treat me that way. And let the inscriptions “test drive” flaunt on board. Let be. Envy, I'm appreciating!
And I like everything about her. Well, almost everything. I love how the 167bhp engine literally pushes the car forward with just the touch of the accelerator pedal. I like how the suspension works, giving the car a confident and at the same time comfortable step.
Like the brakes that can bring this car to a halt in the blink of an eye. I like how the automatic 5-speed gearbox works. I am impressed by the fact that there is no manual switching mode on it: I see that they are not fawning in front of me. I am offered to relax and enjoy driving from completely different things than dubious interference with the operation of the box.
The only thing I don’t like is that the high-quality and comfortable interior is diluted with inappropriate Karelian birch inserts. I also don't understand the turquoise color of the center console. For what?
Driving
A calm and measured ride on the Camry is a real pleasure. However, pseudo-sport riding is not alien to her.
Salon
Solid and spacious. Fully corresponds to the class of the car both in terms of the quality of finishing materials and equipment.
Comfort
Above all praise. You get what you expect.
Safety
A complete set of tools for both active and passive safety. True, only in a fairly expensive configuration.
Price
Reasonable.
Ford Mondeo
I leave the Camry and transfer to the Mondeo. Another world! I know the Mondeo interior is bigger, but I don't feel it. I feel as comfortable here as I do in the Camry. There is not much difference in the second row.
But even from the interior design, I understand that this car should drive a little differently. There is something in it that, although not strong, but still tunes in to a different style of movement.
The new Ford Mondeo today has the set of qualities that only yesterday was inherent only in premium cars. It has become not only bigger, it has become more technologically advanced and safer. Add here high-quality finishing materials in the interior, rich equipment, and we get a pretty tasty morsel.
Mondeo is more aggressive. More aggressive in every way. Starting with seats with more developed lateral support and ending with air ducts on the dashboard. Kinetic design, which Ford is now so proud of, is felt literally in everything here. I like it here too, but...
But somehow not very comfortable. Maybe because I can't find the audio power button for a long time? Among the scattering of buttons on the center console, it is very difficult to do this for the first time. Or maybe because the tachometer on the trendy instrument panel has an unusual look?
And even though for me the number of engine revolutions is not dominant when driving a car, such asymmetry is not encouraging. However, in fairness, it must be said that there are two more instrument panels in the Mondeo arsenal. But this one is considered one of the most sophisticated and is put on cars in a rich configuration. In general, unlike the Camry, the Mondeo takes some getting used to. Is it good? Learning new, we, alas, forget the old. Take your old, less tech cell phone. You probably won't even remember how to get into the settings menu.
But you can reconfigure your current, much more complex apparatus in a few seconds. So, most likely, it will be with the Mondeo: having got used to it, the owner is unlikely to complain that something is uncomfortable or unusual for him here. Rather, on the contrary, simpler solutions will bore him.
Although what kind of boredom can we talk about when you get a feel for what the Mondeo is capable of on the go. It is more emotional than the Camry. And although the latter will also not leave you indifferent after a test drive, the Mondeo is still more interesting.
Firstly, it steers better, sharper, or something, and the excellent steering feedback allows you to better feel the car when maneuvering. The Mondeo has a slightly stiffer suspension. Undoubtedly, this affects the overall comfort, but it is precisely this stiffness that inspires great confidence in emergency situations. With such a suspension, turns are easier to register. Camry, in this regard, is a little more imposing, and therefore tends to go off track. Its suspension is more conducive to a measured ride. than to throws in space.
And, of course, the engine: a 2.5-liter turbo engine fulfills the gasoline it has eaten one hundred percent. The dynamics are excellent. Camry does not suffer from its absence either, but today it is presented on our market with only two engines, while Mondeo has six of them, two of which are diesel. More than enough so that each of those who decide to purchase this car can make their choice.
Driving
The assembly of the car constantly spurs on a dynamic ride. Why not? If it comes easy.
Salon
Complaining about the tightness in such a cabin is simply ridiculous. But the ergonomics of the center console is somewhat puzzled. She definitely needs to get used to it.
Comfort
At the level. Is that the insulation could be a little better.
Safety
Equipped with an impressive uncompromising line of active and passive safety technologies.
Price
Our opinion
With his appearance, he only diluted the market, but did not overshadow the Camry. True, the richness of the choice of equipment and the presence of as many as six engines to choose from undoubtedly makes the Mondeo more interesting for the consumer. However, the different ideology embedded in these cars at the development stage, as it seems to us, will allow them to coexist for a long time without interfering with each other. Each product has its own, exclusively its own buyer.
Ford Mondeo and Toyota Camry are well known to domestic consumers. These cars have become especially noticeable since 2015. However, the eternal question remains: what is better Ford Mondeo or Toyota Camry of these two options?
Camry overtakes in sales
So far, judging by the state of the market, Camry still remains the leader in sales in Russia. But the sedan with the “blue oval” is also on the alert and is gradually gaining momentum, having already overtaken the Honda Accord and Nissan Tiana.
Ford has every chance to take the lead. The car has a dynamic silhouette and a memorable face, which from a distance can even be confused with Aston Martin. On 17-inch wheels, the sedan does not look very solid. But if you install 18th wheels on it, then the appearance immediately changes, making the car more prestigious. Now the "American" with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder power unit is sold for 1.58 million rubles.
Camry in comparison with the Mondeo looks much more solid.
Although, in fact, these cars are very similar. On the latest bodies of 2015, the designers, in an attempt to win the hearts of a young audience, decided to hang a chrome frame for fog lights. Whether they succeeded or not is up to the consumer to decide.
On 17-inch wheels, the “Japanese” looks much more interesting than the “American”, but at the same time, an Asian car in a similar configuration is more expensive and costs an average of 1.59 million rubles.
Equipment
Ford has richer equipment. So, in Camry there is no navigation, and there is also no car parking. Recently, this feature has found a lot of interest among car enthusiasts. But if you wish, you can refuse it when ordering a car. By the way, this will save an average of 88 thousand rubles.
The main options for both machines are approximately the same:
- climate control;
- heating of all seats;
- Acoustic Parking System (APS);
- electric adjustment of the front seats;
- good audio systems;
- touch screen.
Salon design
Toyota has practical and strict forms. Rectangular buttons are arranged in order and allow the driver to intuitively find the inclusion of the desired option. At the same time, the Camry has a rather large steering wheel.
The bright interior of the "Japanese" looks beautiful and presentable.
The tone also visually enlarges the space, but quickly gets dirty.
Ford Mondeo inside looks completely different. Armchairs are arranged in such a way that a person sits tightly in them. Soft leather on a small steering wheel is pleasant to the touch and delivers only driving pleasure. The console is made in a more futuristic style. Buttons and a depressed panel do not have such a strict and haughty look. And if in the Camry there are inserts "under the tree", which some motorists consider inappropriate, then in the Mondeo there is no such thing. Dark plastic is organically combined with silver inserts.
Both cars don't have a traditional handbrake lever. In Ford, it is replaced by a button, and in Toyota, by a pedal.
Vehicle dynamics indicators
11 liters per 100 km - this is Toyota's fuel consumption. At the same time, it is filled with AI-95 gasoline. Mondeo, in turn, consumes AI-92 at the same expense.
That is, Mondeo is cheaper to ride.
Mondeo, as they say, is more pleasant to the touch. The Ford has a smooth ride and better handling on rough roads. Fewer hits in small pits and depressions. The American sedan picks up speed very briskly, and if necessary, it will stop abruptly. At Toyota, things are more complicated: the car goes through bumps a little more noticeably, picks up speed smoothly and slowly, and stops sluggishly.
For passengers in the rear seats, the Camry remains unrivaled. Mondeo is seriously inferior in this matter. Toyota has a lot of space in the back, and passengers sit comfortably. A person even under two meters tall can easily fit there.
Dynamic versus comfort
Both cars are a good and worthy option for everyday movement.
But they were created for two types of people - those who care about driving dynamics and those who want to drive with increased comfort. It is difficult to find something in between in these machines, so here everyone will have to decide for himself what he likes best.
In the class of mid-size sedans, there is no smell of democracy. Monarchy in its purest form! Everything is like in a textbook: a form of government in which all power is concentrated in one hand and is inherited. Yes, this is the story of the Camry! Each of its generations dominated our market - in other years, all competitors taken together fell short of the Camry in terms of sales. Therefore, special attention is paid to the new generation car (factory index XV70).
How about a comparison with the Kia Optima, which smashed the old Camry (XV50) to smithereens in a recent comparison test (SR, #12, 2017)? Since Toyota paid attention to handling, comparison with the reference Mazda 6 for this part suggests itself. The third sparring partner was the Ford Mondeo sedan, a recognized favorite of corporate parks. It is the only one with a turbo engine. The rest of the cars have aspirated 2.4–2.5 liters at their disposal. Power range 181-199 hp I declare the fight for the throne open!
| Toyota Camry Came to Russia last spring - serial production at the plant in Shushary was launched in April. The machine is built on a new platform. As before, there is only one body option - a sedan. ENGINES: | Ford Mondeo The representative of the fourth generation entered the Russian market in 2015. Assembly - in the Leningrad region. Among the cars of past generations, we offered hatchbacks and station wagons, from this generation - only sedans. ENGINES: | Kia Optima The world premiere took place in 2015, but Optima reached us only a year later - but in a localized version. For the first time, a turbo engine was proposed, but the station wagon version is not available with us. ENGINES: | The current generation debuted in 2012. During this time, the Japanese carried out two restyling, but the “six” has not yet reached us after the last update. ENGINES: |
Throne room
Why did you love the past generation Camry? For the feeling of extra space! There is so much space behind that you can not envy the executive S-class too much - of course, adjusted for the trim level. The XV70's body is 25mm lower than the XV50's, but the Toyota's roominess is still just fine, except that the feet are a little cramped - provided the front seats are in the down position. Space enough with a margin in all directions. Even the roof does not press - it's not without reason that the Japanese installed seat cushions 30 mm closer to the floor. It is especially good for the right rider: he can move the front seat away from himself with a servo drive, freeing up additional space, like a real VIP passenger.
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| | When it comes to services, the Camry is head and shoulders above the competition. Only it allows you to adjust (by means of an electric drive!) The angle of the backrest, adjust the "weather" (only Toyota offers three-zone climate control), control the audio system - the remote control from all this economy was attached to the armrest. Against this background, seat heating, window blinds and two USB connectors are perceived as something natural. In Optima, you will not find such "luxuries" - there is only heating, side curtains and a socket for a flash drive. But in some ways, the Optima even wiped the nose of the Camry. Firstly, the Kia is a little more spacious in the shoulders, and our measurements confirm the subjective impressions. Secondly, the seat profile is the most comfortable in the quartet. Finally, it is more convenient to sit in a Korean sedan - the doors open at a larger angle. So for the second row of seats, these two cars were given equally high marks.
The Mondeo's wheelbase is the longest in a quartet, but that doesn't mean anything. The stock of space for the knees is surprisingly modest - as if you are sitting in the Focus, and not in a solid, almost five-meter sedan. And if three of us drive behind, then the heads of the extreme riders touch the racks - this was not the case in other cars. And the stuffing of the seats is too dense - you need to be softer with the passengers, softer! But Mondeo also has strengths: not only a 12-volt outlet is available, but also a high-voltage one. Competitors also do not have convenient punching slots in door pockets, tailored as if specifically for a tablet. In the second row of the Mazda, too, you can’t clear up: the legroom is back to back, there are no media connectors, and only a half-liter bottle enters the door pockets. But the central passenger is comfortable here - he does not sit on a hard hump, but on a soft ottoman. C Mondeo - parity. But, as they say, not a single expanse!
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“Is this the new Mondeo?” Passers-by ask. The Ford wow effect is provided by a fresh look and resemblance to Aston Martin cars. Or maybe just waiting? After all, the novelty reached Russia only two and a half years after the North Americans began to drive around in Fusions. The sedans assembled in Vsevolozhsk have their own suspension settings: a little stiffer than the overseas versions, but softer than the European ones, and a range of powertrains. The Mondeo will compete with the atmospheric 2.5-liter “four” and the uncontested “automatic” in this fight with the updated Mazda 6 2.5 and two Toyota Camrys at once: with 2.0 and 2.5-liter engines. In addition to the 150-horsepower "aspirated" Mondeo can be equipped with an EcoBoost 2.0 turbo engine with a return of 199 forces. And closer to autumn, sales of uprated up to 240 hp will begin. modifications. True, the price tag will be oh-so - from 1,729,000 rubles. Buyer Mazda easier: two motors - two transmissions. Of the four, only the "six" is available with a manual transmission. The trump card of the Camry is a V6 engine with a preferential return of 249 forces. This version costs only five thousand more than the top Mondeo. From 1,099,000 rubles for the basic version of Ambiente. Or 1 million 229 thousand for a well-equipped Trend. But in our case, this is 1,329,000 rubles for the maximum packed Mondeo in the Titanium version. In addition to navigation, traffic jams, and LED lighting technology, this Ford has an eight-inch instrument cluster and inflatable seat belts for rear passengers. Wow! 
The slanting blades of the LED headlights, the “bevels” removed in English from the corners of the radiator grille... Is that you, friend of the Mondeo?! 
But at the back of the recognition one hundred percent! Due to the short overhang of the trunk and the sloping roof, the sedan is a bit like a coupe. The wheelbase remained the same - 2850 mm, and the length increased by 93 mm. However, the new Mondeo is slightly narrower and lower than the previous Mazda 6 with a two-liter engine and costs from 990,000 rubles, and a 192-horsepower "six", like ours, from 1,200,000 to 1,307,000 rubles. But the most expensive in this test is Toyota Camry: from 1,295,000 rubles for a sedan with a two-liter engine and from 1,447,000 rubles for a 180-horsepower modification of 2.5 liters. True, almost all car dealers are now luring with seasonal discounts. For example, buying a Camry can save up to 150 thousand. But it will be possible to bring down the price of the Mondeo only by using the recycling programs or trade-in. And what do you want - the effect of novelty! But if you look at the Mondeo with a sober eye... The trunk lid is installed skewed, the gaps between the hood and fenders float, the rear bumper does not fit snugly. What is it, features of the local assembly? But after all, two other duelists also have a local residence permit, but you can’t find such jambs on their bodies. Bad sediment. 
The interior of the Mondeo is high quality and modern. The expensive versions of Titanium and Titanium Plus have a virtual instrument cluster and a widescreen Sync 2 media center, which is included in the Techno package for 49,000 rubles 
Devices with an eight-inch display look chic, but they burden the driver with too much information. The Sync 2 multimedia system has the widest possibilities, the menu logic is simple, and the sound is powerful. It's a pity, the touch screen slows down a lot in responses. Especially when dealing with navigation. There are more than two dozen buttons on the steering wheel. The upper joysticks are for changing the display readings, the lower tier is responsible for the “music” and cruise control. But the Ford doors swing open at almost 90 degrees, and the openings are as wide as garage doors. Welcome! Praise Mondeo for powerful rubber seals with an additional contour in the threshold area. Pants stay clean. But there is something to blame him for. A good driver's seat in general is spoiled by a short pillow and a high installation. I always want to go down. Visibility suffers due to the wide A-pillars and truncated mirrors. But the most disturbing of all is the five-centimeter step between the gas and the brake. Shoes with wide soles constantly conflict with the left pedal. 
The front seats are comfortable and hold well in corners, but are designed for low. On the second row, there is still a lot of space in front of the knees. A sofa with a long cushion contributes to a comfortable fit. There are deflectors, heating and a 220V socket. The trunk with a capacity of 516 liters is trimmed neatly. The hinges are removed under the skin. However, the length of the compartment greatly complicates the unloading of luggage. And in the Mondeo it is inconvenient for the front passenger. His knees are bent more than usual due to lack of longitudinal space. On the second row, you can get more comfortable. Landing is moderately vertical, the stock of space in front of the knees is sufficient, although slightly less than in the previous generation car. But the roof is crushing. Passengers of average height should not have any particular problems on the upper tier, but those who have reached under two meters will prop up the ceiling with their heads. For this, let's say thanks in a compartment littered with rear pillars. Stylish but impractical. 
Despite the abundance of chrome and the frown of LED headlights, the "six" has not lost its sexuality. 
Two exhaust pipes are a significant difference between the 192-horsepower "six" with a 2.5-liter engine. Blued 19-inch wheels are the prerogative of the top-of-the-line Supreme Plus version The Mazda6 got its update just a few months ago, but who's going to notice?! Radiator grille, blackened headlights with LEDs and rims. Not much. There are a little more metamorphoses in the interior, but they are, as they say, overdue. Instead of an orphan display in the center of the panel, there is now a full-fledged screen, located almost at the level of the driver's eyes. At the top of the visor of the instrument cluster is a retractable projector that duplicates some of the important information. Again, less distraction from the road. And most importantly - the button for activating the sports mode of the transmission, which the pre-reform "six" lacked so much. 
The interior of Mazda is somewhat reminiscent of BMW salons. Here everything is on the case and in its place. The upper screen fits very organically into the style of minimal techno 
Three wells - three displays. Mazda instruments are simple and clear, but I would like better contrast. The climate control unit is arranged almost perfectly. Large buttons are adjacent to the swivel washers. Only the temperature symbols are small. Now the “six” has an electromechanical “handbrake” and a button for activating the sports mode of the transmission. Does the silver-plated key to the left of the selector also remind you of a B-M-Vash? Here and in the architecture of the front panel, Bavarian motifs can be traced. Finishing materials are also similar: rough in appearance, but as if carved from a single piece of plastic. Solid! But visibility due to the wide pillars is only slightly better than in the Ford, and the Mazda has the least amount of space for passengers. In a nutshell - “living wage”: it doesn’t seem to be tight anywhere, but it’s not particularly clear either. But still the three in the back will be cramped. And the landing is the most problematic: the thresholds are wide, and the openings, on the contrary, are narrow. 
Mazda seats have an optimal shape and a wide range of adjustments. Including vertically. However, the sunroof version has a very low ceiling. Relative tightness is noticeable in the back as well. There is less space in front of the knees than competitors, although still enough. Landing is hindered by a narrowed doorway. The luggage compartment is neat, but small - 429 liters. You can unlock the backrest from the trunk, but there is no spring-loaded mechanism, you can only fold it from the passenger compartment. Having reseeded from Mazda to Toyota, it seems that you have changed the cramped “odnushka” to the “three-ruble note” in Khrushchev - how spacious it is here! You enter the Camry salon, barely crouching down, and plopping down on a wide armchair or back sofa. If you want, cross your legs. You can put a top hat on your head - a good fifteen centimeters from the top of your head to the ceiling. Passengers of richly equipped versions of 2.5 liters ride like cheeses in butter. Through the control unit in the center armrest, they can command the climate control, "music" and tilt back of the rear sofa. Rivals do not have such a thing even in the options list. 
The Camry is similar in size and overall proportions to a midsize crossover. 
The 2.0-liter version features disproportionately small 16-inch wheels. A more powerful modification has “shoes” a size larger. But the Camry does not even smell of homely comfort, which is clearly palpable in Mazda and to a lesser extent in Ford, in the Camry cabin - it looks more like a hotel room furnished with typical furniture. And, alas, despite the recent package of updates, it's time to sprinkle the interior of Toyota with mothballs: primitive buttons, plastic "wood", electronic watch... Retro! And with ergonomics, not everything is smooth. The ranges of adjustment of the steering column are the most modest, the back of the left seat cannot be placed vertically, the steering wheel is huge, like the steering wheel of a ship. However, elegant and informative devices are perfectly visible through it. Visibility is only slightly better than that of rivals: Toyota has the most “transparent” body pillars, but the side mirrors are trimmed along the upper, most “long-range” sector. 
After the upgrade of high-quality plastic in the Camry's cabin, there is more, but the fundamental design has already gone out of fashion. But in the Toyota cabin, nothing constrains and it is easy to breathe thanks to the nano-e ozonation system. 
The instrument cluster is smart and clear at first sight! The climate control unit resembles an old cassette recorder, but it has no equal in terms of ease of use. Feature Camry - wireless charging for smartphones, available starting with the version of "Comfort" 
The front seat is wide and welcoming. Minus - limited vertical adjustment of the backrest. On the second row there is a limousine space. The "Prestige" and "Lux" versions have an electric drive for the back of the sofa, and the microclimate and "music" are controlled through a block in the armrest. Toyota has a roomy trunk - 506 liters, but with a high threshold and intricate shape Why did we need a two-liter Camry? To bring Ford's Duratec to clean water. Its overseas counterpart, not constrained by tax limits, develops 177 hp. Recall that our Mondeo has “preferential” 149 forces. Comparing the dynamics of Ford and two Toyotas, we realized that the deforcing of the American unit was carried out not by minders, but by managers, because the Vsevolozhsk sedan is going for an honest hundred and seventy-odd. It picks up briskly, then fades a little due to lack of traction, and then wakes up with a powerful pickup. In general, the dynamics are enough. 
Ford's Duratec and Mazda's "four" of the MZR family are close relatives. Fully aluminum “aspirated” with a volume of 2488 cm³ with distributed injection and intake phase shifters was developed by Japanese engineers. Under the hood of the American Fusion, this engine develops 177 hp. SkyActive Mazda 6 with a compression ratio of 13: 1 produces 192 forces. An indisputable plus of the American version is AI-92 fuel. 
Toyota atmospheric "fours" 2.0 and 2.5 liters have a lot in common. Cast iron blocks, phase shifters on both camshafts and noise dampening valve covers. But the younger motor is able to switch to the Atkinson cycle at low loads. But the Ford fluid mechanics 6F35 is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, the “automatic” works with minimal losses in the transmission of torque: he stomped on the accelerator and immediately felt a response surge of acceleration. But in the appendage you get a downshift. Even if he was not going to accelerate at all, but only wanted to shorten the distance. And all right, if the shifts went quickly and smoothly - the “automatic” goes through the six steps slowly and almost always with jerks. At the same time, emergency acceleration in the kick-down “automatic” mode may blink. Then Mondeo will continue to lazily gain momentum in the current gear. And if it's overtaking on the opposite side? 
Mondeo accelerates assertively and firmly holds on to the trajectory of the turn. Driver'scar? The idyll is spoiled by a sluggish "machine". But the chassis is set up with a twinkle. Mondeo is unshakable on a straight line, almost does not react to rutting and without delay obeys the informative steering wheel. Moderate body roll and slight oversteer in turns encourage dynamic driving. However, don't get carried away with speed. Having exhausted the grip properties of the tires, the rear “multi-link” is the first to give up - a skid! Moreover, the beginning of the slip happens quite abruptly, and the stabilization system wakes up late. But the brakes are the best in the quartet: accurate and informative! Toyota, with the same deceleration efficiency, has worse feedback, and the Mazda drive spoils the “woolness” at the beginning of the pedal stroke. 
Ford's suspension does a great job with both individual bumps and broken sections. But on speed bumps, the rear shock absorbers “stand up”, skipping a beat. At first, it seems that the Mondeo suspension adapted for Russia is omnivorous. Shock absorbers smooth broken sections of roads like a skating rink. The buildup of the tailgate is minimal - it does not sway. But as soon as the wheels get into a larger hole, a hard blow passes into the cabin. The same thing happens at walking speeds, when passing speed bumps. And the body of the sedan raised above the asphalt by 147 mm (the clearance of the European Mondeo is 135 mm) sways all the time in time with the work of the suspensions. It seems that the chassis of the Vsevolozhsk Mondeo was simply "re-adapted". But the car of the past generation pleased both with smooth running and refined handling. 
Fans of driving a two-liter Camry will not disappoint, the return at high speeds for a small-capacity engine is simply enviable. But those who are accustomed to driving on the moment will sorely lack traction at low speeds of the Toyota Camry with a two-liter engine - the most sedate car in this test. According to the passport, the 150-horsepower “four”, passing at low speeds to the Atkinson economical cycle, accelerates the one and a half ton sedan to the first “hundred” in quite decent 10.4 seconds. But in fact, up to two and a half thousand on the tachometer, the motor was frankly sluggish. But after this milestone - an intense pickup, not subsiding until the very electronic cutoff. That's where such optimistic overclocking figures come from. Therefore, driving such a Toyota with the gas pedal in the floor is easier than stomping around "law-abiding" speeds. Many, by the way, do just that. In Camry with a 180-horsepower engine, it is easier to control the dynamics. The thrust here is smeared with a greasy layer over almost the entire rev range. I lightly pressed the accelerator pedal with my foot, and Toyota responded with convincing acceleration in the selected gear. Therefore, the fuel consumption, contrary to the passport data, for such a version is lower than that of a two-liter one, on average by a quarter of a liter: 10.5-12.5 l / 100 km. And the “automatic” is really smart! Changes steps only on business, instantly and smoothly. Sometimes the transition is easier to notice by the jumped tachometer needle, and the accompanying acceleration - by the flickering landscape outside the window. 
Version 2.5 l is better in all respects. Vnatyag rides more confidently, accelerates faster, and even more economical! The two-liter sedan has a slightly better ride due to 16-inch wheels After the update, the Camry lays softer than before. The new shock absorbers dampen bumps of all kinds better, and now the suspension kicks with vertical vibrations except at bridge joints and asphalt cross sections. Moreover, we did not notice much difference in smoothness between the modifications. Everything is more comfortable than in Ford and Mazda. But there is also a downside to the coin: the steering wheel is empty on a straight line, the sedan drives into corners with laziness, and body roll is the most noticeable. But in extreme modes Toyota, unlike Ford, is controlled without unpleasant surprises. Having lost contact with the road, the Japanese sedan glides safely in the demolition of four wheels. Another thing is that you don’t want to go to extremes while driving a Camry, because even a dynamic ride does not cause any special emotions. 
Mazda's "aspirated" is revealed at high speeds and is able to maintain acceleration to electronic cutoff. But when driving in tension, its watery traction at low revs forces the gearbox to fuss. On a straight steering wheel, the "six" is a little relaxed in the near-zero zone, feedback appears as the steered wheels are loaded. But Mazda provokes and in every possible way encourages a dynamic drive. The accelerator here is as if connected with the motor by a steel thread, and the reactions to an increase in traction in the “six” are the most acute. With such feedback, the semitones of the atmospheric "quartet" are very well felt. At low speeds, it hesitates a bit in search of traction, but as the crankshaft spins up, it seems to rush after the declared less than eight seconds before the first three-digit speedometer mark. Annoyed by the sports mode, Mazda's "automatic" often uses lower gears and maintains optimal engine speeds. And what a serenade the sky-active engine sings at high speeds - you will hear! The engines of both Toyotas also play along with heavy metal during acceleration, but the growling Camry is like Baskov's Ramstein DuHast - nonsense. Under the hood, the Mondeo plays drum and bass. The sound is rhythmic, but uterine, and therefore not very pleasant to the ear. On rough pavement, tire noise is also added. In Toyotas, road rumble is also audible, but other sounds penetrate the cabin in a very muffled form. But least of all "garbage" in Mazda. After the fight against noise in the cabin of the "Japanese" it became quieter. 
The smoothness is a pleasant surprise. On small irregularities, the body of the "six" barely sways, medium-sized pits also do not cause much discomfort. Short-travel suspension is only afraid of potholes with sharp edges. Every turn behind the wheel of a Mazda is a small happiness! On a winding highway, the "six" flirts with the driver with alternating loads. An unfiltered feedback stream flows from the front wheels to the palms, through which it is easy to feel the reliability of the grip. By the way, it's small. Mazda starts to slip the front axle earlier than expected. Perhaps, with the new, softer shock absorbers, the body began to roll a little more, but now the bumps in the turn arc do not knock the Mazda off course. For such a driver's car, the "six" lays very comfortably. A good balance ... If it were not for the buildup of the body on the waves of asphalt, which the pre-reform sedan did not have at all. And the front dances more strongly. 
| Ford Mondeo | ||
|---|---|---|
 | Low price tag of basic versions | Rough work "machine" |
| Generous equipment | Shock-absorbing suspension | |
| Powerful motor | Noisy motor | |
| Mazda 6 | ||
 | Accelerating dynamics | Lack of space in the cabin |
| Smooth running | Small trunk | |
| Silence in the cabin | body swing | |
| Toyota Camry | ||
 | Accelerating dynamics version 2.5 l | Accelerating dynamics version 2.0 l |
| The work of the "machine" | outdated interior | |
| Comfort suspension | Controllability | |
Specifications of the tested vehicles (manufacturer data)
| Ford Mondeo 2.5 | Mazda6 2.5 | Toyota Camry 2.5 (2.0) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body | |||
| Type | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan |
| Number of seats/doors | 5/4 | 5/4 | 5/4 |
| Engine | |||
| Type | Petrol | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine location | Front transverse | Front transverse | Front transverse |
| Number and arrangement of cylinders | 4, in a row | 4, in a row | 4, in a row |
| Working volume, cu. cm | 2488 | 2488 | 2494 (1998) |
| Power, hp at rpm | 149/6000 | 192/5700 | 181 /6000 (149 /6500) |
| Torque, Nm at rpm | 225/3900 | 256/3250 | 231/4100 (199/4600) |
| Transmission | |||
| Drive unit | Front | Front | Front |
| Transmission | 6-automatic transmission | 6-automatic transmission | 6-automatic transmission |
| brakes | |||
| Front | Disc ventilated | Disc ventilated | Disc ventilated |
| Rear | Disk | Disk | Disk |
| Suspension | |||
| Front | Independent, spring, McPherson | Independent, spring, McPherson | |
| rear | Independent, spring, multi-link | Independent, spring, McPherson | |
| Dimensions, volume, weight | |||
| Length/width/height, mm | 4871x1852x1482 | 4870x1840x1450 | 4850x1825x1480 |
| Wheel base, mm | 2850 | 2830 | 2775 |
| Clearance, mm | 147 | 165 | 160 |
| Curb weight, kg | 1562 | 1400 | 1530-1550 (1455-1465) |
| Fuel tank volume, l | 62,5 | 62 | 70 |
| Trunk volume, l | 516 | 429 | 506 |
| Tires | 235/50 R17 | 225/45 R19 | 215/55 R17 (215/60 R16) |
| Dynamic characteristics | |||
| Maximum speed, km/h | 204 | 223 | 210 |
| Acceleration to 100 km/h, sec. | 10,3 | 7,8 | 9,0 (10,4) |
| Fuel consumption, l/100 km | |||
| Combined cycle | 8,2 | 6,5 | 7,8 (7,2) |
| CO2 emissions, g/km, eq. Class | 189, Euro-4 | 151, Euro-4 | 183, Euro-4 (168, Euro 4) |
| The cost of the car, rub. | |||
| Basic equipment | 1 099 000 | 1 200 000 | 1 447 000 (1 295 000) |
Safety
Ford Mondeo
Mazda6 
Toyota Camry 
| Equipped with security systems | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Mondeo 2.5 | Mazda6 2.5 | Toyota Camry 2.5 | |
| Front airbags | + | + | + |
| Side airbags | + | + | + |
| air curtains | + | + | + |
| Driver/passenger knee airbag | +/- | -/- | +/- |
| Inflatable seat belts for rear passengers | + | - | - |
| ESP stabilization system | + | + | + |
| Traction control system TCS | + | + | + |
| ABS anti-lock braking system | + | + | + |
| Brake Assist | + | + | + |
| Rear View Camera | + | + | + |
| Parktronic | + | + | - |
| Parking assistance | + | + | + |
| LED headlights | + | + | - |
| xenon headlights | - | - | + |
| adaptive headlights | + | + | + |
| Lane Change Assistance | + | + | + |
| Lane Tracking System | - | + | - |
| Collision avoidance system | - | + | - |
| Traffic Sign Recognition System | - | - | - |
| Driver fatigue monitoring system | - | + | - |
| Turning on the alarm during emergency braking | + | + | + |
Competitors
Nissan Teana The new Nissan Teana in the minimum Elegance configuration with a 2.5-liter engine (172 hp) and a CVT is sold for 1,293,000 rubles. The Elegance Plus version is 80,000 rubles more expensive, and for a well-equipped Luxury version, you will need to pay another 50,000. Teana with a 249-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 cannot be bought cheaper than 1,734,000 rubles for the Premium version. For Premium Plus equipment, you will have to pay an additional 20,000 rubles. 
Kia Optima The Korean sedan Kia Optima 2.0 l (150 hp) in the basic Comfort package costs from 1,099,900 rubles. Surcharge for automatic transmission - 50 thousand. The Luxe version is priced at 1,239,900 rubles, and the Prestige is another 110,000 more expensive. Optima 2.4 (180 hp) costs from 1,299,900 to 1,509,900 rubles. 
Peugeot 508 Updated last year, the Peugeot 508 is offered in two fixed trim levels - Active and Allure, at a price of 1,444,000 to 1,584,000 rubles for a sedan with a 1.6-liter gasoline engine (150 hp) and a six-speed "automatic" . A modification with a 2.0 HDi turbodiesel (136 hp) and the same gearbox in the only Allure equipment costs 1,679,000 rubles. Photobonus
