Ford Mondeo Vignale Hybrid review

What is it?

It is the petrol-electric hybrid edition of the more upmarket Ford Mondeo Vignale.

Surely we have encountered both parts of that formula already?

The hybrid Mondeo, yes - and you would ideally have given it a wide berth. Its CVT-managed petrol-electric powertrain harks back to the worst era of eco cars, responding to even modest throttle inputs with a whining, droning, mooing soundtrack. Fuel economy is not especially impressive either, while its entry-level appearance is hardly something any company-car driver would relish being seen in.

The Mondeo Vignale, on the other hand, represents Ford’s effort to challenge premium makes such as BMW and Audi. The idea is to prevent owners of high-spec Focuses, Mondeos and similar models from believing that moving upmarket inevitably means buying anything other than another Ford.

Put simply, it brings extensive equipment, plenty of chrome and leather, plus preferential dealer treatment. That includes courtesy cars, priority servicing and a ‘personal liaison manager’ with whom you will be on first-name terms. If wielding a hose and sponge holds no appeal, he or she will even arrange for your car to be cleaned.

Ford Mondeo Vignale Hybrid: the combined result

Neither sounds especially brilliant, so what happens when they are brought together?

The Ford Mondeo Hybrid finally starts to make sense. It is no longer dreadful; indeed, it is a rather pleasant car in which to travel. You might – might – even look at one before automatically choosing a German rival that spends more on LED lighting signatures than ensuring its salesperson posts a wedding-anniversary card.

What has changed? It now has a proper bodykit and 19-inch wheels, for one thing.

The more muscular exterior certainly helps, as do the richer seat trims. Those seats also deliver the most intrusive massage function yet fitted to a car. Plenty of cars now come with built-in wi-fi and television, but few forms of motoring entertainment beat a passenger’s alarmed laughter when you discreetly switch on their bottom-knead-o-matic. You have been warned.

Performance and refinement

Is it quick?

Not really. The 0-62mph sprint takes 9.2 seconds, roughly half a second slower than the 2.0-litre, 178bhp diesel fitted to most Mondeos. This is emphatically not a performance hybrid.

Then why is it better than anticipated?

To fulfil the Vignale remit as a more refined and premium product, Ford has applied substantial sound insulation. As a result, it is far less likely to induce a migraine while under way. Drive it as though it were a performance car and it still becomes strained and vocal, but when pottering about normally it is distinctly more polished.

Around town, electric running gives the Vignale Hybrid considerably better manners than the diesel. Gliding along in near silence simply feels much more suitable. In real use, the batteries will provide only a couple of miles, and extracting that range calls for zen-like restraint with the accelerator, but it remains a reasonably agreeable way to get about.

The Vignale is not really aimed at keen drivers, since its principal advantages - VIP dealer support and hands-off maintenance - cannot be assessed on a drive. Yet for a Ford enthusiast mourning the absence of a modern Granada, with £30,000 to spend, there may be some logic in the apparent madness.