Some cars, you think they have already exited the stage.

This car was once the dream vehicle for countless young people, with its coupe-like silhouette standing out among the business-oriented B-class cars, achieving sales of over ten thousand units per month at its peak. However, just a few years later, its name is mentioned less frequently by sales consultants in 4S stores than that of a newly launched domestic brand vehicle.

It is the Ford Mondeo.

At the 2025 Guangzhou Auto Show, the new Mondeo was officially unveiled. The 27-inch massive screen measuring 1.1 meters, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip, and the 261-horsepower fourth-generation 2.0T engine—almost every upgrade addresses current consumer pain points. Yet, as I stood in front of this fully equipped American sedan, a question arose in my mind: Is it still timely to offer these features that should have been provided three years ago?

01 Late Sincerity

Approaching the new Mondeo, the most striking feature is the ultra-wide high-definition massive screen that spans the entire center console. The seamless connection between the 12.3-inch instrument panel and the 27-inch central screen indeed provides a strong visual impact. However, those familiar with this market know that BYD had already mastered large screens back in 2021, and Changan Ford is now catching up, three years late.

More critically is the vehicle’s chip. The new car finally comes standard with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155, a chip that has already become standard in domestic brand vehicles priced around 100,000 yuan. For the Mondeo, priced at nearly 200,000 yuan, to adopt this in 2025 is somewhat ironic. Opening the vehicle system, the first-time inclusion of Amap, support for CarPlay, and integration with AI large models—these features would have been highlights three years ago, but now they can only be seen as “finally catching up on overdue payments.”

The exterior design has also undergone significant changes. Gone are the separate headlights, replaced with fuller LED light clusters, and the octagonal grille paired with arrayed chrome accents gives a more refined overall appearance compared to the previous model. The taillights incorporate the “three-column” elements from the Mustang, and the blacked-out, continuous design is highly recognizable when illuminated at night. The 0.293Cd ultra-low drag coefficient also reflects Ford’s expertise in aerodynamics. But will these changes bring consumers back into Ford’s 4S stores?

02 Power Remains a Highlight

If intelligence is catching up, then the powertrain is one of the few assets Ford can still showcase.

The fourth-generation EcoBoost 2.0T engine produces a maximum power of 261 horsepower and a peak torque of 408 Nm, which is an increase of 7 horsepower and 15 Nm compared to the previous model. This performance data remains competitive among similar fuel vehicles, and the technology of dual-scroll turbocharging and dual-injection fuel systems allows this engine to find a balance between power response and fuel economy. The matched 8AT transmission has been optimized, with adjustments made to the planetary gear structure and clutch structure.

At the moment you press the accelerator, the familiar push-back feeling of American cars is still there. The driving quality of the Mondeo has never been an issue; the question is how many people still care about the driving pleasure of a pure fuel vehicle? As the Accord and Camry have launched hybrid versions, and the BYD Qin L DM-i boasts a fuel consumption of 3.98L per 100 kilometers, the Mondeo’s 2.0T engine feels like a sharp sword used in a battlefield where swords are no longer in fashion.

Even more awkward is that while the new car offers a 1.5T hybrid system, specific parameters and market pricing have yet to be announced. In 2025, when new energy vehicles have already captured half of the B-class car market, can Ford’s hybrid technology impress consumers who are hesitating between BYD, Li Auto, and AITO? The answer is likely not optimistic.

03 Products Are Not What Time Has Abandoned

Many people might say, is the new Mondeo lacking in product strength? With the 27-inch screen, 8155 chip, 261 horsepower, and coupe-like silhouette, there are no obvious shortcomings when looking at the specifications alone. However, the problem lies in the fact that when consumers have become accustomed to BYD’s monthly OTA updates, to the comforts of Li Auto’s refrigerator, TV, and sofa, and to the HarmonyOS cabin of AITO, Ford’s “barely passing” solution for 2025 is unlikely to spark purchasing desire.

After visiting several Ford 4S stores, the sales consultants were more direct: “Not many people are looking at the Mondeo now; mainly old owners are considering a trade-in. Young people either look at the Camry or Accord, or they go straight for new energy vehicles.” A former Mondeo owner said in a car enthusiast group: “I bought the Mondeo back then for its sportiness and uniqueness, but now there are more aggressive-looking new energy vehicles everywhere, and the Mondeo’s advantages are long gone.”

More fatal is the decline in brand perception. Ford’s presence in the Chinese market is becoming weaker, with a shrinking dealer network and declining after-sales service reputation, all of which have sown doubts in consumers’ minds. The purchase decision cycle for a B-class car often lasts several months; when consumers compare the Camry, Magotan, and Accord, the Mondeo may not even make it onto their candidate list, rendering even the best product strength useless.

04 The Last Chance Is Still a Farewell Performance

Looking back from the 2025 perspective, the story of the Ford Mondeo resembles a microcosm of an era.

Ten years ago, American cars enjoyed great popularity in the Chinese market due to their large displacement and strong power. The Mondeo’s coupe silhouette pioneered the sporty B-class car, influencing countless successors. However, as the market shifted towards new energy, intelligence, and extreme cost-effectiveness, Ford’s response has always been a step behind. By the time they finally decided to change, consumers had already found better answers from other brands.

Will the new Mondeo be Ford’s last stand in the Chinese B-class car market? From a product strength perspective, it is a qualified 2025 B-class sedan. From a market environment perspective, it faces the most brutal B-class car red sea in history. The Camry, Accord, and Magotan are traditional strong competitors, while BYD, Li Auto, and AITO are new forces disrupting the market, the Mondeo’s survival space has been compressed to the extreme.

Some say that people who buy the Mondeo have never done so to follow trends, but for that unique driving quality and design aesthetics. This is true, but when this uniqueness needs to be exchanged for poor sales, low resale value, and inconvenient maintenance, how many people are still willing to pay for sentiment?

The real regret is not that a car sells poorly, but that it could have done better but chose to wait when it should have acted. The new Mondeo’s 27-inch screen and 8155 chip feel like a late love letter; no matter how beautifully written, it cannot bring back those who have already left.

At this Guangzhou Auto Show, I saw Ford’s sincerity, but also the helplessness of an American brand in the Chinese market. Can the Mondeo rise again? The answer may depend on the market, but the time left for Ford is truly running out.

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