The Ford Mondeo, launched in 1993, was billed as Ford's 'world car', and was also sold in North America as the Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique. The name Mondeo is derived from the Latin for world, mundus.

The current model, slightly longer, but based on the original Mondeo's floorpan and running gear was launched in 2000. It is much more distinctive than the 1993 original, borrowing styling cues from the smaller Focus, and sporting a much more upmarket interior and higher standard of build quality influenced by the Volkswagen Passat. The old Zeta-family engines engines have been replaced by the newer Sigma and Duratec units, though the Zetec name has been retained.

As with its predecessor, passive safety was a major selling point of the 2000 Mondeo. With an even stronger bodyshell, Ford introduced its so-called "Intelligent Protection System" (IPS), which used an "intelligent" array of sensors based on a neural network to decide the best combination of safety devices (traditional front passenger airbags, side airbags and curtain airbags) to deploy for a given crash situation. To enhance active safety, all models were fitted with anti-lock brakes and electronic brake distribution, with electronic stability program (ESP) available as an option.

A new automatic transmission had been added to the range called the Durashift. This unit has five gears and may be shifted manually or shifted like an automatic.

The archaic Endura-E 1.8L TD diesel engine was dropped from this series and replaced by a more sophisticated 2.0L Duratorq direct-injection (TDCi) unit with a variable geometry turbine. This clever turbine system allows a certain amount of overboost, giving an extra 10% or so of torque for short periods.

For 2004, the Mondeo was given a very mild upgrade, the new models being identifiable by the larger chrome honeycomb radiator grille, a new central dashboard with electronic climate control, either a standard Ford radio, Sony radio or a satellite navigation radio/CD player which also has climate control built into the unit in lieu of the space taken up by the unit. The Durashift automatic is now available with steering wheel control, while a 96 kW (130 PS) common rail version of the Duratorq turbodiesel engine became available. The petrol engines were revised at this stage also — the new SCI (direct-injection) version of the 1.8L Duratec engine was introduced which generates 4 kW (5 PS) more than the standard unit. In addition, equipment was upgraded across the range — cruise control and electronic air conditioning were made standard on all models. In 2005 there were two new Duratorq direct-injection (TDCi) options, a 2.2L with 114 kW (155 PS) and a detuned version of the 2.0L with 65 kW (89 PS). Also, the Seat Belt Warning System is added and now standard, with an audible/visual warning signal reminding the driver to fasten his/her seat belt.

 
2004 Ford Metrostar A+, built in Germany for the Taiwanese market. Mainland China gets a similar model.In Taiwan, a derivative of the Mondeo is called the Ford Metrostar, and has a more formal grille and lights, befitting its status as Ford's top sedan for that market. The mainland Chinese market now also gets the Mondeo with the same formal front end.