Falcon XR6 vs Commodore International - Drive.com

[Trendseeker]

http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/h...0122-mpkz.html

The two Aussie classics go head to head.

Holden Commodore International ... $36,490 drive-away with metallic paint. 3.0-litre V6; 190kW/290Nm; 6-speed auto; 9.3L/100km and 221g/km CO2; RWD.

Value International package adds $7500 of value, including 18-inch alloys, leather trim, rear parking sensors, Bluetooth.

Safety Five-star ANCAP crash rating, six airbags (front, side and curtain), stability control. Reverse parking sensors.

Inside Leather can't spruce up Commodore's dated interior. Ample space for five, big boot but rear seats don't fold.

Engine Small V6 is smooth but six-speed auto has to change constantly to keep up. Better claimed fuel consumption and punchy performance.

How it drives Steering tends towards dull and brakes feel wooden.

Verdict Solid value in a stylish package but the basic Commodore platform is a bit tired.

Ford Falcon XR6 ... $36,490 drive-away with metallic paint. 4.0-litre 6-cylinder; 195kW/391Nm; 5-speed auto; 10.5L/100km and 251g/km CO2; RWD.

Value 17-inch alloys, body kit, leather-bound steering wheel, iPod integration, Bluetooth.

Safety Five-star ANCAP crash rating, front and side airbags, stability and traction control. Curtain airbags cost extra.

Inside Spacious, more modern interior. Lumpy boot floor can stop smaller items rolling around. 60/40 split-fold rear seats.

Engine Large in-line six is strong, even with 5-speed auto. More economical in everyday driving when teamed with optional 6-speed auto.

How it drives Good road manners but better brakes would be appreciated.

Verdict Pay extra for the curtain airbags and the Falcon is a winner; it's better to drive and feels fresher.

A positive comment on Ford from the media?

[kezzer]

why isn't the 3.6l ever mentioned?

[cosmo20btt]

Originally Posted by kezzer

why isn't the 3.6l ever mentioned?

Can you get a 3.6 for that price?

[XR8putts]

Originally Posted by kezzer

why isn't the 3.6l ever mentioned?

Look at the prices of the two cars compared above, they're exactly the same.

If you want to compare the Holden 3.6 with a Ford equivilent (price wise too), be prepared to face the Falcon Turbo..

Edit, beaten to it.

[block58]

Hopefully curtain airbags and the 6 speed will be standard in the FG update so the media have less to whinge about.

[TUF_302]

It just shows how much better value the Falcon is, and how much of a better car really!

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by block58

Hopefully curtain airbags and the 6 speed will be standard in the FG update so the media have less to whinge about.

+1 although I'd say the de-contenting of the FG was more or less deliberate so they had something in the cupboard for the update.

[Airmon]

That's the first time I've ever read a media release that noted the spare wheel well in the boot as a pro.
Most of the time Journo's are complaining that the boot floor isn't flat enough,

[dannyhilton]

Why didn't they compare the limited edition G6 with the International? That would seem more logical in terms of kit, along with their value for money factor.

[block58]

Originally Posted by dannyhilton

Why didn't they compare the limited edition G6 with the International? That would seem more logical in terms of kit, along with their value for money factor.

I think the International is more of a permanent limited edition.

Ford can't have that many of the 1500 (?) G6LEs left, if any. So there wouldn't be any point reviewing it as a "new car".

[US kills Falcon]

Whoo hoo! Can't wait to get my FG XR6 next month.

[dannyhilton]

Originally Posted by block58

I think the International is more of a permanent limited edition.

Ford can't have that many of the 1500 (?) G6LEs left, if any. So there wouldn't be any point reviewing it as a "new car".

Oh ok one of Holdens 'limited editions' just like the Pontiac nose haha.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by Airmon

That's the first time I've ever read a media release that noted the spare wheel well in the boot as a pro.
Most of the time Journo's are complaining that the boot floor isn't flat enough,

Yeah and it usually is Drive who dribble on and on about the uneven boot floor and the 'lack' of curtain airbags.

Personally I think the depression in the boot floor is great - stops all the shopping from rolling all over the place and a decent sized suitcase fits the well perfectly.

[InTrail]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Personally I think the depression in the boot floor is great - stops all the shopping from rolling all over the place and a decent sized suitcase fits the well perfectly.

Agree. We've got 2 suitcases that fit in the boot as if they were custom made for the recessed area.

[kezzer]

ahh fair enough guys

[prydey]

why is the airbag count so important to the media these days?

+1 for loving the 'non flat' boot floor too.

[XR Martin]

Its not the uneven boot floor thats the issue, its the fact it looks like flat rug is thrown in the back thats roughly the size of the boot floor. The finish is just so poor.

[greens_tuf]

This article is so stupid, it tells you nothing new, it doesn't even give a final verdict.

What is the point?

[jpd80]

Ignore the complaint about curtain air bags and they are saying that the Falcon is better and fresher.

Secretly, Drive is disapointed that no real body or interior updates were done on the latest Commodore,
it must kill them to acknowledge the Falcon as a better car, that's why they "bury" the verdict....

[block58]

There's no way to sugar coat it, the Commodore is a worse car. :

[ThePistonHead]

100 NM difference?



100?

What on earth were the engineers thinking, they're going backwards.

[pauljh74]

Looks like we're sort of going back to the days of the XD-XF vs VC-VK. Standard engine in Commodore is smaller than the Ford, and uses just as much juice for about the same price.

[irlewy86]

Originally Posted by ThePistonHead

100 NM difference?



What on earth were the accountants thinking, they're going backwards.

Fixed

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

Its not the uneven boot floor thats the issue, its the fact it looks like flat rug is thrown in the back thats roughly the size of the boot floor. The finish is just so poor.

Both of ours are neat as... :S have you even had a look at one??

[MAGPIE]

Originally Posted by prydey

why is the airbag count so important to the media these days?

+1 for loving the 'non flat' boot floor too.

Because curtain airbags have been around for donkey's years & yet are still an option on a 2010 Falcon :

I love the FG but that is just a ridiculous decision by Ford in this day & age :

[snappy]

Originally Posted by MAGPIE

Because curtain airbags have been around for donkey's years & yet are still an option on a 2010 Falcon :

I love the FG but that is just a ridiculous decision by Ford in this day & age :

why they dont need the curtain airbags to make it 5 star safety rated .
I bet thats the only reason other manufacturers installed them .
An if i remember correctly the falcon scored better the the holden on the ancap safety test without them .
They provide a good level of safety standard you want more pay up.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by MAGPIE

Because curtain airbags have been around for donkey's years & yet are still an option on a 2010 Falcon :

it still has a 5 star crash rating. they have zero impact on how the car drives or its cosmetics or features.

i feel these days with all the acronyms, we get a bit carried away letting it sway our opinion on a car.

maybe its another one of those things like 0-100 times and 1/4 times that people like to brag about down the pub.

'so how many airbags has yours got?' 'only 6' 'mines got 12'

[FalconXR6]

WOW !!!
For the price of a Commo International (what sort of a name is that???...) you can get yourself into an FG XR6 !!!

I would really like to have a chat with the bloke or blokette that lays down his or her hard earned for an International over an XR6 to hear their justification !!!

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by FalconXR6

WOW !!!
For the price of a Commo International (what sort of a name is that???...) you can get yourself into an FG XR6 !!!

I would really like to have a chat with the bloke or blokette that lays down his or her hard earned for an International over an XR6 to hear their justification !!!

Over the XR6 the Commo has:

Leather
Bigger wheels
Reverse sensors
Auto with more gears
Better ADR fuel economy
6 stacker....

But if the G6 LE was used it would be different again.

In the end I would much much much prefer the Falcon though, The FG is such a good car, not many cars can compete with it.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by FalconXR6

Commo International (what sort of a name is that???...) !

was a nameplate generally used with calais