» Get the best price on a new Falcon XT or Falcon G6
Road Test - Ford Falcon XT v G6
Model: Ford Falcon XT
RRP: $36,490
Price as tested: $40,190 Main options: sports suspension $500; 17-inch alloys $1000; technology pack $450; safety pack $600; reversing sensors $500; prestige paint $400.
Crash rating: n/a
Fuel: 91RON petrol
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 10.5
CO2 emissions (g/km): 251
Also consider: Holden Commodore Omega (more here), Toyota Aurion AT-X (more here)
Model: Ford Falcon G6
RRP: $39,990
Price as tested: $45,190
Main options: six-speed auto $1500; technology pack $450; safety pack $600; satnav $2000; prestige paint $400.
Crash rating: n/a
Fuel: 91RON petrol
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 10.2
CO2 emissions (g/km): 243
Also consider: Holden Commodore Berlina (more here), Toyota Aurion Prodigy (more here)
Overall ratings: see main Falcon launch reviews here and here
About our ratings
When Ford launched its ill-fated AU Falcon in 1998, there was a determined effort on the part of the design team to offer greater differentiation across the model range. And so we got the new base model Falcon, the Forte.
About its only forte, however, was its ability to identify those who drove it as having been forced, in one way or another, to settle for the base model. With its vertical grille, the Forte's styling immediately marked it as a fleet special and a particularly visually challenged one at that. For those who could only afford to buy the base model Falcon, that grille became a mark of shame and as a strategy it nearly buried Ford in Australia.
Rapid facelifts and a quick succession of upgrades ensured the Falcon struggled on and then we got BA /BF and now an even better FG, that again puts Falcon in the front line of the local products.
For this new model, Ford has again adopted a naming and design strategy that splits the range into three "families" with the XT, sportier XRs and new "sports luxury" G-series.
The XT is clearly aimed at fleets while the G-series targets the elusive private and userchooser buyer, thus the Carsales Network decided to lineup the XT against the G6 model to see what value there was in the extra $3500 asking price.
Of course in the real world, the $3500 increase in RRP is a moot point -- fleets are paying far less than the $36,490 sticker price for the XT. Indeed, even user choosers opting for the G6 might be entitled to a fleet discount. That said for the sake of our comparison, RRP is what we have to work with.
While the XT is nowhere near as much an orphan as the AU Forte, there is still an element of difference in the external visuals with the most noticeable features that the G6 gains over the XT being a slightly different grille with more chrome highlights, front foglights, side skirts and 17-inch alloys vs the XT's 16-inch steel wheels with carry-over BF plastic wheel covers.
These are the sort of visual differences that really only ardent carspotters are likely to notice in isolation (except perhaps the wheels) but when packaged together, it does give the G6 a more upmarket visage that lifts the car's appeal to a level that might entice private buyers and user-choosers to spend more.
Step inside and the contrast between the two cars is more apparent. While the XT's interior design is a vast improvement on the BF predecessor, with seemingly higher quality textured plastics and silvery trim highlights, the overall dark grey colour scheme still yells base model.
The G6's two-tone trim, mock suede materials on the seat side bolsters, detail highlights and all-important touchy feely quality of the steering wheel with its leather wrapped tiller lifts the quality and comfort perceptions significantly.
On the equipment front, there is less in it with both models featuring climate control air con, cruise control, power windows and mirrors, remote locking and a single slot CD audio system with MP3 input jack.
Such is the propensity of carmakers to option up their test cars that our XT/G6 comparison is clouded by the spec in which the cars arrived.
Both the XT and G6 we tested were fitted with the optional technology pack ($450) that includes Bluetooth connectivity and a USB iPod connection and the safety pack ($600) that adds curtain airbags, a perimeter alarm and power adjustable pedals to the standard safety kit of dual front and front side airbags, DSC stability and traction control and ABS brakes.
Under the bonnet both share an identical drivetrain with the 195kW/391Nm 4.0-litre straight six driving the rear wheels through a five-speed automatic transmission. Our G6 was fitted with the optional six-speed auto.
As we have waxed lyrical before, this is a superb powerplant that is strong and powerful and despite its vintage, remarkably refined. This is the case whether mated to either the new five or (now well known ZF) six-speed auto transmission, with the latter having a slight edge in extracting a better response from the engine and slightly smoother shift quality.
Off the line there is plenty of grunt on tap and response to the throttle inputs is quick and effective, while the engine will happily rev out well into the low 6000s when held in manual mode with a smooth and solid progression forward.
Ordinarily, the big difference between the XT and G6 on the mechanical front is in suspension settings and wheel/tyre combos that would be expected to give the XT a slightly softer and more forgiving but still very well controlled and disciplined ride and handling compromise. However, our test XT was fitted with the optional sports suspension and 17-inch alloys on 235/50 rubber, making it a match for the G6's standard spec.
Although firmish, the suspension/wheel combination on both cars still provides a supple and comfortable ride quality (possibly marginally bettered in the G6 due to the slightly more shapely and supportive seats) and very solid direct responsive and agile handling.
Optioning up the dynamic features and reversing system on the XT takes the car to within $1500 of the standard G6, so the question is therefore, are you getting $1500 worth of value in the styling, trim and that indefinable "ambience" of the G6.
Our response would be a resounding yes. While this tester was initially very impressed getting into the XT as it delivered more than you might expect of a "fleet special", to follow it up with the G6 took us into another realm of refinement, quality and aesthetic appeal altogether. Even without the upgrades, the stretch to the G6 is worth it in the long run with a car that will age better, realising higher residuals and keep its occupants and owner in a happier frame of mind.
Having said that, the XT could still well be the best 'fleet special' on the local market and one that is sure to offer no shame.
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