VE Omega Vs FG Falcon XT

[falcom]

Top Gear Australia did a segment pitting the Omega against the Falcon.
Not good viewing for Commodore fans.It can be viewed on youtube.

It probably isn't a far fight as the Commodore is over 2 years old.

May be fairer when VF arrives.(which cannot come soon enough)

[iloveholden]

They said the XT was more modern...dur its got 2 years at least over the VE.

Although when i heard of this test it was simply always going to be a Ford win with the better 6 and auto box.

But in saying that watching the review on Monday night doing doughy's in "fleet" cars is not a proper review really?

[Big_Valven]

But in saying that watching the review on Monday night doing doughy's in "fleet" cars is not a proper review really?

Since when have TGaus done a proper review?

Sadly in the pov packs the VE has all the features no one will notice (much newer underbody than FG, refined suspension, interior refinement) and the Ford has a much bigger advantage in engine and drivetrain.

[Djbarnstar]

Drive them back to back and yes the Falcon is superior...... and much faster. I agree! They got it right.....

[Ghia351]

Since when have TGaus done a proper review?

Sadly in the pov packs the VE has all the features no one will notice (much newer underbody than FG, refined suspension, interior refinement) and the Ford has a much bigger advantage in engine and drivetrain.Lol, it's not how new it's how good it is that counts. Sadly the VE in low spec models hardly outgunned a BF/BFII to begin with.

PS I've never bothered watching TG Aust, is it even worth it or should I stick to watching old eps of TG UK?...might watch the story again on building stretch limo's out of FWD cars tonight.

[FlatfootV8]

Pfft wasn't a test at all it was just an excuse to smoke some tyres up.

[Red CV8 R]

They got it 100% right. Anyone who tries to tell you that the VE Omega is the better car is an idiot. Still as others have said the FG is 2 years newer despite not being a clean sheet car.

[lowriding]

dont know if slalom and hotlaps makes sense for fleet car testing but agreed at that level i'd always plonk on the falcon as the omega is under specced . As you move through the range things still get alot tougher which is good news for an unchanged 2+ year old VE .

[The-V8-Power]

It wasn't the best test. I still don't get the point behind frying the rears on each car they test.
The brake and slalom was good, but they possibly could of taken them for a drive and commented on such things as NVH,suspension,fuel economy etc.

Well thats my 2 cents. :)

[Roonstain]

hey, i agree, the FG is a bit better
but in saying that, the ve omega isnt terrible!
it was still the first base model aussie car to have esp standard, fuel consumption is fairly good ( much better than the bf wagon i drove this week!), suspension is good, and it fits a family of 5 in the car better than the FG

so i would not ride the VE off....
in the end, it depends on the criteria used to determine the best car (my criteria would still see the FG win though - sad seeing as i have a ve omega!)

cheers
mark

[planetdavo]

People need to take their "performance forum" hats off, and put their "joe average" cap on with this subject. Most people don't bat off over drag races and slalom runs.
Once you do that, the current number one large car, by a fair margin, would be...?

[VW Golf R32]

Holden always wins. Regardless of what journalists say.

[Evman]

Once you do that, the current number one large car, by a fair margin, would be...?

Probably the Ford still lol. It's just so frustrating. What sort of idiots take the base models out and flog them, when 99% of the buyers are in fact interested in leg room, boot space, comfort, etc. Oh yeah, stupid noob Australians trying to be as cool as seasoned UK personalities. It'll never happen. TGUK had to start from the bottom to get where they are now, I don't see why TGA would think that they can skip the hard yards and go straight to the big boys games. Haven't enjoyed a single complete segment of TGA, let alone complete episode.

[CLUBRED]

The only problem I had with the ep. was they said thats what the avg family goes for - but based purely on my daily observations, hardly any Omega's and XT's are family runners these days. I see ALOT more XR's or SV's SS's doing the family run than the base models. I'd like to see a Xr6 and Sv6 go head to head.

[Marco]

The one thing that stood out for me was how bloody awful the Omega sounded doing its lap. Most six cylinder engines sound like droning vacuum cleaners anyway, but at least you couldn't hear the Falcon's for most of its lap....

[Road Warrior]

The one thing that stood out for me was how bloody awful the Omega sounded doing its lap. Most six cylinder engines sound like droning vacuum cleaners anyway, but at least you couldn't hear the Falcon's for most of its lap....

Well the thing that stood out for me was the amount of body roll the Omega had - it was rolling around like a wine barrel. And I noticed the Stig was using the sports shift function in the Falcon, did he do the same in the Commodore? I can't remember.

Personally I think either of them would make great family cars - do you really need an SUV? Australian families made do with the big sedans from the big 2 for decades, now we get it rammed down our throats that you won't survive unless you have an SUV or a 4x4 as a family car. Heaven knows how we (and our parents) managed to survive using a sedan as a family car [/sarcasm]

[FlatfootV8]

The one thing that stood out for me was how bloody awful the Omega sounded doing its lap. Most six cylinder engines sound like droning vacuum cleaners anyway, but at least you couldn't hear the Falcon's for most of its lap....

Nothing sounds good with a restrictive pipe. Not even humans. :p

[Big_Valven]

Nothing sounds good with a restrictive pipe. Not even humans. :p

Agreed - I was heading up the freeway behind an omega the other day, and as soon as he touched the throttle I was deafened by turbulence noise. Not engine note, just a horrific PSHHHHHHH sound. Yuck.

And these cars easily have the power, room, boot space and features of a soft roader whilst not doing the one thing none of the Rav4s and Klugers and CRVs actually need - the ability to drive on slightly rougher terrain than bitumen. Pointless.

[Road Warrior]

And these cars easily have the power, room, boot space and features of a soft roader whilst not doing the one thing none of the Rav4s and Klugers and CRVs actually need - the ability to drive on slightly rougher terrain than bitumen. Pointless.

And even then I would beg to differ - some of the places I have taken 6cylinder Commodores and Falcons would shock even the most dedicated 4x4'er :shiner:

[Curtis-R]

And even then I would beg to differ - some of the places I have taken 6cylinder Commodores and Falcons would shock even the most dedicated 4x4'er :shiner:

Haha I can second that.. gold!

Not as many consumers go for the exec or base models these days however its amazing what is 'standard' in the exec now vs say 10 years ago.

[Number55]

The only problem I had with the ep. was they said thats what the avg family goes for - but based purely on my daily observations, hardly any Omega's and XT's are family runners these days. I see ALOT more XR's or SV's SS's doing the family run than the base models. I'd like to see a Xr6 and Sv6 go head to head.


I have driven both te FG XR6 and the VE SV6.
I get these as hire cars for driving a 4 hour drive to work. I can say without a doubt that the XR6 wins hand down. Needless to say on the drive there is alot of little tests to perform on the way.
The stinkin ford seems so much more lively. For wat it is, its a bloody rocket. I still dont like the interior to look at, but its so much better in regards to functionality and features compared to the SV6.

The biggest problem with the ford, (appart from the fact its a ford! ahahah) is the seating and steering wheel postion. it feels like ur driving a bus and sitting on the wheel. All the blokes i work with that have driven them agree on the seating too!

[CLUBRED]

I have driven both te FG XR6 and the VE SV6.
I get these as hire cars for driving a 4 hour drive to work. I can say without a doubt that the XR6 wins hand down. Needless to say on the drive there is alot of little tests to perform on the way.
The stinkin ford seems so much more lively. For wat it is, its a bloody rocket. I still dont like the interior to look at, but its so much better in regards to functionality and features compared to the SV6.

Thats actually a surprise to me, as I've run now both (straigh line) the XR6 na and turbo and the na was basically door to door (couldn't see if he had passengers, it was just me in my car) and the turbo really only got well away through 80kph+ (him driver only, me with passengers). Mate has BF Spec-R with mods and it sounds awesome on boost, hooks up nicely to.

I also find is strange that the commodores continually score well at braking, I hate the pedal feel in mine, and looking at the rotors they don't even look up to task, yet, they seem to do the job. The brakes on the beema are about +25% larger on a car that has less than half the power and less weight :shrugs:

[Holden Man]

I'd agree with the outcome in terms of value. Although the Falcon resale is still an unknown.

Maybe they should have chucked in a couple of SUVs to show how lacking they are when it comes to performance, handling, braking etc.

[falcom]

Maybe they should have chucked in a couple of SUVs to show how lacking they are when it comes to performance, handling, braking etc.[/QUOTE]

Thats a great idea as people are leaving Commodore/Falcon for these SUVS.Maybe if people could see how they compare they would think twice in future.

[Road Warrior]

The problem is, that the Commodore and Falcon simply can't compete with one key thing the SUV has - seating position. Lots of folks buy SUV's simply because of the high seating position. It's a pretty insurmountable obstacle to overcome, pardon the pun.

For example, Ford sells more RWD-only Territories than AWD ones. Meaning people buy them for the commanding driving position, not it's offroad potential.

What Holden and Ford need to do is promote the benefits of their sedans over an SUV - better fuel economy would be a good start, crash safety would be another, better choice of engines than an SUV perhaps.

[planetdavo]

Lots of folks buy SUV's simply because of the high seating position.

And some of the remainder buy them for the intimidation factor, tailgating everything in their path...

[smokey777]

And some of the remainder buy them for the intimidation factor, tailgating everything in their path...

ya 4x4 driver's are such tossers they drive something that's like over 2 tonnes have shit braking, crap offroad tyres and sit 5 ft behind ya wet or dry

[prodrive]

Yeah both good cars. I used to have the VE SS and now have the FG XR6 Turbo - haven't looked back. Very happy with the FG and definately believe it is a better car overall.

There are pros and cons with both but the FG is on top - I think by a fair margin.

[planetdavo]

Yeah both good cars. I used to have the VE SS and now have the FG XR6 Turbo - haven't looked back. Very happy with the FG and definately believe it is a better car overall.

There are pros and cons with both but the FG is on top - I think by a fair margin.
Think you might need to change your listed "ride" somehow...

[Road Warrior]

And some of the remainder buy them for the intimidation factor, tailgating everything in their path...

Can't argue with you there bro...tailgating bitches in Prado's and CRV's shit me. Especially when you're on a bike, toddling along at the speed limit and you have this 2 tonne behemoth being driven by a clown right up your clacker. It's quite scary.

[Carby]

The XT is no doubt a better vehicle but it is very ordinary looking on the road!

Looks wise, it is certainly the poorest iteration of all the FG models, and probably one of the few areas the Omega is better!