Ford Falcon XR6 2014 Review
Added street appeal, improved value and secure dynamics underpin Ford's final Falcon XR6The XR6 is Ford's best-selling Falcon model bar none, and the reasons are obvious. Its sportier stance and go-fast good looks make it hard to ignore on the road and, especially, on the showroom floor.
And now its bang-for-buck ratio is better than ever — especially when viewed against the similarly priced, similarly specified entry-grade Falcon.
The $35,590 FG X series 2015 Falcon XR6 now undercuts the entry-grade Falcon by $310 and is a whopping $4400 cheaper than the outgoing model. Even when you factor in $2200 to option up the XR6 with an auto transmission, it's still great value.
XR6 Ute models have also received a price cut of between $1380 and $3750. These were not offered as part of Ford's two-day launch program from Wodonga (Victoria) this week and therefore have not been tested.
Mechanically, the XR6 sedan is essentially unchanged. It still features Ford's naturally-aspirated 'Barra' 4.0-litre in-line six-cylinder petrol engine which is rated at 195kW at 6000rpm and 391Nm at 3250rpm. The six is mated to a carry-over Tremec six-speed manual transmission.
The only major hardware change, therefore is the new HP21 six-speed automatic, now used on non-turbo Falcon and Territory models. Ford says the lighter transmission contributes to a (ADR combined) fuel consumption reduction of four per cent, the auto-equipped XR6 now consuming 9.5L/100km.
A new underbody aero package, originally designed for the four-cylinder EcoBoost Falcon, also shaves fractions from the XR6's fuel consumption, while the front and rear bumpers are said to be "optimised" for reduced aero drag.
Manual models will drink almost two litres more at 11.1L/100km. Ford says it expects these to account for only 10 per cent of all XR6 sales.
The XR6's strut-front and Sports Control Blade independent rear suspension set-up is unchanged. The model again rides on 18-inch alloy wheels, which are re-styled for the last time. Braking — all-wheel discs — is likewise carried over.
We've detailed the changes across the FG X range previously. New front- and rear-ends define the FG X, however, the biggest practical changes to the XR6 come from within – chiefly, the infotainment system.
Set in an unchanged dash, Ford's new SYNC2 system adds a reverse camera, front and rear parking sensors, voice control for in-car entertainment, audio and climate control (dual-zone), emergency assistance, digital radio and Wi-Fi hot spot capability.
The system is accessed via a new 8.0-inch high-resolution colour touch-screen.
Rain-sensing wipers are also now included as standard, while new foglights and headlights — the latter featuring W-shaped LED daytime running lights – are highlights of the body's front- and rear-end facelift. Finally, new paint, fabric and leather (optional) finishes are also adopted.
We sampled an auto XR6 on the roads outside Wodonga and the sportier Falcon's carry-over suspension tune was immediately affable on the lumpy coarse-chip surface. Road-holding remains a strong point of the Falcon's dynamics and the large sedan's composure is unaffected by sharp imperfections and potholes.
There is likewise no degradation in cabin comfort, and although there's some tyre noise we wouldn't say it's bothersome even on poor surfaces for an extended period.
The XR6's strong inline 4.0-litre six responds promptly to throttle inputs when asked to overtake. That said, we found the engine a little lazy during standing-start acceleration tests (we recorded a 0-100km/h time of 7.8 seconds).
With much of our test loop on the open road, we very nearly matched the ADR combined fuel consumption figure. For the record, we averaged 11.3L/100km.
Ford's new six-speed automatic proved cooperative for the most part, and when shifted manually met the challenges of our windy, hilled test course very well. Unlike the Commodore SV6, there's no paddle-shift option on the XR6.
We found the Falcon auto transmission's Performance mode to be a little sharp for flowing roads and the normal setting a little dull. Granted, the latter's muted pedal response in 'D' is better suited to economic freeway driving or day-to-day running.
Through longer flat and straight stretches of road it was also disconcerting to find the transmission downshift at times for no apparent reason. With no change to throttle input or any perceptible incline, the unnecessary shifts seemed out of character with the XR6's otherwise decisive disposition.
The Falcon range retains hydraulically-assisted steering which the majority of us at motoring.com.au prefer over the corresponding Commodore EPAS (electrically power assisted steering). Personally, I found the XR6's wheel to be rather abrupt on initial turn-in, the 'shorter' feeling of the rack leaving little room for adjustment for minor mid-corner corrections. Fortunately these were few and far between given how well the XR6's front suspension separates bump and steering-force feedback.
No EPAS also means the Falcon range omits self-parking, which is standard on Holden's VF-series Commodore range. A reversing camera is added across the FG X range but other safety equipment is essentially carried over from the previous FG II-series Falcon, meaning a five-star ANCAP rating is also applied.
For the record, the XR6 does not include the option of blind-spot monitoring, nor forward collision warning (both standard on Holden's SV6). No Australian built car offers idle stop-start technology, nor features like autonomous emergency braking or radar cruise control — features which are now commonplace in many imported mid-size and large cars.
Overall, Falcon XR6 is a competent and capable family sedan with enough sporting flair to satisfy interested drivers.
It's a vehicle well suited to local roads, and provides power in a range useful to the conditions and speed limits for which it's designed to operate within.
With looks as good as the engineering underneath, it deserves to sell its socks off.
2015 Ford Falcon XR6 pricing and specs:
Price: $35,590 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 4.0-litre six-cylinder petrol
Output: 195kW/391Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 11.1L/100km (ADR combined, manual)
CO2: 264g/km (ADR combined, manual)
Safety rating:
| What we liked: | Not so much: |
| >> Confident ride/handling compromise | >> Lacks advanced safety features |
| >> Generous standard equipment list | >> Interior looks outdated already |
| >> Improved value for money | >> Steering a little too sharp |
>> Toyota Aurion Sportivo SX6
Reviews
Ford Falcon XR8 2014 review
Ford Falcon G6E 2014 review
Ford Falcon 2014 review
Ford Territory TS Diesel AWD 2014 review
News
Ford undercalls XR8 demand
No 351 for XR8
Ford FG X Falcon facts
Ford committed to October 2016
Ford V8 Supercar future in discussions
Mondeo is Ford's big car
Edge to take Ford into new Territory
Ford Australia thriving
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
If the price does not contain the notation that it is "Drive Away", the price may not include additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges.
