Ford Falcon XR8 v Holden Commodore SS 2014 Comparison

We're the first to admit this is a flawed comparison... It's also a comparison we guarantee we will revisit.

Here’s an IOU for a spec-for-spec examination of the identically priced Ford Falcon XR8 and Holden Commodore SS V Redline, plus dyno and performance figures and, most of all, detailed analysis from our own racing driver.

In the meantime, this opportunity was too good (and too important) to pass over...

In one corner, Ford's brand-new XR8, the sole V8 model in the FG X Falcon line-up, priced from $52,490. In the other, a cooking-model Commodore SS — the entry-level model in a multi-layer V8 range from Holden, priced from $42,990.

Apart from the near-$10,000 price gap, there's a significant spec difference between the two cars we were able to drive back-to-back in the short time available on the back of this week’s Falcon launch.

But in our (part) defence, each car represents the most affordable V8 sedan in their respective manufacturer's armouries, a war-chest stacked with alternatives in the case of Team Red -- not just Holdens but HSVs too.

The XR8 rides on upmarket RSPEC suspension that just a few months ago was the best Ford's hot-shop FPV could muster, and Brembo brakes sit proud within beefy, staggered-width 19-inch wheels.

There are no performance upgrade options offered or (apparently) needed in V8 Blue Oval land.

Our auto Commodore SS costs just $45,190, yet offers equipment not available in the XR8 ($54,690 auto) at any price. And its cabin is frankly a generation newer and offers vastly better ergonomics.

Stepping the spend up at your local Holden dealer to match the XR8's circa $55K pricetag buys you the more directly comparable SS V Redline, the flagship of the sports Commodore range. This car adds a FE3 Ultra sports suspension, Brembos and big wheels to echo the Ford.

And that’s just the start — the high-spec Holden's equipment list rubs the Ford's nose in it: paddle shifters for the auto box, head-up display, forward collision alert, lane departure warning, sunroof and considerably more are standard. Most are features Ford can't match.

But no matter how much you spend on a Holden, for the time being at least, you still get the same naturally aspirated 260/270kW 6.0-litre V8 under the bonnet. And hence the reason we were so keen to take the opportunity to drive these on-the-surface mismatched cars back to back.

If nothing else we wanted to understand first-hand what Holden is up against. And the answer is plenty… Put simply, in simple straight-line performance terms, the XR8 wipes the floor with the SS.

The Ford's supercharged V8 is conservatively rated at 335kW – that's a hefty 75kW (approaching 30 per cent!) more than the automatic atmo Holden.

Effective torque margins (570Nm versus 517/530Nm for the SS) are in the same order — especially at lower rpms.

From previous experience, we know that in overboost mode the real-world rear-wheel output of Ford's locally developed Miami engine is close to the claimed figure — widening the margin to the Holden even more. A dyno test will be instructive in due course.

For the moment on the blacktop ‘dyno', the XR’s advantage is manifest. The hottest Falcon simply marches away from the SS – from a standing start, from low speeds, from highway speeds.

Unless you're hiding a big Walkinshaw Performance blower or 7.0-litre kit under the bonnet of your SS, I'd suggest you leave the XR8 in peace, lest it bloods your nose.

And the soundtrack that accompanies the XR8's progress is pure muscle car music. Holden has attempted to improve the aural aspects of the SS range in recent updates, but it’s not a patch on the combination of blower and bellow that the Ford emits.

We've detailed the XR8 specification chapter and verse elsewhere and in that launch review a number of comparisons have already been made with the cars Holden offers under the SS banner.

On reflection, we’re already of the belief you’ll need to head towards six figures for the HSV GTS to address the performance gap.

But the XR8 doesn’t have everything its own way — even when compared directly to the entry-level SS.

Despite the updates from FG II to FG X and the excellent new SYNC2 infotainment and telematics system, the Commodore still feels like a more modern car.

It’s more refined overall, has a vastly better driving position and seats and is quieter inside. Nor did our SS tester produce any of the squeaks and rattles that our brand-new XR8 exhibited.

And on the standard 18-inch wheels the SS’s ride was better — no surprise there.

What we didn’t expect was the gap in steering performance — this time in the Ford’s favour. The XR8’s tiller is sharper, more accurate and offers better feel — especially on centre. We’ll be interested to understand how the SS V Redline compares.

And the battle of the auto-boxes also goes the Falcon’s way. Perhaps the addition of paddles will sway us back towards the Commodore but there’ll need to be an improvement in responsiveness to go with it.

Already behind the eight-ball due to the comparative lack of grunt, the SS goes further behind the XR8 in overtaking performance (for example), thanks to slow kickdown response. 

A decision on outright grip and handling will need to wait until we get the right-spec cars together. Having said that, I can vouch it'll take a racetrack and a racing car driver to separate the XR8 from FPV's swansong GT F 351, about which we were complementary.

Yes, in our comparison the HSV GTS bettered the ultimate FPV but remember that car is fitted with HSV’s top-of-the-line MRC dampers and clever multi-stage stability and traction control systems.

If we're talking standard equipment, technology and day-to-day comfort, we’re comfortable in saying the SS and its wider choice of variants has the edge. But does anyone reading this really care more about equipment specifications than performance?

While the Commodore SS is clearly the more sophisticated car, it simply gives too much away in almost every aspect of performance to the Falcon.

The first round of what is shaping up to be a titanic final struggle has a winner on points. Until we can prove otherwise, Australia’s best mass-market muscle car is the brand-new supercharged Falcon XR8.

2014 Ford Falcon XR8 pricing and specifications:
Price: $52,490 manual, $54,690 auto (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged petrol V8
Output: 335kW at 5750rpm, 570Nm at 2200rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual and automatic
Fuel: 13.6L/100km, 13.7L/100km auto (ADR combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP

2014 Holden Commodore SS pricing and specifications:
Price: $42,990 manual, $45,190 auto (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 6.0-litre petrol V8
Output: 270kW/530Nm manual, 260kW/517Nm auto
Transmission: Six-speed manual and automatic
Fuel: 11.5L/100km (ADR combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP