Omega Sportswagon V Mondeo Wagon

[csv8]

Holden Sportwagon Omega ... from $41,990 plus on-road and dealer costs. 3.0-litre V6; 190kW/290Nm; 6-speed auto; 9.6L/100km; 228g/km CO2; RWD.

Value Cloth trim, cruise control, powered windows front and rear, single CD with aux input, auto headlights, 16-inch alloys. Bluetooth and full-sized spare optional.

How it drives Crisp steering and composed handling, although under duress transmission can kick back with a thump.

Inside Uninspiring interior looks dated. Plenty of space in rear seats and 2000 litres of cargo space.

Engine Extra 72kW and 82Nm over the Ford cost just 0.1L/100km on paper. Small-capacity V6 can struggle to propel Sportwagon up steeper hills.

Safety Five-star crash rating, six airbags, stability control.

Verdict More power for almost the same fuel consumption and better dynamics justify the extra outlay.



Ford Mondeo LX Wagon ... from $31,790 plus on-road and dealer costs. 2.3-litre, four-cylinder; 118kW/208Nm; 6-speed auto; 9.5L/100km; 227g/km CO2; FWD.

Value Cloth trim, Bluetooth with voice control, cruise control, powered front and manual rear windows, single CD with aux input, 16-inch steel wheels, space-saver spare.

How it drives Intuitive auto matches your driving style and steering is responsive, if a little remote. More tyre noise.

Inside More modern dash layout uses tactile materials. Spacious rear seat and bigger cargo area than Sportwagon.

Engine Smooth and responsive around town but can get buzzy under hard acceleration. Requires forethought to overtake on open road.

Safety Five-star crash rating, seven airbags, stability control.


Verdict An honourable loss for the Ford, which can't quite match the Holden's solidity or power.

For the price shouldn't it have been compared to the Zetec Wagon ??????

[Polyal]

$10g's is a massive difference when you consider its a 1/4 the cost of the commy, so yes dont know if its quite fair.

Perhaps its because the commy has copped a bashing lately. I can see they are comparing base models but why not compare the falcon with the commy, or are they afraid the BF3 will beat it aswell.

[RicOz]

I have never seen the Zetec being reviewed, Ford always put up the LX which is silly!

You get the Zetec for about $37k, it makes the Omega specs and styling look silly for Holdens expensive entry level $42k price tag. The only thing that the Sportswagon has is the bigger engine and power and "Aussie feel good" branding.

[Superoo]

Originally Posted by RicOz

The only thing that the Sportswagon has is the bigger engine and power and "Aussie feel good" branding.

Someone say Mondeo Zetec TDCi Wagon?

[Bucknaked]

$42k v $32k
V6 v 4cyl

It's a no brainer. Cheaper with a smaller more fuel efficient engine and a larger cargo area, why would you pay $10k more.

As suggested, why not go for the Zetec and compare it. It's still 4 or 5 grand cheaper and is a better equiped.

[4Vman]

RWD v FWD is a significant hurdle for allot of buyers too..

[vztrt]

Haha first time the 3L was considered powerful.

[NZ XR6]

I haven't driven a Commodore with the new drivetrain. But a couple of SV6 rentals left me distinctly underwhelmed - noisy engine over 3000 revs, and very average auto. Ride and handling were impressive though. But the real killer in comparison to the Mondeo was the interior. It was the weak point 3 years ago, and now looks very dated.

Personally, I don't think the Commodore is worth another $10k. And if I had the $10k, I think I'd spend it on a Zetec TDCi instead.

And a final thought - during the holidays, I got to be a back seat passenger in my wagon. It's the most roomy back seat I've ever travelled in - much better than a Commodore or Falcon. Now if only Ford could do something about the tyre roar on coarse chip seal...

[allanv6gt]

Tyre roar - not a comment on Mondeo Vs others but....
Have hired a Lancer sedan (~$20K) and Audi 1.9 TDI (~$38K) recently. Both woeful when it comes to tyre roar on coarse chip - is this modern car progress? Makes our 2003 Outback (GEN3) seem quiet in comparison. I reckon my 40yr old Capri is quieter too! (albeit with user-installed Soundshield matting)
Suspect it may have something to do with tyre choices/tread patterns.

[paulie0735]

That article was almost a waste of time reading....... $10k puts the commo in a totally different class;

For the sake of a comparison; around $3k on top of the commo price you could have this XR5 spec wagon...... (if Ford Aus had the stones to bring it in)

[csv8]

or the TITANIUM Wagon...

[Dusty1]

There is a 'facelift' due this year apparently. So we might see the Titanium and diesel wagons.

[NZ XR6]

Originally Posted by Dusty1

There is a 'facelift' due this year apparently. So we might see the Titanium and diesel wagons.

Even a Zetec diesel would be enough for a visit to my nearest dealer...

[Dusty1]

Originally Posted by NZ XR6

Even a Zetec diesel would be enough for a visit to my nearest dealer...

I'm with you. My lease is up in Jan 11, and I don't know if I want the same car again, although the Titanium TDCi spec is different to mine at the moment. And I would prefer a wagon due the possibility of an extra child.

I was keen on the diesel Territory, but mid 11 is all I hear, and that's not going to suit. So I might be looking elsewhere for an alternative come January.

What petrol/diesel going for in NZ these days?

[NZ XR6]

Originally Posted by Dusty1

I'm with you. My lease is up in Jan 11, and I don't know if I want the same car again, although the Titanium TDCi spec is different to mine at the moment. And I would prefer a wagon due the possibility of an extra child.

I was keen on the diesel Territory, but mid 11 is all I hear, and that's not going to suit. So I might be looking elsewhere for an alternative come January.

What petrol/diesel going for in NZ these days?

Diesel is $1.10 and 95 is $1.80. But for a diesel car, you have to pay road user charges of about $13 per 1000km in addition to the pump price.

The wagon is great - it actually has more load space than the Territory. It should be worth seeing what the Mondeo facelift means in terms of engines, as it should include the same Ecoboost petrol that's going into the Falcon in 2011.

[paulie0735]

Originally Posted by NZ XR6

The wagon is great - it actually has more load space than the Territory.

Find that very hard to believe, where did you get that info from?