XR5 vs LS Zetec- An owners perspective

WASP · 13-09-2006, 10:08 AM

Today I had the pleasure of punting an electric orange coloured XR5 through the Adelaide hills. My partner has a LS Zetec so it was interesting to compare the two. I will start by saying that there is no comparison in terms of almost everything bar the body shape and boot space.

To start with the road presence of the XR5 is quite remarkable in the flesh, but that new electric orange colour on a nice sunny day sure boosted this factor to the point where it has me convinced of its value (the $1800 extra). The wheel & tyre package also looks great and is much better in real life than in the photos.

The interior is much nicer compared to the Zetec. The Recaro seats are absolutely superb but the whole interior generally has a much sportier feel about it including the black roof lining and sports dash and gauge pods. The Zetec in contrast is hardly a step up over the base models and the ‘sport- trimmed’ seats suffer from the same criticism.

Onto the driving, well let’s talk about that exhaust note for starters. It really adds to the experience in a similar way to what you may get from a WRX. It’s a reasonable deep & racy note. It is also quite unique and becomes very addictive.

The clutch is very direct being either ‘on or off’ and takes some getting use to. I personally like this style after owning the Supra RZ Twin turbo and find it works extremely well once your confidence builds. The clutch in the Zetec feels much softer and provides less ‘feedback’ than the XR5. There is also none of that ‘shuttering chatter’ rubbish going on when you take off at low revs. The 6 speed is excellent and the gear throws seem shorter than the Zetec 5 speeder.

Not much point in comparing performance of the two really, but I will say that the 2lt Zetec engine doesn’t stack up too badly all things considered. Both engines have quite a linear power delivery to help minimize torque steer I imagine with the XR5’s turbo 5 cylinder motor feeling much more responsive when the going gets tough. The XR5 certainly had plenty to offer in this department but I was left feeling that a little more wouldn’t have gone astray either. Please keep in mind that I’m also used to driving a modified GT every day!

As mentioned before torque steer is almost non existent and the handling of this car is nothing short of brilliant with only a hint over steer. I actually felt like I could almost throw anything at this car and it would keep itself on track. This was one Focus that felt absolutely glued to the road.

Basically if you like the feel a sports or rally car then you will like what the car delivers in terms of driving experience. The fact that you get this in a 4 door with a large boot is even more remarkable.

Is it worth the wait? I think so.
Is it better value than the Zetec? I know so.

Colville

photn · 13-09-2006, 10:41 AM

cool review dude .. im glad you enjoyed it...is there a step up for the missus in the future.?? lol

of course so that you can reap the benifits as well..

WASP · 13-09-2006, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photn

cool review dude .. im glad you enjoyed it...is there a step up for the missus in the future.?? lol

of course so that you can reap the benifits as well..

I've begun the process of convincing her now, but she's not easily swayed

:

Timmeh · 13-09-2006, 11:47 AM

Good review mate... thanks.

Tim

Marshy79 · 13-09-2006, 12:27 PM

I love the XR5.
Been driving about so much over the years things have gotten so boring, this thing keeps a smile on the dial.

Having jumped in a few different cars since having the XR5 nothing seems to come close in build quality honestly. The XR5 everything seems very precise.

I do agree that the XR5 could have a little more grunt off the mark. They have torque restricted 1st and 2nd so drivers dont get in to mcuh trouble.

Also turning off the ESP makes things a lot more brilliant. The computer interferes way too much for my liking. It can tell how hard you are turning and wont give you the gas you want, and if you break traction for a bit you can be sitting there with the foot to the floor and absolutely no power coming on until you are either completely straight or you back off for a second. No ESP driving is the fun.

I'm still to see a Zetec. Wouldnt mind a squizz to see the full differences.

The XR5 is a great car for its price. Just seems the wait at the moment is a tad bit crazy.

WASP · 13-09-2006, 01:08 PM

The dealer claims about 3 month for the wait which is less than the 6 months Ive been hearing about. Of course they may be telling what I want to here as well..lol. I'm in no rush so it's of no concern really, but I think the 3 month wait is worth while considering the value proposition.

photn · 13-09-2006, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDAA

The dealer claims about 3 month for the wait which is less than the 6 months Ive been hearing about. Of course they may be telling what I want to here as well..lol. I'm in no rush so it's of no concern really, but I think the 3 month wait is worth while considering the value proposition.

it also depends on what you order extra on the car...if your order a whole bunch of things you will have to wait longer then compared to a standard XR5T straight off the line stock as they come.

13-09-2006, 01:47 PM

I'd say the 6mth wait is closer to the mark. Be carefull on that one as there is a big difference between 3 and 6 months.

WASP · 13-09-2006, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RATT

I'd say the 6mth wait is closer to the mark. Be carefull on that one as there is a big difference between 3 and 6 months.

No worries Dean and thanks for the heads up

_2: I'm pretty happy with what the standard features are apart from paint and the lack of cruise control. I normally would have gone the leather but that changes the seating configuration to a 4 seater rather than 5 for some reason. The cloth items look superb anyway.

Seano · 13-09-2006, 11:22 PM

Great review Colville... summed it up very nicely and speaking from experience it follows my sentiments exactly ;)

zetec · 14-09-2006, 08:58 PM

Hoping to have one for the weekend this weekend, let's say I'm looking forward to it again! Most enjoyable car I've EVER had the pleasure of driving.

Marshy79 · 14-09-2006, 10:11 PM

Where are you getting your hands on one from?

zetec · 14-09-2006, 10:35 PM

:

Marshy79 · 15-09-2006, 07:48 AM

LOL it better not be mine!
Its getting some paint work done at the moment.

Im fearing all these people taking it out for a thrashing whilst its not in my sight. They can ask if they wanted to! I actually sold one to a Ford Salesman recently, took him for a burl and he went in and ordered one.

Anyways.... back to my paranoia

whippet_zetec · 15-09-2006, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDAA

As mentioned before torque steer is almost non existent and the handling of this car is nothing short of brilliant with only a hint over steer. I actually felt like I could almost throw anything at this car and it would keep itself on track. This was one Focus that felt absolutely glued to the road.

get your hands on the top gear episode where Jeremy Clarkson gets behind the wheel of the ST (XR5T) and you have pretty much said one of his points he made about the car.....

Nice review, if only the missus would let me spend the cash on getting one....

zetec · 16-09-2006, 12:31 AM

Someone say Torque steer? I was out tonight in a Black XR5 Turbo I've scored for the weekend and we were lamenting the fact that we've never seen an MPS on the road... when from out of a side street pulls a shiny black brand spanking new MPS. Lets just say I knew he mashed the throttle when the car front wheel fishtailed before ripping ahead of us. It deadset moved 15cm in each direction before taking off. Not that I had much trouble keeping up

Marshy79 · 16-09-2006, 11:34 AM

Im still confused with how one scores one for the weekend!

melbzetec · 16-09-2006, 02:42 PM

A. Work for Henry

FOCUSonTHIS · 16-09-2006, 03:04 PM

Good answer Steven, Henry is a good bloke

ZetecZoom · 16-09-2006, 05:13 PM

I hear what you say about the XR5 but at $12k more than the Zetec plus the additional insurance gap, I'm more than pleased with the Zetec.

IMO, once you step upto and over $40k there's a whole range of cars that would match the XR5.

Seano · 16-09-2006, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZetecZoom

IMO, once you step upto and over $40k there's a whole range of cars that would match the XR5.

Such as?

orsest170 · 16-09-2006, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZetecZoom

I hear what you say about the XR5 but at $12k more than the Zetec plus the additional insurance gap, I'm more than pleased with the Zetec.

IMO, once you step upto and over $40k there's a whole range of cars that would match the XR5.

Where does 12 k figure come from? Last time I checked the Zetec was $27,490 and the XR5T is $35,990. And yes there are cars out there that offer what the XR5 does and perhaps a little more, but they are all 40k +.

The Zetec is a very nice car, but the driving experience is not even close to the XR5T. That fact alone is enough to justify the price difference imo, and if you look at all extra interior (the seating is light years ahead of the Zetec) and exterior trimmings, bigger brakes, DSC, 6 speed gear box etc I think the XR5T is worth every bit of the extra asking price. In fact, I'll make a rather emphatic statement here, and say that is the best all round performance car you can get for the money (oh, and yes I may be just a tad biased

_2: ).

WASP · 17-09-2006, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZetecZoom

I hear what you say about the XR5 but at $12k more than the Zetec plus the additional insurance gap, I'm more than pleased with the Zetec.

IMO, once you step upto and over $40k there's a whole range of cars that would match the XR5.

Thanks for your comment. The Zetec is not a bad bit of kit and I don't mean to make out that it's bad. My wife is quite happy with ours generally, but the reality is the XR5 is just that much better in my opinion, all $8k's worth. Only other similar car in the same price range is the Astra coupe and it's no where near as good really.

Blue_ST170 · 18-09-2006, 09:38 PM

Yeh ive driven the xr5 and its a great car, but its too refined for my liking. You dont feel the corners as nicely or get a much feedback as u do in the ST170 plus its really not much faster......

I guess its hard to explain without driving both but i think the ST170 is a much more involving drive.....and its not much slower....

still its a great car, and alot nicer to live with, but i can't justify the extra money over my ST170....

zetec · 16-09-2006, 05:26 PM

Read the latest Motor, they'll have you believe the Golf GTi, The RenaultSport Megane F1 and the Mazda 3 MPS. But not the Astra SRi

All 4 would be sensational to own, but in my opinion the engine note, the refinement and the looks of the XR5 Turbo just make the fact that it's by FAR the cheapest one only further cement the decision that it would be the one in my garage.

Uni · 16-09-2006, 11:53 PM

VW Golf GTI should not be in the top 4... sorry, i've been in one, it wasnt that impressive, frankly it felt bloody slow. The renault megane on the other hand... mmm tasty!

Uni/.

zetec · 18-09-2006, 10:33 PM

I agree the feedback in the XR5T is masked a bit by the softer suspension, heavier front end and higher centre of gravity, the LR (even the Zetec) is MUCH more chuckable on any road, dirt included. I feel the LR an extension of my fingertips in terms of steering, it really is brilliant around corners.

But the XR5 is the whole package, not just good in corners, astonishingly fast and comfortable like the ST170 isn't. It is a more mature car, quieter, more refined, but devilishly fast and the sound is just out of this world. The features are better, it's safer, it has bigger better everything and is $2k cheaper, so it's impossible to argue that it's not a better buy nowadays. What it loses in outright dynamic ability it gains in multiple other ways and it's a real stunner. As Motor mag call it, the "Muscle Hatch", it has a big arm and isn't afraid to flex it.

Out of the two I'd take the XR5 Turbo but I agree, the ST170 is a real delight to anyone who has driven one. Fortunately I've driven both extensively and currently have full ST170 suspension in my Zetec with 17" ST170 rims on the way so I TOTALLY agree!!!!! Love my LR too much. It's still a delight to get back into even after a weekend in such a hot hatch.