2016 Drive Car of the Year: Best Family Car

[Express]

2016 Drive Car of the Year: Best Family Car



Three value-packed, spacious contenders offer convincing alternatives to modern SUVs.



08 November 2016
Peter McKay





Last year's Best Family Car champion, the Ford Mondeo, faces stiff competition from the new Skoda Superb and Kia Optima. Photo: Mark Bean


Viewed from within Australia, family chariots that once made up Kingswood country are a threatened species in the increasingly diverse and crowded world of family transport.

Not so long ago, family sedans and wagons led by the Holden Kingswood/ Commodore and Ford Falcon dominated the overall local vehicle market.


See link below for Video


Now, medium-sized passenger cars are almost relegated to niche-market players as families increasingly embrace the more rugged and versatile SUVs for the work commute and school and sport runs.

Though sales have tapered here, in other parts of the world there is healthy ongoing demand for conventional passenger cars. Manufacturers continue to produce these medium-sized players, and this means we have no shortage of choice in the segment including the Toyota Camry and Aurion, Mazda6, Subaru Liberty and Levorg, VW Passat and Nissan Altima.

They often also come in various body styles.



Last year's Best Family Car champion, the Ford Mondeo, faces stiff competition from the new Skoda Superb and Kia Optima. Photo: Mark Bean


Our three 2016 family car finalists reflect this variety - a hatchback (the Ford Mondeo), a wagon (the Skoda Superb) and a sedan (the Kia Optima).

As the defending winner, the Ford Mondeo Trend hatch continues to impress as a comfortable and well-mannered five-seater with a willing (177kW/345Nm) 2.0-litre Ecoboost four-cylinder turbo engine which cooperates nicely with its six-speed auto gearbox.

The drivability of the under-rated 2.0L turbo-petrol engine earns praise and the Mondeo offers pleasant handling and a compliant ride on 50-series 17-inch alloys. Whilst it feels heavy, it changes direction easily and recovers quickly from big bumps. It's not cumbersome.

But it looks quite big, close to around Falcon size, and has a huge cargo area under a large hatch opening.

"There is a real substance to the Mondeo," one judge observed.

At $37,290 (plus on-road costs), the Trend comes loaded with lots of active safety gear including adaptive cruise, active city stop, forward collision warning, adjustable lane keeping with departure warning, pre-collision assist with pedestrian warning and a rear-view camera (but no blind-spot alert).

These and seven airbags and other worthy features (keyless entry, steering wheels buttons and voice activation) make for an excellent value equation. A first in a big volume seller is its inflatable rear seat belts, giving it an added safety tick.

The interior gets a leather look with cloth seat inserts, big door bins, and a centre armrest. The front seats are excellent aesthetically and functionally, and have bum warmers.

The latest SYNC 3 infotainment system, with touchscreen and Apple/Android phone integration, is simple to operate and easy to read, allowing the driver to control their phone actions, music and climate control by voice.

Parents amongst us liked the MyKey feature which allows mum and dad to program certain boundaries (like limiting speed and the volume of the sound system, and maintaining stability control) before waving young drivers off in the Mondeo.

Negatives are the small (and dark) rear window aperture which compromises vision, and its 1634kg weight impacting on fuel efficiency, with a so-so claimed average of 8.2L/100km on 95-98RON petrol.

Also available as a wagon, all Mondeos get 16-inch steel spare wheels. The hatch space is huge, especially with the 60/40 fold-down rear seat backs flat.

Warranty is three years/100,000km and servicing for that same time (but limited to 60,000km) is capped at $1615. The Mondeo's resale value across the 36 month's timeframe is 48 per cent.

The stylish Kia Optima GT looks willingly sporty on the outside with the design positives extending to the spacious feeling premium interior too, with clean white-on-black gauges and smart black leather trim with pinhole seating inserts and red stitching.

Also a heavy car for a mid-sizer, the Optima GT is powered by an enthusiastic180kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine which is hooked up to an in-house six-speed auto which performs strongly to capitalise on the engine's generous low-rev response and commendable eagerness, which is highlighted by its ability to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 7.4secs.

Like with the Mondeo, the Optima's 1650kg weight registers unhappily on its fuel economy with a rather thirsty claimed average of 8.5L/100km.

The Australian-tweaked sports suspension tune registers favourably and gives credence to the Optima's GT badge. Riding on 45-series Michelin Pilot Sport rubber, it fires into corners competently without notable body roll or pitch, and changes direction with just a smidge of understeer. The absence of early stability control interference is appreciated.

But judges were alarmed by the poor initial brake pedal feel and, in the standard slalom test, there was a hint of binding in the steering.

Safety equipment is expansive though, with active cruise control, lane-departure warning, high-beam assist, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot detection and rear-cross traffic alert.

At $43,990, the Optima GT is not cheap but is generously appointed with niceties including auto slide-back seats upon entry and exit, Harmon Kardon sound system, sat-nav (but no Apple CarPlay), a centre front armrest, and practical oddment bins including full-size bottle holders in the doors.

Another feature; the GT blows your choice of hot or cold air into your nether regions via the seat cushions. The Kia also has a heated flat-bottomed steering wheel with phone and cruise control buttons, and paddle shifters for the transmission.

The rear compartment gives enough head room and excellent knee room for tall adults with wide-opening back doors also appreciated. There's also a flip-down armrest, a 12- volt outlet, rear air vents and a couple of cupholders for those in the rear.

The boot is large, even with a full-size alloy spare.

Owners would relish the Kia's industry-best seven years/unlimited kilometres new-car warranty. But there is pain in the Optima's six monthly/7500km service intervals which translates into hefty capped-price servicing - $2712 for the first 60,000km. And the Optima's resale is below its rivals at 46 per cent.

The smart-looking Skoda Superb has many practical touches, a punchy yet fuel-efficient engine and agreeable Euro wagon styling with astonishing interior space for a medium-sized car.

Using the engine from the VW parent company's sporty Golf GTi, we were anticipating lively performance from this relatively light (1490kg) vehicle?and that's what we got. Its rapid (claimed) 7.1sec time for the standing 100km/h sprint was the fastest of the three family COTY candidates.

The turbo petrol engine cranks out 162kW and 350Nm through a six-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission. The combination gives the Superb plenty of punch but more importantly the easy driveability and response required in the cut and thrust of city and suburban running.

It also cruises in a refined, quiet way on the highway.

As lively as the Superb is, judges acknowleged its brilliant 6.4 litres/100km fuel economy, way better than its competitors.

Dynamically, the Superb wagon is handy enough on 40-profile Pirelli Cinturato tyres. It turns nicely with no body roll, the only niggle being a wooden feel to the steering.

Impressively as the Superb drives, functionality and versatility are priorities in a wagon, and here it is a standout.

The cabin had an airy feel despite the high windscreen glass line which does compromise visibility a little.

The seats look smart with perforated leather-look trim with heating and cooling. They do lack some shoulder support though.

A big touch screen (with buttons either side) dominates the high scuttle, and there's Smartlink Apple and Android smart phone internet connectivity, with a Columbus sat-nav system.

Three-zone air conditioning pampers the rear seat passengers who are already well served with brilliant leg room, a central armrest with cupholders and full-size bottle door bins.

The cargo space is huge at 660 litres with the rear seats upright, and a cavernous 1950 litres with the 60/40 back seats folded flat. Velcro cargo helpers and an umbrella stowed in a compartment beneath the cargo floor are nice touches too. And, yes, it has a standard full-size spare wheel.

The Superb wagon supplied by Skoda for the COTY judging had options including metallic paint, comfort pack and a tech pack that raised its price to from a base $41,690 to $48,590 plus on road costs, making it the most expensive of the family car finalists.

The $1500 comfort pack bundled ventilated leather seats, heated rear seats, and controls which give rear-seat passengers the possibility of adjusting the recline/slide operation of the front passenger's seat.

A $4700 tech pack focussed on safety, including adaptive cruise, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot warning, park assist and rear cross traffic alert. It also extends to hands-free "gesture control" boot opening , premium audio, and traffic-jam assist.

Like its rivals in this contest, the Superb comes with rear camera, and front and rear sensors.

Offsetting its price premium, of the three COTY finalists in this category, the Superb is the cheapest to service - $1260 across 60,000km.

The standard warranty is for three years with unlimited kilometres. An extended five-year warranty is available for $1699 and worth consideration given the reliability issues of some VW Group products.

The estimated forward resale value for this still-new wagon is 56 per cent over three years.

Judges were by no means unanimous at voting time, such was the high standard of the contenders. All three are excellent family cars, loaded with value, strong dynamics and practical to varying degrees.

Judges debated the unavoidable history of VW Group reliability but are now comfortable that engine and dual-clutch transmission failures of the recent past have been addressed are no longer substantive issues.

With its standout fuel efficiency and spaciousness - but also its pleasing dynamics and powertrain, affordable servicing and comprehensive safety features - the Skoda Superb 162TSI Wagon just edged last year's winner the Ford Mondeo Trend, with the Kia Optima GT third in a field of three impressive products.


Judges' Votes

Skoda Superb Wagon - 8

Ford Mondeo Trend - 10

Kia Optima GT - 18

(The Drive Car of the Year judging process awards points to every car in the category according to the position they were ranked by all six judges. The car with the lowest score therefore wins the category. If this vehicle defeats the existing category champion it is then eligible for the overall 2016 Drive Car of the Year award.)



2016 Skoda Superb 162 TSI Wagon price and specifications

Price: From $41,690 (plus on-road costs)

As tested: $48,590 (with optional metallic paint, Tech Pack and Comfort Pack)

Engine: 2.0-litre four cylinder turbo petrol

Power: 162kW at 6200rpm

Torque: 350Nm at 1500-4400rpm

Transmission: 6-spd dual-clutch automatic, FWD

Fuel use: 6.4L/100km


Ford Mondeo Trend

Price: From $37,290 (plus on-road costs)

As tested: $37,740 (with optional premium paint)

Engine: 2.0-litre four cylinder turbo petrol

Power: 177kW at 5300rpm

Torque: 345Nm at 2300-4900rpm

Transmission: 6-spd automatic, FWD

Fuel use: 8.2L/100km


Kia Optima GT

Price: $43,990 (plus on-road costs)

As tested: $43,990

Engine: 2.0-litre four cylinder turbo petrol

Power: 180kW at 6000rpm

Torque: 350Nm at 1400-4000rpm

Transmission: 6-spd automatic, FWD

Fuel use: 8.5L/100km



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http://www.drive.com.au/new-car-revi...03-gshi6j.html

[Vesper Martini]

The Kia is pretty good looking & has more power than the Ford but also costs $6250.00 more.
a $44K Mondeo model would probably be the better car.
the Skoda is nearly $50K

Can anyone confirm the 6.4L/100 from the Skoda is accurate?

[OLDBLOKE]

you'ed be a brave or stupid man to trust VW on anything they say.

[Wretched]

All 3 are damn good cars.

[FPV-F6-310FPV]

The Mondeo would be my pick, the Skoda is a alright car too, my parents are searching for a new car and its between the Mondeo and the Skoda.

The kia, well it is overpriced for what it is, a kia and no more.

[ebv8]

which one of these will tow my ski boat? or fit 3 kids across the back seat?

[Sabantien]

A mate has the 4x4 Skoda wagon, absolutely loves it. Has on occasion slept in the back and while it's not a full on 4wd, it's enough for his needs (lives in a bush shack, but I got my Falcon there, slowly). He also found during a hail storm that passed over his work, every other car had hail dents but his.

I don't have a family, but I guess these are the cars I'd be looking at if I was buying another car soon (well, i'd be looking at a Mustang, but I also wouldn't want to wait 12 months)

I like the look of the Mondeo, and if they came out with an ST I reckon i'd be keen as mustard.

[Sioso]

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

The Kia is pretty good looking & has more power than the Ford but also costs $6250.00 more.
a $44K Mondeo model would probably be the better car.
the Skoda is nearly $50K

Can anyone confirm the 6.4L/100 from the Skoda is accurate?

6.4 sounds about right, I see 6.9 in my Golf R.

I've actually considered the Superb 206TSI wagon, with just a tune it would be a very quick family car, tons of room, AWD and a bit of a sleeper.

[Express]

Originally Posted by ebv8

which one of these will tow my ski boat? or fit 3 kids across the back seat?

You're in the wrong thread, you should be reading this:


http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11457900

[ebv8]

Originally Posted by Express

You're in the wrong thread, you should be reading this:


http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11457900

try putting 3 kids in the back of a ute (sorry TRUCK), they have less room.
goes to show the new family car IS a dual cab ute, the second family car would be one of these

i still have a Falcon (mine) and Commodore (wifes) in the driveway but maybe i'm just behind the times and i need to wake up and get on this band wagon

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by ebv8

try putting 3 kids in the back of a ute (sorry TRUCK), they have less room.
goes to show the new family car IS a dual cab ute, the second family car would be one of these

i still have a Falcon (mine) and Commodore (wifes) in the driveway but maybe i'm just behind the times and i need to wake up and get on this band wagon

Have you been able to sample any of the 3 cars above?
They're not small, should easily fit 3 children.
We had a XF falcon, fit 3 kids (1 with a child seat) and it had less width and leg room than a BA.

[ebv8]

leg room is fine kids don't need much but the width is not great compared to a Commodore or Falcon, put in 2 baby seats and there is no room in the middle.
to me a family car is one you would load up and drive off on holidays comfortably.
i guess thats why the dual cab ute is number 1 then then a corolla, just goes to show the large car (sedan/wagon) market is dying.

[Sioso]

Originally Posted by ebv8

i guess thats why the dual cab ute is number 1 then then a corolla, just goes to show the large car (sedan/wagon) market is dying.

Was dying, Trump will fix that!

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by Sioso

6.4 sounds about right, I see 6.9 in my Golf R.

I've actually considered the Superb 206TSI wagon, with just a tune it would be a very quick family car, tons of room, AWD and a bit of a sleeper.

That just seemed too good to be true, but I've read the same in another review

[Tassie f100]

Originally Posted by FPV-F6-310FPV

The Mondeo would be my pick, the Skoda is a alright car too, my parents are searching for a new car and its between the Mondeo and the Skoda.

The kia, well it is overpriced for what it is, a kia and no more.

Why would you say the Kia s just a Kia but infer that the Mondeo or WTF Skoda are better

[Express]

Originally Posted by ebv8

try putting 3 kids in the back of a ute (sorry TRUCK), they have less room.
goes to show the new family car IS a dual cab ute, the second family car would be one of these

i still have a Falcon (mine) and Commodore (wifes) in the driveway but maybe i'm just behind the times and i need to wake up and get on this band wagon

I wouldn’t know what the passenger room is like as I have no interest in these dual cab truckie/utie things.

I can see the appeal of them for a number of reasons but I’ll always be a sedan man.

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by Tassie f100

Why would you say the Kia s just a Kia but infer that the Mondeo or WTF Skoda are better

Because they are better.

Wheels did a 10 car megatest a little while back. Optima came 5th, Superb 4th, Mondeo 2nd.

[FPV-F6-310FPV]

Originally Posted by Tassie f100

Why would you say the Kia s just a Kia but infer that the Mondeo or WTF Skoda are better

Because a kia is just that, a kia, nothing good in quality

[RANGEREST]

Originally Posted by ebv8

try putting 3 kids in the back of a ute (sorry TRUCK), they have less room.
goes to show the new family car IS a dual cab ute, the second family car would be one of these

Ranger is 1480mm from door to door, on top of the armrests.
Can you please measure your Falcon and tell me how much bigger it actually is?

[DFB FGXR6]

I think what this discussion illustrates is that families these days have choice when it comes to the "family" car.

Once upon a time, there was but the choice of a large sedan/wagon in either Holden or Ford flavour (or Valiant/Mitsubishi/Nissan/Toyota if you were game).

Now the term "family" car can cover many vehicle types, and all for proportionately similar money. Traditional sedans and wagons are now shopped against medium and large SUV's as well as the popular Pickups.

Its the buyers luxury to now choose what they ultimately need rather than line up for yet another fleet sedan.

[PooDog]

I presume the Skoda has the stop start technology same as Volkswagen? Which I consider as cheating fuel economy wise and I would never see a turbo vehicle with this tech as being long term reliable .....guess I'm just old school

[X-AHH]

Originally Posted by muzman

I presume the Skoda has the stop start technology same as Volkswagen? Which I consider as cheating fuel economy wise and I would never see a turbo vehicle with this tech as being long term reliable .....guess I'm just old school

Just bought a 2015 2.0T Mondeo Titanium and it has the stop start technology. We have this function disabled as it doesn't really gain any advantage for us with fuel economy etc. The Ecotech engine / transmission combo really works well in this vehicle.
Not sure if the Trend has this feature.
The number one reason for choosing the Mondeo above similar vehicles was the overall finish and feel of the car. It feels like a $40k+ car whereas the others felt like a $20-30k car dressed up with a few bells and whistles. We paid $31k plus onroads for an ex-demo with 6K on the clock which is a reasonably priced car for one with all the features this one has.

Couldn't be happier.

Don't give a damn about the slight difference in economy compared to the others.

[PooDog]

Fair enough , my point about the economy being cheating is it just gives an unfair comparison when comparing figures with non stop start , and reliability wise can't see how turning a hot turbo off at the lights with no oil circulating through it then starting and going into instant acceleration when lights turn green.... you can't tell me that's good for it ? Apparently with vw you can't permanently disable it you have to do it each time you drive ?

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by xahh

Just bought a 2015 2.0T Mondeo Titanium and it has the stop start technology.

Are you sure about that? I'm pretty sure that auto stop/start is on diesel models only, but not available on petrol.

Originally Posted by xahh

Not sure if the Trend has this feature.

All diesel Mondeos have auto stop/start.

Originally Posted by xahh

The number one reason for choosing the Mondeo above similar vehicles was the overall finish and feel of the car. It feels like a $40k+ car

Agreed. The new Mondeo is a big step up from anything else in the Ford range in terms of interior fit and finish and refinement. It's simply a brilliant car for the money, packed full of features. An acquaintance who owns an F10 5-Series and a W212 E-class complimented me on just how nice the new Mondeo Titanium feels.

[X-AHH]

[QUOTE=NX74205;5809133]Are you sure about that? I'm pretty sure that auto stop/start is on diesel models only, but not available on petrol.

No I'm not 100% sure, I read something about it in the manual but because it didn't interest me, I never bothered to check it out. Interestingly, the manual didn't indicate it was for diesel engine versions only but that's nothing unusual.
I'll have a closer look tomorrow.

[Sioso]

Originally Posted by muzman

Fair enough , my point about the economy being cheating is it just gives an unfair comparison when comparing figures with non stop start , and reliability wise can't see how turning a hot turbo off at the lights with no oil circulating through it then starting and going into instant acceleration when lights turn green.... you can't tell me that's good for it ? Apparently with vw you can't permanently disable it you have to do it each time you drive ?

I agree with your comments about stop/start on a turbo, I switch mine off as soon as I start the car along with traction control.

[X-AHH]

[QUOTE=xahh;5809141]

Originally Posted by NX74205

Are you sure about that? I'm pretty sure that auto stop/start is on diesel models only, but not available on petrol.

No I'm not 100% sure, I read something about it in the manual but because it didn't interest me, I never bothered to check it out. Interestingly, the manual didn't indicate it was for diesel engine versions only but that's nothing unusual.
I'll have a closer look tomorrow.

Well I checked and it's not there, thank god.
Thanks NX74205 for pointing out that it's only on the diesel models.
Interestingly, the US Ecoboost engines in the Fusion and other cars have it and this Australian review site reports it as being "standard across the range" without any reference to the diesel engine only.
http://australiancar.reviews/reviews...ondeo&gen=1124

[2011G6E]

Originally Posted by ebv8

which one of these will tow my ski boat? or fit 3 kids across the back seat?

People don't buy Falcons and Commodores if they have big boats and horse floats...they buy 4x4's...
That was the 1970's when people used their family car for everything, because to be blunt the only four wheel drives available back then were bloody agricultural and rough as guts. If they'd have been comfortable and economical, people would have bought them back then. There was also no such thing as an SUV or dual cab ute back then.

Times change.

[Brazen]

Mondeo is a decent car, but they look so close to the ground. Where did ride height in family cars go?

[2011G6E]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Mondeo is a decent car, but they look so close to the ground. Where did ride height in family cars go?

One reason we got rid of the G6E when we were living out near Blackwater. And even down here low slung cars, given our roads, are pretty useless and rough as guts to drive around in. Low suspension and licorice-strip-profile tyres are just uncomfortable and frustrating to live with. Literally the only smooth driving we had in that car was when we went down to Brisbane and hit the table-top-smooth highways.

That's why cars sold in Australia have to have different suspension tune to other countries.