I have been using front load washer and dryer from Frigidaire (Infinity Model- a fairly basic line was about cdn$1100 for the pair)for about a year now. The washer takes a little longer than the old top loaders do to wash a load. 40 minutes for a normal load but they use less water,detergent and are more energy efficient.
So far they seem to be doing the job quite well.

Oh yeah, when I do my laundry, I can cram it full and it still washes it very well.( My wife cringes when she watches me do laundry)