subject: Holden Commodore [print this page] Holden Commodore Holden Commodore
The Holden subsidiary of General Motors (GM) in Australia has been manufacturing The Commodore Holden since 1978.
THE VERDICT
Good:
Sensible styling; great ride & handling; significant amounts of space for 5 adults. The SS variant is a modern-day take on the muscle cars of yesteryear...
Not so Good:
No diesel powered variants on offer; limited mid-life facelift outside changes.
THE REVIEW
Design and Engineering
Good:
The VE Series Commodore, released in August 2006 is a remarkable design with fantastic 'wheel at each corner' stance. The front is tough with a pert rear. The rear wheel is has a smart drive layout that aids the handling stakes. The VE Series 2 arrived in September 2010 and luckily the design has changed for good.
Not so good:
The small side mirrors do compliment the style but it would have been smatter to have them in a bigger size for better view. The fat A-pillars also do their bit in restricting the view. The changes adopted from the top selling Omega (entry-level) grade include only a small raised lip on the boot lid and minor changes to the front bumper. Hence do not expect your entry in a VE Series II to be a head turner post September 2010.
Interior and Styling
Good:
The high number of driver adjustment controls means more or less anyone should be able to get functional behind the wheel. There are also huge degrees of space for front and rear passengers, clear instrument dials & good sized easy-to-use control knobs, satisfactory front storage space, a comfortable rear bench seat and a large boot. The big transition inside, from VE to VE Series II, is the 6.5-inch touch-screen Holden-iQ system (yes, it's even standard on the entry level Omega) positioned in the re-designed (and better looking) centre console surround. Dual-zone climate control is also traditional across the range.
Not so good:
The electric window controls continue to be positioned in the unusual centre console position and the handbrake still looks like an afterthought and feels flimsy. The high waistline exterior design affects visibility for kids in the rear seats.
Performance
Good:
You can expect more than required poke to shift 1,700kg plus of Commodore with the standard 3.0L V6 petrol engine. The V8-powered grades with the 6.0L engine sounding great at low and high revs.
Not so good:
V6's fuel economy is good, but not terrific.
Ride and Handling
Good:
The handling is fun and generates great confidence in the driver. In spite of the steering being light the ride stays smooth and composed even on the roughest roads. It also offers the option of the Redline Edition' that offers substantial wheel, braking and suspension upgrades for the V8-powered V-Series models.
Not so good:
The tyres make too much noise on the cars with 18-inch and up size alloys. This also spoils the ride especially on the rough roads.
Buying and Owning
Good:
Good value. High levels of standard safety kit - both active and passive: ABS, TC and ESC have all been styled for Australian circumstances and it shows. The ESC is a very important safety feature, and on dirt roads Holden have updated it to work excellently - guaranteeing the Commodore is an fantastic choice for out on the open road.
Not so good:
Low resale score for a number of the variants - similar to Falcon, blame the fact that it's a popular fleet and taxi car, so they have a high earnings and often turn up at auctions when they're only three years old.
