Holden Commodore 2018 pricing and spec confirmed

Holden Australia announced further details on its imported ZB Commodore this week, with the mid-sizer to start $1800 lower than its large-size predecessor, at $33,690 before on-road costs, when it arrives in late February next year.

To be offered in six grades – LT, RS, RS-V, Calais, Calais-V and VXR – across three body styles – liftback sedan, load-lugging Sportwagon and high-riding Tourer – the Commodore line-up will still be wide-ranging.

However, it will feature four-cylinder power for the first time since the VN-series model, with 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol and diesel options available. The latter develops 125kW of power and an unspecified torque output, while the former produces 191kW and 350Nm.

The Commodore will be offered in six grades – LT, RS, RS-V, Calais, Calais-V and VXR – across three body styles – liftback sedan, load-lugging Sportwagon and high-riding Tourer.

Alternatively, a 3.6-litre naturally aspirated V6 petrol engine will be offered in two states of tune – either 230kW/370Nm, or VXR-only 235kW/381Nm.

Petrol-powered Commodores will be paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission, while diesel versions will make do with an eight-speed unit.

Four-cylinder variants will send drive to the front wheels, whereas their V6 counterparts will employ an adaptive all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring and a twin-clutch differential.

Ranging in price from $33,690 to $38,890, the entry-level LT grade will be available in liftback and Sportwagon forms with either a four-cylinder petrol or diesel.

Standard equipment will include 17-inch alloy wheels, dusk-sensing headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED tail-lights, keyless entry and start, remote start, rain-sensing wipers, a 7.0-inch 'MyLink' touchscreen multimedia system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, cruise control, a leather steering wheel, an eight-way adjustable power driver seat, and a space-saver spare wheel.

Safety and driver assist technologies will extend to auto emergency braking, forward collision warning, a reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, lane keep assist, lane departure warning and park assist. All other grades also feature blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

 the RS-V grade will be V6-only in either liftback or Sportwagon form, priced from $46,990 and $49,190 respectively.

The sports-focused RS grade will be offered with either petrol engine in liftback guise or as a four-cylinder Sportwagon, with prices ranging from $37,290 to $40,790.

Additional kit will include 18-inch rims, a sports body kit, front sports seats, sports steering wheel, a rear lip spoiler and a hands-free power tailgate (Sportwagon only).

Meanwhile, the RS-V grade will be V6-only in either liftback or Sportwagon form, priced from $46,990 and $49,190 respectively.

Equipment levels will further extend to a high-performance strut suspension, a rear sports fascia, wireless smartphone charging, ambient interior lighting, an 8.0-inch 'MyLink' touchscreen multimedia system, satellite navigation, digital radio, an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster, colour head-up display, leather-appointed seat trim, heated front seats, paddle shifters and alloy pedals.

Assuming flagship Commodore responsibilities, there will be a single VXR variant, with the V6-powered liftback to cost $55,990.

It will feature 20-inch alloy wheels, a selectable 'Continuous Damping Control' suspension, front Brembo brakes, a power sunroof, 'VXR'-branded floor mats and sill plates, adaptive LED Matrix headlights, 360-degree cameras, adaptive cruise control, performance sports seats, driver and passenger seat power side bolsters, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a premium Bose sound system.

Standard equipment will include a 7.0-inch 'MyLink' touchscreen multimedia system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, a leather steering wheel and an eight-way adjustable power driver seat.

The luxury-focused Calais grade will be available with both four-cylinder engines in liftback form or as a V6 Tourer, with prices ranging from $40,990 to $45,990.

Compared to the range-opening LT, the Calais will also include 18-inch rims, leather-appointed seat trim, heated front seats, wireless smartphone charging, an 8.0-inch 'MyLink' touchscreen multimedia system, satellite navigation, digital radio and a 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster, as well as a Tourer-only high-ride suspension and hands-free power tailgate.

Further upstream will be the V6-only Calais-V offered in liftback and Tourer guises, which will cost $51,990 and $53,990 respectively.

Holden still comfortably leads the sub-$70,000 large-car segment.

Their extra kit will extend to 20-inch alloy wheels, a rear lip spoiler, adaptive LED Matrix headlights, a power sunroof (liftback only), a panoramic sunroof (Tourer only), an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster, colour head-up display, 360-degree cameras, a premium Bose sound system, driver seat power side bolsters, a massaging driver seat, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a sports steering wheel and paddle shifters.

Commodore sales have taken a hit this year, with 21,447 examples sold to the end of November, representing a 9.6 per cent drop over the 23,730 registrations the model managed during the same period in 2016.

However, Holden still comfortably leads the sub-$70,000 large-car segment, with the discontinued Toyota Avalon (2606 units), improving Skoda Superb (926) and just-launched Kia Stinger (374) trailing behind.

Despite it now being an imported model, will buyers flock back to the Holden Commodore? Tell us what you think in the comments below.