Holden Caprice 2003 Review

Strapped happily in the back of the latest Holden Caprice, with Shrek sparking from twin DVD screens and private sound punching through individual headphones, we thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

We had ice creams and giggles, and we didn't even have to leave the garage to do it. Quite a show.

Out on the road, with a couple of kids happily entertained in the back, the Caprice should gobble up any interstate journey and put an end to that whining "Are we there yet?"

The Caprice is the first road-test runner to come with an in-car cinema package as standard equipment, though we've experienced the optional entertainment gear in a $250,000 BMW 7-Series.

The good news is that the Caprice system is likely to trickle quickly down into more mundane models in the Commodore family. It should be available on an Executive within a couple of years.

The home-theatre Caprice sells at $73,000, a relative bargain if compared with the Seven, though still a big wedge for a family-car buyer.

It's part of a cosmetic, mechanical and entertainment upgrade on the WK range that includes the more-basic Statesman from $53,490.

The Statesman-Caprice twins are the best-selling locally made luxury cars, despite Ford's plan for a big hit with the new Fairlane next month.

The twins have come out well ahead of the new Fairlane.

The WK upgrade is a big one, including everything from new instruments to a 245kW V8 for the Caprice.

The most obvious changes have been made to the body on both models, with a new nose clearly related to the latest VY Commodore.

The blunt back end, on the other hand, has more in common with the compact Vectra. So it's a Euro-Aussie re-styling job that works pretty well.

The inside action includes the gauges, new seats with "active" head restraints, new trim colours – with "smooth-seam" leather in the Caprice – as well as some nice chrome finishing on the door handles, consoles and fascia.

Cupholders have sprung from the front and back of the Statesman/Caprice, there are power sockets in the boot and console, mobile phone and sunglass storage, an updated trip computer and improved security.

The basic Statesman engine, the long-serving V6, has been tuned for smoother running

Holden says the Caprice is aimed at younger buyers. That means the DVD theatre system for people with kids, and the grunty V8 and sports-tuned suspension – as well as the trendy piano-black trim – are part of the deal.

It's a reversal of the long-running luxury theory that older, cashed-up customers do the shopping.

On the road

The new Caprice is very good, but we think Holden has pulled the wrong rein.

It's put the sports and youth focus into a car that has, traditionally, been for people who are older and keen to spend more than $70,000 on a flagship car reflecting their maturity and success.

We reckon younger buyers with $70,000-plus in their budget will shop for something European.

And we'll have to wait a few weeks to see the Ford response, as the BA Falcons are so good we believe the Fairlane will be something special.

Holden could be right and we could be wrong, but after a week with the Caprice, we're convinced that a car that hits the buttons with Holden chairman Peter Hanenberger might not do the same job for local luxury buyers.

Still, the Caprice is an impressive machine. The DVD and sound system is terrific. If it does nothing else, the entertainment system will pull gawkers to Holden showrooms.

There is plenty of room in the back, though the Caprice's back bench has been set up for two people – with a fold-down console to store stereo headsets.

The boot? Huge and great for golf clubs and luggage.

The Caprice gets along briskly, with a nice V8 "note" under acceleration, and there is still the V6 available at $68,250.

Fuel consumption of 15.1 litres/100km was line-ball with other big V8s we've driven recently.

The suspension has been set very sporty, even down to heavier steering, and it helps the Caprice to shrink around you. It never feels bulky, and that's the sign of a big car tuned well.

But – a big but – the steering is heavy for parking, the ride is very firm, the low-profile 45-series tyres drum on anything but super-smooth bitumen, and you can never really relax. It's a Statesman with the SS Commodore suspension pack, and we're not convinced it will hit the spot with traditional Caprice buyers.

The upmarket headlamps also don't throw as much light as the ones in the Commodore Executive.

The Caprice is fantastic value, with the basic Statesman still in the $50,000s and nothing from Europe to rival the Caprice on bang for bucks.