2012 Holden Commodore Reviews

The end is nigh for the Australian built Holden Commodore, with the factory closing down in October. The nameplate will continue, albeit on a slightly smaller imported model made by Opel in Europe. What does this mean for the Aussie Commodore, and should you rush in and buy one now? Our crystal ball is pretty murky

Ewan Kennedy reviews the VT, VX, VY, VZ, VE and VF Holden Commodore between 1997 and 2015 as a used buy.

Commodore was the best selling car in Australia for many years so there are hundreds of used family Holdens on sale at any one time, meaning that smart buyers can take their time and find exactly what they want.Australian designed and built Holden Commodore are very well suited to local driving conditions and have exactly the kind of feel that keen Aussie drivers demand. This is a genuine five-seater, though the person in the centre-rear seat may find foot space compromised by the bulky transmission tunnel. Boot space is good in the sedan and excellent in the wagon due to the latter's longer wheelbase. However, the wagons in the VE range, sold from September 2009, have the same wheelbase as the sedan, so they miss out on the huge load volume that was a feature of previous Commodore wagons with their stretched wheelbases.Aussie family cars are big easy going machines that can handle a lot of hard workThe introduction of the virtually all-new VE series Commodore sedans in August 2006 saw a touch of European class in the styling and real enhancements to the ride and handling qualities. VE Series II was introduced in September 2010 and had minor external changes. Inside it was a different story, the GM i-Q multimedia system saw an entirely new look for the centre stack with the new touch screen. The system controls full Bluetooth, USB, iPod and MP3 player integration.Powertrains didn't always coincide with the major body changes. Most Commodores prior to the VZ range have a pushrod V6 engine of 3.8 litres. There's also a supercharged variant of this 3.8-litre, but it was never a real success so was discontinued in 2004.The VZ saw the introduction of an all-new V6 engine. A forerunner to the unit fitted to the VE Commodore, it was a twin-cam unit of 3.6-litres. As fitted to the VZ it wasn't particularly smooth or quiet. There were some improvements in feel when the engine was installed in the VE, but the engine still disappoints in this area despite several attempts to improve it over the years.A smaller V6, this time of 3.0-litres and aimed at lower fuel consumption and emissions, was introduced in September 2009. It hasn't proven all that popular but is a sophisticated unit and worth considering.There were two V8s in the pre-VZ Commodores; one an old Australian design of 5.0-litres, the other a Chevrolet unit adapted to Holden specifications with 5.7-litres. This Generation III Chev V8 is much better than the old Holden engine. The 5.7-litre Gen III was replaced by a Gen IV with 6.0-litres in January 2006, again as a teaser to the upcoming VE Series.Prior to the VE series, almost all Commodores came with four-speed automatic transmissions. Five-speed manual gearboxes are on the crude side and very few were sold. Six-speed manuals were offered in the SS range and are relatively common.The VE transmission lineup was a big improvement; with six-speed automatic transmissions and six-speed manuals. On the sporting side are the Commodore S and SS with firmer suspension, tauter steering, revamped seats and body kits. The most expensive model in the range isn't called a Commodore, but the Holden Calais. Holden frequently introduced special editions, the best value of these are arguably the oft-recurring Equipe and Lumina series.Commodores are easy cars to work on with plenty of access to most mechanical components. The good amateur mechanic can do most of their own repairs although it's best to leave safety related items to professional mechanics. Spare parts prices are generally reasonably priced and Holden's widespread dealer network is as strong in the bush as the ‘burbs.Insurance is very reasonable for a car of this size and performance, though there can be a big increase for the sportier models, especially with supercharged or V8 engines.WHAT TO LOOK FORRust is seldom a problem in later model Commodores, but can be caused by poor quality panel repairs. Check for these by running your eye over the panels, looking for a slightly uneven finish. Paint that doesn't match exactly from one panel to another is another clue a car has spent time in a panel beater's. Squeaks and rattles, most easily found when driving on a rough road, may indicate a Commodore has spent a lot of its time in the bush on dirt roads.Severe wear in the cabin and boot may be an indication the Commodore is an ex-taxi; or could have been a hard-working commercial vehicle, perhaps driven by a hard charging sales rep or the like.Check for brake fade on models before the VE Commodore by doing a succession of hard stops.Look for oil leaks at the rear of the engine sump and check the dipstick level as some units had high oil consumption problems. Automatic transmissions are generally OK, but one that is slow to go into gear and/or noisy and harsh in its operation should be treated with caution.CAR BUYING TIPAussie family cars are big easy going machines that can handle a lot of hard work. But it's better still if you don't buy one that's been given a beating.

Holden’s Commodore was the bestselling car in Australia for many years, though it has slipped recently due to many buyers switching from large cars to compact SUVs. There are hundreds of used Commodores on sale at any one time, so smart buyers can find exactly the model / price / quality they want.Commodore is very well suited to Australian driving conditions, and also has the driving feel many keen Aussie drivers demand. This is a genuine five-seater, though the traveller in the centre-rear seat may find foot space compromised by the bulky transmission tunnel.Boot space is good in the sedan and excellent in the wagon due to the latter’s longer wheelbase. Note that the wagons in the VE range, sold from September 2009, have the same wheelbase as the VE sedan, meaning they miss out on the huge load volume that was a feature of previous Commodore wagons. The latter had a stretched wheelbase platform under the wagons.Ride comfort is excellent, even on rough bush roads. Commodores can be divided into two distinct areas in the models being examined here. In August 1997 the VT series was introduced to critical acclaim.Commodore VT received a minor facelift and mechanical changes to become the VT Series II in June 1999. Commodore VX of August 2000 saw another facelift of the VT. The VX Series II arrived just 12 months later.There weren’t a lot of appearance changes in the VX II, but there were big changes to the suspension, especially at the rear. These gave the Commodore a real sporting feel. Holden introduced the VY Commodore in October 2002.This time around there were substantial styling changes. The VY Commodore was facelifted, this time to become the VY II in August 2003. Finally, the last of this long line of Commodores, the VZ series arrived in September 2004.The introduction of the virtually all-new VE series Commodore sedans in August 2006 saw a touch of European class in the styling and real enhancements to the ride and handling qualities. VE Series II was introduced in September 2010 and had minor external changes.Inside it was a different story, the GM i-Q multimedia system saw an entirely new look for the centre stack with the new touch screen. The system controls full Bluetooth, USB, iPod and MP3 player integration.Powertrains didn’t always coincide with the major body changes. Most Commodores prior to the VZ range have a pushrod V6 engine of 3.8 litres. There's also a supercharged variant of this 3.8-litre, but it was never a real success as buyers of performance Holdens almost invariably preferred V8s. So the supercharged six was discontinued in 2004.The big news with the introduction of the VZ was an all-new six-cylinder engine. A forerunner to the unit fitted to the VE Commodore, it was a twin-cam V6 of 3.6 litres. This powerplant was sold in two formats, one with variable valve and intake timing for a greater spread of torque and improved power, the other a more basic unit.As fitted to the VZ, this new V6 is not as smooth or quiet as it should be. There were some improvements in feel when the engine was installed in the VE, but the engine still disappoints in this area despite several attempts to sort it out over the years.A smaller V6, this time of 3.0 litres and aimed at lower fuel consumption and emissions, was introduced in September 2009. It hasn’t proven all that popular but is a sophisticated unit and well worth considering. There were two V8s in the pre-VZ Commodores; one an old Australian design of 5.0 litres, the other a Chevrolet unit adapted to Holden specifications with 5.7 litres.This Generation III Chev V8 is much better than the old Holden, so much so that resale value of the Holden 5.0-litre suffers in comparison. The Gen III with ‘only’ 5.7 litres was replaced by a Gen IV with 6.0 litres in January 2006, again as a teaser to the upcoming VE Series.Some later Commodore engines are designed to run on a petrol/ethanol mix of up to 85 per cent ethanol. Check with your Holden dealer or get onto Holden’s website to see which engines can take this mix. Prior to the VE series, almost all Commodores came with four-speed automatic transmissions. Five-speed manual gearboxes from this era are on the crude side and not many were sold. Six-speed manuals were offered in the SS range and are understandably more common than the five-speed manual units used in the day-to-day Commodores of the time. The VE transmission lineup was a big improvement; with six-speed automatic transmissions and six-speed manuals. An exception was the dual-fuel petrol/LPG, later pure-LPG powered Commodores that stuck with the old four-speed auto until 2012 when they too got a six-speed.On the sporting side are the Commodore S and SS with firmer suspension, tauter steering, revamped seats and body kits. Not as hot as the HSV Commodores, these Holden models do provide more driving pleasure and come at a pretty moderate price.Strictly speaking the most expensive model in the range isn’t called a Commodore, but the Holden Calais. Calais were usually bought by private buyers, while many lower cost variants will have begun their lives as company cars - perhaps being driven by a careful person, perhaps not…Holden frequently does runs of special editions, the best value of these are arguably the oft-recurring Equipe and Lumina series. Commodores are easy cars to work on with plenty of access to most mechanical components.The good amateur mechanic can do most of their own repairs although it’s best to leave safety related items to professional mechanics. There are numerous electronic components that also require specialist knowledge and/or diagnostic equipment.Spare parts prices are generally reasonably priced and we hear very few complaints about availability from Holden’s widespread dealer network.A network that’s as prevalent in the bush as in the ‘burbs. Insurance is very reasonable for a car of this size and performance, though there can be a significant extra slug for the sportier models, especially if they have supercharged or V8 engines.WHAT TO LOOK FORCheck for brake fade on models before the VE Commodore by doing a succession of hard stops and feeling for a pedal that gradually has more and more travel – don’t forget to check that rear-vision mirror first…Look for oil leaks at the rear of the engine sump and check the dipstick level as some early units had high oil consumption problems.Automatic transmissions are generally OK, but one that is slow to go into gear and/or noisy and harsh in its operation should be treated with caution.Rust is seldom a problem in later model Commodores. But look at the lower areas of the body, doors, tailgate and rear windscreen surround to be sure. Rust is more likely to be caused by poor quality panel repairs than any other reason.Check for previous body repairs by running your eye over the panels, looking for a slightly uneven finish. Watch for paint that doesn't match exactly from one panel to another. Another sign is minute spots of paint on areas that are normally unpainted.Be wary of a Commodore that has been a taxi, though this isn’t nearly as common as in Falcons: look for an engine running on LPG and for spots where signs and meters have been removed.Severe wear in the cabin and boot is another indication of an ex-taxi; though it could also mean the car has been a hard-working commercial car, or even that it has been destroyed by bogan kids.CAR BUYING TIPChecking the condition of the boot can give valuable clues to how the car has been used.

SUVs march unrelentingly through the suburbs at a pace that has left rival vehicle types in the shade.Two questions: Do you need all that space? And aren't SUVs becoming a bit passe?The answer may be the humble wagon. Now freed of the additive "station'' -- implying expansive grazing lands and lazy windmills -- the wagon has matured to cleverly blend leisure with some family duties. Even better, thanks to their popularity in Europe, they are stylish and many share the enthusiastic engines of their sedan counterparts.Wagons are on an equal footing with their sedan sisters in equipment, safety and performance. The Skoda Octavia wagon here, for example, has the same high-output turbo-petrol engine as its sports-oriented RS sedan model -- itself a reskinned Volkswagen Golf GTI. Wagons also share the handling, agility and performance acumen of their sedan equivalents.But the wagon has a more flexible load area and the ability to haul a range of awkward-sized cargo thanks to split and fold-down rear seats. In comparison to an SUV, the wagon also retains the less cumbersome style of the sedan, in effect offering the best of both worlds.Find a good sedan and if there's a wagon equivalent, then generally it will share any of the sedan's advantages and disadvantages. These three examples are very different in origins and execution. All are current models -- though the Holden and Skoda are poised for replacement -- and will have relatively low mileage.The Skoda is the sports model and is more expensive than its rivals, though has more equipment and has a turbocharged petrol engine with a dual-clutch automatic transmission -- all quite expensive stuff.Resale values are strong for the Hyundai (50 per cent retained after three years) and Skoda (49 per cent) but weak for the Holden (41 per cent), indicating that seeking a near-new used model can be more advantageous for the Holden buyer. TOP TIPSWagons are made for work -- but check to see if it hasn't been abused. You may save big fuel money by choosing a smaller engine. A cargo net or barrier is a wise investment2012 Skoda Octavia RS 147TSI Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo petrolTransmission: 6-speed dual-clutch autoThirst: 7.9L/100CARSGUIDE SAYS"These wagons boast an incredible amount of storage space -- there's even an extra cubby hole beneath the boot floor. Skoda makes durable cars and though the Octavia is rather plain in appearance, it has a lot of features and is well built. The RS version adds sporty equipment and gets the upmarket 147kW engine and DSG transmission. There are paddle shifters for manual-mode gearchanges, 18-inch alloy wheels, satnav, sports seats and daylight running LEDs. The car has all the safety equipment including six airbags and electronic stability and traction2011 Hyundai i40 PREMIUMEngine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl petrolTransmission: 6-speed automaticThirst: 7.7L/100kmCARSGUIDE SAYS"Hyundai has confirmed the i40 range will continue after it drops the similar i45 models, ensuring the i40 has a strong future. This is a 2.0-litre petrol-engined model -- there is also a 1.7-litre turbo diesel which is better suited to shorter duties such as in the city and suburbs. The Premium model gets a big list of standard equipment including 18-inch alloy wheels, satnav and Bluetooth, cruise control, sunroof and leather seats. There are split-fold rear seats though the available cargo space isn't as generous as the Skoda. Hyundai has a capped-price service schedule and a five-year warranty, which is reassuring for used-car buyers.2012 Holden Commodore SV6Engine: 3.6-litre V6 petrolTransmission: 6-speed automaticThirst: 9.8L/100kmCARSGUIDE SAYS"The Australian is a strong workhorse with plenty of style and ability. It's also a reliable and easy-to-fix wagon. The SV6 version is a more upmarket model that retains the 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine and six-speed automatic transmission but adds 18-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension and a sports body kit. Standard equipment includes six airbags, electronic stability and traction control, a reverse camera, airconditioning and cruise control. It also has a capped-price service schedule and buyers have a portion of the three-year warranty still intact. 

When Holden launched the Sportwagon in 2008 it didn't include an LPG powered model. The engineers were still working out where they could put the gas storage tank whether it would mean relocating the spare wheel.Guess they ran out of options because the spare is still sitting bang smack in the middle of the boot - correction, to one side of the boot. It's disappointing but that's the price your pay for economy.Priced from $44,490, the Sportwagon LPG is a good looking bus, even in spartan Omega clothes. The Series II model includes dual zone climate control and a colour touch-screen Holden-iQ system with single CD player, USB input, auxiliary input, integrated iPod support and enhanced Bluetooth with phone book display, touch-screen dialling and audio streaming.Unlike the Falcon, Holden has opted for a vapour injection system which it argues is the better option. The heart of the system is the 3.6-litre V6 that has been optomised to run solely on LPG.Producing 180kW of power and 320Nm it produces slightly more power and torque than the old dual fuel system. Yet the new LPG Commodore uses 1.6 litres/100km or 13 percent  less fuel than before at a rate of 12.3 litres/100km. With an 84 litre tank it has a theoretical range of 686km but some of this gas will remain inaccessible.The standard 3.6-litre V6 produces 210kW of power and 350Nm of torque and is rated at 9.9 litres/100km. The 3.0-litre six in comparison produces 190kW and 290Nm and is good for just 9.2 litres/100km.No comparison would be complete without a reference to Ford's liquid injection system, a system it claims is superior. It's 4.0-litre six delivers 198kW of power and 409Nm of torque and uses 12.3 litres/100km (the same figure as Holden). Bear in mind however that you can no longer get a Falcon wagon.The LPG wagon is $2500 more, but private buyers of new factory-fitted LPG vehicles can apply for a $2000 Federal Government rebate. With only $500 difference in price, it means you'd have to travel only 10,000km before recouping the extra money and the system would start paying for itself.At the time of writing the price of petrol was $121.9 and LPG 57.9 cents a litre. The cost of filling the gas tank at this price would be $48.87.Okay. Not as good as the Ford and lacks the urgency of the petrol engine but the performance is acceptable. In terms of the car itself, having the window switches between the seats is annoying and the exterior mirrors are still too small. We were getting 11.7 litres/100/km after about 500km. If you're not demanding and looking for cheap, practical transport, then the LPG wagon could be the one.

Commodore Z and Chrysler 300 Ltd go head-to-head in this comparative review.

Canny motorists are facing a shopping bonanza as car makers start slashing prices to make way for new models. But it's not only outgoing models going cheap - look out for end-of-year sales as well.Any time a carmaker trumpets a new model, these shoppers are there ready to make a financial killing by buying up the old model. Look for sales at particular times of the year. June is traditionally a strong month for squeezing extra savings out of a dealer though, with a buoyant car market and fierce competition, anytime towards the end of any month can deliver a bonus.End of year sales are popular. Dealers always want to sell but the months of November and December provide a chance to discount cars built in the current year. Fighting this are car buyers who want a car built in the new year to preserve resale value. Here's some deals but be prepared for more as the calendar year draws to a close.HOLDENDeep Purple is no longer a rock band - it's Holden's new colour that is available on a range of cut-price “Z-Series” Commodore sedans, utes and wagons. The new colour is the same as Holden's iconic show car, the Efijy. Different models in the Z-Series line-up get different equipment levels but, as an example, the base Omega automatic is $41,990 but the Z-Series edition costs $39,990.The bonus is that the Z includes a heap of extras within that price, including leather upholstery, 18-inch wheels, rear camera and sensors, leather steering wheel and chrome door frames. The SV6 ute adds 19-inch alloys, carpet mats and leather seats for $38,490, down $1000 on the plane-Jane SV6.The discounts on the VE Holden Commodore range precede the launch early next year of the VF Commodore models. Holden is also running out the Barina five-door manual hatch at $16,490, a saving of $500.TOYOTAYou'll have to do some legwork here. The new Corolla is on sale and some dealers still have stocks of the old model. Officially, there's no discount on the outgoing model though some dealers - predominantly NSW and Victoria - have extra stock and have advertised a $18,990 price, $1000 off the list price. Note that the cheapest 2013 Corolla is also $19,990. Toyota WA says customers should discuss pricing direct with their dealer.It's not only the Corolla that may offer savings. The RAV4 gets updated early next year and though there's no official price, dealers will consider offers. On top of that, Toyota has zero per cent finance on Camry, Camry Hybrid and Aurion until the end of the year.HYUNDAIThere's a lot of previous-model stock available from Hyundai and buyers can make big savings if they're not chasing the latest car. These include old-stock i30 hatchbacks with $2000 off the normal price and previous Santa Fe SUVs for up to $3000 off.But there are also current models. The big one is the $13,990 drive-away price on the i20 three door which saves $2500. A similar discount is on the five-door i20. The i40 wagon is now from $29,990 driveaway, a saving of about $3000, and the sedan model with automatic transmission is also from $29,990, saving about $2500.Hyundai's popular baby SUV, the ix35, is now from $27,990 driveaway for the Active version, a saving of $1120, while other ix35 variants have been reduced by $500.MITSUBISHIThe new Outlander SUV arrives November 18 so Mitsubishi is sweeping out current stock. The "Enhancement Pack" model is an LS version with leather seats, heated front seats and an electric-adjust driver's seat. It has Bluetooth, 18-inch alloys with a full-size alloy spare, six airbags for the front-wheel drive version (up from two) and a cabin styling pack with bright trim to the door handles, console panel and rear door trim.Prices start at $28,990 drive away for the LS front-wheel drive model with five-speed manual transmission. The normal price is $29,340 plus on-road costs so the saving is about $4500. But for buyers who want the new model, register on Mitsubishi's website and there's the chance to win a $1000 Westfield shopping voucher and 15 per cent off accessories for the new Outlander. If that's not tempting, Mitsubishi also has 0.9 per cent finance until the end of this month.SUBARUThe 2012 run out has just started for Subaru which has chopped up to $5000 off three models. It replaces its Liberty and Outback in early 2013 as a mid-life makeover that includes upgrades to trim specifications. There is an all-new Forester also due about February. So the deals are now on the table.The Outback 2.5i manual is usually $37,490 plus on-road costs (say, $5000) but is being rolled out the showroom door for $35,990 including all on-road costs. The same axe has lobbed on the Forester X which is now $32,990 drive-away including leather-faced seats, alloy wheels and fog lights.The normal retail price is $30,990 without the extras and without on-road costs. Subaru is selling the Liberty 2.5i sedan manual for $31,990 drive away with leather seats, electric driver's seat and reverse camera. The car normally sells for $32,990 plus on-road costs.FORDKuga Trend $35,490 drive away (normally $38,990 plus on-road costs) and the upmarket Titanium is now $41,490 drive away, previously $44,990 plus all on the road charges. The Kuga is to be replaced with a new model in early 2013.Focus Ambiente hatch now $19,990 drive away (normally $20,290 plus costs). The Mondeo Zetec hatch is $33,990 with all costs (usually $37,740 plus on-road fees) and Falcon's XR6 Turbo is down from $46,235 plus costs, to $43,490 drive away.KIAThere's a new Sorento SUV so the outgoing model has a $2000 gift voucher attached to its normal retail price.VOLKSWAGENIs running out stocks of the current Golf VI to make way for the Golf VII due early next year. Volkswagen Australia has set the price of the current Golf 77TSI manual at $20,990 including metallic paint and all drive-away costs. This is a saving of about $5000.The Golf Wagon 90TSI with DSG auto, metallic paint and all drive-away costs is now $29,990, saving about $3500. Note that for small-car wagon buyers, Volkswagen has not confirmed a wagon version of the new Golf. If you want this shape, this could be your last chance.VOLVOThe Swede is clearing out its 2012 stock by adding value rather than chopping the price tag. The S60 and V60 entry-level models now come with the upmarket Teknik pack valued at about $4500. But if you specify the Teknik model, Volvo will automatically give you the R-Design pack (valued at $3000) for free.The same deal applies to the XC60 SUV. There's also a deal on S60 or V60 from the dealer's existing stock. Volvo will include free scheduled servicing for three years or 100,000km.

Dismiss this article about a large Australian car and it may cost you money. Despite what you may have been told, you can buy a big, affordable made-for-Australia car that will beat European diesels hands down in running costs.The reason is gas - liquified petroleum gas (LPG) that is about half the price of petrol, available almost everywhere and home-made from a gas shelf near you. The similarly-equipped Omega wagon with the 3-litre V6 petrol is $6000 cheaper than the LPG Berlina here and appears to get better fuel economy at 9.2 L/100km.But the 12.3 L/100km of the LPG version actually equates to about 6.5 L/100km because LPG is half the price of petrol. Holden says the range is now about 700km.If that doesn't swing you, the capped service on the LPG-fuelled Berlina is $265 a year for the first three years and Holden finance is now 0.5 per cent comparative rate. Then there's the $2000 rebate from the government. But - and there's always a but - this car's rate of depreciation would make an incoming Space Shuttle jealous.The Berlina model tested has extra gear over the entry-level Omega which lifts it out of the fleet brigade. But at $47,990 it's not especially cheap. Value is in the similar LPG-fuelled wagon limited edition Equipe. It costs $42,490 and includes 18-inch alloys, leather upholstery, metallic paint and a rear camera.The Berlina alone isn't bad - rear-park sensors, iPod/USB/Bluetooth audio, colour touchscreen monitor, 17-inch alloys and an electric driver's seat.Once rated alongside noses for their ubiquity, the Commodore wagon has been driven off the streets by small-engined Asian cars. Styling is a traditional Aussie rear-drive two-box shape and despite the squeezed parameters in which Holden designers live, the Sportwagon - nee station wagon - is a pleasant and purposeful thing.There's heaps of cabin room, flat-fold rear seats and firm-but-comfortable front seats borrowed from Lufthansa. But the dashboard design is aging fast and the fold-down handbrake lever is itching for a chance to pinch the skin on your fingers.The LPG system is now dedicated - that is, no more dual-fuel compromise - but remains a vapour system. So it takes the liquid from the 84-litre rear-mounted tank and warms it to gas before plunging it into the engine's cylinders. It's not as efficient as the new Ford EcoLPi liquid-injection unit.This tester is a 3.6-litre V6. The LPG Commodores get the proper six-speed automatic and other than the fact they dish out more torque than the petrol equivalent, that's about the extent of new-age innovation. Regardless, it's a simple and durable package.This is a high point. In addition to being surrounded by a lot of metal and having so much space around the occupants, the Commodore gets electronic stability and traction control, a five-star crash rating, rear camera, park sensors, brake assist and a string of other aids. There's also six airbags. Holden gets an elephant stamp for offering a choice of spare wheels.The aerosol repair kit is standard then you can offer money for a collapsed spare, a space-saver spare or a real wheel. The tester had a real one but to make it fit, it sits upright in the wagon's cargo area and limits load carrying.Holden employees like to drive. That's evident in a family wagon that has very predictable handling and even the "fun'' word can be applied. It's a sure-footed car that has very accurate steering feel, flat cornering stance and excellent ride comfort over uneven surfaces. Tyre noise on coarse bitumen is low compared with most imports. It's a big car but handles like one a lot smaller, though the large-diameter steering wheel can feel bus-like.The LPG engine is responsive - though needs extra cranks to start - but sounds harsh and thrashy when under acceleration. The saving grace is the six-speed automatic. Also unfavourable is the soft brake pedal feel. But, above these minors, the wagon is actually a good drive and though some cabin plastics may tell you otherwise, the car feels more durable on the road than many rivals

A big V8 Commodore Sportwagon, an SS V no less, can arrive or depart as noisily as the driver dare.The Sportwagon is a lot of metal for the money - priced from $55,290 (or $ $57,290 for the auto as tested), the SS-V six-speed auto is a family wagon that the driver in the family will want to drive solo.The features list has the touchscreen satnav and entertainment system, with hard drive and USB input for the iPod, leather trim, 19in alloys, a limited slip differential, 19in alloy wheels, sports front seats, a power-adjustable driver's seat, cruise control, rear parking sensors and camera, reach'n'rake adjustable steering, automatic headlights (but no auto wipers, that's Calais V only), dual zone climate control (with rear vents), power windows, Bluetooth phone and audio link, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with phone, audio, trip computer buttons.The six-litre overhead valve V8 is not exactly cutting edge but when teamed to the six speed automatic gets the brand's Active Fuel Management (AFM) cylinder drop-out system, which aims to save fuel by cutting supply to four of the eight cylinders when not required.The only drawback is slightly less urge - power (measured on 98RON PULP) drops 10kW to 260kW and peak torque is 517Nm, down from the manual model's 530Nm. And it lays claim to an ADR figure of 12.3, but the more powerful six-speed manual (that doesn't drop four cylinders) boasts an ADR consumption figure of 12.2.The test car finished it's time with us sporting a 17.7 litres per 100km trip computer figure - with more demure driving that figure would be reduced but the V8 needs some throttle pressure to make the right noises and solid forward progress.Flared wheel arches, an aggressive road stance, quad exhausts and a svelte rump - for a wagon - shows the family load lugger doesn't need to look dowdy or plain. The driver can get a good driving position in the Commodore, something the Adelaide car has over its Melbourne opposition - the seat and steering wheel have decent adjustment range and the dashboard doesn't feel like it’s going to squash your knees.Forward vision is only marred by the thick A-pillars, which is something not limited to Holden - the extra crash performance strength has come at the cost of a blindspot for the driver that needs careful attention, particularly at T-junction turns into traffic.The interior is starting to age but is well-laid out and useful - apart from the annoying power window and mirror switchgear in the centre - and while the cargo area might not be as voluminous as the old repmobile Commodore wagon, it still has 895 litres of cargo space, or 2000 if you drop the rear seats.The big Holden kid-carter wears five stars from ANCAP - stability and traction control, anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, front seatbelts with load limiters and pretensioners, dual front, front-side and full-length curtain airbags all appear on the safety features list.Much was made about the VE's body strength when it was launched, including the use of ultra-high strength steel particularly in the B-pillar. The test car also had the optional full-size spare tyre fitted.You might not look at a wagon as a fun vehicle to drive, but you'd be wide of the mark. The SS V - even in the automatic - is capable of covering ground at a considerable rate, without feeling like the additions to the rear end detract from the experience.If anything, a little extra weight over the rear makes things more amusing. The steering is light but accurate and the wagon is a doddle to pilot around town, with ample low-end grunt from the engine. The transmission is not as smart as some of the opposition's transmissions but it remains an improvement over some of the earlier Holden autos.Ride quality is testimony to the good work of Holden's engineers, dealing with bumps without resorting to rattling teeth out to maintain cornering ability. On a familiar back road the Commodore wagon turns in with enthusiasm and hangs on with gusto - only the overly-aggressive Sport mode is a negative, one that prompts the driver to opt for manual changes.Making the V8 sing and making more use of the upper rev range does have its drawbacks, mainly at the petrol pump. If you want to get the most out of the engine then PULP is a must-have, so when the trip computer is regularly in the mid-teens the V8 Orchestra's novelty might wear off at $1.40-plus a litre eith the electronics off there's scope for anti-social behaviour, or a little wag of the tail, depending on your right foot.Cabin accommodation is good, with rear passengers getting decent space on comfy pews, with easy installation of child booster seats thanks to an anchor point on the backrest, which doesn't restrict the load space. They also get aircon vents without the overhead glare coming through the sedan's rear window, which can get rough on rear occupants in summer.