2018 Holden Commodore vs 2023 Lexus RX
What's the difference?

Holden Commodore

$7,800 - $26,990

2018 price

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Lexus RX

$72,990 - $89,777

2023 price

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Summary

2018 Holden Commodore

2023 Lexus RX

By Malcolm Flynn

By Byron Mathioudakis

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Diesel Turbo 4, 2.0L

Inline 4, 2.5L

Fuel Type

Diesel

Premium Unleaded/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

5.6L/100km (combined)

5.0L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Comfortable but dynamic chassis
Strong and smooth 2.0 turbo
Liftback's boot practicality over a sedan

Newfound driving pleasure and ride comfort
Great interior presentation
Hybrid value, performance and economy

Dislikes

Relatively unassuming looks
V6 not as refined as the 2.0 turbo
VXR doesn't match the romance of old V8 SS

Base RX is now $15,000 more expensive
Infuriating and confusing capacitive-touch cruise-control
Some road noise intrusion

2018 Holden Commodore Summary

For many Australians, calling the new ZB a Commodore is tantamount to being forced to call your Mum’s new boyfriend ‘Dad.’

It's not built here, available in rear-wheel drive, there's no sign of a V8 or a sedan body, so why should we accept it as a worthy heir to the badge worn by Holden’s proudest model since 1978?

One big reason is that it was always going to be the next Commodore, even before Holden decided to stop building cars in Australia. Yes, it was even set to be built here.

Once the VE/VF Commodore’s Zeta platform was axed during General Motors’ post-GFC rationalisation, the next best thing was to align with the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia designed primarily for Europe.

Holden was actually involved with the new Insignia’s development from the beginning, which has led to some key details for the Commodore version and Australia, and a whole lot of input from our world-renowned Aussie engineering team.

So it’s a whole lot more Commodore than you may realise. Whether it lives up to its reputation is another matter.

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2023 Lexus RX Summary

Let's face it. Previous Lexus RXs – and there've been three whole generations since 2003 in Australia and an earlier one (from 1998) if you're reading this from abroad – have always felt a little bit like, well, Toyota Klugers in drag.

Lacking sufficient charisma and talent, none really possessed the appropriate dynamics, sophistication or comfort to effectively take on rivals like the Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Volvo XC90.

At least Lexus had the uniqueness and nerve to release a hybrid version way back in 2006 in the pioneering 400h. Remember that?

Now, there's an all-new RX, and it's had quite the transformation. But is it any good? Let's find out.

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Deep dive comparison

2018 Holden Commodore 2023 Lexus RX

Verdict

So will the new Commodore become Australia's favourite car? I strongly doubt it, but it's not the car's fault, and it wouldn't be any different if it was a rear-wheel drive, V8, Australian-built sedan. Australian buying habits have just moved on, and diversified into a range of SUVs, small hatches and dual-cab utes.

Taken as an all-new entry in Holden's revitalised line-up though, the new Commodore ticks all the important boxes required of a mid-size to large passenger car these days. It may not be anywhere near as exciting as a 6.2-litre Redline sedan, ute or wagon, but it’s objectively a far better car overall, and you should definitely give it a drive before dismissing it.

The pick of the bunch in my eyes is the $39,490 RS Sportwagon with the 2.0-litre petrol engine. Yep, the best new Commodore is now a four-cylinder station wagon.

Be sure to check out what James Cleary thought of the new Commodore in prototype guise here:

Verdict

So, is the latest Lexus RX good enough to stay, or should it sashay away?

In almost every single way except accessibility (the cheapest is now $15K more expensive, remember), the newcomer is hugely better than the model it replaces, with a level of sophistication and refinement – as well as comfort – that the underwhelming predecessors just could not manage.

And, yes, while there is tech shared with the Toyota Kluger (as there's always been), RX #5 looks, feels and drives much more like a large luxury SUV should.

Speaking of which, few rivals can match the family-friendly RX's combination of customer service, glamour and opulence.

Our verdict then? This Lexus has gone from being a drag to one of the queens of the BMW X5 class. RX... Shantay, you stay!

2018 Holden Commodore vs 2023 Lexus RX What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

2018 Holden Commodore vs 2023 Lexus RX
What's the difference?