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The Holden Epica was a mid-size, FWD four-door sedan sold between 2007 and 2011.
A rebadged version of the Daewoo Tosca it offered a choice of inline six-cylinder engines in a market dominated by the four-cylinder Toyota Camry.
A 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo-diesel was offered later, although the model as a whole never took off.
The line-up currently starts at $4,400 for the Epica CDX and ranges through to $7,700 for the range-topping Epica CDXi.
Check out real-world situations relating to the Holden Epica here, particularly what our experts have to say about them.
Seems like you might have two problems here. The first is that I suspect you’ve may have fried the computer in the Holden in the process of jump-starting your other car. Jump-starting a modern car with on-board computers is something that should only be attempted by somebody who is a specialist. There’s a specific technique that goes beyond simply hooking up the jump-cables and hoping for the best. It’s all too easy to send a voltage spike through the car and send the computers into melt-down. That would explain why the car will not restart.
As for the milky oil and the sludge under the oil-filler capo, that sounds unrelated but still serious. A blown head gasket can lead to this exact set of symptoms and it occurs when the engine’s coolant is allowed to mix with the oil (and vice-versa). Sometimes in these colder months (particularly in Tassie) it’s not uncommon to get a small amount of frothy, grey muck under the oil-filler cap, but not a huge amount. And if the oil on the dispstick is also covered in oil contaminated with coolant, then you’re looking at a new head gasket at a minimum.
I’m not sure I agree that all modern Holdens were problematic, but the Epica, which was really a Daewoo (it was built in South Korea) with Holden badges, is definitely on the suspect-reliability list.
As it is an intermittent problem it’s hard to be definitive, but I would suggest you look at the fuel system, and check for a faulty electrical connection that could affect the operation of the fuel pump or injectors.
There was a recall on the Epica in 2012 to correct reduced brake performance and/or a spongy low brake pedal due to a sticky valve in the Electronic Brake Control Module.
Change the belt as recommended at six years. Belts deteriorate with age as well as kilometres and you don't want to risk the damage that might occur to the engine should the belt fail.
The Holden Epica is available in a number of variants and body types that are powered by Diesel and ULP fuel type(s). It has an estimated fuel consumption starting from 7.6L/100km for Sedan /Diesel for the latest year the model was manufactured.
| Year | Body Type | Fuel Consumption* | Engine | Fuel Type | Transmission | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Sedan | 7.6L/100km | 2.0L | Diesel | 6 SP AUTO | |
| 2011 | Sedan | 9.3L/100km | 2.5L | ULP | 6 SP AUTO | |
| 2010 | Sedan | 7.6L/100km | 2.0L | Diesel | 6 SP AUTO | |
| 2010 | Sedan | 9.3L/100km | 2.5L | ULP | 6 SP AUTO | |
| 2009 | Sedan | 7.6L/100km | 2.0L | Diesel | 6 SP AUTO | |
| 2009 | Sedan | 9.3L/100km | 2.5L | ULP | 6 SP AUTO | |
| 2008 | Sedan | 7.6L/100km | 2.0L | Diesel | 6 SP AUTO | |
| 2008 | Sedan | 8.2L/100km | 2.0L | ULP | 5 SP MAN | |
| 2007 | Sedan | 8.2L/100km | 2.0L | ULP | 5 SP MAN | |
The price range for the Holden Epica varies based on the trim level you choose. Starting at $4,400 and going to $7,700 for the latest year the model was manufactured. The model range is available in the following body types starting from the engine/transmission specs shown below.
| Year | Body Type | Specs | Price from | Price to | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Sedan | 2.5L, ULP, 6 SP AUTO | $4,400 | $7,700 | |
| 2010 | Sedan | 2.5L, ULP, 6 SP AUTO | $4,290 | $7,260 | |
| 2009 | Sedan | 2.5L, ULP, 6 SP AUTO | $4,070 | $6,930 | |
| 2008 | Sedan | 2.0L, ULP, 5 SP MAN | $3,300 | $6,600 | |
| 2007 | Sedan | 2.0L, ULP, 5 SP MAN | $3,190 | $5,940 | |
The dimensions of the Holden Epica Sedan vary according to year of manufacture and spec level.
| Year | Body Type | Height x Width x Length | Ground Clearance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Sedan | 1450x1810x4805 mm | 175 mm | |
| 2010 | Sedan | 1450x1810x4805 mm | 175 mm | |
| 2009 | Sedan | 1450x1810x4805 mm | 175 mm | |
| 2008 | Sedan | 1450x1810x4805 mm | 175 mm | |
| 2007 | Sedan | 1450x1810x4805 mm | 175 mm | |
The Holden Epica has maximum towing capacity of 1200kg for the latest model available.
| Year | Body Type | Braked Capacity from | Braked Capacity to | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Sedan | 1200kg | 1200kg | |
| 2010 | Sedan | 1200kg | 1200kg | |
| 2009 | Sedan | 1200kg | 1200kg | |
| 2008 | Sedan | 1200kg | 1200kg | |
| 2007 | Sedan | 1200kg | 1200kg | |
The Holden Epica has a number of different wheel and tyre options. When it comes to tyres, these range from 205x60 R16 for Sedan in 2011 with a wheel size that spans from 16x6 inches.
| Year | Body Type | Front Tyre Size | Front Rim | Rear Tyre Size | Rear Rim | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Sedan | 205x60 R16 | 16x6 inches | 205x60 R16 | 16x6 inches | |
| 2010 | Sedan | 205x60 R16 | 16x6 inches | 205x60 R16 | 16x6 inches | |
| 2009 | Sedan | 205x60 R16 | 16x6 inches | 205x60 R16 | 16x6 inches | |
| 2008 | Sedan | 205x60 R16 | 16x6 inches | 205x60 R16 | 16x6 inches | |
| 2007 | Sedan | 205x60 R16 | 16x6 inches | 205x60 R16 | 16x6 inches | |
