Holden Reviews

It somehow seemed appropriate that our first extended VF Commodore test in our home area should be a station wagon, or a Sportwagon to use Holden’s title. Commodore was king of the family car market for 15 years before many buyers moved to either smaller cars or medium SUVs. So it’s likely the big VF station wagons could draw those who strayed from Commodore back into the fold again.Many external styling changes to the VF distinguish it from the VE it supersedes. The new front gives it a stockier look, partly because the bonnet has been raised to incorporate pedestrian protection, but also to fall into the global General Motors design theme.While the VF sedan is significantly different at the rear, the wagon (and ute) remain much the same as before, principally to save design dollars. Tellingly, at no time during our road test that covered over 600 kilometres did any other drivers stare at the Sportwagon’s rump and recognise it as a new Commodore.Changes to the interior are extensive and give the VF Commodore a fresh, modern look. The centrepiece is the large, easy-to-read 8-inch colour touchscreen with well-spaced controls that are big enough to avoid the dreaded push-two-buttons-at-once hassles.Visibility outwards is still marred by the huge A-pillars that we have been complaining about since the earliest VE Commodores. Some alterations have been made to the trim to try and cure this. Slimming the underlying metal was going to be expensive so we will have to live with the need to move our heads around to negate the blind spots created by the wide pillars.At least the damn-fool handbrake that was so irritating in the VE has been replaced by a small, sophisticated electric unit. Although it’s built on the same platform as the VE Commodore, around 60 per cent of chassis components have been either modified or replaced. An overall weight reduction of almost 40kg has been achieved, mainly through the use of an aluminium bonnet,  and sedan versions gain an aluminuim bootlid.The SV6 comes with a 3.6-litre six-cylinder engine with 210kW of power and 350Nm of torque and sends drive to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission (or six-speed manual on sedan and Utes).It gets a five star ANCAP crash safety rating with electronic stability control, front and rear park assist, traction control, electronic brake force distribution, hill start assist and blind spot alert.There’s something distinctly Aussie about the way the VF Commodore feels on the road, particularly in country driving. It lopes along with a minimum of fuss, makes light of coarse-chip surfaces that can rattle even the most expensive Europeans, and copes with corrugated dirt as though it’s barely there. Out onto the open road the interior of the Commodore is noticeably quieter than before and there’s a real feeling of luxury not unlike that of cars that cost tens of thousands more.The 3.6-litre V6 on our test SV6 Commodore wagon was happy to sit at minimum revs thanks to the efficiency of the six-speed automatic transmission. The engine and transmission are both responsive and communicate with one another to give pleasing amounts of torque at all times. However, the 3.6 is still not as smooth as that of similar units used in many competitors. It’s certainly not as harsh as when first introduced almost a decade ago, but it really should be better.Performance is strong, yet fuel consumption has been reduced markedly compared to that of the already good VE Commodore. Expect the 3.6 V6 to use about seven to nine litres per hundred kilometres when cruising in the country. And around nine to eleven litres when driven sensibly in suburban areas.Handling is excellent with good feedback through the steering wheel and the suspension system. The new electric power steering (EPS) gives a sharp feel that’s all but indistinguishable from that of the old hydraulic assistance used in all Commodores till now. EPS is there primarily as a fuel save because it only takes power from the engine when it’s needed, not all the time as when a hydraulic pump is running permanently.

Light cars used to be the second car, the one that'd begrudgingly be taken to the supermarket when the real car was out. Not anymore. Light cars now make sense as the sole vehicle for city dwellers without kids - they're easy to park, will carry four adults in varying degrees of comfort and don't cost a fortune to fuel up.The rush to downsize means more than one in 10 cars sold today is from the light category. Carmakers have responded to that growing market with more standard gear at lower prices. They also understand a positive first experience could get you back to the dealership for your next vehicle, so you won't be ignored for looking at the “cheap” cars.They will try to upsell you into a higher model, though, so beware of alloy wheels and dual-zone aircon if steel rims and a power window is all you need. The average cost of the light cars in this field - entry level autos - is just north of $17,000. The Volkswagen is the dearest at $19,490 and is the only car here to demand premium unleaded petrol. It also feels to be the best built, but all of these cars are sturdy, reliable transport. Budget buyers should consider the Mitsubishi Mirage if outright performance isn't an issue. It costs $15,290, is the cheapest to refuel and annual servicing costs are just $250. The Mazda2 proves this segment isn't entirely price-driven. The little hatch leads the sales field this year, followed by the Toyota Yaris and Hyundai i20.They're not the cheapest cars to buy or run but they have a reputation for reliability and value that - at least in the case of the Mazda2 - has it campaigning strongly despite its age. Honda's Jazz has the best resale of this bunch, reflecting the brand's (slowly waning) reputation for producing better-built vehicles. The Barina is the thirstiest, needing 7.3 litres to travel 100km. That's half a litre more than the Mazda2.Carsguide has used the national average of $1.49.4 for unleaded petrol and added 8 for the 95RON fuel needed to keep the VW on the street. We have each car travelling 15,000km a year for three years. Price: from $17,290Residual value: 48 per cent $8299.20Servicing: $780 ($260 first year)Thirst: 6.3L/100km $4235.49   Price: from $17,490Residual value: 46 per cent $8045.40Servicing: $840 ($280 first year)Thirst: 6.1L/100km $4090.05   Price: from $17,990Residual value: 46 per cent $8275.40Servicing: $740 ($246.67 first year)Thirst: 7.3L/100km $4907.79      Price: from $15,240Residual value: 45 per cent $6858Servicing: $750 ($250 first year)Thirst: 4.6L/100km $3092.58   Price: from 17,690Residual value: 48 per cent $8491.20Servicing: $1284 ($398 first year)Thirst: 6.2L/100km $4168.26   Price: from $17,440 (Neo)Residual value: 48 per cent $8371.20Servicing: $1949 ($599 first year)Thirst: 6.8L/100km $4571.64   Price: from $17,990Residual value: 55 per cent $9894.50Servicing: $1711.58 ($537.42 first year)Thirst: 6.6L/100km $4437.18   Price: from $19,490Residual value: 50 per cent $9745Servicing: $1085 ($347 first year)Thirst: 6.0L/100km $4249.80   Price: from $18,590Residual value: 50 per cent $9475Servicing: $567 ($189 first year)Thirst: 5.9L/100km $3966.57   Price: from $18,290Residual value: 42 per cent $7681.80Servicing: $841 ($239 first year)Thirst: 6.3L/100km $4235.49  

One week in the hustle and bustle of city driving is all you need to realise just how far the new Holden VF Commodore has come. We might dream of vast landscapes and open roads (or so advertising agencies imagine) but the real test of a car is how it handles the grind of urban driving.The flagship of the new line-up, the Calais V, is armed to the gunwales to contend with this scenario. Every Commodore can park itself but, as we discover, there is more to the last homegrown Holden than meets the eye.VALUEAbout $10,000 off should be enough to grab your attention. The Calais has dipped to below $40,000 for the first time in more than a decade and the top-line Calais V we've tested here is $48,990 for the V6.The sharper recommended retail prices reflect the real transaction prices people have been paying for Commodores in recent years. Holden is being more open about it to get more buyers into showrooms and behind the wheel.TECHNOLOGYAll new VF Commodores come with self-parking gear and rear-view camera but the Calais V takes the tech to a new level in an Australian-designed car.In case you're wondering, the self-parking party trick tends to work in about three attempts out of five, providing you have ideal conditions. Your speed, the height of the carsalongside and the size of the space come in to play. Our prediction: owners will do it once to show off, then possibly never use it again.The neatest feature is the head-up display (HUD) which until now was exclusive to late model BMWs. It reflects the vehicle's speed and other key information into the windscreen in the driver's line of sight (although it can be switched off if you prefer to be old school).Unlike some other cars, the adjustments for brightness and height for the Holden HUD system are easy to use. Best of all: polarised sunglasses don't make the display vanish (as they do on BMWs). Nice one.There is also a blind zone alert to warn of traffic approaching alongside but out of view over your shoulder. A crash alert system warns if you're about to slam into the car in front. Unlike some other systems, however, the Holden won't hit the brakes automatically. Glad I checked that first.If you have an Android or Blackberry phone you can reply to text messages at the press of a button on the touchscreen. If you have an iPhone you can use Siri to respond via a button on the steering wheel (if the phone is plugged into the USB socket).DESIGNThe middle section of the new Commodore's body is the same as the old one but a nose job and a bum tuck have done wonders for its appearance. The more tapered rear end gives the Commodore a sleeker look and helps slip through the air. The outstanding aspect of the new design, though, is the interior.If you see a new Commodore somewhere it's worth putting your face up to the glass and getting a peek inside (wait until it's stopped). The Calais V gets some nice faux suede on the dash and doors, highlighted by an alloy-look garnish around the air vents. Top marks.SAFETYSix airbags and a five-star safety rating are the norm these days but in the case of the VF it's worth exploring in a little more detail. The score that led to the five-star rating is actually a touch higher than the VE, so there has been an improvement.A few eyebrows were raised when it was revealed Commodores sold in Australia only get six airbags when the US export version gets seven. But that's because seatbelt use is lower in North America than here and, even though belts have finally been mandated in all US states, the old law remains to protect anyone silly enough not to belt up.Holden deserves points for making a rear camera standard on every model but the image quality isn't brilliant, especially at night. The image quality of other rear-view cameras we've sampled recently are better (Mazda CX-5) while some are worse (Honda CR-V). At least a camera is better than none.DRIVINGLet's be clear, Holden hasn't reinvented the wheel here. But it has added some polish to an already well-rounded package. The new Commodore is quieter than before and rides and handles like Commodores used to. It feels smaller than it actually is, a good thing given size is seen as a setback these days.Our test car came from the media launch in Canberra. Before that it had been bedded-in by the same engineers who designed and developed the suspension and drivetrain.Which is why it was disappointing that our car had developed a subtle knock in the front suspension. It was by no means going to cause a catastrophe but it is the same sound we've heard in Commodores before. We thought it had been fixed, especially given the overhaul on the front suspension (now with fancy aluminium bits). So, some homework then.VERDICTThe new Calais V marks a welcome return to form and finally has the price, equipment and upmarket appearance to woo would-be buyers away from the imported competition.Holden Calais VPrice: from $46,990Engine: 3.6-litre V6, 210kW/350NmTransmission: six-speed auto; RWDThirst: 9.0L/100kmDimension: (L), 1.9m (W), 1.5m (H)Weight: 1730kgSpare: Space saver (full-size optional)

With the dark clouds of Ford’s folding and Volkswagen’s safety issues hovering over the Australian automobile industry, it has been left to Holden to make a break with the launch of the Malibu, a sunny mid-size sedan. Named after the famous California surfing beach - the car is already sold as the Chevrolet Malibu outside Australasia - the Holden Malibu.In Australian showrooms later this month, the Malibu comes in two trim levels, CD and CDX.  Prices for the highly specified pair will start at a competitive $28,490 for the CD petrol model, the range topping out at $35,990 for the premium CDX diesel, slotting in snugly between the recently upgraded Cruze compact and brand new Commodore large sedan.Like the Commodore, the Malibu comes stacked with standard features including seven-inch colour touch screen with Holden’s MyLink app-based infotainment system, plus reversing camera, rear park assist, sensor key technology and push button start.The entry level Malibu CD rolls on 17-inch alloy wheels and includes steering wheel audio controls, Bluetooth, cruise control, automatic headlamps, power height adjustable seats and electric park brake.Malibu CDX moves up to 18-inch wheels and is dressed up with leather covered seats, the front heated, with eight-way power adjustment, leather wrapped steering wheel, rain sensing wipers (which got a solid workout on launch in Victoria) and dual zone climate control.On the outside, the CDX also picks up front fog lamps, chrome highlights and LED rear lights. The range is available in seven colours, including prestige paint at a $550 premium.Coming out of the Chevrolet design centre in the United States, the Malibu had extensive input from Down Under, with Aussie Mike Simcoe, General Motors International Operations Executive Director Design, overseeing the operation. Two Holden designers were involved in the exterior and interior look of the Malibu, which is based on Chevrolets of the past, including the Camaro, also a product of the Holden design team.Malibu Exterior Design manager, Justin Thompson, led work on the new VF Commodore and says it shares design highlights with the new locally-made large car. “The rear of the Malibu was the first iteration of VF styling as we began to work on the VE replacement,” he said. The interior styling, including sporty Camaro inspired gauges, was the work of a team led by Yan Huang from Holden, while working in the States. She is currently interior design manager for GM’s global advanced vehicles.The Malibu comes with either a 2.4-litre DOHC petrol engine with 123 kilowatts and 225 Newton metres (8.0L/100Km) or 2.0-litre common-rail turbo-diesel with 117 kilowatts and 350 Newton metres 6.4L/100Km. Both mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with ‘Active Select’ manual mode.Importantly, the Malibu rides and handles like an Aussie car thanks to engineering input from Holden vehicle dynamics engineers based at the Lang Lang proving ground. Team leader Michael Barber says, as a global vehicle sold in predominantly left-hand drive markets, Malibu was originally specified with LHD tyres, which fitted to a right-hand drive car can lead to its pulling hard left.This led to the development of a specific right-hand drive 17-inch tyre for the CD, while the CDX uses the 18-inch performance tyre already on the VF SV6 and SS Commodore. The team also came up with a suspension set-up with unique damper tuning ideal for Australian road conditions, both of which came up to scratch during an extensive launch drive in extremely wet conditions.A diesel CDX did exhibit a lightness in the steering, a petrol equivalent not so. The diesel took some time to get into its stride off the mark unlike the corresponding 2.4 petrol which nimbly sprinted from standstill. Road and engine noise were kept at bay from the passenger cabin in both cases, occupants held in well sculpted, comfortable, leather clad seats. Instruments and gauges were well positioned and the touch screen image was as clear as a bell.Generous shoulder space and head room ensured there was no hint of claustrophobia, while rear seat leg room could come up short with taller occupants up front. Soft interior surfaces give the feeling of prestige, there’s ample storage for personal items and cup holders, the largest to take a one-litre container, cropping up all over the place.

June 30 is D-Day. The end of the financial year is the best time to buy a new car because there are always special deals in showrooms. As carmakers and dealers aim to clear their outdated stock, Toyota uses a June push to cement its showroom leadership. Some of the special deals are on cars that have done demonstrator duty, or were built in 2012, or are just not selling as well as expected. So they're not the tastiest fruit in the bowl.But there is great buying across the board as demand for new cars fuels one of the longest growth periods in motoring. The bottom line is that you can save money -- and lots of it. So here's a look at the June sales, with Carsguide's assessment of the best deals on wheels.CITROENThe new importer is pushing hard so the Aircross SUV starts at $31,990 drive-away front-wheel drive or $33,990 with AWD, a saving of $3800. There's $5000 off the C4 Seduction turbo diesel auto hatch at $25,990. Carsguide says: The Aircross isn't great, but the C4 discount is tasty.FORDThe death notice for the Falcon and Territory has not helped buyer confidence but a 2.9 per cent finance push on Fiesta and Focus still looks good. The superseded Kuga SUV from $31,990 drive-away is a $10,000 saving. You can save about $3000 on a 2012 Escape SUV from $27,990 drive-away.The Territory gets a $6500 tickle, the TX seven-seater at $38,490 drive-away (third-row seat usually costs $2500). The impressive Mondeo liftback starts at $29,990. Good buying on Falcons, thanks to the arrival of the VF Commodore, from $33,990 and better if you haggle.HOLDENAs the VF Commodore creates queues, the outgoing Z-Series starts at $34,990 with five years' warranty and roadside assist. That also applies to the SV6 at $35,990 and the Cruze SRi and SRi-V at $23,490 and $26,990. Last year's Barina CD hatches are $15,990 drive-away with a sunroof. The Colorado is $39,990. Hard to see past the excellent Cruze SRi.HONDAClipped prices and free on-roads. The City VTi sedan is $17,990 and the (slightly) more lavish VTi-L automatic version starts at $21,990. The bigger Civic sedan is being cleared from $21,990. Free auto on the Jazz VTi at $19,990. The Civic is worth a look at $2500 off.KIAFree on-roads, discounts and $1000 gift vouchers on many models. A five-door Rio S is about $3K off at $15,990 drive-away with a $500 gift card; the three-door Rio is $14,990 and the five-door Si is $18,990. Runout Cerato TD sedans start at $17,990 for the S, saving about $5000, the Si sedan is $23,990 and hatch at $17,990. All get a $1000 gift card. Cerato SLi and SLS have drive-away pricing but miss the gift card. All Optimas have free on-roads. A 2012-build Optima Platinum is $37,990, saving about $4000 with a $1000 gift card. Most Sportage SUVs include on-roads and a $1000 gift card. Carnival and superseded Rondo pricing is drive-away. The Sportage diesel and Optima are top-notch.MITSUBISHIThe manual Lancer gets an old-school value pack on the Special Action Model for $19,990 drive-away. The Mirage is $12,990 drive-away for the ES manual, with a $500 cash-back that also applies to the auto.Driveaway prices also for the compact ASX at $24,990 for the 2WD manual, the Outlander LS 2WD auto at $29,990, Pajero GLX-R auto at $54,990 or $59,990 for VRX. Both come plus $3000 cash-back, saving about $6000.The Triton ute is now tackling Great Wall from China at $19,990 drive-away for a GL single-cab 2WD with alloy tray, or add luxury for a GLX dual-cab 4WD diesel at $31,990 drive-away with $2000 cash-back, saving about $14,000. The utes look good at those prices.NISSANA 2.9 per cent finance package, with agreed value after three years, makes the Pulsar ST sedan look good at $49 a week or $19,990 drive-away. The X-Trail ST 2WD petrol manual cops a $4000 reduction to $25,990 drive-away, while the Navara RX 4WD dual-cab manual is cheaper than ever with a $9500 cut to $30,990 drive-away. The Pulsar sedan deal is attractive.OPELThere are drive-away deals across the range. The basic Corsa is down by about $2500 to $16,990 drive-away, the Astra is from $22,990 drive-away for the 1.4-litre turbo petrol hatch with three years of free servicing, saving about $5500. The top-line Insignia sedan is from $39,990 drive-away with heated leather seats. The Astra is easily best of this breed.PEUGEOTFree on-roads at Peugeot on most models but not the cool new 208. The 4008 SUV cops a $1500 saving from $29,990 drive-away and there are deals on the outgoing 4007. Nothing to see here.RENAULTA Koleos from $26,990 drive-away looks even better with interest-free finance. The Megane hatch is from $22,990 drive-away with finance pegged at 1.9 per cent. The slow-selling Fluence and Latitude sedans are available with 2.9 per cent finance. The Megane CC convertible goes from $43,990 including on-roads. The sporty Clio RS is from $34,990 drive-away and the hotrod Megane RS has 2.9 per cent finance.Commercial deals start with the short-wheelbase Kangoo petrol manual with dual sliding doors from $20,990 drive-away, moving up to the Trafic short-wheelbase manual for $29,990 and the long-wheelbase manual for $32,990, while the Master large van starts from $46,990 drive-away. There's a five-year/200,000km warranty on all light commercials ordered in June. Hard to argue against a $3000 bonus on the Koleos but stocks are tight.SUBARUDrive-away pricing -- for savings of $3000 to $4000 -- is the bait, with Impreza pricing from $23,990 (excluding the WRX, of course). The Tribeca from $54,990 now includes on-roads but you need to visit a dealer to get the full story. Nothing outstanding.SUZUKIThe front-drive SX4 gets a Navigator pack with voice-controlled 6.6-inch satnav with Bluetooth for $19,990 drive-away for the manual and $21,990 auto. That also applies to the 2WD auto Grand Vitara at $29,990 drive-away, including reversing camera and satnav with Bluetooth. The Alto GL manual also gets satnav for $11,990 drive-away for the manual, with the Swift GL manual at $17,490 drive-away including cruise control and Bluetooth. The Grand Vitara is a polished piece.TOYOTAThere's 2.9 per cent finance on Aurion and Camry with the Camry Altise looking best at $29,990 drive-away. Other drive-away deals include $15,990 for the Yaris YR five-door, $21,490 for the Corolla Ascent automatic, $39,990 for the Kluger KX-R 2WD five-seater, $60,990 for the Prado GXL turbo diesel auto and $39,990 for the HiLux SR 4WD dual-cab ute. The right time for the cabbies' new favourite, the frugal hybrid Camry.VOLKSWAGENDrive-away pricing on passenger cars and zero finance on commercials. The Polo is $16,990 on-road, the Jetta is down to $25,990 and the Passat $36,690. The Polo is Carsguide's 2010 COTY.VOLVOFuel and servicing for three years or 60,000km plus roadside assistance. There are conditions -- with a pre-paid BP card based on 15,000km a year and $1.50 a-litre pricing -- and the latest V40 hatch is excluded. Clever twist on bargaining but a pity it doesn't apply to the V40.Paul Gover's 10 COMMANDMENTSYou must still do your homework. You must still check the fine print. You must still be prepared to haggle and compromise.But do it right, crunching the numbers and running right to the dealer's deadline, and you can drive away in something special at a special price.The starting point is all the deals, from sticker specials to cheap finance and steak knife-style free extras, being offered by most of the 60-plus brands in showrooms today.If something you want is on special, go for it. But check that the car was built in 2013, and is not a geriatric old-timer from 2012, and ensure your target is exactly what you want - not a stripped-out stocker, perhaps missing an automatic gearbox - that will cost thousands to get the way you want it.Once you lock down a target, don't think the advertised special is the end of the deal. You also need to negotiate for a better price on delivery and on-road costs, and avoid the trap of buying over-priced extras such as paint and upholstery protection, window tinting and extra-long warranties.No-one can expect to go into the ring with a showroom professional and expect to win, because buyers only get a new car occasionally and sales staff are dealing every day. But, by concentrating on the real bottom line - the changeover price - and being prepared to compromise, you can come out ahead.The best tips are the simplest. Run as close as you can to June 30 to sign the deal and get the car, because dealers are all aiming for targets that can mean tens of thousands in bonus money from headquarters. Also be prepared to take a car they have in stock, even if it's not your favourite colour, because dealers are aiming to clear everything they have on the lot.And have your finance in place before you arrive, especially if you're taking up a special deal, because that makes things quicker and you'll also be spared any hassle and potential extra costs.Watch out for 2012 cars because the warranty clock has already been running, don't forget that a big discount today will also mean less at changeover time, and remember that a demonstrator car could have had a hard life already. 

Holden Captiva is a medium-large SUV that has a lot of Australian input in its design and engineering teams. It is available in two slightly different body styles, with the MaXX having a sporty look and five seats, while the other body type can be purchased as a five- or seven-seater.The third row seats are larger than those in many of Captiva’s seven-seat competitors and, while still better suited to children than adults, can carry the grownups in reasonable comfort.Storage space when all seven seats are in place is severely restricted, hardly unusual in this size of vehicle. The seats can the folded down in a variety of ways and, when all are flat, you have up to 1565 litres of luggage space.There are a number of smaller stowage compartments including a large wet/dry area beneath the load compartment floor. Interior storage is excellent, with seatback pockets; a glovebox cooler; front and rear centre console storage; door bins; drink holders; and an overhead sunglasses holderWhen introduced in 2007 the only Captiva powerplant was a 3.2-litre V6 petrol built by Holden. The engine was shipped to the South Korean factory to be installed in Captivas used on many global markets. A 2.0-litre diesel engine was added to the range in March 2007.Initially all Holden Captiva models used the same part-time 4WD system, with drive normally being to the front wheels and the rear wheels being engaged when extra traction was demanded.The 4WD system is well engineered and the Holden Captiva can tackle some quite tough off-road areas as it has good approach and departure angles. It’s not a heavy-duty 4WD but can go surprisingly far in the hands of an experienced operator.A 2WD version, through the front wheels, was introduced in December 2009. Called the Captiva 5 and using the MaXX style body it’s a five-seater powered by a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.A five-speed automatic with tiptronic-style manual override was the only transmission option until the arrival of the Captiva 5, which is offered with a six-speed manual as well as an automatic transmission. The automatics were upgraded to six forward ratios with the introduction of an upgraded Captiva in February 2011.All Captiva models come with electronic stability control, ABS brakes with brake assist, traction control, active rollover protection and descent control. There are dual front airbags in all models with side curtain airbags optional in the lower cost models and standard on the others.Holden is very well represented in most areas of Australia and dealers in all regions are likely to carry the more common spare parts for the Captiva. Other components can usually be shipped in within a couple of working days. Prices are lower than average for an imported vehicle in this class.Parts and servicing costs are reasonable and the relatively simple layout of the Captiva means the good amateur mechanic can do a fair bit of their own work. Safety related items should only be worked on by professionals.Insurance costs are pretty reasonable and we haven’t seen a big variation between companies. However, it’s always smart to shop around for the best deal making sure that you’re comparing apples with apples when doing so.Check for rust in the lower area of the body and in a Captiva that may have been used on the beach. Look over the interior for signs of dirt having been ground into carpets. Similarly, check for damage and/or stains on the seats.Look for off-road damage to the bumper corners, the door sills and for light scratches in the paintwork on the doors and the front guards. If the load area has been used to cart heavy gear and/or has been damaged by poor loading and/or fastening there could be severe damage to the carpets. Again, signs of sand may be bad news.Engines that are slow to start or blow smoke when worked hard may be due for major repairs. Automatic transmissions that don’t go into Drive quickly when moved from Neutral or Reverse may need servicing.So few SUVs ever get taken off-road that it’s probably worth passing up one that has been used as an SUV. Silly, isn’t it? 

The tragics that stick Chevy badges on their Holdens are going to love the new Malibu. Originally designed as a Chevrolet, it probably has more right to wear the gold Chevy bowtie than any other Holden.Shame about the American name (yet again), but you can take comfort in the fact the Malibu was actually designed by an Aussie stylist. Launched this week in Melbourne, the new mid-sized sedan is a replacement for the unloved Epica that disappeared from showrooms a couple of years ago.They say the day Holden announced it had pulled the plug on the ugly Korean duckling a cheer went up in the boardroom. But we remember the Epica as a great holiday car with an enormous boot  - especially the diesel one.Like Epica the Malibu is a car designed to fill a gap in Holden's line-up. Priced from $28,490, it sits between the smaller Cruze and larger Commodore and designed to go head to head with the likes of Camry and Mondeo. At this price it undercuts everything else in the segment, apart from Suzuki's Kizashi which is smaller.There are two models, CD and better equipped CDX  - both available in petrol and diesel form. But the diesel engine adds a hefty $4000 to the asking price and costs more to service.Standard equipment includes the MyLink entertainment system that includes a 7-inch touch screen and nine speakers, as well as Bluetooth, cruise control, auto lights, push button start, rear parking sensors, steering wheel audio controls, power height adjustment for the driver's seat, an electric parking brake and 17 inch alloys.The CDX priced from $31,990 adds leather, dual zone climate air, auto wipers, and heated 8-way power adjust front seats plus 18 inch alloys. Any colour except white attracts a $550 extra charge.Nothing new here. There's a choice of two engines, both of them paired with a six speed auto. The 2.4-litre four cylinder petrol engine is a lift from Captiva and fairly old tech, with 123kW of power and 225Nm of torque, and delivering fuel consumption of 8.0 litres/100km (we got 9.2).The 2.0-litre turbo diesel is a lift from Cruze, with 117kW of power and 350Nm, and fuel consumption of 6.4 litres/100km (we got 7.0).The MyLink entertainment system is being rolled out across the Holden range and includes apps for Pandora internet radio and the Stitcher podcast program, but you need a mobile phone with a sizeable data plan to really make full use of it. Satellite navigation is not available at this stage, but will be added later along with voice control (they're still ironing out the bugs).It sits on the same platform as the Opel Insignia and recent Saab 9-5. They say Malibu's athletic stance was inspired by Chevrolets of the past including the Camaro that was also styled by the Holden design team.Exterior designer Justin Thompson said the brief as to design a car that would stand out in the busy and often bland mid-sized segment. The rear end design with its twin Camaro-style tail lights was actually the first draft for the rear of the new Commodore.The front facia has been totally restyled for Australia to give the car a Holden look and so that it will fit in with the rest of the range. Inside the look is sporty, with lots of brightly coloured blue instrumentation - perhaps a little too bright.A reversing camera is standard across the range. Gets the maximum five stars for safety with six airbags and a full complement of safety systems including electronic traction and stability control along with anti-lock brakes.The engineers have spent a lot of time and effort "Australianising'' the car, calibrating both the transmission and ride and handling settings at Holden's Lang Lang proving ground. An emphasis was placed on selecting the right tyre for the job.The suspension and damper settings which are oriented towards comfort are unique to Australia and it shows in the way the car soaks up the bumps, undulations and pot holes that characterise our secondary roads.The 2.4-litre petrol model is the pick of the pair and works well in tandem with the second generation six-speed automatic. The auto always seems to find the right gear and there is enough in the kitty for overtaking too.But the sequential change takes some getting used to, with a switch on top of the gear selector that does not fall comfortably to hand. Push left with your thumb and it changes down, right and it changes up again  - but who's really going to bother using it anyway?The hydraulic steering in the diesel is much too light and not nearly as good as the speed-sensitive electric system in the petrol model, which grows heavier with speed. By the way, the diesel at $4000 more, is much too expensive to be a realistic alternative, especially where  private buyers are concerned. It will however appeal to fleet operators where the cost can be built into the deal.It sounds and feels too much like a truck anyway. And if you want more power, there's always the Commodore. The boot is large but shallow due to the full size but temporary spare, with a rear seat that folds down for longer loads. The spare is optional - a can of goo to reinflate the tyre is standard. The tow rating of the car is 1200kg.

Someone at Holden got the name wrong for the company's newest, and surprisingly impressive, mid-sized hopeful.

Holden is looking to turn around the downward trend in Commodore sales with the VF – mounting a three-pronged attack based around significant price cuts, a big range of additional equipment and a renewed export drive.Annual sales of the Commodore have been in steady decline since their peak of nearly 95,000 in 1998 with the 2012 tally of around 30,500 being the lowest ever. While the car’s age undoubtedly contributed to this number the overriding reason has the trend away from large passenger cars towards both medium SUVs and smaller cars.The VF Commodore is the fifteenth model since it launched with the VB in 1978. It’s been a long time coming as the VE series it has been on sale since 2006. The big delay largely due to the near bankruptcy of GM as a result of the GFC.As we’ve reported previously, the VF Commodore gets price cuts ranging from $5000 from the VE Omega to the Evoke up to $10,000 on the two Caprice models.With such dramatic price reductions coupled with leading-edge technology we wouldn’t be at all surprised if many buyers who have been swept to the SUV trend will be having second thoughts.There are many external styling changes to the VF to distinguish it from its predecessor, with a new front and rear that give it a stockier look partly because the bonnet has been raised to incorporate new pedestrian safety features.The changes to the interior give the new Commodore a fresher, more contemporary look. The centrepiece is the 8-inch colour touchscreen with large, well-spaced buttons and knobs that displays the vast array of features available through the Holden MyLink infotainment system. We will take a closer look at this, along with a plethora of other new features designed to make motoring not only safer but also more entertaining, in a separate story.VF Commodore model names have been tweaked with both the previous entry level Omega and the second tier Berlina both gone – the latter after nearly 30 years in the range – and replaced by a single model called Evoke designed to bridge the gap between fleet and private buyers and to generate a more upmarket image.Evoke uses a 3.0-litre SIDI V6 engine. To reduce fuel use and exhaust emissions power is marginally down (from 190 to 185 kW compared to the VE series). This is more than counteracted by an overall weigh reduction of almost 40 kg in the Commodore, mainly through an aluminium bonnet and boot lid. Performance isn’t affected while fuel consumption is just 8.3 litres per hundred kilometres, down from the 8.9 litres in the equivalent 2012 VE Series II.Other model names are unchanged, with the SV6, Calais, and Calais V each having the 3.6-litre SIDI V6. The SS, SS V, SS V Redline all use the 6.0-litre Gen IV V8, which is optional on the Calais V. All models offer the choice between sedan and Sportwagon.The long wheelbase Caprice sedan, now designated WN, comes with either a 3.6-litre LPG-fuelled engine in the standard model or 6.0-litre petrol V8 in the Caprice V. Transmission options are unchanged with six-speed automatic in all models and six-speed manuals in the sportier variants.Although it’s built on the same platform as the outgoing VE, around 60 per cent of chassis components have been either modified or replaced.The two-day launch of the VF Commodore included a 500-kilometre drive program from Canberra south to the Snowy Mountains and back.It’s hardly surprising given the length of time that the Commodore has been around, but there’s something just right about settling into these big Aussie cars. Something that will really be missed if they were to disappear from the scene forever...Manoeuvring the new VF out of the congested underground car park the first thing you notice is the new electric power steering (EPS) that gives a noticeable improvement in sharpness.Out onto the open road the interior is noticeably quieter than before and there’s a real feeling of luxury unlike any you have felt car in this price range. The route chosen for the drive program was dominated by long straights designed to let the VF stretch its legs as we rotated through the different models.Climbing into the foothills of the Snowys we came away most impressed. It’s well-balanced and courtesy of the weight loss and lighter steering felt anything like a large family car.

It's a big ask for any car to save a company but by the time the first wheels turned on the test drive for Holden's new VF Commodore last week, it was clear the stakes were much higher than that.Ford announced it was bowing out, leaving just Holden and Toyota. If one goes, they both go. On the VF rides the fate of the industry. The route takes the convoy on a trip into the past, to the long sweepers and tight climbs of the Snowy Mountains.It's just the sort of country the Commodore was originally designed to tame, in long sure-footed strides, and it's impossible not to be struck by one thought immediately: I'd rather be punting one of these through here than any of the SUVs that have pinched the parking spot of the big Aussie sedan.Holden flagged price cuts early and they hit $10,000 at the peak of the range. However, it's the equipment fitted across the VF that says most about Holden's approach.The best example is the automatic parking system. Common now even on hatchbacks, the VF does the steering while you apply throttle and brakes. For programmers the steering bit is easy; finding a suitable spot is the test. The most difficult to assess are perpendicular, which is why almost all these systems only parallel park. The VF can do both.The new electrical "architecture'' benefits every VF, even the base model Evoke, with voice control and Bluetooth phone/audio standard. If you use one of the common smartphones, embedded Pandora and Stitcher apps bring everything to the 8-inch control screen, including messages.The engineering on the VF is at the opposite end of the scale to Snowy pipes and dams; it's focused on the binary plumbing of the smartphone age. Holden is one of the first in the General Motors world to implement its new electrical architecture and it leapfrogs Commodore into a world of apps and advanced safety systems.This is not the usual catch-up-with-the-imports exercise. In some areas, VF is better than anything on offer. The head-up display on the top luxury (Calais V) or sport (SS V Redline) grades, for example, projects information on to the windscreen in front of the driver, just below the line of sight. It can display an impressive range of information, from speed and navigation instructions to audio mode and even Formula 1-style upshift lights. The German luxury badges don't go this far.This sort of stuff, and the overall lift in cabin quality, should help Holden attract private buyers flirting with the bottom rungs of premium.The final piece in that puzzle is fuel economy and here there are improvements of up to 8 per cent, taking the best to 8.3 litres per 100km. Drivelines themselves are largely carried over, with minor changes to power and torque peaks. The gains come from lightweight parts and electric power steering, among a raft of fine-tuning measures.The economy figures won't convert any Prius owners and happily for Commodore loyalists, it doesn't come at any cost to driveability either. One-third of buyers still cannot resist the lure of rumbling V8 lump but the petrol 3.6-litre V6 is enough for a luxe Caprice and a hoot in the ute.The safety systems also advance a generation, with forward collision alarm and lane departure warning on top grades, while blindspot alert and a system that warns of approaching cross-traffic when reversing on all but Evoke.What this does is simple: It removes the reasons you had for not buying a Commodore.Dynamically, the Commodore was always a notch above its price and that's still true, with the passion of Holden engineers shining through in the control weights, steering and suspension tune.Tyre noise is very surface-dependent but generally it's a quieter car, too, and that enhances the new-found cabin feelgood. In the design and details it lacks the class of a premium brand but it's a whole lot more than "just good enough'' we're used to from the locals.The VF is no Snowy Mountains Scheme and people are now rusted on to SUVs. But if there is any appetite left for the big Aussie touring car, then the VF deserves to bring buyers back.