Tow Test: Holden Commodore Sportwagon SV6

To say the Australian car buying public has turned away from locally-built large cars would be an understatement. A decade ago the top-selling vehicle in Australia was the Holden Commodore, with around 7000 sales a month or around 10 per cent of the overall market.

Fast forward to 2013 and the big, rear-drive Holden has dropped to just over 2000 sales a month, with its main rival, the Ford Falcon, averaging around half that.

As a result both Holden and Ford recently announced the demise of the traditional Aussie ‘big six’, with Ford to stop manufacturing the rear-drive Falcon in 2016 and Holden to follow with the last homegrown Commodore in 2017.

It’s a shame, as the Holden in particular remains an excellent choice for a range of transport needs. Available in ute, sedan, wagon and long-wheel base variants, it’s a comfortable, practical and enjoyable-to-drive option for families as well as those wanting to tour the countryside or tow a decent-sized caravan or boat.

Released in mid-2013, the latest VF Commodore is not just a significant upgrade of the iconic 35-year-old nameplate, but the most technically advanced car ever built in Australia.

Depending on the model, you get advanced features like head up display, self-parking, blind spot warning, voice activation and forward collision alert. Also new is electric steering, a reversing camera, driver’s knee airbag, electric parking brake, and dual-zone climate-control.

The interior remains a plush, roomy environment for five adults, while classier and quieter than before. Interior quality and materials have gone up a notch, with a new eight-inch colour touchscreen, push-button start and ice-blue ambient lighting contributing to the upmarket feel.

The Commodore has also gone on a diet, losing 43kg thanks to new aluminium parts including bonnet and bootlid.

SPORTY WAGON

While the sedan continues to offer a big boot, it’s the station wagon, or Sportwagon as Holden calls it, that’s more practical and arguably more stylish option. With a substantial 895 litres cargo capacity, it also looks the part, with the type of sporty profile that helps make stations wagons so desirable in Europe.

What’s more, the VF Commodore has been heavily discounted compared to the outgoing VE Commodore, reducing the cost by thousands of dollars. In the case of the $40,990 SV6 Commodore Sportwagon reviewed here, it’s a saving of $5600.

However, perhaps the Commodore’s best attribute is its no-fuss ability to deal with Australia’s ever-changing terrain and conditions, as we found out during a two month/5000km test that included 2350km towing a caravan around Tasmania.

Despite losing out on road clearance to some SUVs, the rear-drive Commodore remains a great all-rounder. It’s equally suited to dropping off the kids at school as devouring big, cross-country distances, and rides over dirt roads better than many soft-roaders.

Unchanged is the 3.6-litre dual cam V6 engine, which pumps out a respectable 210kW at 6700rpm and 350Nm at 2800rpm. Combined with a slick six-speed auto that always seems to be in the right gear, it’s enough to hustle the car along very nicely, despite its burly 1776kg kerb mass.

Despite its size it’s easy to manoeuvre in busy carparks, and the multi-adjustable seating and steering wheel caters to all sizes, from this writer’s 190cm long frame to my 152cm partner.

Around town, the engine purrs along at 1500rpm or less on light throttle, then cruises comfortably around 1750rpm at 100km/h. And hooking up a caravan or boat weighing around the 1500kg mark didn’t dent performance too much. On both rough roads and bitumen it proved a surprisingly good tow vehicle, with a decent 2100kg maximum towing capacity.

Hooked up to a 1500kg Bailey caravan (or Robalo boat/trailer of similar weight), it proved a stable and secure towing platform. There was no impression of the tail wagging the dog and, with a ball weight around 100kg, only a minor dip in the rear.

Standard Trailer Sway Assist fitted to all Commodores adds to towing safety, although the UK-built van also had a stability control system fitted as back-up (it was never needed).

It glided along dirt roads in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges while towing a caravan, with the compliant suspension soaking up everything from light corrugations to larger potholes, ruts and washaways on the mostly graded roads.

It also wasn’t fazed by constant changes in elevation and direction while towing a 1600kg caravan around the Apple Isle. The only time it struggled was on longer, steeper inclines in the rugged mountains along Tasmania’s west coast, although it rarely over-revved or hunted for the right gear to stay on the pace.

NOT SO THIRSTY

The downside, of course, is fuel economy figures that can’t compare with diesel-engined SUVs, although still decent for a big petrol-powered car. Around town (solo), it averaged 9.5L/100km, while towing in Tasmania the figure rose to a still respectable 15-17L/100km, depending on the severity of the terrain.

As well as offering loads of interior space and good ride comfort, the SV6 Commodore delivered engaging dynamics rarely found in a top-heavy SUV. Steering through the small, grippy leather wheel was light but communicative, and the refined suspension ensured it remained planted, even in tighter corners, during spirited driving.

The new MyLink infotainment system is another excellent addition to the latest Commodore. It provides easy to navigate menus on a high-resolution screen as well as a couple of pre-loaded smart-phone music apps. The Bluetooth phone and audio streaming was especially appreciated on longer drives through Tasmanian wilderness when radio reception got a bit hazy.

The only thing missing was satellite navigation (an option on the SV6) so we made do with a separate Garmin device plugged into the 12V socket in the centre console.

The Phantom (aka black) duco did a good job of hiding the dust, as did the optional black leather seat trim, while the dual-zone climate control maintained an even temperature inside whether two or 40 degrees outside.

Even during three hour-plus stints, there were no complaints from our two, primary school aged daughters ensconced in the comfy, contoured rear outboard seats. The only thing lacking was the elevated ‘theatre’ position of some SUVs and utes. The fold-down centre armrest was even used as a pillow for afternoon naps – not sure if Holden’s designers had that in mind!

Adults will also find plenty of leg and headroom back there; definitely more than that in the similar-sized Mazda6 wagon with its sloping roofline.

While still absorbing bumps well, we did notice some additional harshness to the ride after pumping the tyres to around 40psi as recommended when towing, no doubt exacerbated by the 18 inch wheels and lower-profile rubber.

A high-lifting tailgate provided good access to the rear load area, which swallowed most of our luggage including three large bags, camping chairs and tables. The boot space expands to a sizeable 2000 litres by folding down the rear seats.

The auto-latch also ensured the tailgate always closed properly, although the doors could have done with the same feature, often requiring a firm shove to shut properly.

The Commodore also exhibited rock-solid build quality, with no rattles or loose trim to speak of after 15,000km on the odo. The only ‘wear and tear’ during our tenure was a stone chip in the windscreen and a tyre puncture, courtesy of a large screw. The full size spare under the boot floor makes the Holden a good option for touring remote areas.

The SV6 also comes with a subtle sports body kit and LED daytime running lights. The side mirrors are annoyingly small but the blind spot alert function goes some way to rectifying this. Outward visibility is also hampered by thick A-pillars.

VERDICT

Sales may be sliding and time running out for the big Aussie car, but Holden still managed to sell more than 27,000 Commodores last year; better than any other passenger car bar the smaller Toyota Corolla, Mazda3 and Hyundai i30. The VF Commodore also picked up its share of ‘car of the year’ media accolades.

While replaced in many Australian driveways by large, seven seat SUVs like the Ford Territory and Toyota Kluger, the Commodore Sportwagon remains a sensible as well as economical choice for commuting, touring and medium-duty towing.

HOLDEN COMMODORE SPORTWAGON SV6

Engine: 3.6-litre, V6 petrol
Power/torque: 210kW at 6700rpm/ 350Nm at 2800rpm
Transmission: Six-speed auto
Length: 4905mm
Width: 1899mm
Height: 1476mm
Wheelbase: 2915mm
Ground clearance: 100mm
Kerb mass: 1776kg
Fuel: 71 litres
Towing cap. unbraked/braked: 750kg/2100kg
Tow ball mass maximum: 210kg
Fuel economy (claimed): 9.3L/100km
Price: from $40,990 (MRRP)