2008 Holden VE SS V Ute Review
July 25, 2008 by Anthony Crawford
2008 Holden VE SS V Ute Review & Road test
Model tested: SS V Ute 6.0-litre V8 Automatic 6-speed
Recommended retail price: $46,990
Options fitted: None
big performance, lots of useable load space, auxiliary jack.
a little pricey, fuel consumption-if you drive it like it should be driven.
CarAdvice Rating: 
“Consider this 6-litre V8 rocket, a high speed sports car with a huge load capacity”
- Anthony Crawford
As the father of two kids with a bit of a thing for surfing, I soon got a taste for one of Holden’s finest, the SS V Ute.
For starters, the Nickel Metallic (silver) V8 Ute is a good-looking thing from almost any angle, especially that from the rear. Those wonderful quad exhaust tips brashly stating, “This is fast, don’t mess with me”.
It reminds me in some small way of the stylish 1970 Chevrolet El Camino SS454 “Coupe Utility” in the USA, which ran the LS6 454 cubic inch engine putting out a walloping 336kW and 680Nm. It only weighed around 1500lbs and looked better than anything else on the road at that time, bar a Chevy Corvette or Pontiac Trans Am.
If Chevrolet were marketing a contemporary version of the El Camino, it would surely be the Holden SS Series Ute, with all its variants, including the SSV. Seems that GM was moving ahead with this idea, but not as the El Camino. Instead, the car would have been wearing a Pontiac badge. However, we understand that the plan may actually be on hold, due to one very high Australian dollar.
And our very own Holden SSV Ute has got plenty of what the US likes best, power and grunt. Then again, I suppose we Aussies like our muscle cars every bit as much as the “good ole boys” in the US of A. When it comes to cubic inches and litres, ‘The more the better’ as the saying goes.
I also like the respect (or unfounded fear) that other drivers seem to display around the SS V Ute. If you are in anything other than a new XF Jag or Aston Martin, merging from a transit lane into the correct and legal space, is near impossible. Gaps in the traffic are ruthlessly slammed shut like a well planned military operation.
But when behind the wheel of the SS V, all you need to do, is simply indicate and presto, a space magically appears. I could get use to this.
what sort of a deal did you wrap up wheelnut?
price wise….
Andrew; All up including on road costs rego etc it’ll cost me a little over $45k.. with no trade-in
Then there’s the cost of getting the Remote Controlled Roll-A-Back Tonneau Cover fitted and painted
Niccceeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!! Wheelnut have you got any other cars you drive/own? You know so you dont use the ute all the time or to take more people than 1 other person?
Duck,
who wants to carry more than 2 people??
thats the whole point of buying a ute.
oh, i almost forgot……..
Good stuff DJR!!!!!!!!!
Ha ha so funny Andrew M
The Ute will be used for my mobile car detailling biz..
It will also help carry furniture etc for BM when she opens her Antique shop [which she has always wanted to do]
However; I also have an ‘02 Subaru Impreza RS Sedan which produces approx 150Kw due to a few enhancements to the intake and exhaust.
Wheelnut,
you will have to come over and give my ute a scrub then.
i havent had time to polish it as much as i used to lately.
it needs a good detail soon, because as soon as i get a bit of free time ill be off to the dealership for a trade in.
that will be the time when i bid farewell to yet another trouble free, well served falcon ute.
(but apparently they dont exist, just ask you know who)
Sorry Andrew because BM’s the first in line to be Buffed and Polished…. Wax on – Wax Off…. A Bit of a Touch-Up
Touch me up ? Where?
2 seater only,mmmmm wheres the pita-pata of little feet going to sit?
Touch you up: In the back of the ute; and the bedroom; and the kitchen; and the lounge room and; the pool table and the….
The Pita-Pata of tiny feet: That’s what the Subie is for babe or even the AWD V70 T-6.
Ok so the Hilux has what to do with a SS-V ute?? You’d buy those two cars for completely different reasons, why compare??
Personally I’ve just ordered a VE SS-V. It’s silver, 6sp Manuel and doesn’t have the red interior (stuck to Onyx!). I didn’t buy it as a ‘work ute’ (24yo female with an office job) I bought it because it drives awesome, looks hot and is a lot of fun!
We have another (VE SS) at home and am using 14l/100kms with normal driving, can’t complain too much.
Ive spend some time reading these comments and I have never read so much bull*&$t in my life.
I am absolutely convinced now that review responses are a complete waste of time.
Holden have not made a secret about there utes being for play more then work. Yet time and time again it’s the same old shit written up by death people like post 3.
But anyway, If this ute is shocking for it’s payload, What do we think of the FPV utes with a even lower payload?.
On th A pillars, So dangerous that no accident has been recorded anywhere because of them.
Most people don’t even know they are thicker then any other car. You would need to tell them first, And then they more then likely wouldn’t care.
But this Santa Klaus i think he shouldn’t have posted, Clearly he has issues before he wrote a single thing.
its funny what you all say because i live in a town were tradies are everywhere! and i swear everyone of them either has a ve ss or a hsv. its pretty good actually and they tow massive trailers .. oh about the interior and paint if you read your car manuals correctly it will state that the car should be garaged as much as possible to prevent sun damage. leaving your car always in the sun is just showing the disrespect for your car. handbrake was also made on the ve like this to suit lhd and rhd so yea
FORD’S is a bucket of shit
Holden way betta lookin n has to be Australia’s best Car.
Do any of you guys actually realise that with both the Ford and Holden hot utes, the payload limitiations are actually caused by the load ratings of the low profile tyres?
And H8**** , why don’t you actually try contributing next time, instead of being a total waste of space.
Wheelnut – you got your SS ute yet – whaddya think?
To TP: Remove yourself from the gene pool, stupid moron.
Hi
i have a 1983 el camino and i was wondering where i can find thoes side bars that r on the bed moldings if n e one knows can u please email me at bigmangetstupid@yahoo.com
One question. Why does a ute that doesnt have any rear seats, or the rear part of the roof, or the rear doors for that matter weigh about the same as the sedan equivalent. Shouldnt it weigh about 200kg’s less without all that exrta metal around the rump?
shak,the extra weight comes from the bracing and stiffening of the chasis from the doors back,as you are aware the roof and rear structure does all that on a sedan.
I really like the new VE Ute. AM looking at getting a MY10 SS with 6 sp manual in Voodoo blue. What do you all think of that colour?