2008 Holden Sportwagon Review
August 13, 2008 by Matt Brogan
2008 Holden Calais Sportwagon Review & Road Test
Has Holden re-invented the wagon as we know it?
Model Tested:
- 2008 Holden VE Calais Sportwagon 3.6-litre V6, automatic – $46,790 (RRP)
Options:
- Leather Trim with Eight Way Adjustment, Memory & Heated Mirrors $3000 (Fitted); Cargo Barrier $560; Sport Suspension & LSD $720; Full Size Alloy Spare Wheel $250; DVD System $1290; Full Colour Satellite Navigation $1990; Turn By Turn Satellite Navigation $1290; Metallic Paint $400 (Fitted)
Exterior Presentation, Easy Load Area Access, Capable Handling
Rearward Visibility, Coarse Engine & Auto, Diminished Cargo Space
CarAdvice Rating: 
- by Matt Brogan
Holden seems to be bursting with pride over the release of its VE wagon, it’s almost as if it has reinvented the wheel. But is the new Sportwagon really a revolutionary step forward or just a Commodore with a nice behind?
Better yet, let’s put it this way. Imagine you’re at one of those speed dating nights, and after the passing parade is done you’re down to the final two. Contestant number one is drop dead gorgeous, everything is in the right place and the proportions measure up just fine – simply stunning, but that vacant stare and cute giggle simply won’t see it past the morning. Contestant number two on the other hand has it all together, a great job, double degree, is confident, smart and makes you feel good about yourself but is a little plain when all is said and done. So, who’s it going to be?
The VE already has a tough stance, with masculine lines and an imposing wide track under those large flared guards it was what buyers wanted from Holden’s hero car, and pleasingly the wagon doesn’t detract from these values at all. It’s a handsome car from every angle and with the added practicality and versatility of an open end rear it’s sure to prove a winner among family buyers wanting car-like feel without SUV bulk.
Calais Sportwagon in Red Passion metallic.
The new tailgate design, which is hinged further forward on the roof line, allows easy access in tighter car parks and with higher entry clearance means no more bumps on the head come grocery day. The luggage space, despite being somewhat smaller than we’ve come to expect from Commodore is at 895 litres (to window height – seats up) still quite sufficient, and usable thanks to the completely flat floor. Sadly though it is 359 litres lesser than that of its nearest competitor and even with the 60:40 split fold seats down still doesn’t measure up to that of Ford’s BF III Falcon.
Our road test vehicle, the V6 Calais, sits toward the top of the Sportwagon model line up and is suitably speced for a vehicle of its price tag. Offering 17-inch alloy wheels, dusk sensing projector beam headlights, multi-function trip computer, front fog lamps, and rear parking sensors it’s certainly a looker, and is far better kitted than the base-model only Falcon equivalent.
Cabin space is benign in appearance with an alloy look centre console and dashboard being appealling to the eye as well as neatly contrasting the black plastic and leather throughout. It’s quite simple in layout and offers an appropriate feature list and generous seating proportions for your outlay, especially in the rear leg room department where many modern cars tend to be lacking.
Nice Sean66!
Dated interior styling and APPALLING fuel economy, just what we all need! If it didn’t have a Holden badge on it this car would be scorned endlessly! The sooner GM slides into receivership the better. Heaping rubbish sub standard cars onto the Australian car buying public it is a fate they deserve. Spending a billion dollars on the Commodore and it’s only a 4 star waste of money that is easily outclassed by the competition. Rubbish engines and transmissions. Regularly buying favourable media coverage and motoring awards through advertising spending rather than simply doing a better job. Any sensible person that has a Holden in their driveway should feel angry, cheated and ripped off. Those people that call themselves Holden fans should be embarressed by their stupidity and how gullible they are. You have been completely taken hook line and sinker by the American Corporations spin and marketing that they are as Australian as AFL football and kangaroos. The executives in Detroit are laughing their asses off at you. You idiots.
Goodbye GM,
So true Mate!!
I bet the Falcadore fanboy club will bring up their stupid theory that death of Fords and Holdens in australia will spell a price hike on cars in, due to a monopoly situation! Um, they should venture out of their homeswest/taxpayer funded housing estates, and notice that there is many more brands available in this market!! Atleast then, we will be able to buy cars we really want, minus the tarrif tax!
Thinking of a V8 Calais V Sportwagon. Always bought Lexus, Mazdas, Honda and Toyotas.
The quality seemed better than the Aussie built Toyotas. It has plenty of power and the contrast trim is classy in the V series. The trim is much better in the V with the leather than the standard Calais. The latter was a bit cheap looking.
Holden dealer is offering somewhere in the mid-50s. Seems to me to be a good price.
However, it’s a V8 and is total, total overkill. The V6 sounds like a piece of crap, so that’s not even on the list.
It would be a wild decision, because the other car I’m thinking about is the Passat TDI 125 or a Volvo XC70. All of these cars are in the early to late 50s. They all have strengths and weaknesses.
buy a mazda 6 classic wagon,you wont be disapointed.great build great handling,a very nice car.