2008 Holden Sportwagon Review
August 13, 2008 by Matt Brogan
Cruise control, power windows and mirrors, bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, dual zone climate, six stack CD tuner with auxiliary plug in, and steering wheel mounted audio controls are all included as standard kit with satellite navigation, leather trim (seat heaters not available) and heated mirrors being available for a few dollars more.
But for all its good looks and honest value the Sportwagon is not without its flaws and rather unfortunately these primarily centre around the vehicle’s somewhat antiquated drivetrain technology, which unlike Holden’s stonking 6.0-litre V8 is entirely without merit, boasting none of the features one would expect from a modern V6.
The 3.6-litre DOHC engine offers a healthy 195kW at 6500rpm and adequate 340Nm from just 2600rpm, but it’s terribly coarse in delivery and rather raucous under acceleration which can detract from what is otherwise a pleasantly quiet cabin. There’s noticeable vibration under load and for all the fuss made the resulting performance isn’t what I’d call rewarding which is a let down considering this is the Sport-wagon.
A five-speed auto with active select manages an average job of swapping gears but feels quite rough on the whole with a slight thump felt on changes both up and down the range. It’s not bad in terms of decisiveness and can quickly sort the right cog for the job but simply isn’t smooth in doing so.
Fuel economy is claimed at 11.3 litres per 100km, though ADR tests are carried out with 95RON petrol and for the life of me I couldn’t replicate anywhere close to this with the recommended 91RON fuel on board. Mid-14.0L/100km were seemingly the norm, even higher once loaded with the guys and their gear and even on the open highway dipping in to single digits took careful driving to achieve.
Perhaps by means of redemption the linear control suspension with MacPherson strut front and multi link rear is very well sorted and offers a smooth ride that, although bordering on being a little firm when unladen, provides a surprisingly well sorted car in terms of road holding, and this is without the optional sports suspension and limited slip differential being fitted.
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.