2008 Holden Sportwagon Review
August 13, 2008 by Matt Brogan
Steering is a little firm but offers reasonable road feel and feedback whilst braking is positive and sure footed, with ABS, Brake Assist and Cornering Brake Control providing ample stopping power, even if the pedal requires a little extra input pressure to achieve good results. The pedal isn’t as progressive and sweet as European counterparts but once you’re used to pushing a little more it becomes second nature.
Optional Onyx Leather Trim package includes position memory and heated mirrors
The VE’s notorious A-pillar visibility is of course ever present though the super thick D pillar makes this issue pale into insignificance. There’s a considerable blind spot when lane changing, and reversing from 45-degree parks can mean sticking the tail into traffic a little further than is desirable to get a clear view.
Couple these niggles to the fact there is not yet an LPG option, or that you cannot option a sunroof on the entire range and perhaps most annoyingly that the ignition barrel isn’t illuminated then some drivers may look else where. But for me the swift, flowing handling, nifty fold or retract cargo blind (borrowed from Saab), 12V outlet in the cargo bay and SAAB like dash (where all the lights go out except the speedo) do win back a few points. I guess it’s a compromise thing.
Seemingly I’m not alone in my mixed feelings for the new Sportwagon with many punters offering no more than a gentle shrug when asked their thoughts, and whilst this apathetic view of Aussie cars is becoming a little more common, with such fierce competition so closely matched in price, it’s not hard to see why.
Truth said the smaller cargo area doesn’t faze me, and I can work around the visibility issues, but the driveline problems really do need addressing – and fast – so in the interim let’s just hope the Sportwagon can get by on looks alone. So for my money, I’m taking home contestant number two.
CarAdvice Overall Rating: 
How does it Drive:
How does it Look:
How does it Go:
Specifications:
- Engine: 3.6-litre V6 DOHC (24 valve)
- Power: 195kW @ 6500rpm
- Torque: 340Nm @ 2600rpm
- Transmission: Five-Speed Automatic
- Driven Wheels: Rear
- Brakes: ABS with CBC, EBA & EBD
- Top Speed: Not Tested
- 0-100km/h: 7.5 seconds (Tested)
- 0-400m: 15.53 seconds (Tested)
- Fuel Consumption: 11.3 litres/100km (Combined ADR)
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 73 litres
- Fuel Type: 91RON Unleaded
- ANCAP Rating: Four Stars
- Safety: Front & Side Airbags, ESP, Traction Control
- Service Intervals: 12 month/15,000km
- Spare Wheel: Space Saver
- Tow Capacity: 2100kg (Braked)
- Turning Circle: 11.4 metres
- Warranty: 3 years/100,000km
- Weight: 1841kg (Tare)
- Wheels: 17 x 7.0″ Alloy
Road Test the Rivals:
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.