Holden Sportwagon receives five-star ANCAP rating
March 2, 2009 by George Skentzos
Holden has today proudly announced that the new VE Commodore Sportwagon has achieved the maximum five star safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).
In doing so, it has also become the first locally manufactured wagon to receive top marks for safety.
This result reflects the extensive list of standard safety equipment across the range, including six airbags, rear park assist and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), which incorporates Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Electronic Brake Assist (EBA) and Traction Control System (TCS).
“As a family car there should be no compromise in safety and the ANCAP endorsement is a very clear indication that with Sportwagon there is no such thing,” GM Holden chairman and managing director Mark Reuss said.
It comes as no surprise, with the Commodore sedan also receiving the same score following the addition of a steering column shroud energy absorber that helps to reduce driver knee injuries and a passenger seat belt reminder for the Omega.
ANCAP’s five star safety rating will also be applied to the Special Edition VE Commodore International Sedan and Sportwagon (both pictured) that will go on sale in March 2009, as well as models which have been converted to dual fuel LPG.
Print it: 
Sounds like Holden hoping to distract people from the news that the car plant is going to be idled for another couple of weeks.
Nice smoke and mirrors job.
good work – but sorry, falcon is still so much better
(this comment has no intentions on starting the age old ‘holden v.s. ford battle’, its just my opinion)
Good work Holden, the sportwagon is the best large wagon on the market today.
As for the ancient Falcon, next!
But hang on Holden doesn’t build cars just for the safety ratings, (they wouldn’t lie would they?)………… Ah well good news for the Commodore sports hatch anyways
CA, although it is news, you really shouldn’t report on this sort of thing. In a world where most cars are getting five star ratings, letting everybody know that Holden finally has makes them sound a bit “special”.
I’d like to see it go through EuroNCAP’s new system. I don’t know if the score would stay the same.
This station wagon looks sooooooo ugly and old, needs an update fast.
Give me a Ford Territory anyday thanks, GOOD BYE STATION WAGON LOVERS……
Good job Holden…
Certainly a fine looking vehicle. I would prefer this over an SUV any day, especially with that sweet 6.0L V8.
Adam…..it might look ok but thats where it ends. Why do they call it a wagon…..its a hatchback. The load space is way too small to be called a wagon. Not very good for taking the family away at all really with the limited cargo carrying ability. Only a Holden biased person would by this car because of the looks, anyone looking for a car with practicality wouldnt even give it a second look. In a comparison with a Ford Territory it came off way way behind. Typical Holden really…..all show with no real substance.
It’s called a wagon under the same principles that Audi calls it’s Avant a wagon, that Subaru calls it’s Liberty and Impreza wagons, and Mazda 6 also comes in a wagon. The list goes on – with a wheelbase as long as this is, it’s a wagon. get over it.
and this isn’t a competitor of the boring as bats..t Territory – it’s meant to be an AWD, this is a wagon. Yes, the Territory also comes in 2wd format, but then your just driving an oversided station wagon. If anything needs an update/new model, it’s the Territory…..masive yawn for the styling.
(and no, I don’t particularly like Holdens over Fords, so don’t bang on about that. In fact, I am about to purchase a new Focus XR5).
Alex, the website is called Car Advice, and CA always release this type of information for the readers about EVERY car, not just for Holdens. What if one of the regular readers was considering buying a new vehicle, one of which was this one, and the only point of difference to the others in their list was the ANCAP rating? I’d say thst Car Advice are simply providing the service that their name suggests i.e. the latest advice/news about cars.
“It comes as no surprise, with the Commodore sedan also receiving the same score following the addition of a steering column shroud energy absorber that helps to reduce driver knee injuries and a passenger seat belt reminder for the Omega.”
Once again CA make it sound as though a couple of minor mods make the VE a 5 star car, when in fact it invovled quite a comprehensive list of re-engineering to make it.
Make no mistake, a VE pre2009 is not anywhere near as safe as the newer build cars.
I noticed in the Media release that they said that ALL VE variants will have the passenger seat belt reminder from Mid 2009 production.
Could this be a hint that Mid 2009 will be the release of VF?
Brett,
It’s time to lay off the crack pipe!
CA just told us a fact.
they are not trying to make it sound like anything ?
Oh it annoys me when people compare territory and sportwagon, they are not in the same class sportwagon is a large car, territory is a SUV/crossover, there is no comparsion, nor is there really between the BFmk3, and sportwagon, sportwagon was designed to be a sporty wagon not a load lugger, some one who wants an SS with just that little bit extra room.
Also i do see plenty of them as company cars, haven’y seen so many telstra bf’s lol
IMO its not in the same class as anything ford has on offer, so there is no comparison
Horse, Clearly you are prepared to take the statement at face value.
However it is NOT a fact.
Structurally the entire VE range is similar but other models are not yet 5 star, because the wiring harnesses aren’t yet changed.
BUT if you believe that all it took was a steering column shroud and a little warning light, as the article suggests, then it is you on the “stuff”.
BTW why the need to launch straight into the abuse?
Andrew I tend to agree, that from a customer perspective there are 3 distinct choices, however the boundaries do get blurred because any can be bought to serve similar functions.
BTW locally many road construction companies are ditching the twin cab utes for AWD Territories for their supervisor and technical staff.
Bret
probably because they can’t move the boring, bland Territory in the private sales :-)
Hal, yes it must be boring if you say so. I suppose you think it’s the first update in 5 years too?
Anyway, the clean classic ageless lines of the Territory are still way better than it’s main rival Kluger, with it’s “Toyota bump” styling. Territory sales are ‘OK’ under the current circumstances.
I don’t see anywhere that says existing sedan’s meet the rating. I just assumed that it was only new sedan’s.
come off it Bret, you are using the words “classic” & “ageless” when describing the Territory? Pfft, mate, at least try and be slightly objective and pass comment without showing your Ford preferences. Classic, ageless Territory, that’s pure gold!
Anyway, back to reality for a moment. I didn’t pass comment at all on what update I thought the Territory was up to – I said it’s boring, which it is – it’s a box on wheels with rectangular headlights. A whole new model is needed now.
classic, ageless Territory ha, ha…..(wipes eyes).
Horse:
“…..with the Commodore SEDAN also …” (my caps)
Omega has been 5 star for a short while now, rst of the range is still to catch up, but the article implies otherwise.
HAL:
Your “OPINION” and mine. Nothing else.
No Bret, there’s plenty else. I stated several times last week that I wasn’t a Ford or Holden fan, but dared to question the Territory’s ‘update’ and proceeded to get howled down by the Ford fanzies. It’s ridiculous the way people carry on.
You guys take it so personally when someone casts their opinion that a model of car is showing it’s age, then the diatribe of comments supporting every element of that particular brand follows. I couldn’t care less how well the Territory drives/handles/performs etc, my OPINION was about the style of the Territory, which at 5 years old is starting to show it’s age badly. But no, count on the Ford-ophiles or Holden-huggers to ’stand up’ for the beloved brands. Please, it’s pathetic and not constructive.
HAL, first you say “there’s plenty else” then you go on to say “..my OPINION was about the style of..”
HAL, I happen to like Territory, you don’t. OK everyone can have their own opinion.
relax guys,
wheels mag has done the territory vrs sportswagon comparo mths ago.sportwagon wins!!!!!
Sorry J&H but what one did you read :p
And I quote page 119 jan 09 edition
["But the Ford is simply the better family wagon, or part-time people mover, or plain old fashioned station wagon. It's fuel consumption is heavier but this must be weighed against it's superior comfort and braoder range of abilities. It's a price worth paying. For those who need to carry people or stuff frequently or far, it's the better car for lofe in the large lane!!"]
Hmm I must have got the pre edited edition ;-)
Jekyl&hyde the wheels comparo ended up with the ugly territory winning not the sportswagon. And btw i like holdens but this car was not made for prcticality( even though its a wagon) its made to look good ands that what it does. ( SS-V Voodoo blue ). The territory has just copped a facelift but looks much the same. Its as if ford Oz have forgot that they actually need to update styling of their cars not just tweak the chrome and front bumber. (FG)
VE isnt very old but it looks very dated already, inside and out. And for you Holden wankers dont hold ya breath that there is gonna be alot of big changes in VF…….GM Holden dont have the money to do big changes !(and the fact that they sacked most of their so called engineers) They wasted too much on VE so you can look forward to a minor update much like the one you have been hangin shit on with the Territory.
Shak….Chrome and front bumper? Are you kidding? Tell me one thing you can see which is the same as BF? There is nothing. FG looks fantastic. Has a great new modern look. And if you think it has anything in common with BF you are an idiot.