HSV Maloo GXP & Holden Commodore SS V-Series Ute Review

By Paul Maric | July 10th, 2010

Special editions are always fun and these two are no exception.

Model Tested:

2010 HSV Maloo GXP; 6.2-litre V8 LS3; six-speed automatic $53,990
2010 Holden Commodore SS V-Series Ute Special Edition; 6.0-litre V8; six-speed automatic $49,490

Options:

None fitted.

Different styling, Maloo now more functional, value for money.
Automatic gearbox, Maloo tyre width.

CarAdvice Rating (Maloo and SS V-Series Special Edition Ute):

In a love or hate move by Holden, a limited number of SS Commodores with Pontiac G8 front and rear ends were made available to the public – 1500 of them to be exact.

At a premium of $1500, the Special Edition SS Commodores sold out within weeks of going on sale.

It wasn’t surprising that not long after, Holden announced that the Special Edition SS Commodore would become a permanent fixture in the VE Commodore range.

The Special Edition SS Commodore picks up the Pontiac G8 front end, which includes a set of twin nostrils on the bonnet. Sedan variants of the Special Edition SS Commodore also collect a boot lid spoiler, opposed to the raised effort fitted to the regular SS Commodore.

HSV followed Holden’s suit soon after, introducing the limited edition HSV GXP. Limited to just 400 Clubsport sedans and 350 Maloo utes, the GXP receives HSV’s 317kW 6.2-litre LS3 V8 and a unique suspension tune, but misses out on 275mm wide rear tyres, instead receiving the SS Commodore’s 245mm rear tyres.

While opinions are divided regarding the new front end on the Special Edition SS Commodore, most people seem to think it gives the car a renewed tough stance and makes it stand out from the crowd.

Behind the wheel, the Special Edition SS V-Series Ute drives exactly the same as its non special edition model.

The Maloo GXP on the other hand picks up four-pot Brembo brakes for the front, with single-pot Brembo brakes for the rear. The other major change (aside from the styling) is the width of the rear tyres.

All other V8 HSV models feature 275mm wide rear tyres, the GXP specification HSV is stuck with 245mm wide rear tyres (the same as those fitted to the SS-V Commodore).

While the tyre width isn’t an issue in the 270kW SS V-Series Commodore, it starts becoming a problem in the 317kW, LS3 monster. Full throttle tramps off the start line are now met with aggressive wheel spin, likewise with power down out of corners.

Let’s forget about tyre width for a moment, though. The Maloo GXP has now become a fully functional Ute – on steroids. The Maloo GXP loses its sibling’s chiselled tray hard top. Instead collecting a soft tonneau cover with a clever side clip system.

The Maloo GXP was put through its paces as a work vehicle with a load of excess rubbish from a renovation that needed moving to the transfer station. While the tray’s plastic material scratches and scuffs easily, the tailgate sits flush with the tray when opened and provides for a great sliding panel.

Sturdy tie-down points ensure that larger objects can be held down with confidence.

Inside the cabin and behind the wheel of HSV’s latest entry level model, drivers will find it a familiar place. Setup almost identically to the regular HSV Maloo, it features dual-zone climate control, sports seats and sports steering wheel.

The Maloo GXP is also impressively decked out with side and curtain airbags, in addition to a specially tuned Electronic Stability Program (ESP), all lending to the Maloo’s five-star safety rating, a commendable feat for a commercial vehicle.

Despite the vehicle’s traction issues off the line and out of corners, the Maloo GXP still drives like a traditional HSV. A throaty V8 bellow streams from the quad exhaust pipes, while potent braking power is available from the Brembo anchors.

Under the bonnet is a 6.2-litre V8 engine that produces a hefty 317kW and 550Nm of torque. Combined average fuel consumption is 14.3L/100km, with around 14L/100km achieved on test courtesy of a high percentage of highway kays.

Our test vehicle was fitted with HSV’s six-speed automatic gearbox. Unfortunately the gearbox does the HSV no justice with confused and indecisive gear shifts. In sport mode the gearbox is far more responsive and accurate, indicating a sportier tune would help make the Maloo GXP drive better than it currently does in automatic form.

Sharp handling is courtesy of a unique suspension tune that gives the Maloo GXP an edge over its Commodore SS V-Series Ute sibling. For a Ute, the Maloo GXP handles exceptionally well, with independent rear suspension and a Limited Slip Differential (LSD) helping retain maximum traction to the road.

The GXP range of HSVs starts from $53,990 for the Maloo, with the Clubsport priced from $61,990. The prices are almost $10,000 and $7,000 cheaper than their respective non-GXP variants, representing a huge price saving.

The Special Edition Commodore range on the other hand retails for an additional $1,500, making the Special Edition SS V-Series Ute $48,990.

As numbers are limited, it would be worth enquiring about the new GXP models as soon as possible. They offer excellent bang for your buck and in the case of the Maloo GXP, an added layer of function to its current style offering.

Ratings:

CarAdvice Overall Rating (Maloo and SS V-Series Special Edition Ute):
How does it Drive:
How does it Look:
How does it Go:

Road Test the Rivals:

FPV Typhoon Ute

Specifications (Maloo GXP):

Engine: 6162cc V8
Power: 317kW @ 6000rpm
Torque: 550Nm @ 4600rpm
Induction: Naturally aspirated
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Driven Wheels: Rear wheel drive
Brakes: Four wheel discs
Top Speed: N/A
0-100km/h: 5.1s (claimed)
CO2 Emissions: 338g/km
Fuel Consumption: 14.3L/100km (ADR)
Fuel Consumption: 14L/100km (As Tested)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 73 litres
Fuel Type: 95RON PULP (recommended)
ANCAP Rating: Five stars
Airbags: Six
Safety: ABS brakes with EBD, BA. ESP.
Cargo Capacity: 500kg payload
Tow Capacity: 1600kg/1000kg (braked/unbraked)
Warranty: 3-years/100,000km
Weight: 1745kg
Wheels: 245/45R19

Specifications (Commodore SS V-Series Special Edition):

Engine: 5967cc V8
Power: 260kW @ 5700rpm
Torque: 517Nm @ 4400rpm
Induction: Naturally aspirated
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Driven Wheels: Rear wheel drive
Brakes: Four wheel discs
Top Speed: N/A
0-100km/h: N/A
CO2 Emissions: 307g/km
Fuel Consumption: 12.9L/100km (ADR)
Fuel Consumption: 13.5L/100km (As Tested)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 73 litres
Fuel Type: 95RON PULP (recommended)
ANCAP Rating: Five stars
Airbags: Six
Safety: ABS brakes with EBD, BA. ESP.
Cargo Capacity: 500kg payload
Tow Capacity: 1600kg/1000kg (braked/unbraked)
Warranty: 3-years/100,000km
Weight: 1757kg
Wheels: 245/40R19

*Pricing is a guide as recommended to us by the manufacturer and does not include dealer delivery, on-road or statutory charges.

http://www.esteemtrucks.com/ Jack

Good offering at such a price tag…..

andronicus

…until it gets recalled.
Hey CA, was the review cut short once the recall notice came out?

Kidding kidding…

holdenfan

The link from the main page says “HSV’s new special edition has bang for your buck written all over it.”

In light of recent announcements from Holden,

I suggest they change it to something more accurate such as “HSV’s new special edition has RECALL written all over it.”

Ex- HSV

Ugly front ugly interior very thirsty outdated 2 v/cyl pushrod engine and way overpriced…….
Andrew M

Why is it claimed the Maloo has now become “more functional”??

zahmad

That would be because it loses the blinding hard cover for a soft tonneau cover of the regular Holden!

Ex- HSV

A Maloo is just an over decorated over priced glove box on wheels good for nothing except showing off and carrying a box of groceries in the back……..as long as its not a box of heavy potatoes…….
Ex- HSV

oh and its good for snother thing……riding on the back of a tow truck……..like mine did ……7 times!!!! Hence the name……..Ex HSV
Jweb

“Commercial vehicle”…right and I can see many companies filling their fleets with these cars for trades etc…NOT!!.

Jweb

Oh and as for that great tailgate maybe they will design the next great one with a latch that actually works -Note recall.
Dave

“Commercial vehicle”… well it is a commercial vehicle. It just seems too many people/ bosses prefer to buy a jap 1 tonner with half as many safety features and cheap as chips tyres to save a few dollars.

If I had a work ute that was not ugly i would looka fter it too

Ex- HSV

Another VE re-call…….how many is that? Anymore re-calls and we will have to rename them Holdyota!!

Ghengis

At least they’re actually recalling the car… “Ahem” Ford Territory ball joints “Ahem”.

PS: I drive a Honda, they just recalled some of their cars due to faulty airbags.

TomJ

How can two very different cars get grouped together for one rating?

Bosconovic

how do you figure they are “very” different. The fundamentals are the same:

Big V8
RWD
Ute

Seem pretty similar to me.

Shak

Both very nice cars in their own rights, but why couldnt they have been reviewed separately? I guess like any other car make you will get those that stuff up, and certain people just dont like getting stung.

Paul Maric

We decided to group them together because the SS V-Series Ute was recently reviewed by Matt Brogan and sans the new front end, the SS V-Series Ute is identical to the SS V-Series Special Edition Ute.

The HSV Maloo GXP on the other hand is a totally different machine to the regular Maloo, so we decided to let them run together.

To answer the previous question about functionality too. The regular Maloo comes with a hard top that defeats the ability for it to carry excess loads. The Maloo GXP has a soft tonneau cover similar to the SS V-Series ute, making it functional as a work vehicle, with a bit of poke for weekend drives.

Robin Graves

Only Holden could pull off a stunt like flogging off excess Pontiac front ends after they went bankrupt and charge extra for the privilege! So many retarded bogans fall for their marketing tripe, the head of the marketing department of Holden should run for PM.

Shak

Is there a logical reason for your hatred of GM Holden? Or are you just part of the “i live in Australia but i dont buy Australian things” crowd.

noj

I didn`t know it was a prerequisite of being an Australian that you had to buy everything Australian. I don`t mind buying decent Australian goods like Sanitarium and Dick Smith`s products, but I just refuse to buy inferior products like Commodores or Falcons. Come to think of it aren`t GM and Ford American companies anyway? lol.

Captain Nemo

Yet your happy to waste your money on shoddily knocked together Eurotrash made in the Czech republic.

OldHolden

Are u talking about daiwoo? opps i meen holden

neo

finaly people are coming to thier sences WE CANT BUILD CARS and when we try… we have to borrow parts from the hillbilies in the US and commodores and falcons have always been pieces of junk riddled with problems… just read all these forums all you do is bring up “falcon has this problem” “but holdens have this wrong with them” and most the problems you bring up are true!

i buy weetbix,vegiemite and dick smith but i dont like american trash that apparently “australian” and im not a bogan so thats probably another reason i dont buy them oh and im a mechanic there is another reason!

give me something japaniese or german any day!

Bent 8 Brigade

Maybe Robyn could run for PM…she could be our second female PM, outlaw the driving of anything interesting like these utes, and make driving ‘reliable’ white automatic toyota corollas compulsory
Leafspring

I note that you still haven’t taken up your appointment for a frontal lobotomy Ms Graves…

Robin Graves

You are right Leafspring, I’d need a lobotomy to fall for the rubbish Holden keep wheeling out. Even if I wanted a lobotomy I’m sure they’d be booked out well in advance with bogan hillbillies wearing Holden Racing shirts and caps. Shak, Australian things? Cummon. Owned by Obama and 90% of the crap is Daewoo. I’ve owned plenty of Aussie cars in the past, but they were built in the late ’60s and early ’70s and not Holden or Ford. I’d happily buy a G6ET or XR6T now if they suited my km’s and budget. Bent Snagger Brigade, I’m not a woman, Robin can be a blokes name too like Robin Hood, I’ve told you that before but you are obviously a very slow learner or think its cool to keep referring to me as a woman like its some type of insult or ridicule, which shows your level of thinking.

Shak

First of all, the Falcon is not as Aussie as its made out to be, as you say Holden is a 100% Australian American owned Company, so is Ford of Oz. the Falcon uses many imported bits just like the Commmodore, its just that the Commodores are more obvious. And using the Daewoo argument is getting old. South korea is the worlds second largest tech-leader behind japan. When compared to Ford of Oz’s thai made products, i would trust the country who are giving japan a run for their money. Just accept, that a lot of the Businesses and Public of Australia like holden and buy Holden products both for loyalty reasons, and because few other cars out there offer what our home grown offerings, alongside our korean imports can.

Me

@ Shak:

Theres a difference between Korean Design, Made in Korea AND European Design, Made in Thailand.

That said, I would much prefer a car that was designed in Europe and made in Thailand than a car that was both designed and made in Korea, even if it is the second-largest tech leader.
Robin Graves

At least Ford’s inline 6 (The pick of the pack)is all Aussie and up there with the best of them. Holden’s engine’s in the locally built car are all-american design. The V8 has good output and a fair bit of room for tuning, but just imagine how much better it could be if they updated the valvetrain into the 20th century, let alone the 21st century. Then there is the Alloytec, harsh and thrashy up high in the rev range which is the only place it works. Down low its lifeless and weezy. Its not happy anywhere in the rev range. Ford have always been slightly ahead of Holden in the engine tech since they started, and Holden have always had a slight advantage in the car itself. Valiant were better than both back in the day but suffered from a stigma that they were Italian’s cars. They never quite had the dollars behind them to really pull off the entire package.
Shak

Robin i will agree with you on all counts, as i wholeheartedly support the ingenuity of Australian engineering before i support Holden. You are right in saying Ford make the better driveline at the moment, and Holden make the better car. One thing with the current falcon is the comments about the interior. I really dont see that supposed gap in quality to the Commodore. I have sat in both back to back and while the Commodore is a bit more sombre, it still feels ergonomic, solid, well built, while a bit scratchy.

davie

These cars cater to the buying whims of a certain demographic often who are be self-made small business owners or manually labour hard for their pay.

Good luck to holden and Ford for providing cars to meet this neiche.

In spite of the elitist class-based ignorance and others racist comments regarding country of manufacture/origin, last time I looked there was no law against Holden selling people what they want and making money from it.

Dave

We put, there more to filling Niche’s than making another SUV. I like the SE utes, I have seen quiter a few around. The have done a great job giving the VE a new look.

Crossy

Love the Maloo. If my lifestyle permitted it or I could afford to have another car this would be on the short list.
What other two seater in the world has this level of grunt and composure for this amount of money.
As for practicality, the soft cover makes it way more usable than the hard cover. I’d have it any day.
If you want a ute that can carry a ton of stuff, buy a hilux or something else. This is not and is not intended to be a commercial vehicle.
Having said that, they would still carry more stuff than most other cars especially most other two seaters.
Jonty

Question: Would anyone choose the SSV and not fork out the extra 4.5K for the maloo…extra grunt, brembos, etc. Too closely priced for those who do even a bit of research before buying.

Paul Maric

Good point.

It’s a special edition, so the numbers are limited. I’d say that HSV wouldn’t run it as a continuous model as it would steal quite a few sales from the SS V-Series Ute.

Shak

But also remember it isnt a Maloo, it has different specs, that as the review says, make it perform differently to the rest of the HSV range.

Gibbo

That is a good point, Those stupid looking DRLs would be just about enough for me to sacrifise the extra power and the Brembo’s on the GXP and go for the SSV. Also if you bargin hard enough you should be able to get about 10K off the above listed price of the SSV, which would increase the price gap abit. Not sure how much you could haggle off the price of the GXP.

Radbloke

Very true, those DRL’s are ugly as sin. You’d also have to take into account the insurance premium of the HSV over the standard Holden. HSV’s are super expensive to insure.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1435885244 Yani Hendriawan

hey my friend said that drl’s will be fitteted to every car after 2011. is that true?

Matt

As true as your spelling is correct

noj

I wonder whether these will part of the recall of 34,432 Commodore utes having to be repaired for a faulty tailgate that can spring open while the car is moving.

Frenchie

If you read the recall it states it will open when hit from behind with sufficient force by unsecured objects. I thought if you had an unsecure load it is illegal?
Sounds like Holden recalling cars because of certain owners stupidity!

More Holden Recalls

Dosen’t matter how the tail gate opens impact or not, a Recall is a Recall if I Recall. Government Motors Holden struggle to build quality, even those rebadged korean imports (Cruze, Captiva, Barina, Epica, etc) have very poor reliability.

Shak

No he is correct. Holdens press release has said, they have to recall vehicles because owners have had unsecured loads smash the tailgate open. They have also said that they recommend in the owners manual that under law all loads have to be secured, and holden will not repair tailgates that have snapped open due to unsecured loads.

Andrew M

But the law referring to secured loads refers to it in a way that a load doesnt come free from the vehicle.

So is one meant to do a good old truckie hitch around a bag of potting mix??

No because it isnt a risk of coming free from the vehicle.

Also if tailgates are opening from a load hitting it, then there cant be much force needed. For a load to hit a tail gate, it would mean the vehicle would be under acceleration. A load shifting under acceleration doesnt give that much force.

Cornering and braking give the biggest forces
Frenchie

I think you will find that this law will become more defined in the future. As the law states it is very confusing when it comes to utes.

Yes Andrew, you will probably have to hitch a bag of potting mix. How they police it will be another matter!

Stoney!

Wow are you serious, those ‘korean imports’ (getting old now) specially the likes of the newer ones like cruze, are much more reliable than the euro trash offerings holden had before, and ford offer now…. wake up and do a bit of research mate and you will how quickley your statement is proven wrong.

The cruze is a quality car, open up the other eye and you just might see that.

Nobody

They say you can understand a person’s mindset by the car they drive. What do we make of a person who drives this ugly, hideous, unreliable, thirsty car. Oh! and to top it all they have the DRL’s that will make this driver feel he is cool like he is driving an Audi. Hmmm..this truly is the important change in the Commodore’s history!!WTF
More Holden Recalls

Breaking News Pfffffffffffft this is pretty common for Holden, seems to be part of Dunnydore ownership.

Holden has announced a recall of 34,432 Commodore utes to repair a faulty tailgate that can spring open while the car is moving.

Fairfax newspapers say this is the fifth recall for General Motors Holden this year, adding to many others previously, affecting 65,790 Commodores, Captivas, Combos, Cruzes and Daewoos.

Fairfax says it’s a staggering figure, considering Holden’s sales figures for the first six months of the year show 68,657 vehicles sold.

Holden spokesman said the ute recall came after two reported failures of the tailgate latch.

The company is recommending owners secure any load until the vehicle can be fixed.

The recall notice for the Holden ute issued to the federal government says “the tailgate may unlatch when impacted rearward”, meaning that whatever is in the tray can fall onto the road while the car is moving, creating a hazard for other road users.

It says: “A condition can occur under specific operating conditions where the tailgate may unlatch when impacted rearwards with sufficient energy by unsecured objects placed in the rear cargo tray.”

Sorry Holden, my Ford Falcon is more reliable and it goes better….

Jabba the Hut

Oh no. A faulty ,life threatening tail gate. Get a grip. My navara has just been issued with yet another recall notice for a potential bonnet flying open yet where are the media?

Our media seem hell bent on destroying the local industry. The ABC succeeded in doing it with Mitsubishi ,now it must be Holden’s turn. How on earth can this news be the “lead story” and “breaking news” on the ABC’s website ahead of one of our soldiers being killed at war? The media are a disgrace. This isn’t even news.
Daniel D

As someone who has owned several Fords in the past decade or so, I think you will find Ford doesn’t have less need for recalls – it just refuses to do them.

Dan

TomJ

Are people still doing this silly Holden v Ford garbage? Yes back in the 1960′s and 70′s when there was no real competition it surely was more relevant. But now to me, both Holden AND Ford built the type of cars i like and would like to see protected. Im a Holden supporter i guess but right now Ford builds a better product in most ‘critical’ areas, and im sure at one point in time this will change.

All that really matters to me is that you can buy Holden OR Ford large muscle sedans in this day and age, they’ve been copying eachother for so long they are more or less the same product these days. What i don’t want is to have to drive a FWD Honda Accord or Toyota Camry.
Me

Jeez, the Pontiac front end actually makes the HSV E2 one look good, and that’s saying something!
Aleks

These things scream BOGAN!!!!
http://www.caradvice.com.au Jim Goose senior

Holden utes were once the worker of the family. Now its just an overpriced poser. For a ute its size,it carries very little in the back. IRS,fancy spoked wheels,top class stereo,Chunks of plastic added on-just what farmer Brown needs! Oh well……theres always the Colorado.
toxic_horse

This is true but its what the buyers want and it sells.

More Holden Recalls

This is what the buyer wants pffffffft more recalls from Obhama motors is an utter joke, this will cost more dollar’s for Holdenwoo and unfortunately eat into declining profits which don’t exist anyway, but we the tax payer will help out for sure.

Anti-spam word: FORD, mmmmmm so many awesome cars to choose from – thats what I’m talking about, didint need government handouts and looking very good on the share market.
neo

i think you miss spelt BOGANS! its b-o-g-a-n-s not buyers pffffff lol.

sexy wrxy

i am nether a holden or ford fan and i do find this the whole holdens (and fords) are no good argument old! Holden and ford both make good cars, like all car company’s theY have there quality issues and some people need to accept that. ive owned both and they have been great cars sometimes people just need to be proud of what this country can produce.
ox

WOOF!
Byron

Both are great looking utes. Big ticks in all areas especially those engines & the front end except the Interior which is seriously past it’s use-by date. Oh well the HSV E3 & VE Series II update will be worth it. Go HOLDEN/HSV!
Nick K

WTF… Ugly overpriced dinosaurs.. Maybe Homet Simpson has a future in car design after all.
http://www.RupertConsulting.net Everett Rupert

Aussie and American tastes differ of course but paying this kind of money for what is a concept Ford and GM in the US abandoned years ago the car based ute, is hard to swallow since American buyers expect more than just looks from their utes.
http://www.bikerplus.co.id Dudy Yusuf

We are interested in importing 2012 HOLDEN UTE XR6T truck into Indonesia. Can anyone help us out? Thank you.