8 February 2011
A nation of outward bound action folk, as we are, we Kiwis quite like our wagons with a sporty bent.
This is something for which the continued desirability and strong residual values of Audi A4, Subaru Legacy or Mazda6 wagons in the used market can be attributed.
So it stands to reason we as a nation should like Holden's new Commodore wagon.
Instead of looking like the 'tool of the trade' fleet vehicle it used to, it now follows the trend of sleek Euro estates.
It looks fantastic and - just to make us like it a wee bit more - Holden have called it Sportwagon. Ok, we get it.
Holden wants to get private buyers excited about their station wagons again.
"We may not have invented the Sportwagon concept, but I do think we've designed one of the best examples of this body shape" Suggested Holden's chief designer, Richard Ferlazzo at the vehicle's launch.
The Sportwagon shares the VE Commodore sedan's chassis and for all intents and purposes feels the same to drive so we'd have to say the name fits.
Holden Sportwagon SV6513,000 Sportwagon-specific test kms were carried out over 18 months, 30,000 of which were so Holden's engineers could fine tune suspension in unloaded and loaded states.
Because of the additional weight (Sportwagon adds around 90 kg over the sedan), the suspension has been stiffened and roll bar diameters have been reduced slightly.
On the road you are aware of the five door's bigger bum floating above the rear axle, but it's far from unwieldy thanks to high-strength reinforcing added to the roofline and floorpan, which all helps create a rigid structure.
In fact body rigidity is near enough as it doesn't matter to the sedan, as is the weight distribution front to rear. We also appreciate the attention paid to reducing cabin noise. In the previous VZ wagon surrounding noise resonated terribly, while the front passenger's voices were absorbed by the recesses of the cargo area.
The Sportswagon's interior is better insulated, quieter and cosier.
Reflecting Kiwi's expected buying, the model line up makes do without a Berlina and SS. But Omega, SV6, SSV, and Calais V features carry through, with the inclusion of rear parking sensors as standard. Kudos to Holden for recognising the wagon's rear visibility isn't as good as its four door stable mate, and proactively adding the parking sensors across the board.
The Commodore's high level of factory safety features like front, side and curtain airbags, rear child seat restraints and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) are also included on every Sportwagon.
Engine specifications are the same as the sedan. That is, the entry level V6 Omega develops 180kW @ 6000rpm, the SV6 and V6 Calais V receive tweaks to take output to 195kW @ 6500rpm and the V8 models are fitted with the brutish generation 4 all alloy V8 with 270kW @ 5700rpm.
A manual transmission (six-speed) option is only available at SSV spec, while the rest of the range receives six-speed automatics for the V8, five speed automatic for the 195kW V6, and the budget conscious Omega uses a four-speed auto.
With the rear seats folded flat the luggage area is nearly two metres in length with 2000 litres of storage, seats in place there's 895 litres. Ample for most applications, although the sleeker roofline does mean there's a significant loss in cargo space over the VZ wagon.
The rear door's pivot point is inboard from the very rear of the roofline; this enables a much wider aperture area for ease of loading and also means the hatch requires less than a foot of space behind it to open. A simple solution that really enhances practicality
The backend also boasts concealed carry hooks, luggage net tie downs and a nifty cargo cover that can slide up or down the D pillar. Remote opening for the rear door wouldn't have gone astray but otherwise it's a convenient layout.
For those looking to maximise the load carrying opportunities of the Sportwagon, Holden offers all the typical wagon accessories like a rigid mesh cargo barrier ($828), Luggage net ($96) moulded trunk liner ($178) 'sports' roof racks ($561) and a bike carrier ($511).
Considering the Sportwagon offers a similar blend of practicality, styling, affordability and comfort that one would typically associate with a good-sized SUV, it stands as a good alternative for families without a genuine need for four-wheel drive or high ground clearance.