In a year, production of the last Australian-made car will cease.
That’s a terrible shame because Holden’s final upgrade to the Commodore SS is an absolute cracker.
The $56,000 Holden Commodore SS-V Redline is the top of the range, and it offers the best value for money available on the market today.
Not only is the last SS great bang for buck – but it is a cohesive, premium-feeling sports sedan that evokes clear memories of the late 1990s BMW M5.
V8 up front, power to the rear wheels alone, a nice interior – and the feeling that you’re buying something very final and very special: the Holden SS is feelgood motoring.
As we said in our Chevrolet SS review – the rebadged American SS Commodore – this is a very approachable fast car, full of character, and easy to drive.
It says a lot that a friend of Chasing Cars experienced our press car from the video above, and immediately bought a Redline for himself.
The car has that effect on people.
As an Australian, it’s easy to fall into nostalgia about the end of Australian cars. So, in our week with the SS-V Redline, we thought a lot about whether this type of car is truly obsolete.
They use an awful lot of fuel and have eschewed turbocharging to the very end. They are huge, five-passenger cars in a time when Australians have just one or two kids. The Commodore is built by expensive labourers and it will be far cheaper to just import a German Insignia and call it a Commodore.
All those things are true – but it doesn’t stop the VF Series II from being the best car Holden built, and its inevitable departure from the car scene will still feel like a great loss.
Key specs (as tested)
About Chasing cars
Chasing Cars reviews are 100% independent.
Because we are powered by Budget Direct Insurance, we don’t receive advertising or sales revenue from car manufacturers.
We’re truly independent – giving you Australia’s best car reviews.
The estimate provided does not take into account your personal circumstances but is intended to give a general indication of the cost of insurance, in order to obtain a complete quote, please visit www.budgetdirect.com.au. Estimate includes 15%^ online discount.
^Conditions Apply
Budget Direct Insurance arranged by Auto & General Services Pty Ltd ACN 003 617 909(AGS) AFSL 241 411, for and on behalf of the insurer, Auto & General Insurance Company Limited(ABN 42 111 586 353, AFSL 285 571).Because we don’t know your financial needs, we can’t advise you if this insurance will suit you. You should consider your needs and the Product Disclosure Statement before making a decision to buy insurance. Terms and conditions apply.
Indicative quote based on assumptions including postcode , 40 year old male with no offences, licence suspensions or claims in the last 5 years, a NCD Rating 1 and no younger drivers listed. White car, driven up to 10,000kms a year, unfinanced, with no modifications, factory options and/or non-standard accessories, private use only and garaged at night.
^Online Discounts Terms & Conditions
1. Discounts apply to the premium paid for a new Budget Direct Gold Comprehensive Car Insurance, Third Party Property Only or Third Party Property, Fire & Theft Insurance policy initiated online on or after 29 March 2017. Discounts do not apply to optional Roadside Assistance.
2. Discounts do not apply to any renewal offer of insurance.
3. Discounts only apply to the insurance portion of the premium. Discounts are applied before government charges, taxes, levies and fees, including instalment processing fees (as applicable). The full extent of discounts may therefore be impacted.
4. We reserve the right to change the offer without notice.