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| Car review - Holden VX Commodore Acclaim Wagon |
| By David Ha (written in 2003, rewritten in 2004) Good points: - Head-snapping stand-start acceleration - Good ride and handling mix - Noise suppression - Good value - Large and comfortable interior Bad points: - Lack of refinement from the engine and automatic transmission Australia�s best-selling car, the Holden VX Commodore, dominated the sales chart since the debut of the all-new VT Commodore. But exactly how good is it? Well, there's no doubting that the VX wagon, like the VT wagon, is huge in every exterior dimensions. In fact, "it is as large in every dimension as a long wheelbase limousine of yesteryear like a BMW 750iL". The VX Commodore Acclaim Wagon�s interior features include air-conditioning with rear vents, power windows and mirrors, power driver�s seat, front and rear head restraints, adjustable front head restraint, cruise control, CD player with 4 speakers and steering wheel mounted controls, tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel column, trip computer, you name them. The front-end styling comprises the VT�s headlights with a new �teardrop� headlight, familiar twin nostril grille which are bigger than the VT�s, a bigger �mouth� and some body work to suit the VX�s designs. The rear-end of the wagon virtually remains identical with the VT wagon except for new badges. There are new hubcap designs for the 15 inch steel wheels too to differ from the previous VT wheels. The safety remains impressive with dual SRS driver�s and passenger�s airbag, SRS side impact airbags, Traction Control and Anti-lock Braking System. Oh, and the VX�s new body structure claims to reduce fatal injuries in side impacts to about fifty percent compared to the previous model. The Buick-produced, pushrod 3.8 litre V6 engine punches more than adequate performance whenever asked. The V6 engine gets harsh at anything over 4000rpm, or even 3000rpm, when revved or driven. But in normal driving, under 3000rpm at least, the V6 engine is at least smooth and quiet. Engine fuel consumption is respectable at 11 litres per 100km. Fuel tank capacity is 75 litres, which is above average for this class (average capacity is 65 litres). The V6 engine�s power and torque outputs are 152kw @ 5200rpm and 305nm @ 4800rpm respectively. The electro-hydraulic controlled 4 speed auto transmission gearbox is a little rough and it bottoms out compared to its rivals, Ford Falcon, Mitsubishi Magna and Toyota Camry. The �box smoothly deals with less than full throttle, while it gets rough whenever you give the V6 a hard prod. The ride quality is simply luxurious compared to other wagons. It's not about softness, because the ride definitely feels quite firm. Compared to other Aussie family wagons (including Japanese wagons made locally - think Mitsubishi and Toyota) this car relatively has not much body roll, too, despite the old-school 1970s design of the semi-trailing arm rear suspension. The brake pedal feels quite firm, and remains to be even after some successful hard stops. The brakes are standard 4 wheel disc brakes, backed up with the Bosch 5.3 ABS (Anti-lock Braking System). Traction Control is essential for a high-powered, rear wheel drive car which produces huge amounts of torque at low rev ranges. And this car needs it very much, especially when it has a long wheelbase. The system, though, is a bit useless when in wet weather conditions. That's only a bit, so most of the time it will work. At least it works well enough in dry weather conditions. The handling/grip of this car is not something like, say, a Rexy, but it is excellent, especially when considering that it has a long wheelbase. Any car with a long wheelbase is never going to provide knife-sharp handling and grip. The dashboard of the VX is inherited right from the VT, including the horrible cruise control buttons mounted on the indicator stalk. Commodores, since the all-new 1988 VN Commodore had made its debut, had abundant space front and rear and that continues with the VX. The interior is definitely a comfortable place to be. Shame about the relatively low rear seat bench, which doesn't provide much under thigh support. At least it's fine for short to average sized passengers. The driver's seat is very comfortable and supportive, and it provides a good driving position. At just under AUD$38,000 RRP (when it first came out) in wagon form (in sedan form the RRP was about AUD$37,000), it scores an average pricing (average pricing for a family car is AUD$36,000) and what you�ve just read is what you get, which really are all good points. The engine and the auto gearbox undoubtedly let the car down in terms of ultimate refinement. But whichever way you cut it, the Holden VX Commodore Acclaim has what it takes to be the best-value Aussie family wagon of 2000 and 2001. |
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