ge5641878018290801472
ge5149781327590552675
ge5358135668805278469
ge5081437274042731009
ge4864339495303931204
Tim Britten23 Dec 2014
REVIEW

Holden Commodore SV6 Storm 2014 Review

Holdens such as the SV6 Storm will be sorely missed when the company ceases Australian manufacturing in 2017
Review Type
Road Test

Fittingly, the final Holden Commodore will be remembered as undoubtedly the best. A fine balance of engine and chassis capabilities combine with excellent packaging and long-haul capabilities to qualify the SV6 Storm as the quintessential Australian family car. The Commodore SV6 range is priced from $36,790 (plus on-road costs).

When the last Holden Commodores and Ford Falcons roll off the production lines, many Australians will undoubtedly feel some sort of loss. The status of these end-game models in future years is hard to predict, but it’s pretty certain that the performance models that have created a halo around both companies will have a permanent place in the hearts of many.

Understandably, the hype for many years has always focussed on the V8 hotshots (SS and XR8 respectively). But the less hysterically powerful, yet still performance-focussed six-cylinder models have traded on the superhero image to good effect on the showroom floor.

Already Ford’s best-selling Falcon to the private buyer market is a sports sedan – the XR6 – while Holden’s SV6 is also a vital part of the Commodore lineup.

It’s little wonder Ford and Holden buyers love the athletic sixes: The prices are not that far removed from the taxi-pack variants, yet the actual on-road mumbo and the extroverted visuals are kind of re-play of the hi-po racetrack glory days.

Almost.

If you take the Commodore SV6 – as tested here in manual transmission special edition Storm guise – which is reputed to be capable of reaching 100km/h in less than six seconds and to run the standing 400 metre times below 14.5 seconds, you’ll be amazed it is priced only $1000 above the Evoke bogger.

The on-road reality doesn’t quite match those expectations. On test, we only managed 15.5 seconds for the standing quarter-mile and ran to 100km/h in a somewhat disappointing 7.8 seconds. Fast enough, and clearly with potential to be improved on, but hardly likely to challenge the supercars of yore.

It looks impressive in the showroom, but the SV6 is more a swift, mild-mannered family car than a real sports sedan.

In its latest, direct-injection guise, the SV6’s 3.6-litre engine winds out a solid 210kW at a heady 6700rpm, along with a respectable 350Nm of torque at a moderate 2800rpm.

The interesting thing is that the anticipated revvy nature suggested by the figures doesn’t really translate to the road. Unlike earlier iterations of the 60-degree, 24-valve alloy V6, the 3.6-litre 210kW engine is capable of producing useful torque at quite low rpm. In manual transmission form, this means the SV6 is flexible enough that it’s able to dawdle around at less than 1500pm in the lower gears without feeling as if it’s struggling.

But it’s happy to rev at the same time. There’s a willingness to spin to the (sub maximum-kilowatt) 6000rpm redline to produce those quick (enough) acceleration figures.

If there’s anything lacking in the engine, it’s the musical drone that so endears drivers to the likes of BMW in-line sixes, or even some other V6s. The Holden is smooth enough, and doesn’t sound that bad, but it would have been nice if this sports Commodore aurally advertised itself a bit better.

What really doesn’t gel is the manual six-speed transmission. Lower geared across all ratios than any other transmission in the Commodore parts bin, it runs out of revs too easily, especially in the lower gears.

First feels just too low, and reaches the redline before the driver even gets to think about upshifting to second. Things get better as you progress through the ratios, but it could handle a higher final drive to make better use of the torque. We found second-gear starts, where appropriate, were better in terms of achieving a steady takeoff.

The SV6 Storm’s handling, with its more tied-down suspension and (unique) 18-inch alloy wheels wearing 245/45-series tyres, is slick, controlled and a great complement to the V6 donk. The quite-quick steering (2.6 turns lock to lock) has been lightened off compared with previous Commodores so it’s easy to handle, yet conveys accurate information to the driver, who will find the car’s ability to grip the tarmac and respond with precision more than pleasing.

The manual SV6 also gets a limited-slip differential to help put the power down effectively, as well as ventilated disc brakes front and rear for hauling it down from the speeds it is capable of.

The ride is comfortable despite the tighter suspension tune, and the noise levels at cruising speed are appropriately low. The smooth ride, expansive interior with nicely shaped sports bucket seats up front, part-suede trim and a general sense of serenity make the SV6 a great highway cruiser that is well suited to a long haul with a load of passengers.

The 496-litre boot, despite the full-size alloy spare under the carpet, is big enough too, even if Commodores and Falcons these days are being challenged by alarmingly accommodating small sedans with disproportionately massive boots.

On test, our fuel consumption averages varied. For the best part of a week during our early tenure, we averaged 10.4L/100km, or quite a bit more than the official ADR combined figure of 9.0, but by the time we handed the SV6 back to Holden immediately following a 100km freeway drive, it had dropped to a pretty reasonable 9.7.

And what does the SV6 Storm bring in addition to the regular list of equipment for the extra $500?

On top of what's already offered, the only big-ticket item is sat-nav. The rest, including the unique wheels, a touch of extra dress-up items in the cabin including red stitching on the seats, alloy-faced pedals (manual only), 'Storm' embroidering on the dash, 'Storm' badges, and chrome-tipped dual exhausts, is basically dress-up.

But the SV6 Commodore doesn’t really need to dress up to prove a point. It is unquestionably an accomplished full-size family sedan that is a fitting monument to what Holden has achieved since beginning local manufacture in 1948.


2014 Holden Commodore SV6 Storm pricing and specifications:

Price: $37,290 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.6-litre six-cylinder petrol
Output: 210kW/350Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 9.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 215g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star (ANCAP)

Share this article
Written byTim Britten
See all articles
Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalistsMeet the team
Expert rating
76/100
Engine, Drivetrain & Chassis
14/20
Price, Packaging & Practicality
17/20
Safety & Technology
16/20
Behind the Wheel
14/20
X-Factor
15/20
Pros
  • Powerful engine
  • Ride and handling
  • Interior space
Cons
  • Too-low gearing
  • Too-low engine note
  • Impending demise
Stay up to dateBecome a carsales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Looking for a family car?Get the latest advice and reviews on family car that's right for you.
Explore the Family Hub
Family
Disclaimer
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.

If the price does not contain the notation that it is "Drive Away", the price may not include additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges.
Download the carsales app
    AppStoreDownloadGooglePlayDownload
    App Store and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.
    © CAR Group Ltd 1999-2024
    In the spirit of reconciliation we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.