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Holden Commodore vs Mini 5D Hatch

What's the difference?

VS
Holden Commodore
Holden Commodore

$9,999 - $34,990

2018 price

Mini 5D Hatch
Mini 5D Hatch

$29,990 - $39,999

2020 price

Summary

2018 Holden Commodore
2020 Mini 5D Hatch
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Diesel Turbo 4, 2.0L

Turbo 4, 2.0L
Fuel Type
Diesel

Premium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
5.6L/100km (combined)

6.0L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Relatively unassuming looks
  • V6 not as refined as the 2.0 turbo
  • VXR doesn't match the romance of old V8 SS

  • Ride can be harsh
  • Jittery drive experience
  • Cabin tech overly user friendly
2018 Holden Commodore Summary

For many Australians, calling the new ZB a Commodore is tantamount to being forced to call your Mum’s new boyfriend ‘Dad.’ 

It's not built here, available in rear-wheel drive, there's no sign of a V8 or a sedan body, so why should we accept it as a worthy heir to the badge worn by Holden’s proudest model since 1978? 

One big reason is that it was always going to be the next Commodore, even before Holden decided to stop building cars in Australia. Yes, it was even set to be built here. 

Once the VE/VF Commodore’s Zeta platform was axed during General Motors’ post-GFC rationalisation, the next best thing was to align with the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia designed primarily for Europe. 

Holden was actually involved with the new Insignia’s development from the beginning, which has led to some key details for the Commodore version and Australia, and a whole lot of input from our world-renowned Aussie engineering team. 

So it’s a whole lot more Commodore than you may realise. Whether it lives up to its reputation is another matter. 

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2020 Mini 5D Hatch Summary

That the 2020 Mini Clubman John Cooper Works is the most powerful Mini to have landed in Australia isn’t all that surprising. After all, parent company BMW has squeezed the thumping four-cylinder engine from the M135i under its bonnet, and that thing creates a snarling beast of any vehicle it finds a home in.

What is a surprise, though, is that having now driven this angry, crackling, snarling hot hatch, what with its burbling exhaust and properly rapid acceleration, is that it took Mini this long to get around to doing it.

So does the engine upgrade now put the Clubman JCW on the same pedestal as the best European hot hatches?  There's only one way to find out.

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Deep dive comparison

2018 Holden Commodore 2020 Mini 5D Hatch

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