Holden Commodore Ute 2004 Review

Just when you were ready for the big upchange, the gearbox would select neutral.

Didn't matter which gear you were in or what gear you wanted, you generally got nothing.

That happened so regularly that the gearlever became grossly deformed from constant stomping with my booted right foot.

The Holden Commodore six-speed manual could never be accused of selecting neutral at the most inopportune time.

But it did share a certain passion for frustration with the Bultaco.

That came in the form of needing a heavy hand to drag through the gate. It actually became tiresome to use all the six ratios, even more so given sixth was so tall it was good only above 100km/h.

Not so the new gearbox. Holden has responded to some negative comments about the old transmission by slipping in a box with a better spread of ratios, bigger and more progressive clutch, and – for the commercial vehicle range – a lower diff ratio.

All this adds up to a more spirited lunge off the mark, a clutch that doesn't replicate the firmness of a 1960s Leyland truck, and a more positive feel to the lever.

Which all makes driving easier and, for the tradesman who gets into a Commodore ute, less stressful.

Holden's VZ ute range includes the four-door Crewman, the One Tonner and cab-chassis variants. All get the new 3.6-litre quad-cam V6 engine, or optional Gen III V8, with the six-speed box as standard. Lazy bones can opt for a revised version of the old four-speed auto.

From a technical perspective, it's a pretty sophisticated engine for a light commercial vehicle.

It's also healthy with 175kW – up from the previous 3.8-litre V6's 152kW – and a gutsy 320Nm of torque.

That gives it enough grunt to tow up to 1600kg – depending on the tow pack fitted – which is up 30 per cent on the 1200kg maximum of the old ute.

But though the engine makes all the right noises underfoot, its technological transformation and smaller capacity hasn't made a lot of difference at the petrol bowser.

The 13.5-litre/100km average on this test wasn't too bad considering it was driven only in the suburbs but it was used to haul a modest load only once – garden rubbish – so it was hardly under duress.

But at least I was comfortable.

From the B-pillar forward, this is an all-Commodore sedan, meaning a comfy cabin with an interior that looks a lot more inviting that utes of old.

The price includes airconditioning, dual airbags and ABS – which come as a package for $3780 – to add to the goodies, including brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution.

These are all fantastic safety items and Holden is applauded for incorporating them into what ostensibly is a work hack.

Almost wants to make you go out and get dirty for a living.