Holden Commodore SS 2009 Review

While its notch as Australia’s most popular car has been taken – some would say usurped – by upstart imports, it still holds a strong position in the market. At the top of the wide range sit the V8 versions, and we tested the SS variant.

Engine

The SS is powered by a six litre 90-degree OHV V8 engine that puts out 270kW at 5700rpm and 530Nm of torque at 4400rpm. There is a choice of a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission to transfer that power to the wheels.

Exterior

The sports body kit plus quad exhausts and big 18-inch alloys give the SS a real presence on the road. The aluminium alloy construction, creating a lighter engine takes weight off the front end for better steering response and improved handling.

Front fog lamps and a rear spoiler add to car’s agile appearance.

Interior

For efficiency and safety, the dash on the SS Commodore is divided into two areas separating driver essentials – available on a digital display in front of the driver - from the additional instrumentation.

To make it easier still, the wheel is multifunctional, housing controls for the trip computer and the six-stacker, MP3 compatible sound system.

Other interior features include cruise control, Bluetooth compatibility, optional rear park assist and sport front seats complete with SS badge.

There is also plenty of storage including two cup holders, a centre console compartment and for long trips there is a fold down rear seat ‘ski’ hatch.

Safety

Electronic Stability program, ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Traction Control, plus a substantial airbag package complete are standard on the SS.

Pricing

The Commodore SS starts at $46,790.

Driving

The everyman's performance sedan has come a long way since it was first introduced as part of the Holden Kingswood range in 1971 — the SS moniker being an import from the US where it was used effectively on performance Chevelles and Camaros. For those Holden enthusiasts not in a position to stretch to a HSV, the SS is a great car to compromise with.

Available with an all alloy 6.0L Gen 4 V8 with 270kw, 6 speed manual or a 260kw AFM (Active Fuel Management) version with the six-speed automatic, there is just the SSV sitting above the SS in the performance line — but it does not offer anything more in the way of extra grunt. The SS is a real bloke’s car with enough style to not alienate its female market. It's a car to aspire to for a lot of young fathers that need to trade-in the ute when there’s a family on the way.

Performance is more than competent. It does not have the sharpness of the European sports sedans, the instant response is not there, but we are really only talking milliseconds. It also does not have the European price-tag. And the gap between Australian performance sedans and their European equivalents in performance, handling and build quality is closer than ever.

Having the car sold in the US as the Pontiac G8 has not hurt its local reputation. Australians since the 50s have been envious of Americans and their wide variety of performance cars. These days Americans are somewhat envious of our performance sedans.

Driving an SS is a pleasure, road holding and handling are excellent. We had an automatic for our test car and only have two slight criticisms: accelerator response had a slight but noticeable lag and braking application seemed to have a non-linear response, the pressure required seemed to change though the range of movement and on a few occasions we felt we had to push harder at the end of the travel than you should need to.

The interior and controls are good and the SS seats stylish and supportive. Overall the 2009 SS is another incremental improvement and will only help to build on the reputation of Australia as builders of muscle sedans.

Verdict: 7.9/10