Holden Calais V 2013 Review

Price Guide (recommended price before statutory & delivery charges): $52,990
Options fitted to test car (not included in above price): Metallic Paint $550
Crash rating: Five-star ANCAP
Fuel: 91 RON ULP
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 11.7
CO2 emissions (g/km): 278
Also consider: Ford Falcon G6E Turbo (from $56,235); Toyota Aurion Presara ($49,990); Skoda Superb Elegance ($56,490); Mercedes-Benz E 200 ($79,900)

As the first VF-series Commodore I've taken home and lived with over a seven-day period, the new Calais V has made a big impression.

My first taste of the VF Commodore was the SS V Redline at Phillip Island's famous race track, which highlighted the improvements the VF model has made over its predecessor, the VE.

But the Calais V is very different to the Redline, despite costing a similar amount at $52,990 (plus ORCs).

Instead of white-knuckled aggression and lap-time superiority, the Calais V favours a smooth and stylish approach. Though it's not able to match German prestige levels of sophistication, it's my view that Holden has closed the gap.

Plonk down in the driver's seat and you'd be forgiven for thinking you've stepped into a large premium Euro-cruiser. Suede and leather lining on doors, seats and even across the dashboard add lavishness and warmth to the cabin and the digital dual-zone climate control temperature readouts, touch-screen infotainment screen and new instrument panel have a technical but stylish look and feel.

Suffice to say, the ever-important first impression is encouraging. There's a real sense of quality craftsmanship about the car, from the way the various dials and buttons rotate and depress, to the funky head-up display that projects everything from engine revs to sat nav route guidance and even lateral G-forces and the sign-posted legal limit onto the windscreen. Indeed, it's one of the best head-up systems available anywhere.

The only minor issue the high-res colour HUD is that when fully dimmed, it's still quite bright at night time.

Moving along, and the seats are great. The contouring and cushioning is good, and the high-quality leather that covers all seats and half of the dash and doors is a big improvement on previous Commodores. The general seating position is good, the front seats are heated and have four-way adjustable head restraints too, and the driver gets eight-way power adjustment.

Not surprisingly, it's easy to get comfortable in the Calais V.

Standard features on the luxurious VF are extensive -- you get all the MyLink touch-screen connectivity stuff (Pandora and Stitcher free music streaming apps), plus a BOSE stereo, satellite navigation, auto headlights and wipers, keyless entry and engine start, 19-inch alloy wheels, sunroof, LED running lights, a reversing camera, plus front and rear parking sensors.

Not that you'll need those last two items, as the Calais can park itself. The good news is that the system works relatively well, but does take a few goes to master the process initially.

Throw a bunch of new fangled driving aids -- lane departure warning system, forward collision and blind-spot alerts -- and you're getting loads of luxury tech for your $53K. The only thing that's missing is radar cruise control.

The less obvious touches make this car appealing too, such as the anti-UV coating on the windscreen. Six airbags are also standard, as are stability control and anti-lock brakes, ensuring the car gets a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

Take into account the way the car drives -- very well -- that it'll tow a trailer weighing up to 2100kg not to mention the huge amount of space on offer in the cabin (and the cavernous boot) and it's difficult to argue with the value proposition.

Until you start accelerating uphills, overtaking trucks and having fun with the warbling 6.0-litre V8 petrol engine, that is.

There's no denying the attraction of a V8 engine -- it makes all the right sounds, and has huge reserves of power thanks to its 260kW/517Nm. But it does drink the juice!

Despite a claimed combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 11.7L/100km -- and the adoption of cylinder deactivation technology on automatic models -- our fuel average ended up being 14.2L/100km.

The flip side is that it's happy chugging down 91 RON unleaded petrol. There's also a 3.6-litre V6-powered Calais V that's a bit less thirsty (and $6000 cheaper).

One of the most obvious improvements the VF brings to the table, and particularly with the Calais V, is refinement. From the ride quality and the quieter cabin, to the smoother transmission and engine calibration, the updated Holden is a classier car for sure.

I really liked the refinement and responsiveness of the re-jigged six-speed (6L80E) automatic transmission too, dropping a couple of gears rapidly when you tromp the accelerator pedal and gliding through gears softly the rest of the time.

The steering has also improved over the previous generation Calais, the new powered electric setup conveying good feedback to the driver. This comes in handy when you're hustling the car along, which the Calais is remarkably good at. Tip the big V8 into a corner and the chunky tyres grip tight, giving you plenty of scope to turn up the tempo.

GM Holden has developed a very competent car in the Calais V, so much so that it surpasses its predecessor in every respect -- including price. Tagged at $53K, the VF Calais V is a whopping $9000 less than the car it replaces. If you're in the market for a well-equipped family car or just a spacious large luxury car, the Calais will be worth a test drive.

Simply put, Holden has set a new benchmark for locally-made luxury motoring. The next generation premium variants of the Toyota Aurion and Ford Falcon now have to play catch up.

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