Holden Commodore SS V-Series Redline Ute 2015 Review

Two-door performer or load hauler? That's the question often asked of the higher-powered Holden Ute range.

The Ute's distinctive appearance has been enhanced in this version, the top-specification SS V-Series Redline, which commences from $48,990 (plus on-road costs) in tested six-speed manual form.

It's a curiosity that you require an additional $2200 to opt for the six-speed self-shifter, despite it being hobbled with less power. The manual receives the 6.0-litre V8 in 270kW/530Nm tune, but the auto is strapped to a 260kW/517Nm version.

Opting for either variant remains a pricey proposition when a Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo's 270kW/533Nm can be had for $37,610 (plus ORCs), though with the Holdens it's that V8 lure that remains hard to resist.

The manual's tray payload is also superior, capable of carrying 646kg against the auto's 632kg. Both are rated to tow 1600kg (braked). For reference, the Ford with its leaf-sprung rear can tow 2300kg (braked), but its tray payload is rated at only 453kg.

Of course, the Redline also gains a lot of standard equipment for the price. It rides on 19-inch alloys (black in this case) with mixed Bridgestone Potenza rubber measuring 245/40 at the front-end and an expensive-sounding 275/35 where traction is required. The familiar Brembo logo appears on the four-piston front calipers, though the rear setup is more rudimentary.

There's the usual 8.0-inch colour touchscreen for the MyLink system. It adorns the centre of the cockpit and multi-tasks its way through sat-nav, reversing camera and audio selection responsibilities for the six-speaker system (which is plenty in the confined space). Full Bluetooth functionality with audio streaming and voice activation is also included, while the dual-zone climate control system has its own set of dials beneath the screen.

The leather-appointed seats miss out on the electric driver's adjustment seen in the Redline sedan, but lumbar support is electrically-operated, and items such as the lane departure warning, front and rear parking sensors and the semi-autonomous parking system may ease the burden of manoeuvring the lengthy beast for some people.

Personally, I'd prefer more natural visibility, as the view through the small rectangular space that's listed as a rear window is mostly obstructed by a massive black tray cover. In addition both A- and B-pillars are thick, the extra side window opening doing little to help when checking for blind-spots. I cannot imagine how obstructed the view must be when adding a couple of ladders into the rear.

Holden applies the industry standard three-year/100,000km warranty to the Commodore SS V-Series Redline Ute. It also falls under the recently-announced lifetime capped-price servicing arrangement. For the Redline manual Ute, the initial 15,000km service will cost $239. Complimentary standard roadside assist is also available for the first 12 months.

The surprising ease of the Redline's clutch initially seems at odds with the hefty action of the six-speed manual's gear shifter. If you are deliberate, the next gear slides in, but it's something to manage with every gearshift and can become cumbersome in traffic.

Beyond the shift, the aforementioned visibility issues and the Ute's sheer size, the Redline is actually quite pleasurable to drive when the traffic seeps away.

The engine does feel more alert in the manual tune, lugging the gearing from low revs without complaint and sounding more eager to rev, though you still miss that overt V8 thump found in something from the HSV stable.

Mind you, low-rev response and a more linear power range are the benefits in the Holden product. It will grunt out at higher revs, finally making its cylinder count felt, but it remains relatively docile. It also needs a big throttle blip to make heel and toe down-changing an effective skill.

On its premium suspension the Redline both rides and handles well and the electric steering remains nicely responsive to inputs, though to this driver it lacks the feedback of the Redline sedan. On-road braking is also strong with a well-judged weighting to the middle pedal's range.

Set the throttle early in the corner, and the weight transfer is nicely judged, as you'd expect, while straightening up and letting the Redline rev draws several admiring looks, as ever.

So, the SS-V Redline Ute is a relatively effective two-door performance car, with the added benefit of a decent payload. With all the kit and the price to match, however, how many will actually perform the latter function?