2006 Holden Caprice 6.0L 6AT RWD (368 HP)

Vehicle Overview

The 2006 Holden Caprice shared its underpinnings with the Statesman and the Chevrolet Caprice, boasting a high level of luxury, fit for those looking for an upscale vehicle but priced lower than its main European and Japanese competitors.

Along with the third and last generation of the Caprice, Holden tried to keep its presence in a market where customers expected nothing but comfort. Furthermore, GM handed over the Caprice project to its Australian arm, Holden, which also worked extensively on the GM Zeta platform used for this full-size sedan. The end result was so good that Chevrolet imported the vehicle built in Elizabeth, South Australia, into the U.S., while GM exported it to markets in the Middle East. The 2006 Holden Caprice proved that it could sit at the same table as the 5 Series BMWs, the E-Class from Mercedes-Benz, or Volvo’s flagship model, the S80.

At the front, there was a significant resemblance with its lesser-equipped sibling, the Statesman. It still had the same angular-shaped headlights featuring bi-xenon brights and the turn signal lamps on the outer upper corners. However, the grille between them didn’t have horizontal slats and sported a standard chromed rim, unlike on the Statesman, where that was an option. In addition, the 2006 Holden Caprice had a lower bumper area adorned by a trapezoidal chromed trim that decorated the center air intake.

From its profile, the automaker installed LED blinkers on the vents placed behind the flared front wheel arches. The automaker installed body-colored door handles adorned by chromed accents, emphasizing the car’s upscale look. On the lower side of the bodywork, the 2006 Holden Caprice featured a thin chromed line above the side sills, extended from the front fenders to the rear ones, over the doors’ panels. These emphasized the long wheelbase of the vehicle. At the back, the automaker installed a thick horizontal slat between the triangular, corner-mounted taillights, where it placed the Caprice nameplate. The only non-luxury part of the car was noticed under the rear bumper, where the automaker installed twin exhausts on each side.

Customers were greeted by a luxurious cabin designed with the rear passengers in mind. Thanks to the long rear doors, ingress and egress were easy, and legroom was ample. Furthermore, headroom was not an issue despite the sloped-down roof line. Fronting the driver was a dual-tone dashboard with curved lines and a semi-circular visor above the instrument panel. Holden installed the same large dials for the speedometer and tachometer as in the Statesman, albeit these were adorned by chromed accents both around and below. On the center stack, the automaker installed an infotainment system with a large screen and flanked by several buttons that controlled the audio system. Below it, the 2006 Holden Caprice featured the HVAC control panel. Furthermore, customers could opt for in-headrest screens, so those seated in the back could enjoy the ride while watching a movie.

Under the hood, the Caprice was available with a choice of two gasoline engines. The base version was motivated by a 3.6-liter V6 paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. Those who craved more power could get it with the optional six-liter V8 powerhouse married with a six-speed automatic gearbox. Both versions sent their oomph to the rear wheels.