2003 Holden Caprice/Statesman WK 3.6L V6 5AT RWD (258 HP)

Vehicle Overview

In 2003, Holden introduced the first refresh for the third generation of the Statesman/Caprice lineup, updating the car’s look and improving the amenities the vehicle offered to its customers.

When the Australian automaker introduced the WH Statesman/Caprice lineup in 1999, it followed the bio-design trend that customers still liked. Soon, the new-edge design took over, and the previously used rounded edges and corners became obsolete. As a result, it dramatically improved the vehicle’s look by following the same styling cues used on the Commodore VY, with which it shared its underpinnings. In addition, the 2003 Holden Statesman/Caprice came better equipped to provide a better user experience. Both cars looked almost identical, with the Statesman being the lesser-equipped version of the Caprice but still loaded with enough features to make their customers happy.

One of the most significant changes in the 2003 Holden Statesman/Caprice was at the front. There, the automaker installed angular headlights instead of the rounded ones as in the previous version. They flanked a pentagonal grille adorned by a chromed rim and sporting a horizontal slat for the Caprice or three for the Statesman. Below, the automaker installed the wrapped-around plastic bumper featuring a center air intake flanked by rectangular fog and parking lamps.

Thanks to the long wheelbase of the vehicle, shared with the station wagon version of the Commodore, the Statesman/Caprice boasted a luxurious appearance. To cut production costs, GM installed the same rear doors as in the regular Commodore but added a thicker C-post that integrated a third row of windows to reduce blind spots and create an upscale look for the car. Along with the introduction of the 2003 Holden Statesman/Caprice, the automaker introduced new wheel options, sized between 16- and 18 inches. At the back, the automaker replaced the red and white plastic trim that adorned the trunk’s lid of the 1999 version with a chromed one that showed the car’s nameplate, the Statesman or the Caprice, respectively.

The 2003 Caprice was the first Australian car to feature a standard DVD player, with in-headrest screens for the rear passengers. It was a luxury piece of equipment that customers adored. The Statesman, on the other hand, was also improved, featuring a new in-dash six-CD changer and improved sound system. The dashboard for both versions was enhanced, and fronting the driver was a new instrument cluster. Besides the regular analog dials, Holden added a few extra round or rectangular LCDs for the odometer and the onboard computer. Atop the angular-shaped center stack, the 2003 Holden Statesman/Caprice featured another display for the stereo.

Besides the exterior and interior upgrades, the 2003 Holden Statesman/Caprice also had slightly better underpinnings. The Statesman was offered a standard V6 or supercharged V6 engine, while the Caprice featured a standard LS3 V8 powerhouse, which was provided as an option for its less-equipped stablemate. For the 2003 model year, the WK lineup came with improved rear suspension. However, the limited-slip differential was still on the options list.