2003 Holden Commodore VZ 3.6L V6 6MT RWD (258 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Holden introduced the third facelift of the third generation of the Commodore in 2004, and besides some cosmetic updates, the Australian automaker also introduced new drivetrains.

The third generation of the Commodore, known as the VT in factory language, was introduced by Holden in 1997 and kept on the assembly lines until 2006. It was refreshed three times during its production run with the VP, the VR, and the VZ variants. Each of them brought some improvement here and there. Even though the mid-size sedan hadn’t shown its wrinkles, the automaker considered improving it to stay ahead of the competition, especially against the more famous Ford Falcon. The car was based on a modified platform of the European Opel Omega, featuring independent suspension in all corners for improved comfort, but with Australian and American engines. The inline-four powerplants offered by the German automaker were considered too weak to withstand the harsh Australian conditions.

At the front, the 2004 Holden Commodore featured angular-shaped headlights with corner-mounted turn signal lamps. Thanks to their clear lenses, they looked modern and flanked a black grille integrated into the upper side of the bumper. On the lower side, the automaker installed a second wide air intake flanked by a pair of scoops.

From its profile, it resembled the European Opel Omega with its curved panels and ascending waistline that created a visual connection between the headlights and taillights. Unlike other Holden products based on European models, the 1999 Holden Commodore featured body-colored door mirrors and handles. Furthermore, the rubber stripe that protected the bodywork against shopping carts was also color-keyed with the rest of the vehicle. Below them, Holden added a set of aerodynamically shaped side sills. At the back, the Commodore VZ sported triangular, corner-mounted taillights that flanked a wide-open trunk adorned by a chromed slat at the lower edge.

Like its European cousin, the 1999 Holden Commodore had a large cabin with plenty of room for four adults. At the front, the car was fitted with a pair of bolstered bucket seats that provided enough comfort for long travels. On the other hand, the rear bench seat could accommodate three passengers, but the one seated in the middle had to deal with the tall transmission tunnel that limited legroom. The tall and curved dashboard had a rounded instrument cluster filled with large dials for the speedometer and tachometer. Between them, at the bottom, the automaker installed an LCD for the car’s onboard computer and the odometer. The center stack housed a pair of rectangular air vents at the top, while on the lower side, the automaker installed the stereo with an available in-dash six-CD changer. The tall center console that separated the driver from the side passenger housed the gear stick or the gear selector (depending on the trim and options), the handbrake, and an armrest with a cubby underneath.

Under its hood, the 2004 Holden Commodore came with a choice of V6 and V8 gasoline engines ranging between 238 PS (235 hp) and 340 PS (335 hp). On the VZ version, the mid-size Australian sedan received new V6 engines with a 3.6-liter displacement, available in two power outputs. These featured aluminum cylinder blocks and provided an improved fuel efficiency compared to its predecessor. In addition, Holden installed a fresh five-speed automatic gearbox and a six-speed manual transmission for selected versions.