2017 Holden Commodore SS-V Redline review | CarAdvice

It’s hard to imagine the noise of a rumbling exhaust and angry V8 could ever get old. But, with the passing of time, the lure of a meaty V8 in a large sedan has passed Australians.
Sure, it’s sad that we’re going to lose local manufacturing, but it doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate one last blast in what will arguably be known as Australia’s best bang-for-buck car - the 2017 Holden Commodore SS-V Redline.
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[@jonnoklr7293]

As a mechanic, and an australian it brings a tear to my eye. RIP commodore

[@wajdanali3534]

Why this company stopped producing more cars

[@ScottMurrayBestFamilyCars]

"You'll miss me when I'm gone," it was telling me all week long. Every start-up, every corner, every downshift. Nicely done.

[@stevenpiralis9889]

I got one in Spitfire green. And seriously the car is fantastic. All the anger is about others. Not about Australians building a superb car. The last is also the finest. Bitter sweet. Love my SSV REDLINE...

[@miikaylaaa]

my dad has one in spitfire green too !! they’re 1 of 55 the green VF ssv’s

[@AceOfSpadesPRO01]

This video makes me want to buy 1 and hold onto it forever

[@philmac7474]

Jamesy YzTwoStrokeMx Got one keeping it forever..

[@justbashingrc3624]

Phil Mac we just got one in May love it

[@chitterlingsrtasty]

ThisCreatedAccount I had the G8 GT, and now the SS. I love my SS. Thanks Holden!

[@scottsv96]

Just got a 2016 ssv with 20k on it

[@graemewilliams1308]

I ditched my unreliable BMW 330 Ci and got a 2016 SS V Ute ! just this week. It's a real performer & it's going to take me awhile to figure out all the fantastic new technology in it. The fit & finish on the thing is well up to standard IMHO.

[@beaubatchelor]

Sad to see the Aussie commodore leave.

[@peterstoodley5354]

Not ashamed to say that this brought a tear to my eye. Glad to have one of these icons in my garage.

[@sabaruengineering3843]

One of the best "Sleeper" Sedan ever made

[@mrx168]

Looking at the ZB's abysmal sells numbers... Old VF: lol

[@papelaluminio2045]

Used to be mustang guy after seeing a ss for the first time I fell Inlove with it after looking into it more and more seeing how it’s found it’s way to the states as the caprice g8 and ss just the heritage of the brand I love the commodore it’s now my dream car

[@chevy-is-a-good-boy]

Cars like this will be a thing of the past because most consumers don't appreciate affordable (and highly practical) hot rods.

[@thomasjohnson5649]

Holden has always been my favourite car company but after this I don’t imagine it to be anymore

[@JakeBrundle]

Got the Chevrolet SS version in the USA, with manual 6-speed (most of the few sold here have slushbox automatics). Love it... the Chevy drivetrain with the Holden chassis is brilliant. The SS here come fully loaded - the only options are tranny, sunroof and spare tire. The States also got the magnetic ride shocks/suspension, dual-mode exhaust and interior upgrades. The one big option not here is the supercharged LSA mill... definitely the one Max Rockatansky would have gotten. It blows that the GM Holden plant is closing. Need to keep beating those Fords down :-)

[@HartyBiker]

I used to be a massive holden fan, and I guess in a lot of ways I still am, however, when they completely finish building the last truly great Australian car they will have died. The reason why Holden is so popular here is because it's ours. Torana, Monaro, Kingswood, Sandman, Commodore, they're all Australian built and Australian owned cars. That's why we love, or should I say, loved, holden. When they start producing holdens in Europe they just won't be the same.

[@chriswilkinson6032]

I seriously want to vomit when I see the 2018 version

[@Drivecomau]

+Chris Wilkinson You should get that checked out.

[@alexsimpson715]

No your an Aussie if you vomit at 2018 one

[@1gigatitan]

@@alexsimpson715 it's a buick regal, ewww

[@pragmatist165]

Yes indeed, you need to get that vomiting checked out, there might be psychological issues there too. Hate, envy, jealousy, become medical issues.

[@rabbitphobia]

@@Drivecomau You should get your history (I.E the truth) and geography checked out.

[@DropAGearDisappear]

sure is going to be a sad day on the 20th of October!! but watching the last car roll down the line will be a shock to a lot of people in the plant!! myself included! RIP HVO 1948 - 2017

[@Darrencurt]

DropAGearDisappear 1856 2017

[@DropAGearDisappear]

HVO opened in 1948

[@pontiacGXPfan]

RIP awesome sport sedan from Oz

[@pragmatist165]

1750 kilo but my ZB 4 cyl 2 litre petrol turbo with heaps of power and torque.. 191 kw and 350 nm of torque is a lightish 1530kilo .. I have a True saloon car, a True saloon car with pace yet so lithe and strong with revs of a mere 1400 per minute at 112 kph.. it's outstanding to drive and super economical.. a goldilocks car indeed .. the last Holden Commodore ever, will become a real collector's item like the 253 v8 Commodore, or the P 76 ,only much much more refined.. I wont ever sell my great ZB 4 cyl 2 litre petrol turbo sedan.

[@ducfandan1117]

This Yankee is glad they exported a few to the States. I ordered a 2016 and have been enjoying every drive. The US got a few extra niceties like that hill hold feature that was missing on the Aussie-market Commodores, but more importantly was magnetic ride control (like the Corvettes or HSVs). It's a big car and you feel the mass when cornering it, but on the B-roads, with the family, and a boot full of gear for the weekend, it's still unbeatable. I can haul my family long distances comfortably, AND have a satisfying experience as the driver. This car will be treasured for as long as I can afford to keep it maintained and operating.

[@coopsnz1]

HSV IS 52K USD , SO YOU CAN UNDDERSTAND WHY COMMDORE DIDNT GET IT

[@coopsnz1]

SS 35000 USD

[@JoshL1]

R.I.P Commodore you fucking legend

[@justbashingrc3624]

J Ludo very true 😓

[@cjdacka]

The end really hits ya :'( Great video though

[@sourwords1808]

I almost cried.

[@buddy7332]

I did cry knowing as a 21 yo at Uni I will never buy a mint high quality version

[@davidmathersonparanormal522]

The last German made Commodore was very well built however it suffered from a lack of power and also a narrow cabin compared to the Australian made Commodore that it replaced. The replacement German made Commodore was losing sales to the cheaper Astra and people were even commenting that the new Astra was a better car. See even though the Australian made Commodore was updated over the years, its design concept successfully blended proven motor/chassis/suspension and steering engineering suitable for long distance driving over rough roads with state of the art safety and parking technology never seen before in a mass produced car. This safety and parking technology was not included in the replacement German made Commodore. GMH also underestimated the patriotism of the Australian public and realized after severe financial losses that their forward planning team failed to increase market share, which nearly lead to the collapse of GMH in the Australian market.

[@MikeBobpokie]

I BOUGHT ONE!!!!! every time i start it up ,i love it, every time i flatten the throttle then heel and toe , i love it !!!what a car.to buy anything like this from any other manufacturer ,performance wise ,triple the money.the only thing that compares to this is an amg v8 ,everything else will spec times but not the grunt and torque and sound .love my car

[@OliverTighemusic]

We love u holden it’s sad to see the brand disappear but we love u 😭

[@thethirstytourists]

Purchased a new Redline last week, just love it. It's a pity they saved the best to the end.

[@dylee90]

Emotionally it's very sad but also realistically it's a true reflection of reality. I have had the privilege of owning both VF and VFII Redline for total of two years. I could be biased here but I have loved every bit of this car, though I know there are many critics out there too. However I had to move on to find a bit more economical option as my financial circumstance was changing. If I can, I'd love to go back behind the wheels of another Redline.. if only.

[@virgomonkey68]

Daniel Lee as a owner was there anything negative to report like squeaks rattles, issues that were apparent. How was this build quality and what was missing. Im researching the vf2 redline sportwagon 2017 if i can still get one...or am i making a mistake

[@Kiarax1]

No mistake at all mate - no squeaks or rattles and rock solid reliable. Once you’ve had the LS3 recall parts replaced, it should run forever, as it’s quite an under-stressed unit.

[@FotoRaider]

Nice farewell video of the SSV Redline as we know it. Bittersweet. I absolutely love my Chevy SS!

[@peterlee6745]

Had a VXR Monaro 5.7 . 4 years now . But have its Big Brother Now A VXR8 . 6.2 Took all the Vauxhall Badges OFF .Put Holden On Long Live The V8 .i live in UK .Cheers Mates

[@jaredolson7522]

Long live the Holden!🚗💨

[@peterpalagiano3370]

Hi I am looking to buy a 2017 ss redline manual. I am not sure if this will be ok towing a 1.5 tone boat. And will I have trouble at the ramp? Thanks .

[@TrackDayClub]

Shameful reporting CarAdvice and out of character ? The new Alpha platform was developed and already in use in the Camaro & Cadillac. It was a disagreement between our Government and GM about tax subsides that killed off the next Australian built Commodore .

[@pjbrawn2646]

Yep, abbot killed the Australian car industry and most of the public don't care

[@ingridheymann7310]

So sad, still getting a second hand one and holding onto it.

[@jaimusicxx]

We dont see too many cars put that sort of smile on the reviewers face!

[@reko3103]

Great video James...

[@TheAussieNinja84]

It's a shame Holden wouldn't let the commodore just die a hero, had to try and wring its name for all it was worth. Credit to ford, when they killed the falcon they didn't try to reuse its name for something functionally different.

[@Dalehc-w]

Awesome and moving video to the last true Aussie muscle car. NZ morns with you Auz.

[@freeagent8225]

Rented one in January 17.Drove to Falls Creek via Mansfield . Couldn't fault the car, the noise, brakes and handling made a very average driver (me) look good but after a day I was happy to give it back and drive home in my Mitsubishi 380, do I need help? Well done Holden.

[@nicholassuryathyo1297]

Farewell u legend

[@gpierre90]

Hi, I know its 2024, but say what you will, I still ❤ that car, the noise is so addictive, I wish I could have owned one, but first of all, unfortunately I do not live i Australia, or America if I were to buy the chevy versiin of it there, I am still disappointed to this day that GM shut down Holden. But hey what can you do, Great to have known you Holden Commodore with your V8 engine, I will surely miss you🤧🥺

[@supercoach24]

Hey James, I really like your video reviews. Would you be interested in doing one on the special edition Motorsport Commodore? I have a heron white 6 speed manual.

[@randallk2556]

Do you still have this car

[@mikkamon]

getting one in this same colour next week.. can't sleep till then

[@foodreviewsbelike...4683]

I have my "2017 chevy ss" and I love the famn thing. Just wish I can find the rest of the parts to convert back to a Holden *cough cough* black window trim and rear and door ss badges

[@alexyoung478]

Nice send off mate 👍🏻

[@slyonerz7661]

I will to the day i die drive a v8. No person or law will stop me. Ill be like mad max with the last v8

[@idontneedameme3665]

Slyonerz the same with me fuck environmentalist I don’t care I want to have my favourite car with me at all times

[@supaahflyy]

@@idontneedameme3665 I don't want to be that guy, but would your tune change if your son came to my clinic struggling to breathe? I'm all for enjoying yourself but that's a very selfish and short sighted way to think.

[@Ride_on54]

I’m glad they went out with a bang 🇳🇿 as opposed to the last model that was imported it was disgusting 🤮

[@joelpeterson2437]

More reliable the v8,no stretching of chains,the sound is mint

[@deathbed3517]

"Which is why the next generation commodore is going to be a European sourced piece of shit"

[@k.tucker2011]

My heart man

[@jaydonbrown789]

It is going with a bang of gold Replaced with euro crap 💩

[@rabbitphobia]

LMAO, all Commodores have been European (German) based for decades, so you have been loving Euro crap for years you tool, besides Germany produce cars better than Australia could have ever wished to if we are going to be honest now.

[@pumpkintomb3241]

I wouldn't say Euro crap lol, Eurpean is better then aussie cars but I would still get a SS V Redline VF!

[@David-lr2vi]

@@rabbitphobia The VE and VF Commodores (the Zeta platform) was developed and made in Australia. It’s not a German based car.

[@nathanielpillar8012]

@@rabbitphobia wrong

[@rabbitphobia]

@@nathanielpillar8012 Have you ever heard of "Opal" look it up genius I saw them with my eyes, you silly cretin.

[@bosse641]

Of course it has a place in our future. ...but someone decided it doesn't. SAD.

[@thefangsofcerberus4715]

I have the step brothers....Pontiacs G8 GT and the Pontiac G8 GXP. Best cars I've ever owned.

[@markybojens]

Well... In this case, this is "the last v8"!!! Unlike the interceptor!!!

[@racer7347]

This is my dream car🙂😊

[@Studat]

I'd be at peace with you going and the Commodore staying...

[@electricdiesel1993]

Should've made a Monaro coupe to make the Commodore look interesting.

[@bernardduplessis2110]

How cna I acquire one

[@coopsnz1]

commodore was 22k/ ss 27k in 90s , why sales were great then .626 was 25k

[@randallk2556]

Wrong poofter. Read the prices you dumb ass. 45k for a VN ss unless your mother was blowing the salesman and got a pregnancy discount that’s why you were born

[@gnyshjaydan261]

It’s a beast super sexy design

[@alanholden1577]

The VRX is brilliant bees kneez

[@Drivecomau]

Thanks for feedback!

[@BrunoAbsoluto]

Omega CD Brazil!

[@coopsnz1]

They should have put the clubsport sv 340 in the 2017 model , since hsv canned it

[@SavagexRaccoon]

another V8 RWD bites the dust whats next another FWD biased awd car with a shitty 4banger with a turbo this really is the end of NA cars

[@Joe-qc2fw]

SavagexRaccoon Its a 6, and when hsv gets their hands on it could potentially destroy the old v8s. *Also 300kg lighter

[@SavagexRaccoon]

Joey D i mean once you drive a V8 you never wanna go back to shiity turbo charged 4 bangers or 6 cylinders nothing beats a good na V8 sad to see it go due to dam emissions standards

[@Joe-qc2fw]

SavagexRaccoon Sound-wise yes. In terms of performance, small, light turbo cars are superior.

[@stealth_sputnik1823]

Ok mate. Let me get this into your thick skull, HSV will never get their hands on this commodore because HSV isn't a company after this, just like FPV and Tickford. I also cant believe this disgusting trend with turbos in terrible cars just for fuel economy its just defeated the purpose.

[@suburbanconan]

How can an "expert" tell people this car is a Chevy SS??? No magnetic ride suspension and no electric front passenger seat, not to mention no sport seats, no seat heating or 6 piston brakes.... I think he means the R8 Clubsport is the American Chevy SS......but then again, what do I know......

[@LaJiahao]

i need one

[@mightycaprice4483]

i'm actually so sad holden went out of business

[@bernardduplessis2110]

A magnificent Vehicle We want them in South Africa. Chev you are losing out to Mustang@@ I love mine pse DO NOT STOP making them.

[@yoga197]

Always wanted to own one but after hearing that they will stop the production I cried

[@justbashingrc3624]

Yoga Praneeth I'm sorry my parents are going to give it to me

[@yoga197]

There are best sedan in its class uses on zeta platform it's a shame that Chevrolet left india and south Africa if they could have invested more in holden could have produced great cars like this

[@sippie_cup]

My uncle Bruce has a vr commodore ss and it’s a sleeper we’ve done about 300 kph

[@Steven87199]

:(

[@mannie70au]

I've made my decision. No new cars for me. I'll be restoring old v8 classics from here on. Car designers need to understand we don't want throw away appliances filled with electrical trash. I just can't reward car manufactures with my dollars for the rubbish they now sell.

[@David-lr2vi]

Amen. How many cars sold now with their highly strung turbo engines and complicated engineering will even be on the road 10 years after they were built? The world wants to bang on about carbon emissions but have basically made the car a disposable appliance that needs to be thrown away and replaced every ten years as any major problem with the engine or gearbox makes the car uneconomical to repair! When I was growing up everyone had a Commodore or a Falcon so if you needed a part for it to keep it on the road it was always in stock and because the mechanicals were relatively simple getting engines and gearboxes rebuilt didn’t require you to get a second mortgage. Now there’s a thousand different cars available and you can’t even get spares for any of them without waiting for them. Basically now any car that’s past about 200,000kms is on borrowed time for something major to happen to the engine or gearbox and once it does it’s straight off to the wreckers. When I was younger owned plenty of cars well over 20 years old and when the engine needed repairs you could do it yourself and keep it on the road, that’s next to impossible now as they are far too complicated for you to do major rebuild work yourself. This is why I’ll be keeping my manual VE Commodore SSV until the end of time. Simple to repair yourself and the parts will forever be available in the aftermarket because the LS engine was ubiquitous in the US!

[@graemewilliams1308]

The Yanks LOVE Commodore Utes. BUT they have to take them apart, fit US running gear & LH drive to get them on the road to get around US import laws designed to protect their home market.

[@vsboy2577]

Car looks sexy that for sure

[@no_bull]

Dear Santa...

[@jimclarke1108]

Blame our relentless revenue office

[@donnalittle6436]

Great car ,2018 model is garbage sales showed us this .

[@pgn-godsquad3990]

Did he say no hill hold? Mine holds and so does everyone else’s

[@randallk2556]

Not in a manual poofter

[@MYSSV]

Holden Redline Ute VFII. What a Beast to Drive. I’ll keep this one forever. Sad to see Holden go offshore , I reckon it’s there biggest mistake ever. Come back to Australia and continue to make V8 Versions and we’ll all stick by your side. Stay off shore and and real Aussie Holden fans will unfortunately go elsewhere... I would’ve brought Commodores forever had Holden stayed in Australia 🇦🇺 Big mistake Holden Goodbye

[@samratcliffe6449]

And now we’re gonna be stuck with the mockodore no more V8 no more RWD just an ugly FWD/AWD system and a crappy 4-6 cylinder engine R.I.P Commodore

[@MrZillaman73]

Pointless on the public road. How much is enough power on the road. leave your hero attitude's on the TRACK..

[@David-lr2vi]

Well you can Go hop back in your Volvo appliance and dawdle along at 20kms below the speed limit being a mobile chicane! I’ll stick with my 6 litre VE Commodore that can effortlessly pass you without breaking a sweat while your holding up all the traffic! 😂 Oh and by the way I’m not some young hoon that floors it everywhere. I have all my points on my licence and haven’t had a fine in over two decades!

[@perpetualgrin5804]

I rented one in 2017, great car and drive but not for me, i thought of buying one, didnt no regrets.

[@albtr9295]

Got myself a Holden calais v8 2017 and it's fkn amazing

[@dedclownsRfunny]

Time to win lotto... I’ll buy an SSV redline, an Audi RS4, and a Tesla. Anyone comparing wildly different cars (4cyl turbo to V8na) have more meat in their heads than the pies in their hamfists.

[@amiraliazimi9679]

Crying right now

[@neilr4867]

A quick look around any Holden showroom now reveals what they have to fall back on. A pile crappy Asian utes & SUVs plus a few German-sourced econoboxes. Those dealerships are going to look mighty empty once the Commodore platform is gone.

[@BENNYseesYOU]

Holden is dead, long live Holden!

[@pumpkintomb3241]

Yeah it's dead, time for 6.3L european cars now! :)

[@julianvandervalk402]

My Dad got one!!!

[@Aaron-fj1hl]

Better than euro cars the four cylinder with turbo isn’t better it’s simply cheaper to make because it’s not as good think about this an Ls3 engine v a 4 cylinder……….. seriously

[@craigk444]

Why play bloody music over it when you say listen to it

[@lewisemptage6649]

Why do aussies make a 6.2 litre v8 and only get 407 hp

[@David-lr2vi]

Well Holden didn’t make the engines, GM made the engines in America (the LS family). It is a NA pushrod engine so the efficiency isn’t going to be the same as a modern DOHC turbo engine. The LS engine is quite detuned from the factory though and can put out a lot better numbers with minimal modifications (exhaust, extractors, cold air intake and a dyno tune). I’ve got the older 6 litre engine in my 2009 VE Commodore with the modifications I’ve listed above (its down 0.2 litres and without variable valve timing in the later version in this review) and mine got 263kw (350hp) on the dyno so about 310kw (415hp) at the crankshaft assuming a 15% drivetrain loss. My car only had 270kw at the crankshaft according to Holden so it gained 40kw (53hp) just from making it breath better and tuning it.

[@ubernoob103]

I dont understand why the next gen commodore is getting so much hate here - it will be a rebadged opel insignia. Yes, it is front wheel drive based, but it was developed and built in germany by opel and the build quality is said to be better than that of a vw passat - which is quite high praise. That and we get a similar 4wd torque vectoring system to the focus rs. The potential performance version will most likely have a 230kw+ turbo 4, which is nothing to complain about. That and i think it looks pretty great. Yes, the V8 and RWD is gone, but there is no point lamenting that. Move on.

[@DragonHawk]

ubernoob103 what a wanker

[@pumpkintomb3241]

I wish they didn't close holden :(

[@praneshlal4690]

Air com

[@Blankslategaming]

A 5 series from the same time period would eat this for breakfast

[@randallk2556]

lol that’s a Dylan mulvaney car. BMW 5 series- bmw come with oil leaks from the factory. You need a Gucci bag, a g string and a tutu before you hop into that homosexual bmw

[@rabbitphobia]

How misleading or worse some would say incompetent this reporting is, ALL Commodores have been European sourced (Germany to be more precise) and have been for well over 30 years. Why Australian Auto journalists feel the need to lie to us is beyond me SMH, we can handle the truth.

[@David-lr2vi]

You are incorrect. The VE and VF Commodores were 100% Australian designed and made. The Commodore had nothing to do with the German platform from the introduction of the VE Commodore.

[@kiribetio123]

Sad, Holden only best in Australian look, while the American version is just look like shit. So hopefully the European model doesn't cost much.

[@jooppoojk2356]

Shame!

[@KingOfSideways]

SO how did that all work out for you.....lol fail.... ggs

[@Procharged32]

At the end of the day Gm USA will bring the camaro and corvette, buyers won't want European rubbish.

[@shirazenema3228]

Camaro , Corvettes and Mustangs are all rubbish i've had a chance to check them out , the build quality is shite (tinny plastic shite actually). I,d drive a european car anyday over any American vehicle.

[@pontiacGXPfan]

If that's the case, I hope these people do not have kids because they are not going to be carrying around in either of those cars

[@ljp1942]

What a load of rubbish the shift to Asia was what killed Holden.

[@MegaShanes1]

The Subaru WRX.STi will replace it the new legend.

[@00-raiser28]

MegaShanes1 LOL

[@coopsnz1]

WRX STI is 5k more than a entry level ss . In America wrx sti 12k cheaper than a chevy ss . Was are bargain in Australia . But it was 7k more than a wrx, why wrx sell like hot cakes and sales of ss declined since 90s

[@rsole9049]

You so funny. You should try stand up comedy

[@cgoody9913]

It's old, heavy, needs 570nm of torque to just beat a WRX. Its outdated and the GMs made it that way. RIP

[@ryan04310]

xx GOODY you talking STI? Standard WRX is as slow as an sv6..

[@coopsnz1]

wrx 6 seconds / ss 5.3 seconds / wrx sti 5.5 / sv6 7 seconds in real world driving

[@coopsnz1]

Wrx 38k aud / ss 45k aud / wrx sti 50 k aud / sv6 7 seconds in the real wold

[@guacamoleman87]

Put 5 people in every car you mentioned and then do the numbers....

[@saauuzza]

The ssv is faster than sti on straight and more fuel economical.