2010 Holden Commodore SS Ute

One tiny caveat: if you plan on using the SS Ute for day-to-day hauling, it shouldn’t be for your work. But, you already knew that if you’re considering this hot coupe with the space for tons of gear behind the seats and in the bay.

What the Commodore Ute does in SS trim is provide gobs of power in a package that makes a statement as readily from the inside as it does for the passersby who hear the throaty V8 as you tool around in the city and on the highways. When you look at it like that, it’s hard to fault the SS for the few faults it does possess.

The 260kW of power and a torque-y 517Nm throughout much of the power band means that you’re not likely to be at a loss for power whether you’re starting from a full stop, or making a pass, or well, just about any move you want to make in the ute.

A six-speed automatic transmission helps the power get from the monstrous six-litre engine to the wheels, and this reviewer really wishes that they had a non-GM-sourced option. Even with the manual override option, it can feel balky moving through the cogs and that is particularly egregious considering the way that the rest of the ute is sorted out.

At the same time, it’s the relatively tall gearing of the six-speed that allows drivers to hold out a little longer before heading to the petrol station. A 16.2L/100km average isn’t going to win any efficiency awards, but at the same time you’re less likely to see those numbers if you don’t have many stops to make. Especially on the highway, the gearing combines with the cylinder-shutoff system to get a positively sipping number of just eight liters per 100 kilometers.

It’s one surprise of many for drivers of the SS ute. The other comes when you turn around once you take your seat behind the wheel. Portions of the interior may look dated, but it is both capacious and reasonably well-sorted, with interior trim matching the paint of your choosing. The stereo can be a bit finicky, but if you’re making a long trip in the ute, a special “blackout” mode allows the speedometer to be lit independently of the rest of the cluster gages, especially useful if you have to take the ute on a trek.

And perhaps the nicest thing about the ute is that even if you hoon it about, it has all of the safety features you’d expect in a family sedan, the looks of a stunner and an engine that leaves little room to be desired. If you can get past the fact that the ute these days is more of a statement piece than a hauler, the Holden Commodore SS is a worthy contender to take a spot in the carport.

Specifications:
Engine: 5,967cc OHV eight-cylinder (16 valve)
Power: 260kW @ 5,700rpm
Torque: 517Nm @ 4,400rpm
Induction: Multi-point
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Driven Wheels: Rear (with LSD)
Brakes: Discs with ABS, EBA & EBD
Top Speed: 260km/h (Claimed)
0-100km/h: 6.5 seconds
CO2 Emissions: 307g/km
Fuel Consumption: 12.9L/100km (ADR)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 73L
Fuel Type: 91-98 RON Unleaded (E10 suitable)
ANCAP Rating: Five-star
Airbags: Front & Side
Safety: ESC with Traction Control
Spare Wheel: Space Saver (Steel)
Suspension: Strut (F) / Trailing Arm (R)
Cargo Capacity: 594kg (Max. legal)
Tow Capacity: 1,600kg (Braked)
Turning Circle: 11.7m
Warranty: Three Year / 100,000 kilometer
Weight: 1,791kg (Tare)
Wheels: Alloy 18 x 8.0-inch (Standard)