Having owned a VFII Calais wagon for 30,000km now and having driven a ZB Calais-V Tourer over a couple of days on varying road surfaces, I can comfortably say this assessment is wrong. The ZB rides far too firmly, uses too much fuel, is too noisy, too cramped (can’t even sit up straight in the back of the ZB liftback), has inferior ergonomics and worse build quality. I have driven several ZBs and all have had major rattles/buzzes from the dash and rear seats. ZB has the ability to be a great car, but it’s just not. Especially when compared to the overachieving and warm VFII
Yeah I felt like this review was pandering to Holden. Granted I haven't driven a zb yet but I refuse to believe it's better in practically every way as this review would have you believe.
Sounds a little like you’re desperately trying to convince us, I haven’t driven the new one so I’ll go along with it for the moment although I will say even given it’s age the VF is a more handsome car.
ZB Commodore sale numbers say it all. Australians have distanced themselves from the ZB because it's an insult to what the Commodore was. No fake BS review is going to convince us otherwise.
Ciaran Carpenter holden are really trying to ram this car down aussies throats and its not going to happen anytime soon, i agree this "review" seems to have been paid by holden
Unfortunately the racing ZB Commodores (FR) and road version ZB Commodore (FF or AWD) have completely different drivetrains!! Not like VF Commodores and before as both version were FRs!
Yep, it was indeed a "matter of time" as the reviewers last sentence says. In that time since 2018 the buyers voted with their preferences and wallets. Holden should have just plainly marketed this as the car it really was; the Insignia from Europe. With that honesty and not treating Aussie like idiot and calling this lightweight a Commodore, an 'Insignia' of the same metal may have even been a success. It is right that their marketing team lost their jobs; truly sad that the rest of Holden did too - just as sad as losing the future REAL AUSSIE MADE successors to the VF2. Too sad for words . . .
Dear mr Britten it’s about time you retired (Daylesford) old friend as this is an insult to all Aussie drivers, everything this review has shown is that the zee-b is more expensive,heavier on fuel,9 speeds it has a upright short rear seat it’s narrower etc and the zee-b’s only good point is it looks newer tect wise if VF was to be updated here it would have had all that,like the VXR insignia that was quietly dropped for poor sales this car is showing it’s going the same direction the media needs to get some balls.
The old one wasn’t selling in sufficient numbers and I doubt the new one will either. And yes, this “review” looks like an advert from Holden .. poor form.
What a joke! This new car must be the most poorly thought of replacement Holden could find in the whole wide world! Q1, WHO is going to buy this? A1, nobody! = No sales, no idea, end of this Commodore VERY soon!
Putting aside that the 2018 VF more or less is identical to when it was released in 2013 (as upon announcing local manufacturing was dead, they stopped developing it) and therefore does lack some of the more recent gizmos like automatic emergency braking, it basically wins on everything else - interior actually looks at least as modern and more inviting, still has most of the gadgets (HUD, blind spot warning on mirrors, etc), much better rear headroom, engine almost as powerful and any deficit offset by being more economical, much more attractive from the outside. If Holden had really wanted people to accept this new car, they really needed to lift their game. Instead it's more expensive, the quality seems lacking (German or not, reports of everything from transmission failures through to squeaks are legion), parts are probably a nightmare and honestly from some angles it just looks unattractive. The fact Holden (in mid 2019) is dumping most of the range and that you can get near new ones for much bigger discounts than were offered on VE and VF models tells you all you need to know.
Unfortunately for Holden is that they don't understand what die hard Commodore fans want. Surely Commodore fans are used to big, front engined Rear Wheel Drive with V8 or even V6 engines. I think the biggest insults to Commodore fans are 1) The Insignia based ZB Commodore is smaller 2) The drive train is either Front Wheel Drive or FWD based All Wheel Drive HINT! HINT! Unwanted front drive like understeer that Commodore fans surely do not want!! Holden thought they could get away with the Commodore name on the Insignia but the sales already have proved that they're smart as they've thought. They should've either find another rear drive platform or otherwise killed the Commodore name and stuck the Insignia name on it instead. Oh well...
This car WON’T be embraced by Aussie drivers, especially the rusted on, die hard Aussie Holden fans. A front wheel drive, cramped Commodore? And no V8 rear wheel drive variant to tempt V8 lovers. A recipe for failure.
Holden lost me when they killed the V8 as my old 02 Calais with it's 5.7L V8 has better mileage than the V6 in this model. Sure I've bumped up comp to 11.5 -1 and gave her a little more lift in the cam and the heads have had work. Now I get 12.5L around town and 10.9L on the open road give it a little. Wish NZ & Aussie's Government purchased Holden from GM as I feel together we could have kept Holden alive.
How can you say that the zb has a better looking interior than the vf? I’m pretty open minded about new cars but apart from the new tech the zb is a step backwards in every way. Unless Holden can shave at least $5k off every model they will struggle to sell many.
Garry H I don't know how you can say, the VF wasn't selling in sufficient numbers. it's been consistently top 5 seller in the country... The ZB sales are very very average to say the least :)
Shame, you can hear the reviewer trying his hardest to be positive about this car. The only good thing is that the front looks a bit like the new Impreza.
The potential of this car could be so much more but I guess thats what happens when you team with a crap euro brand. I like the look of the car but everything else is bad. Could of just put the Twin turbo 6 from the ats-v and given it the driving dynamics of a true german car and could of been much better.
Don't they claim the twin turbo hardware doesn't fit? But I agree - if they wanted people to accept this car which is only on par or less than its predecessor in many ways (aside from the gadgets you would expect in much newer car) it desperately needed the twin turbo V6. Without some sort of special sauce, there's just nothing to set this apart.
what new model commodore had less dash features than it predecessor? same with safety? what a stupid comparison. a nee narava is better than my 1998 model. no shit. but the new commy uses more fuel is not rear wheel drive and has no v8 something it was famous for. it also costs more. if u want awd buy a subaru and for a car that will hold its value get a maz6 or carmry. paid / remunerated add / review ???
This advertisement was Proudly brought to you by Holden.
Having owned a VFII Calais wagon for 30,000km now and having driven a ZB Calais-V Tourer over a couple of days on varying road surfaces, I can comfortably say this assessment is wrong.
The ZB rides far too firmly, uses too much fuel, is too noisy, too cramped (can’t even sit up straight in the back of the ZB liftback), has inferior ergonomics and worse build quality. I have driven several ZBs and all have had major rattles/buzzes from the dash and rear seats.
ZB has the ability to be a great car, but it’s just not. Especially when compared to the overachieving and warm VFII
Yeah I felt like this review was pandering to Holden. Granted I haven't driven a zb yet but I refuse to believe it's better in practically every way as this review would have you believe.
Sounds a little like you’re desperately trying to convince us, I haven’t driven the new one so I’ll go along with it for the moment although I will say even given it’s age the VF is a more handsome car.
ZB Commodore sale numbers say it all. Australians have distanced themselves from the ZB because it's an insult to what the Commodore was. No fake BS review is going to convince us otherwise.
sambo6440 I
sambo6440 if Australian wanted a lift back from Europe they could just buy a Skoda superb.
I would've forgive Holden if it called the "ZB Commodore" as Insignia. The Insignia is a good car but with a wrong model badge.
How much did Holden pay you for this advert? hah
Ciaran Carpenter holden are really trying to ram this car down aussies throats and its not going to happen anytime soon, i agree this "review" seems to have been paid by holden
Yea mate ist a bloody infomercial for Holden! Guys get your shit sorted or you will loose credibility and viewers......
I believe most of these TH-cam channels receive some cash/advantages to these videos. All reviews really biased. What a shame
VF any day
Test the ZB V8 version against the VF V8....oh wait😂😂😂
Unfortunately for you and V8 loving people, the human race is moving forward
@@EnAyeEm000 but they will be moving forward more slowly😜
Unfortunately the racing ZB Commodores (FR) and road version ZB Commodore (FF or AWD) have completely different drivetrains!! Not like VF Commodores and before as both version were FRs!
Is this a video directed by Holden?
This car is no commodore and if it is sooooo good why ain't they selling 🤔 answer. Because we don't like it.
Yep, it was indeed a "matter of time" as the reviewers last sentence says. In that time since 2018 the buyers voted with their preferences and wallets. Holden should have just plainly marketed this as the car it really was; the Insignia from Europe. With that honesty and not treating Aussie like idiot and calling this lightweight a Commodore, an 'Insignia' of the same metal may have even been a success. It is right that their marketing team lost their jobs; truly sad that the rest of Holden did too - just as sad as losing the future REAL AUSSIE MADE successors to the VF2. Too sad for words . . .
The end of manufacturing cars in Australia has spelt the death-knell of Holden.
Holden is drowning and this car is pulling them under.
Dear mr Britten it’s about time you retired (Daylesford) old friend as this is an insult to all Aussie drivers, everything this review has shown is that the zee-b is more expensive,heavier on fuel,9 speeds it has a upright short rear seat it’s narrower etc and the zee-b’s only good point is it looks newer tect wise if VF was to be updated here it would have had all that,like the VXR insignia that was quietly dropped for poor sales this car is showing it’s going the same direction the media needs to get some balls.
The old one wasn’t selling in sufficient numbers and I doubt the new one will either. And yes, this “review” looks like an advert from Holden .. poor form.
What a joke! This new car must be the most poorly thought of replacement Holden could find in the whole wide world! Q1, WHO is going to buy this? A1, nobody! = No sales, no idea, end of this Commodore VERY soon!
Putting aside that the 2018 VF more or less is identical to when it was released in 2013 (as upon announcing local manufacturing was dead, they stopped developing it) and therefore does lack some of the more recent gizmos like automatic emergency braking, it basically wins on everything else - interior actually looks at least as modern and more inviting, still has most of the gadgets (HUD, blind spot warning on mirrors, etc), much better rear headroom, engine almost as powerful and any deficit offset by being more economical, much more attractive from the outside.
If Holden had really wanted people to accept this new car, they really needed to lift their game. Instead it's more expensive, the quality seems lacking (German or not, reports of everything from transmission failures through to squeaks are legion), parts are probably a nightmare and honestly from some angles it just looks unattractive. The fact Holden (in mid 2019) is dumping most of the range and that you can get near new ones for much bigger discounts than were offered on VE and VF models tells you all you need to know.
Unfortunately for Holden is that they don't understand what die hard Commodore fans want. Surely Commodore fans are used to big, front engined Rear Wheel Drive with V8 or even V6 engines. I think the biggest insults to Commodore fans are 1) The Insignia based ZB Commodore is smaller 2) The drive train is either Front Wheel Drive or FWD based All Wheel Drive HINT! HINT! Unwanted front drive like understeer that Commodore fans surely do not want!!
Holden thought they could get away with the Commodore name on the Insignia but the sales already have proved that they're smart as they've thought. They should've either find another rear drive platform or otherwise killed the Commodore name and stuck the Insignia name on it instead. Oh well...
This car WON’T be embraced by Aussie drivers, especially the rusted on, die hard Aussie Holden fans. A front wheel drive, cramped Commodore? And no V8 rear wheel drive variant to tempt V8 lovers. A recipe for failure.
Holden lost me when they killed the V8 as my old 02 Calais with it's 5.7L V8 has better mileage than the V6 in this model.
Sure I've bumped up comp to 11.5 -1 and gave her a little more lift in the cam and the heads have had work. Now I get 12.5L around town and 10.9L on the open road give it a little.
Wish NZ & Aussie's Government purchased Holden from GM as I feel together we could have kept Holden alive.
Nah , I'll give it a miss fanx!!
Da Holden Calais VF just looks good ,v6 or v8 it just looks better, they won't be making holden's anymore, they're turned off all the lights 🦁
How can you say that the zb has a better looking interior than the vf? I’m pretty open minded about new cars but apart from the new tech the zb is a step backwards in every way. Unless Holden can shave at least $5k off every model they will struggle to sell many.
Stick to Vf Calais v thumbs up
The ecoboost is very nice to drive, very quick
Which Commodore can do drifts?
VF 👌👍
This is a joke thats not a Commodore
Garry H I don't know how you can say, the VF wasn't selling in sufficient numbers. it's been consistently top 5 seller in the country... The ZB sales are very very average to say the least :)
Shame, you can hear the reviewer trying his hardest to be positive about this car. The only good thing is that the front looks a bit like the new Impreza.
The VF looks more classy Rollin down da tarmac Holden VF
Every other review says the VF is much better in every way! I wouldn't buy a Peugeot Commadore!
Junk reliability, junk customer support, a failure called opel, equals failure.
Mazda 6 anyday.
This 'review' reeks of bias towards an agenda. It's obvious as everything you mentioned always fell back in favour of the euro crap.
The Zb interior actually looks worse than the vf. Don’t buy this car.
The potential of this car could be so much more but I guess thats what happens when you team with a crap euro brand. I like the look of the car but everything else is bad. Could of just put the Twin turbo 6 from the ats-v and given it the driving dynamics of a true german car and could of been much better.
Don't they claim the twin turbo hardware doesn't fit? But I agree - if they wanted people to accept this car which is only on par or less than its predecessor in many ways (aside from the gadgets you would expect in much newer car) it desperately needed the twin turbo V6. Without some sort of special sauce, there's just nothing to set this apart.
The Australian one is always better
Obviously the dash design is going to look older, they are 5 years apart. You wouldn't compare a VE to a VF dash.
This aged well...
How is the new Calais ‘better value’, seriously it’s a Citroen owned piece of shit.
Absolute paid dribble!!
2021 and time is up I guess. LOL
Yeah....nah
Let's see how the Kiwi running marketing fares - cannot be worse than the out going.
WHY WWHHHHHYYYY! the German commodore is awful. If i want German I will go for a VW arteon.... What was holden thinking? Give me the VF any day.
8 speed is too mechanically too complicated, will see as it ages.
glad the suedes gone. it's a real hassle to clean
Wait for all the comments of "I will never buy this I love my aussie Commodore" while driving a Toyota for the last 10 years
what new model commodore had less dash features than it predecessor? same with safety? what a stupid comparison. a nee narava is better than my 1998 model. no shit. but the new commy uses more fuel is not rear wheel drive and has no v8 something it was famous for. it also costs more. if u want awd buy a subaru and for a car that will hold its value get a maz6 or carmry. paid / remunerated add / review ???
A turd is still a turd even with all the spin sad to say say but holden as a carmaker is in deepwater with no paddles good luck
RWD
Yeah pass me that Mazda 6 I need eye bleach
Bull shit I still like the real holden
Bullshit. I've driven the US versions of both. No fucking way the ZB is a better handling vehicle.
What a hideous dog of a car
Gtfo with that cheap knock off
Rubbish
VF = #realHolden > ZB = #fakeHolden (and solving for Y = 2 lemons)