The Commodore anti-SUV tested

Holden Commodore Calais-V Tourer

$58,560-$60,360 driveway

VALUE

The Calais-V stands out with 18-inch wheels filling out the plastic-clad arches and matrix LED headlamps. Opt for any colour other than white and the price rises by $550. Inside there's a decent head-up display, an eight-inch infotainment display with satnav, smartphone mirroring and wireless phone charging, panoramic sunroof and leather upholstery. The front and rear seats are heated and the front also has cooling and a massage function. Service intervals are 12 months/12,000km. If you drive under the 13,500km average, you'll only need three trips in the first three years at a capped price of $817. Do the average and you'll spend $1176.

COMFORT

Cargo capacity is 560 litres with the rear seats in place but there's only a space-saver spare under the floor. The leather clad seats are supportive and the Tourer doesn't suffer from the liftback's limited rear headroom. The steering wheel paddles are too small to be really effective. The premium audio sounds good from all seats and there's a pair of USB ports for those in the rear.

SAFETY

As the range-topping variant in the Commodore line-up the Calais-V Tourer comes with city-speed autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and lane-keep assist. The forward collision warning is projected onto the head-up display and will flare into audio and visual alert mode if the sensors detect a parked car as you are cornering on suburban streets. ANCAP rates it as a five-star car with 93 per cent adult occupant protection, 85 per cent for child occupant safety, 78 per cent for pedestrian protection and 77 per cent for safety assist features.

DRIVING

The V6 has far more engine character than the turbo 2.0-litre found in the Calais liftback and, in tandem with the nine-speed auto, hauls the Calais-V with decent pace and good response at all revs. The steering is spot on for the class and the suspension is well balanced between cornering prowess and occupant comfort, something comparable SUVs struggle with. Claimed fuel use is a combined 9.1 litres/100km or 12.3L/100km around town.

ALTERNATIVES

Subaru Outback 3.6R Premium

$53,660-$55,300.

The Outback feels classier inside and comes with a full-size spare but costs more to service, uses marginally more fuel and isn't as engaging to drive.

Skoda Superb Sportline 206TSI wagon

$61,690 driveway

The all-wheel-drive Superb wagon is spacious and loaded with kit in this guise and the 2.0-litre turbo engine is rated to tow 2200kg, though ball weight is just 90kg

Mazda 6 Atenza Touring

$54,180 driveway

The Atenza is more than a match for the Commodore inside but the 2.5-litre turbo engine is limited to a 1600kg towing capacity, 500kg less than its rival.

VERDICT

Trim the price by a few grand and the Calais V Tourer would be best in class. It is still the pick of crop as a tow-wagon.

AT A GLANCE

Holden Commodore Calais-V Tourer

PRICE $58,560-$60,360 driveway

SAFETY 5 stars, 6 airbags, AEB, blind-spot, lane-keep assist

ENGINE 3.6-litre V6 petrol, 235kW/381Nm

TRANS 9-speed auto, AWD

THIRST 9.1L/100km (91 RON)