Holden’s long wheelbase WM vehicles can finally compete against Europe’s finest.
Statesman still has no equal in the space race and its cavernous cabin swallows five adults with room to spare while the boot is both long and wide.
Factor in a luxurious, if at times rubbery, ride, abundant appointments and useful handling traits and the Statesman starts to stack up.
Grip levels are good, it corners with aplomb and generally never handles like a large car.
The brakes work well in emergency stops but could be calibrated a little better for rough roads.
The big A pillars, are a major ergonomic grievance, which ruin an otherwise impressive interior rethink.
The seats in both rows are soft and comfortable however they don’t rank as particularly supportive.
Performance is a cut above the class with ample low-end thrust and a strong mid-range kick from the locally made V6 heart.
The five-speed transmission is a little unsophisticated though, while the 195kW V6 can be vocal when asked to hit its straps. Fuel economy may also be a thorny point.
Holden’s build has also taken a step forward, but still has some way to go to match the international benchmarks.
This is not a car for the badge brigade, however it ticks all the right boxes. It drives well, brakes strongly and offers space and value that are hard to match.
There’s no reason to be dismissive about the local wares any more.