It's worth mentioning that Holden did a lot of work altering the Insignia of which the ZB Commodore was based on. Suspension and steering feel, engines, driving dynamics, the exhaust and interior headroom/legroom were either re-engineered, altered, retuned or adjusted, racking up 100,000 kilometres of fine-tuning to dial it in (that's a lot!) A lot of people forget that.
Nice comparo! I have a ZB RS and it has been a good car over the last three years of ownership. Plenty of power and I have enjoyed the handling of the all wheel drive. For me a negative has been the 9 speed gearbox, it can get a bit muddled at times and other times it is pretty good.
Great review! I put the bimodal valves from the SS series 2 on my VF Sv6 so I can have it whisper quiet until I put the foot down 😆. Also I added whiteline sway bars and Monroe shocks, handles great and comfortable.
Hi, great comparison - and fair assessment. I've enjoyed your style of reviews - informative and fun. I noticed on your BMW and commodore reviews where the models share similar Automatic boxes (BMW e8x and e9x 6 cyclinder non turbos and Commodore VF) that you mentioned they are ZF boxes. In my research they are GM auto boxes '6Lxx'. Its the BMW i6 turbo (135i, 335i) that have the ZF6 box.
Interesting., love your take on it. I've owned both in CalaisV trim . Had 2 VF and 1 ZB. ZB is more up to date, modern and quicker but 9 speed lets it down. 6 Speed in VF is much easier to live with day to day, very rarely get caught out. VF definitely has more character and feels more special. Both great cars.
@@davidl9169 yeah honestly if the ZB just had the ZF6, it would be better than the VF in every way. That gearbox just lets it down it’s so confusing and complicated to use
Nah not a chance man haha it’s 25kW down, way longer gears, and more weight. It’ll never keep up. Ex police means nothing really, it was highway patrol so all hot miles. It still feels strong
Owned both VF Series and still have a ZB RS. The conclusion is accurate and the ZB is the better car, more modern and the V6 feels much happier revving with its redesign such as 2 timing chains not 3 ) and it pulls much stronger and has more torque on tap than my 2 VF,s ever did. The hatchback design is such a space winner that a boot feels a backward step. The convenience of Apple Play included that always works and the 9-speed transmission giving you a cruising speed on the freeway of just 1400rpm at 100kmh and the better engine is a deal closer for me. Also put the transmission in sports setting in the sub menu and it's sharper and more responsive and logical. The name badge is irrelevant IMO as everything today pretty much is Global.
Hey R8pilot do you use the ZB for towing ? I have been thinking of getting an RS for towing a 1200 kg caravan and there's not much commentary on its towing capability
My understanding is the ZB has a differential based torque vectoring awd similar to Honda's SH-AWD. Is it anywhere near as good as the SH-AWD? Was it as usable on the open road? Extra gears do liven up the car and the new motor sounds growly.
It is the same Twinster system that the Ford Focus RS has. Each rear drive shaft has a clutch pack that allows distribution of available torque sent to the rear axle to be split from 0-100% between each wheel.
Great video as always. On one hand a FWD “Commodore” (in 4cyl versions) is not really a Commodore. On the other hand, VB-VL was an Opel Rekord, so basically going back to their roots. However, as many have said. Holden should’ve let the commodore go gracefully (like Ford did with the Falcon) and just just named it differently.
The VXR does not have Recaro seats in it. I think they must be Opel seats because there is no brand label on them or any mention of Recaro in either the brochure or the owners manual. On the other hand the VXR has Brembo front brakes and they are all over the brochure.
Actually they are both opel Insignia, the VF just has a slight difference front to Opel Insignia OPC. I have 2010 opel Insignia 1.8 petrol and its a slug. Comfortable but slow and lots of elecrical faults sadly.
@@KiwiCarLife yes, sorry not even Insignia based, pre 2006 Commodores were Opel Omega based though. There was a brief 10 years or so there where Commodores were a real unique Australian design.
The ZB Insignia... i mean commodore is very quick. We had a VE SSV and a hired a ZB Commodore, the ZB had its bonnet infront until 110kph then both backed off. The SS wasn't reeling it in either.
_geez that ZB engine is noticeably more lively than the VF, but I just can’t see the BOGAN youth of today falling in love with it, especially for doing hooligan burnouts 💨💨💨💨_
Considering 1 of the 2 atm , if i decide the VXRi will de-badge it but leave VXR and get the Opel badge for the grille, the badge is really cheap, i would feel better surrounded by Holden fans in traffic 😂😉
@KiwiCarLife yeah it really should be rebadged as it's really that, my Mustang is a Mustang ( obviously recognisable as a Ford) but the only Ford badge on it is up behind the top of the tint on windscreen behind some small box thing and rear view mirror so it could be rebadged in Russia as a Tatra Mustang 🤷🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣👍
@@KiwiCarLife I think it was garbage.. and giving it the commodore badge was lazy and honestly insulting to the company. Many other Holden people will say the same thing..
@@KiwiCarLife dude you said yourself, the drivability unless you flog it is lazy and delayed.. the steering is vague and not direct.. and that's compared to a vf .. which is no high bar.
We have a VF ss, ve sv6 and zb Calais, the ve sv6 is a pile of crap, the vf is a weekender, the Zb 9 spd is a fantastic Daily. The 9 spd Auto is way better than a 6 spd, if people want to play gears buy a manual and stop being a wanna B.
The vf is a woman's car, little girls car same as a vn v6 no real difference, the zb awd smashes it completely the lfx is a cheap engine why the lgx is the real boss, steel crank mate!!! Let it rip, I'll be going around the corner at 180km a hour why the vf is spinning out at 130km into a family eating a KFC family bucket, get a hsv and stop being cheap.
It's worth mentioning that Holden did a lot of work altering the Insignia of which the ZB Commodore was based on. Suspension and steering feel, engines, driving dynamics, the exhaust and interior headroom/legroom were either re-engineered, altered, retuned or adjusted, racking up 100,000 kilometres of fine-tuning to dial it in (that's a lot!) A lot of people forget that.
@@jamestorrens645 I see!
Nice to see the VF Aussie commodore on the channel.
Yes strong vehicle
Great review.
Not a wasted word.
Good drives.
Totally real.
✊✌️👌
Thanks man
Vf is awesome, my mum wanted one for ages but overthought the whole like purchasing of it but man if she had it, shed literally be flying wit it
Oh yeah they’re great
Nice comparo! I have a ZB RS and it has been a good car over the last three years of ownership.
Plenty of power and I have enjoyed the handling of the all wheel drive.
For me a negative has been the 9 speed gearbox, it can get a bit muddled at times and other times it is pretty good.
Yeah I’d agree, overall great but the 9at can be a bit useless
Great review! I put the bimodal valves from the SS series 2 on my VF Sv6 so I can have it whisper quiet until I put the foot down 😆. Also I added whiteline sway bars and Monroe shocks, handles great and comfortable.
Ooh yes that’s lovely
Do everything to help the VF Commodore win, guaranteed 1000's of subscribers😅.
Hahah yes
Hi, great comparison - and fair assessment. I've enjoyed your style of reviews - informative and fun. I noticed on your BMW and commodore reviews where the models share similar Automatic boxes (BMW e8x and e9x 6 cyclinder non turbos and Commodore VF) that you mentioned they are ZF boxes. In my research they are GM auto boxes '6Lxx'. Its the BMW i6 turbo (135i, 335i) that have the ZF6 box.
The GM 6L and ZF6 are the same design transmission, just manufactured in different locations. But yes you are right
Love those VFs. They finally got it right I reckon. 👌 Hope to own one one day!
Yeah they’re nice aye
Interesting., love your take on it. I've owned both in CalaisV trim . Had 2 VF and 1 ZB. ZB is more up to date, modern and quicker but 9 speed lets it down. 6 Speed in VF is much easier to live with day to day, very rarely get caught out. VF definitely has more character and feels more special. Both great cars.
@@davidl9169 yeah honestly if the ZB just had the ZF6, it would be better than the VF in every way. That gearbox just lets it down it’s so confusing and complicated to use
Love the video!
But you should test a vf sv6 that wasn't an ex cop car and has less ks on it. I feel like the sv6 can do a lot better in the roll race
Nah not a chance man haha it’s 25kW down, way longer gears, and more weight. It’ll never keep up. Ex police means nothing really, it was highway patrol so all hot miles. It still feels strong
@@KiwiCarLife I realise the zb is faster, just dont think its too fair comparing them when they have a 220,000km difference
@@logan20014 honestly the VF might have lost 5kW? It’s not enough to make any noticeable difference
The Vf is a masterpiece
Yessss good strong car
Should rename it to Holden commodore vs Vauxhall insignia 😂
lol you’d say that as a “real” commy owner! 😂
INJUST SAID THAT IN MY HEAD THERES NO WAY 😂
@@KiwiCarLifeand yes he is a “real commie owner” yiu weird lisp sounding mf
Where do you think Commodores came from ?? 😂
@@Hapkido82AUS they're no euro car
Owned both VF Series and still have a ZB RS.
The conclusion is accurate and the ZB is the better car, more modern and the V6 feels much happier revving with its redesign such as 2 timing chains not 3 ) and it pulls much stronger and has more torque on tap than my 2 VF,s ever did.
The hatchback design is such a space winner that a boot feels a backward step.
The convenience of Apple Play included that always works and the 9-speed transmission giving you a cruising speed on the freeway of just 1400rpm at 100kmh and the better engine is a deal closer for me. Also put the transmission in sports setting in the sub menu and it's sharper and more responsive and logical. The name badge is irrelevant IMO as everything today pretty much is Global.
Yeah I’d have to agree
Hey R8pilot do you use the ZB for towing ? I have been thinking of getting an RS for towing a 1200 kg caravan and there's not much commentary on its towing capability
@@rodcoates7941 The 3.6L V6 ZB range is rated up to 1800kg towing capacity.
My understanding is the ZB has a differential based torque vectoring awd similar to Honda's SH-AWD. Is it anywhere near as good as the SH-AWD? Was it as usable on the open road?
Extra gears do liven up the car and the new motor sounds growly.
Yeah it’s similar, definitely handles well!
It is the same Twinster system that the Ford Focus RS has. Each rear drive shaft has a clutch pack that allows distribution of available torque sent to the rear axle to be split from 0-100% between each wheel.
Great video as always. On one hand a FWD “Commodore” (in 4cyl versions) is not really a Commodore.
On the other hand, VB-VL was an Opel Rekord, so basically going back to their roots.
However, as many have said. Holden should’ve let the commodore go gracefully (like Ford did with the Falcon) and just just named it differently.
Yeah that's true, I reckon they should have just called the ZB the Holden Insignia.
Can you do VE SV6 S2 vs a VF SV6 S2 if possible, I think the matchup would be interesting to see
That would be interesting
@@KiwiCarLife Thank you for the reply, looking forward to your newer videos as your one of the car reviews I actually like to watch
The VXR does not have Recaro seats in it. I think they must be Opel seats because there is no brand label on them or any mention of Recaro in either the brochure or the owners manual. On the other hand the VXR has Brembo front brakes and they are all over the brochure.
You could be right
@@KiwiCarLife I am fairly sure I'm right, I went and checked my VXR lol
With holden going the way of the dinosaurs i hear that getting parts for them can ve a real nightmare.
Oh true I suppose that might be the case
Na we have shit tones in Oz they all gets wrapped around polls
VF part's are getting hard to get especially bumper bars.
Hay matey must be time for a test of the ' 380 '?
Oh good lord HAHA
Actually they are both opel Insignia, the VF just has a slight difference front to Opel Insignia OPC. I have 2010 opel Insignia 1.8 petrol and its a slug. Comfortable but slow and lots of elecrical faults sadly.
No, it’s Insignia based, but has significant differences, it’s wider for one and built in Australia.
@@paul--b yeah the insignia is a completely different car
@@KiwiCarLife yes, sorry not even Insignia based, pre 2006 Commodores were Opel Omega based though.
There was a brief 10 years or so there where Commodores were a real unique Australian design.
Nice vid, unpopular opinion: bring back the Accord Euro R content.
I’ve moved on from Hondas but thanks for the suggestion
Thoughts on a 124km Manual CL9 for $9,990. Do you see them going up slowly over time ?
Sounds alright to me, assuming that’s NZD
@@KiwiCarLife Aud
@@B33ond hmm yeah I’d say go for it if it’s tidy!
Dont think the auto's are ZF dervied - just that it has similar Lepelletier gear mechanism (for 6 speed)
It’s GM 6L45 if you look on Wikipedia you’ll see it’s related to the ZF6 and the shifting characteristics are extremely similar
Add an OTR air intake and go to somebody who can unleash computer in the VF, and then do the comparison!
@@D800Lover that would be interesting for sure!
you should do a review on a v8 ls holden !
Maybe one day
Let me correct you on the VRX they are 20’s not 19’s and Ve and Vf rims fit as long as they are 20’s to clear the brembos
Yes apologies I misspoke there the VXR has 20’s
VF , 359,342 km , that's a lot of kms !
Sure is!
The ZB Insignia... i mean commodore is very quick. We had a VE SSV and a hired a ZB Commodore, the ZB had its bonnet infront until 110kph then both backed off. The SS wasn't reeling it in either.
@@titin200 that’s impressive! But also not surprising, VE SS only makes like 25kW more with much longer gears
Agree, we have a vf SS and a ZB, I love playing with other SS on the road when I'm driving the ZB😂
An SV6 with Sunwide tyres on it. Fun in the wet I bet...
HAHA yessss
Owned both like my rsv awd better for handling and off line
@@RB-yy7bd yeah the newer one definitely feels more planted
Onslow college top field?
Newlands college bottom field
@@KiwiCarLife 😂
_geez that ZB engine is noticeably more lively than the VF, but I just can’t see the BOGAN youth of today falling in love with it, especially for doing hooligan burnouts 💨💨💨💨_
Yeah agreed haha
@@KWUnt 😂👍🏼👍🏼
Considering 1 of the 2 atm , if i decide the VXRi will de-badge it but leave VXR and get the Opel badge for the grille, the badge is really cheap, i would feel better surrounded by Holden fans in traffic 😂😉
Haha yeah I guess that’s the thing, it’s a fantastic car, but it’s not a commodore
@KiwiCarLife yeah it really should be rebadged as it's really that, my Mustang is a Mustang ( obviously recognisable as a Ford) but the only Ford badge on it is up behind the top of the tint on windscreen behind some small box thing and rear view mirror so it could be rebadged in Russia as a Tatra Mustang 🤷🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣👍
No real commodore fans even recognise the zb as an actual commodore. Holden lovers see the VF as the last real Aussie icon.
Yeah, doesn’t mean the ZB is a bad car though. They should have just called it the insignia
@@KiwiCarLife agreed
Agreed
@@KiwiCarLifeand agreed here the opal should have been called something else rather than commodore
Vf is the real last commodore.. the opel model was laughable..
I thought it was still a good car, they should have just called it an insignia
@@KiwiCarLife I think it was garbage.. and giving it the commodore badge was lazy and honestly insulting to the company. Many other Holden people will say the same thing..
@@therig1339 garbage compared to what? A 1992 Mitsubishi Mirage is garbage… some strong words to describe a modern, fast and well built European sedan
@@KiwiCarLife dude you said yourself, the drivability unless you flog it is lazy and delayed.. the steering is vague and not direct.. and that's compared to a vf .. which is no high bar.
What didn't you like on your extensive test drive ?
Accord euro would eat these around a track
Haha not a stock one that’s for sure!
The zb isn't a Commodore 😅shameful calling it by that name
I think it deserves the name, it’s still a big fast sedan… calling the mustang mach e a mustang is sacrilege though
Wait until you find out apart from the vf and ve they’re all re-engineered opels and vauxhalls
It's sad to see the true soul of the commodore lost with the zb. The zb was definitely for the european car people rather than the holden bogan.
Yeah for sure, still a great car though imo
You need to drive the V8 and HSV models. The V6 ones are just NPC cars
One day!
9 speeds is too many.
Yeah it is too many tbh
The last Commodore is the VF.
The white car is a rebadged poor quality Toyota Camry.
Funny you say that, the ZB feels a lot more premium than the VF haha. But the drive of the Aussie commodore is superior for sure
@KiwiCarLife even pigs with make-up are attractive to some people.
We have a VF ss, ve sv6 and zb Calais, the ve sv6 is a pile of crap, the vf is a weekender, the Zb 9 spd is a fantastic Daily. The 9 spd Auto is way better than a 6 spd, if people want to play gears buy a manual and stop being a wanna B.
Not sure I agree with all of that but nice fleet!
The vf is a woman's car, little girls car same as a vn v6 no real difference, the zb awd smashes it completely the lfx is a cheap engine why the lgx is the real boss, steel crank mate!!! Let it rip, I'll be going around the corner at 180km a hour why the vf is spinning out at 130km into a family eating a KFC family bucket, get a hsv and stop being cheap.
Good lord haha