The next-generation 2018 Holden Commodore Sportwagon has been revealed. Holden has confirmed it will continue the Sportwagon name, rather than introduce the Sports Tourer badge worn by the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia version.

Identical to its liftback sedan companion up front, the wagon is set apart not only by the obvious body differences, but also courtesy of a chrome roof trim that runs along the top of the windows and down the D-pillar, terminating inside the deep red LED tail lamps.


The new wagon measures 4986 mm long and rides on a 2829 mm wheelbase, the latter matching the liftback while the former represents an 87 mm stretch. In the rear cargo area, the Sportwagon claims 520 litres of storage space with the rear seats upright, growing to 1640 litres when laid flat. The new liftback model offers 490 to 1450 litres.

On the convenience front, access to the loading area will be improved through the addition of a powered tailgate operated by foot gesture. A second swipe of the foot beneath the rear bumper will close the tailgate, and an obstruction detection sensor will stop the process if needed.

The Sport Tourer will be offered with 2.0-litre turbo petrol and turbo diesel engines. Front- and all-wheel drive configurations will also be on offer, depending on the specification.


Australian variants of the new Commodore will also get four-cylinder engines, although a naturally aspirated 313 hp/370 Nm V6 will also feature at the top end of both the liftback and Sportwagon lines.

GM’s new nine-speed automatic transmission, developed together with Ford – will make its local debut in the new Commodore range, while the all-wheel drive system will be the same ‘Twinster’ design that features in the Ford Focus RS, supplied by UK company GKN.


Standout technology in the new Commodore will include IntelliLux LED matrix headlights, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist with steering correction and lane departure warning, rear-cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, adaptive suspension, and a head-up display. Other features will include massaging seats, rear one-touch folding seats, heated front and rear seats, ventilated front seats, auto up/down for all windows, and active noise cancellation. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will also feature, operated through an 8.0-inch main display.

A jacked-up Country Tourer model, rivalling the likes of Subaru’s Outback, will also be offered in Europe and, while not confirmed for Australia, the massive popularity of anything vaguely SUV-styled could make this one a shoo-in for our market.