Which Holden Commodore Version Should You Buy?
For buyers comparing the Holden Commodore versions in this catalogue, the choice comes down to two Sedan generations and several distinct performance levels. The 2 generation covers 1990–1997 and includes 11 listed versions; the 3 generation covers 1997–2002 and includes 10. Every version is Gasoline, RWD, and uses a front, longitudinal engine with distributed multi-point injection.
For buyers comparing the Holden Commodore versions in this catalogue, the choice comes down to two Sedan generations and several distinct performance levels. The 2 generation covers 1990–1997 and includes 11 listed versions; the 3 generation covers 1997–2002 and includes 10. Every version is Gasoline, RWD, and uses a front, longitudinal engine with distributed multi-point injection. The 3.8 models emphasize lower kerb weight and more moderate output, the compressor-equipped 3.8 AT provides strong torque without moving to a V8, and the 4.9, 5.0, and 5.7 versions deliver the highest outputs. Buyers seeking the strongest specification should look at the 320 hp 5.7 MT or 5.7 AT, while the 177 hp 3.8 MT is the least powerful documented option.
Holden Commodore generations compared
The 2 generation was produced from 1990 to 1997 as a Sedan and has 11 listed versions. Its engine choices in this catalogue include 3.8 MT and 3.8 AT versions with 177–207 hp, plus 5.0 MT and 5.0 AT versions with 224 or 248 hp. Manual gearboxes have 5 or 6 speeds, while Automatic versions have 4 or 5 speeds. Recorded kerb weights run from 1,570 to 1,677 kg.
The 3 generation was produced from 1997 to 2002 as a Sedan and has 10 listed versions. It offers 3.8 MT and 3.8 AT versions with 200–233 hp, a 243 hp 4.9 MT, and 5.7 MT or 5.7 AT versions with 306 or 320 hp. Manual transmissions have 5 or 6 speeds, and every Automatic listed here has 4 speeds. Kerb weight ranges from 1,550 to 1,670 kg.
Compared with the 2 generation’s maximum of 248 hp, the 3 generation reaches 320 hp, an increase of 72 hp. Its quickest measured acceleration time is also lower: 6.9 seconds rather than 7.9 seconds from 0–100 km/h. However, generation alone does not determine the better buy. The catalogue contains overlapping 3.8 specifications, and some versions with identical names have different power, torque, gearbox, weight, or performance figures.
Holden Commodore engine options and specs
Duplicate version names are distinguished by power. Identical power outputs can also appear in more than one listed entry where the underlying data records separate versions.
| Generation and exact version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 generation — 3.8 AT, 177 hp | 177 hp | 320 Nm | 3,813 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4-speed | RWD |
| 2 generation — 3.8 MT, 177 hp | 177 hp | 320 Nm | 3,813 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | Manual, 5-speed | RWD |
| 2 generation — 3.8 MT, 177 hp | 177 hp | 320 Nm | 3,813 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | Manual, 5-speed | RWD |
| 2 generation — 3.8 MT, 200 hp | 200 hp | 304 Nm | 3,813 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | Manual, 6-speed | RWD |
| 2 generation — 3.8 AT, 200 hp | 200 hp | 304 Nm | 3,813 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 5-speed | RWD |
| 2 generation — 5.0 MT, 248 hp | 248 hp | 400 Nm | 4,987 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | Manual, 6-speed | RWD |
| 2 generation — 5.0 AT, 248 hp | 248 hp | 400 Nm | 4,987 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4-speed | RWD |
| 2 generation — 5.0 MT, 224 hp | 224 hp | 385 Nm | 5,034 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | Manual, 6-speed | RWD |
| 2 generation — 3.8 MT, 207 hp | 207 hp | 305 Nm | 3,791 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | not measured | Manual, 5-speed | RWD |
| 2 generation — 3.8 AT, 207 hp | 207 hp | 305 Nm | 3,791 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | not measured | Automatic, 4-speed | RWD |
| 2 generation — 3.8 MT, 177 hp | 177 hp | 320 Nm | 3,813 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | Manual, 5-speed | RWD |
| 3 generation — 3.8 MT, 200 hp | 200 hp | 304 Nm | 3,791 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | Manual, 5-speed | RWD |
| 3 generation — 3.8 MT, 207 hp | 207 hp | 305 Nm | 3,791 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | Manual, 5-speed | RWD |
| 3 generation — 3.8 AT, 207 hp | 207 hp | 305 Nm | 3,791 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4-speed | RWD |
| 3 generation — 3.8 AT, 233 hp | 233 hp | 375 Nm | 3,791 cc | Gasoline | Compressor | Automatic, 4-speed | RWD | |
| 3 generation — 4.9 MT, 243 hp | 243 hp | 400 Nm | 4,918 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | Manual, 5-speed | RWD |
| 3 generation — 5.7 MT, 306 hp | 306 hp | 460 Nm | 5,665 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | Manual, 6-speed | RWD |
| 3 generation — 5.7 AT, 306 hp | 306 hp | 460 Nm | 5,665 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4-speed | RWD |
| 3 generation — 5.7 MT, 320 hp | 320 hp | 464 Nm | 5,665 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | Manual, 6-speed | RWD |
| 3 generation — 5.7 AT, 320 hp | 320 hp | 464 Nm | 5,665 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4-speed | RWD |
| 3 generation — 3.8 AT, 233 hp | 233 hp | 375 Nm | 3,791 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | Compressor | Automatic, 4-speed | RWD |
Power per litre helps separate engines that look similar by name. The 177 hp, 3,813 cc 3.8 versions produce about 46.4 hp per litre. The 200 hp, 3,813 cc versions reach about 52.5 hp per litre, while the 207 hp, 3,791 cc versions reach about 54.6 hp per litre. The compressor-equipped 233 hp 3.8 AT delivers about 61.5 hp per litre, the highest ratio among the listed specifications. The 320 hp 5.7 versions produce about 56.5 hp per litre, compared with about 54.0 hp per litre for the 306 hp versions.
Holden Commodore performance, mpg, and fuel economy
| Generation and exact version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | Fuel consumption |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 generation — 3.8 AT, 177 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 2 generation — 3.8 MT, 177 hp | 9.2 s | 195 km/h | not measured |
| 2 generation — 3.8 MT, 177 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 2 generation — 3.8 MT, 200 hp | 9.2 s | 195 km/h | not measured |
| 2 generation — 3.8 AT, 200 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 2 generation — 5.0 MT, 248 hp | 8.0 s | 200 km/h | not measured |
| 2 generation — 5.0 AT, 248 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 2 generation — 5.0 MT, 224 hp | 7.9 s | 210 km/h | not measured |
| 2 generation — 3.8 MT, 207 hp | 9.5 s | not measured | not measured |
| 2 generation — 3.8 AT, 207 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 2 generation — 3.8 MT, 177 hp | 9.2 s | 190 km/h | not measured |
| 3 generation — 3.8 MT, 200 hp | 9.0 s | 200 km/h | not measured |
| 3 generation — 3.8 MT, 207 hp | 9.0 s | 200 km/h | not measured |
| 3 generation — 3.8 AT, 207 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 3 generation — 3.8 AT, 233 hp | 7.9 s | 226 km/h | not measured |
| 3 generation — 4.9 MT, 243 hp | 7.0 s | 240 km/h | not measured |
| 3 generation — 5.7 MT, 306 hp | 6.9 s | 234 km/h | not measured |
| 3 generation — 5.7 AT, 306 hp | 6.9 s | 234 km/h | not measured |
| 3 generation — 5.7 MT, 320 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 3 generation — 5.7 AT, 320 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 3 generation — 3.8 AT, 233 hp | 7.9 s | 226 km/h | not measured |
No city, highway, or combined fuel-consumption figure is measured for any listed version, so Holden Commodore mpg and fuel economy cannot be compared from this data. The 75-litre tank is common to every version, but a shared tank capacity does not establish a shared driving range.
Among versions with complete performance measurements, the 306 hp 5.7 MT and 5.7 AT record the quickest 0–100 km/h time at 6.9 seconds. The 243 hp 4.9 MT is only 0.1 second slower at 7.0 seconds and has the highest measured top speed, 240 km/h—6 km/h above the measured 234 km/h of either 306 hp 5.7 version. The compressor 233 hp 3.8 AT reaches 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds and 226 km/h, improving on the 207 hp 3.8 MT’s measured 9.0 seconds and 200 km/h by 1.1 seconds and 26 km/h.
The 320 hp 5.7 MT and 5.7 AT have 14 hp and 4 Nm more than their 306 hp counterparts, but their acceleration and top-speed figures are not measured. Their higher output therefore cannot be converted into a documented performance advantage here.
Holden Commodore dimensions and weight
Length, width, wheelbase, ground clearance, gross weight, and wheel sizes are not measured for any listed Holden Commodore in this data. Kerb weight and tank capacity are available.
The lightest listed car is the 3 generation 200 hp 3.8 MT at 1,550 kg. Its weight-to-power figure is 7.75 kg per hp. The 3 generation 207 hp 3.8 MT weighs 1,575 kg, or about 7.61 kg per hp, while the corresponding 207 hp 3.8 AT weighs 1,620 kg, giving about 7.83 kg per hp. The Automatic is therefore 45 kg heavier than that Manual specification.
The compressor 233 hp 3.8 AT weighs 1,655 kg and carries about 7.10 kg per hp. The 243 hp 4.9 MT weighs 1,600 kg and improves this to about 6.58 kg per hp. The 306 hp 5.7 MT weighs 1,640 kg, or about 5.36 kg per hp; the 306 hp 5.7 AT weighs 1,670 kg, or about 5.46 kg per hp. The Manual is 30 kg lighter even though both versions have the same measured acceleration and top speed.
Both 320 hp 5.7 versions weigh 1,615 kg, producing the best listed ratio at about 5.05 kg per hp. That is about 0.31 kg per hp better than the 306 hp 5.7 MT, although direct performance confirmation is not measured.
Within the 2 generation, the lightest documented kerb weight is 1,570 kg and the heaviest is 1,677 kg, a difference of 107 kg. The 248 hp 5.0 MT and 5.0 AT both weigh 1,655 kg and deliver about 6.67 kg per hp. The 224 hp 5.0 MT also weighs 1,655 kg but carries about 7.39 kg per hp. At equal weight, the 248 hp specification provides 24 hp and 15 Nm more.
Which Holden Commodore version to choose
Choose the 177 hp 3.8 MT from the 2 generation if the priority is the lowest documented output level and a relatively low 1,570 kg kerb weight. Where performance is measured, it reaches 100 km/h in 9.2 seconds; top speed is listed as either 190 or 195 km/h for separate entries. Because repeated database entries share the same exact version name and power, the individual specification must be checked before purchase.
Choose the 207 hp 3.8 MT from the 3 generation over the 200 hp 3.8 MT if modestly greater output matters. It adds 7 hp and 1 Nm, while both record 9.0 seconds to 100 km/h and 200 km/h. The 207 hp car is 25 kg heavier, so the extra output does not produce a measured acceleration or top-speed improvement in this catalogue.
Choose the compressor 233 hp 3.8 AT if you want the strongest 3.8 specification. Compared with the 207 hp 3.8 AT, it adds 26 hp and 70 Nm while adding 35 kg. Its 375 Nm arrives at 3,000 rpm, whereas the 207 hp version’s 305 Nm arrives at 3,600 rpm. It is also the only listed 3.8 with measured performance of 7.9 seconds and 226 km/h.
Choose the 243 hp 4.9 MT if measured speed matters more than headline horsepower. It gives up 63 hp and 60 Nm to the 306 hp 5.7 MT, yet its measured 240 km/h top speed is 6 km/h higher and its 7.0-second acceleration time is only 0.1 second slower. It also weighs 40 kg less.
Choose a 306 hp 5.7 MT or 5.7 AT if you want the quickest performance supported by measurements. Both record 6.9 seconds to 100 km/h and 234 km/h. The Manual has 6 speeds and weighs 1,640 kg; the Automatic has 4 speeds and weighs 1,670 kg. With identical output and measured performance, the choice is primarily between transmission type and a 30 kg weight difference.
Choose the 320 hp 5.7 MT for the strongest power-to-weight specification and a Manual transmission, or the 320 hp 5.7 AT for the same 320 hp, 464 Nm, and 1,615 kg with an Automatic. Both improve on the 306 hp versions by 14 hp and 4 Nm, but neither has measured acceleration or top speed. They are the numerical performance leaders on engine output and weight per horsepower, not the verified leaders on road performance.
This catalogue provides no prices, sale listings, economy figures, reliability records, or problem data. A value judgment based on purchase price, fuel cost, engine warning lights, maintenance, or reliability is therefore not possible. On the measured specifications alone, the 243 hp 4.9 MT is the top-speed choice, the 306 hp 5.7 versions are the acceleration choices, and the 320 hp 5.7 versions offer the highest output and best weight-to-power ratio.