Which Holden Statesman Version Should You Buy?
The Holden Statesman in this catalogue covers two Sedan generations produced from 1990 through 2006. Choosing among them is mainly a choice between the first generation’s lighter, simpler 3.8 AT versions and the second generation’s broader range, which adds a compressor-equipped 3.8 AT and the most powerful 5.7 AT. Every version is Gasoline, Automatic, RWD and uses a front, longitudinal engine.
The Holden Statesman in this catalogue covers two Sedan generations produced from 1990 through 2006. Choosing among them is mainly a choice between the first generation’s lighter, simpler 3.8 AT versions and the second generation’s broader range, which adds a compressor-equipped 3.8 AT and the most powerful 5.7 AT. Every version is Gasoline, Automatic, RWD and uses a front, longitudinal engine. The key trade-offs are measurable: power ranges from 175 hp to 306 hp, torque from 295 Nm to 460 Nm, kerb weight from 1,520 kg to 1,735 kg, and measured acceleration from 9 seconds to 7.7 seconds.
Holden Statesman generations: what changed?
The first generation ran from 1990 to 1998 as a Sedan with two versions, both named 3.8 AT. The 175 hp 3.8 AT produces 295 Nm, while the 200 hp 3.8 AT produces 304 Nm. Both have a kerb weight of 1,520 kg, 113 mm of ground clearance and an 80-litre fuel tank. Therefore, the 200 hp car adds 25 hp and 9 Nm without adding kerb weight. Its measured 0–100 km/h time is 8.8 seconds rather than 9 seconds, although its measured top speed is 195 km/h rather than 198 km/h.
The second generation ran from 1999 to 2006 as a Sedan with four versions. Its range comprises a 200 hp 3.8 AT, a 207 hp 3.8 AT, a 233 hp 3.8 AT with Compressor, and a 306 hp 5.7 AT. All have 150 mm of ground clearance and a 75-litre tank. Compared with the first generation, that is 37 mm more ground clearance but 5 litres less tank capacity. Kerb weight varies substantially within this generation, from 1,520 kg for the 200 hp 3.8 AT to 1,735 kg for the 5.7 AT.
Holden Statesman engine and specs
Because several cars share the exact name 3.8 AT, each one is identified below by generation and horsepower.
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 3.8 AT, 175 hp | 175 hp | 295 Nm | 3,791 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First generation 3.8 AT, 200 hp | 200 hp | 304 Nm | 3,791 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second generation 3.8 AT, 200 hp | 200 hp | 304 Nm | 3,791 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second generation 3.8 AT, 207 hp | 207 hp | 305 Nm | 3,791 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second generation 3.8 AT, 233 hp | 233 hp | 375 Nm | 3,791 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | Compressor | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second generation 5.7 AT, 306 hp | 306 hp | 460 Nm | 5,665 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
The 3.8 AT versions illustrate how output changed without a larger recorded displacement. At approximately 46.2 hp per litre, the first-generation 175 hp car has the lowest specific output. The 200 hp versions make approximately 52.8 hp per litre, the 207 hp version approximately 54.6 hp per litre, and the Compressor-equipped 233 hp version approximately 61.5 hp per litre. The 5.7 AT produces approximately 54.0 hp per litre, but its 5,665 cc displacement gives it the highest total power and torque.
The first-generation 175 hp 3.8 AT has an 8.5 compression ratio and a 97 × 86 bore and stroke. The naturally aspirated 200 hp and 207 hp 3.8 AT specifications use a 9.4 compression ratio and 96.5 × 86.4 bore and stroke. The Compressor 233 hp 3.8 AT returns to an 8.5 compression ratio while retaining the 96.5 × 86.4 figures. The 5.7 AT has a 10.1 compression ratio and 99 × 92 bore and stroke. Every listed engine uses Distributed injection (multi-point), has 2 valves per cylinder and specifies 95 fuel.
Holden Statesman performance and fuel economy
| Generation and version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 3.8 AT, 175 hp | 9 seconds | 198 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| First generation 3.8 AT, 200 hp | 8.8 seconds | 195 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation 3.8 AT, 200 hp | 8.7 seconds | 200 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation 3.8 AT, 207 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation 3.8 AT, 233 hp | 8.6 seconds | 225 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation 5.7 AT, 306 hp | 7.7 seconds | 230 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
The second-generation 5.7 AT is the performance choice: it reaches 100 km/h 0.9 seconds sooner than the Compressor 233 hp 3.8 AT and has a measured top speed 5 km/h higher. Compared with the second-generation 200 hp 3.8 AT, the 5.7 AT adds 106 hp and 156 Nm, cuts 1 second from the measured 0–100 km/h time, and raises measured top speed by 30 km/h.
The Compressor 233 hp 3.8 AT is the middle ground on output. Against the second-generation 207 hp 3.8 AT, it adds 26 hp and 70 Nm, although acceleration and top-speed figures for the 207 hp version are not measured, so a complete performance comparison cannot be made. Fuel consumption is not measured for any version; no supported mpg ranking is therefore possible.
Holden Statesman dimensions, weight and capacity
Overall length, wheelbase and other exterior dimensions are not measured for any listed version. Wheel sizes are also not measured. Gross weight is not measured throughout the range.
| Generation and version | Kerb weight | Weight per horsepower | Ground clearance | Tank | Wheel sizes | Gross weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 3.8 AT, 175 hp | 1,520 kg | 8.69 kg/hp | 113 mm | 80 litres | not measured | not measured |
| First generation 3.8 AT, 200 hp | 1,520 kg | 7.60 kg/hp | 113 mm | 80 litres | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation 3.8 AT, 200 hp | 1,520 kg | 7.60 kg/hp | 150 mm | 75 litres | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation 3.8 AT, 207 hp | 1,680 kg | 8.12 kg/hp | 150 mm | 75 litres | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation 3.8 AT, 233 hp | 1,720 kg | 7.38 kg/hp | 150 mm | 75 litres | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation 5.7 AT, 306 hp | 1,735 kg | 5.67 kg/hp | 150 mm | 75 litres | not measured | not measured |
The second-generation 200 hp 3.8 AT is notable because it matches the first-generation 200 hp 3.8 AT at 1,520 kg, 200 hp and 304 Nm. Its measurable differences are 37 mm more ground clearance, a 5-litre smaller tank, a 0.1-second quicker 0–100 km/h result and a 5 km/h higher top speed.
All versions use Independent, spring suspension at both ends and Ventilated disc front brakes. The first-generation 175 hp 3.8 AT also has ventilated rear discs; rear brakes on the other listed versions are Disc.
Holden Statesman reliability and problems
Problems, reliability records and service-reset procedures are not measured in the supplied data. The specifications therefore cannot support a reliability ranking between the two generations or among the 3.8 AT and 5.7 AT versions. A purchase decision based on reliability requires information beyond this catalogue entry.
Which Holden Statesman version should you buy?
Choose the first-generation 3.8 AT with 200 hp if you want the stronger of the two early cars. It has the same 1,520 kg kerb weight as the 175 hp version but provides 25 hp and 9 Nm more, improving the weight-to-power figure from 8.69 to 7.60 kg/hp. Its measured acceleration advantage is modest at 0.2 seconds, and the 175 hp car retains a 3 km/h higher measured top speed.
Choose the second-generation 3.8 AT with 200 hp if ground clearance matters more than maximum output. It preserves the earlier 200 hp car’s power, torque and kerb weight while increasing clearance from 113 mm to 150 mm. Among second-generation versions, it is also the lightest by 160 kg compared with the 207 hp 3.8 AT, by 200 kg compared with the Compressor 233 hp 3.8 AT, and by 215 kg compared with the 5.7 AT.
The second-generation 207 hp 3.8 AT is difficult to recommend from specifications alone. It gains just 7 hp and 1 Nm over the second-generation 200 hp 3.8 AT while adding 160 kg. Its weight-to-power figure consequently worsens from 7.60 to 8.12 kg/hp, and its acceleration and top speed are not measured.
Choose the second-generation Compressor 233 hp 3.8 AT if you want substantially more torque without moving to the 5.7 AT. Relative to the 207 hp 3.8 AT, it adds 26 hp and 70 Nm for 40 kg of additional kerb weight. It records 8.6 seconds to 100 km/h and 225 km/h.
Choose the second-generation 5.7 AT if performance is the priority. Its 306 hp and 460 Nm lead the range, while its 5.67 kg/hp figure is the strongest power-to-weight result. It weighs only 15 kg more than the Compressor 3.8 AT yet adds 73 hp and 85 Nm. With the quickest measured acceleration and highest measured top speed, the 5.7 AT is the clearest specification-led choice when outright performance matters most.