The Holden VX Commodore: A Genuine Australian Icon at the Turn of the Millennium
To understand the significance of the Holden VX Commodore, you have to rewind just a few years before 2000. The Australian car industry in the late 1990s was a fascinating battleground dominated by two big names: Holden and Ford. In 1997, Holden had launched the VT Commodore, a car that reset the large car segment. It was bigger, more rounded, more comfortable, and far more modern than anything the company had built before. The VT became an instant sales success, and more importantly, it gave Holden a commanding lead over its arch‑rival, the Ford Falcon, which was struggling with the controversial AU design that many buyers found too quirky. By the time the calendar flipped to 2000, Holden’s momentum was unstoppable. But the company knew it couldn’t rest. The automotive world was moving fast, and the competition was about to strike back. The answer was the VX Commodore – an evolution, not a revolution, but one that would cement Holden’s dominance for years to come.
The VX Commodore arrived in August 2000, at a moment when Australia was already gripped by Olympic fever. The Sydney Olympics were just around the corner, and the country was celebrating its place on the world stage. Holden, as a major sponsor, was about to play a starring role in the games, but more on that later. The car itself was a direct response to the Ford AU Falcon Series II, which had been launched earlier in the year with a host of refinements aimed at fixing the AU’s polarising looks and improving its drivability. Holden’s designers and engineers didn’t need to reinvent the wheel; they just needed to sharpen it. And that’s exactly what they did.
The most obvious change on the VX was the front end. The VT’s relatively soft, rounded headlamps were replaced by sharper, teardrop‑shaped units with clear lenses, giving the car a more aggressive and focused stare. This wasn’t just about style – the new lights improved illumination and gave the Commodore a distinctive face that set it apart from its predecessor. At the rear, the taillights were also redesigned, with a cleaner, more integrated look. The overall effect was subtle but effective: the VX looked like a car that meant business. The sporty SS model received even more attention, with a deeper front bumper featuring HSV‑style air intakes, a unique grille, and a set of five‑spoke alloy wheels that became instantly recognisable to enthusiasts. Even the base Executive model looked more premium, helping Holden appeal to fleet buyers and families alike.
Under the bonnet, the VX brought one of the most significant changes in Holden’s history: the introduction of the Gen III V8 engine. This 5.7‑litre unit, sourced from Chevrolet in the United States, replaced the old Australian‑designed 5.0‑litre V8 that had been a mainstay for decades. The Gen III was a revelation. It produced 225 kilowatts of power and 460 newton‑metres of torque, figures that left the Falcon’s V8 trailing. More importantly, it was lighter, more refined, and far more responsive than the engine it replaced. Enthusiasts quickly discovered that the Gen III responded exceptionally well to modifications, with simple changes like exhaust upgrades and cold air intakes unlocking even more power. This engine would go on to power not just Commodores, but also the iconic HSV models and even the revived Monaro coupe. For many, the Gen III V8 is the heart of the VX experience – a raw, muscular, yet surprisingly smooth powerplant that makes every drive an event.
Of course, not everyone needed or wanted a V8. The faithful 3.8‑litre EcoTech V6 continued under the bonnet of most VX Commodores, producing 152kW and a healthy 305Nm of torque. This engine was known for its durability and reasonable fuel economy, making it the choice for company cars, taxis, and families. A supercharged version of the same V6 was available in the sporty S pack and the upmarket Calais, offering V8‑rivaling torque without the fuel penalty. The VX also benefited from revisions to the suspension and steering, making it even more composed on rough Australian roads. Holden’s engineers had learned a lot from the VT, and the VX felt more polished, with better body control and a more direct steering feel.
The interior of the VX received minor updates as well. The dashboard layout was largely carried over from the VT, but materials quality improved, and new seat fabrics were introduced. The SS and Calais models featured sportier or more luxurious trims, with the Calais offering leather upholstery, woodgrain accents, and a premium sound system. Safety was also a focus: the VX introduced side airbags as an option on higher‑spec models, and all versions came with dual front airbags and ABS brakes. While primitive by today’s standards, this was cutting‑edge for a large family car in 2000.
But the VX Commodore is more than just a collection of specifications and design tweaks. It is a car that lived through one of Australia’s most celebratory periods. The Sydney 2000 Olympics were a coming‑out party for the nation, and Holden was right in the middle of it. The company supplied a fleet of 3,000 VT Series II Commodores – built just before the VX arrived – to ferry athletes, officials, and VIPs during the games. However, the most memorable moment came during the torch relay. Racing legend Peter Brock, a name synonymous with Holden, handed the Olympic flame to his protégé and fellow Holden driver Craig Lowndes. Lowndes then climbed into his Holden Racing Team V8 Supercar and took the flame for a lap of the Mount Panorama circuit in Bathurst. The flame was secured in a special canister, and the sight of a roaring Commodore carrying the Olympic torch around Australia’s most famous race track is an image that has stayed with fans for decades. It was a perfect marriage of sport, national pride, and automotive passion.
The VX series also enjoyed tremendous success on the racetrack. The year 2000 was a vintage season for Holden in the V8 Supercars championship. Drivers like Mark Skaife, Garth Tander, and Steven Richards won multiple rounds, and the brand’s winning streak extended to an incredible 18 consecutive rounds – a record that still stands today. The VX‑based race cars were fast, reliable, and often dominant, further cementing Holden’s reputation as the “winning” brand. For fans who watched the races on television on Sunday afternoons, seeing a Commodore cross the finish line first made them proud to drive one to work on Monday morning. That emotional connection between the racetrack and the showroom floor was something Holden understood better than anyone.
Of course, the VX wasn’t perfect. Early examples of the Gen III V8 suffered from reliability issues, including problems with piston slap and oil consumption. The automatic transmission, a four‑speed unit, was dated and could feel sluggish compared to more modern units. Some owners complained about minor electrical gremlins, and the interior plastics, while improved, still weren’t class‑leading. But none of these flaws seemed to matter to the thousands of Australians who bought VX Commodores. For them, the car offered something intangible: a sense of identity. It was Australian‑made, Australian‑engineered, and it spoke to a time when the country was confident and looking forward.
Today, the VX Commodore has become a sought‑after classic. Prices for clean, unmodified examples have been steadily rising, especially for V8 models with a manual transmission. Enthusiast groups on social media are filled with photos of restored VXs, modified project cars, and stories of long road trips. The car’s design, which once looked contemporary, now has a nostalgic charm. The teardrop headlights, the clean lines, and the muscular stance all evoke an era that feels both recent and distant. For many, owning a VX is not just about driving a car; it’s about preserving a piece of Australian history.
The VX Commodore’s legacy extends beyond its own lifespan. The platform and engines it introduced would continue to serve Holden well into the 2000s, powering the VY and VZ models that followed. The Gen III V8 evolved into the LS series, which became legendary in performance circles around the world. And the car’s success helped Holden maintain its leadership in the large car segment for years, even as SUVs began to erode the market. When Holden finally ceased manufacturing in Australia in 2017, it was the end of an era. But cars like the VX Commodore ensure that the spirit of Australian motoring lives on.
So, whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast, a young driver discovering the thrill of a rear‑wheel‑drive V8 for the first time, or just someone who appreciates good design and engineering, the VX Commodore deserves your attention. It’s not just a car; it’s a time capsule of a moment when Australia stood tall on the world stage, and Holden was right there, leading the charge. And that’s a story worth telling, again and again.
