Holden Crewman

Holden Ute
Company type	Vehicle model
Industry	Automotive
Predecessor	Holden Utility (VG), Holden Commodore utility (VP, VR, VS)
Founded	2000
Defunct	2017
Products	Coupe utility vehicles
Parent	Holden (General Motors)

The Holden Ute, also referred to as the Holden Commodore Ute, is a coupe utility vehicle manufactured by Holden, the Australian branch of General Motors, from 2000 until 2017. Prior Commodore-based utility models were sold under names such as Holden Utility (VG) and Holden Commodore utility (VP, VR, VS), although the designation “Holden Ute” was frequently employed in official promotions. In Australian vernacular, "ute" is a widely used abbreviation for utility vehicles. Holden's performance arm, HSV, developed a sportier variant known as the HSV Maloo. Between 2003 and 2007, a stretched four-door, five-seat version called the Holden Crewman crew cab was available, while from 2003 to 2005, a Holden One Tonner cab-chassis model was also offered.

The initial Ute based on the VX Commodore debuted with a locally produced 3.8-litre Ecotec V6 engine designed by Buick. An optional 5.7-litre Generation III V8 was offered, which was later replaced in 2006 by a 6.0-litre Generation IV engine, subsequently upgraded to the L98 specification. In 2004, the V6 option transitioned to a 3.6-litre Alloytec powerplant.

Plans existed for the Australian-assembled Ute to enter the US market as the Pontiac G8 ST alongside the four-door G8 sedan starting in 2009; however, General Motors canceled these plans in January 2009 following a comprehensive company-wide model evaluation amid the 2008 financial crisis. Exports of the G8 sedan continued without interruption. Additionally, this Ute was marketed in South Africa as the Chevrolet Lumina SS beginning in 2006/07 and entered Middle Eastern markets from 2009/10 onward. This marked Chevrolet’s return to full-size coupé utilities since discontinuing the Chevrolet El Camino in 1987, despite never being released in the United States.

First generation

The inaugural Holden Ute, designated as the Holden 50-2106, was derived from the Holden 48-215 model.

Second generation

This iteration updated the original 50-2106 design and was based on FE to EK Holden sedans, utilizing their sedan body platform as its foundation.

Third generation

Enhancements in this generation included retaining the full-length floorpan while adopting a longer wheelbase sourced from the station wagon variant.

Fifth generation

The HQ-WB series introduced a complete body redesign by replacing the station wagon floorpan with a shorter style limited to just the front row of seats. This generation also marked the introduction of the Holden One Tonner cab-chassis variant. The HQ ute stands out historically as the sole 'Muscle era' Holden ute approved to accommodate a 350 cubic-inch Chevrolet Small Block V8 engine without requiring engineering approval. This boosted its popularity despite restrictions for novice drivers (P-Platers) in regions such as Victoria.

VU

The VU series debuted as Holden’s new Ute model, succeeding the VS Utility. Released three years after the Holden VT Commodore sedan and coinciding with the launch of the VX Commodore series, it shared its wheelbase with both the VT station wagon and WH Statesman/Caprice, extended by . The interior design mirrored that of the Commodore with VX’s updated equipment and styling enhancements.

Base: Built on Commodore Executive specifications; engine choices included a 3.8-litre Ecotec V6 (available with a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmission) or a 5.7-litre Generation III V8 (offered with either a 6-speed manual or 4-speed automatic).
S: Modeled after Commodore 'S'; equipped with a 3.8-litre Ecotec V6 (transmission options: 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual).
SS: Based on Commodore SS but without side-impact airbags; powered by a 5.7-litre Generation III V8 (transmission choices: 6-speed manual or 4-speed automatic).

A minor update arrived with the VU Series II release alongside the VX Series II.

In October 2001, Holden introduced a limited edition called "SS Fifty" to commemorate its 50th anniversary. Restricted to only 500 units featuring black paintwork and partial leather interiors accented with "hyper yellow," this edition included exclusive touches such as a chrome sports bar, an engine cover finished in black and yellow, leather-wrapped controls, and instrument clusters color-matched to yellow highlights.

The VU lineup was replaced by the VY series in September 2002.

VY

The 2002 VY lineup represented the first significant update for Holden's Ute series, introducing a more defined front fascia and an interior design inspired by European aesthetics, consistent with the sedan and wagon revisions. The trio of existing trims—Base, S, and SS—remained available, each receiving upgraded features.

In 2003, the range expanded notably with the return of the One Tonner cab-chassis utility after an 18-year hiatus, alongside the debut of Holden's inaugural 4-door utility, the Crewman. The Crewman came with an extended wheelbase (3206 mm compared to the Ute’s 2939 mm) but featured a shorter cargo tray (1463 mm versus 2193 mm), catering to customers requiring increased cabin space. Later that year, in December 2003, Holden launched the all-wheel-drive Crewman Cross 8, equipped with a 225 kW V8 engine and designed to offer off-road capabilities paired with distinctive styling enhancements.

The introduction of the Crewman and One Tonner significantly boosted sales for Holden Utes, marking the first major growth since the model’s reintroduction in 1990. The Ute was offered in Base, S, and SS trims, while the One Tonner was limited to Base and S variants:

Base: Derived from Commodore Executive, powered by a 3.8-litre 152 kW Ecotec V6—available with either a 4-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual transmission
S: Based on Commodore S, featuring identical V6 engine choices
SS: Based on Commodore SS, equipped with a 5.7-litre 235 kW Gen 3 V8—offered with a 4-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual gearbox

Crewman variants shared specifications with their Ute counterparts but received a power increase of 10 kW to the Gen 3 V8 in the Series 2 update. The AWD Crewman Cross 8 stood out with higher ground clearance, wider wheel arches, and additional equipment; it was exclusively powered by the enhanced Gen 3 V8 paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Both One Tonner and Crewman V6 models were only available with automatic gearboxes. The VY series was eventually replaced by the VZ lineup in August 2004.

VZ

Introduced in August 2004, the VZ range was the final iteration of Holden's VT-generation vehicles. Its most notable advancement was the debut of the new Alloytec V6 engine, which took over from the Ecotec V6 that had been in use since 1995. While sedans were offered with both Alloytec V6 engine variants, utes came standard with the smaller Alloytec 175 unit, mated to either a six-speed manual or an upgraded four-speed automatic transmission as an option. The One Tonner and Crewman models shared similar specifications:

Base: Based on Commodore Executive trim; powered by a 3.6-litre 175 kW Alloytec V6—available with six-speed manual or four-speed automatic
S: Initially based on Commodore SV6 featuring the same 3.6-litre Alloytec V6 (175 kW) and transmission options; rebranded as SV6 in August 2006, gaining a five-speed automatic option and an increase in output to 190 kW
SS: Derived from Commodore SS (excluding side-impact airbags on cab-chassis models), offered with either a 5.7-litre 235 kW Generation 3 V8 or a new 6.0-litre 260 kW Generation 4 'L98' V8—transmissions included six-speed manual or four-speed automatic

The Crewman returned in Cross 8 form alongside the newly added Crewman Cross 6, which was essentially a V6 version of the Cross 8.

The One Tonner lineup included:

Base: Commodore Executive-based models featuring either the 3.6-litre Alloytec V6 (175 kW) or the 5.7-litre Generation 3 V8 (235 kW)
S: Built on Commodore SV6 trim but without fog lights; engine choices matched those of Base
Cross 6: All-wheel-drive One Tonner powered by the automatic-only 3.6-litre Alloytec V6 (175 kW)
SVZ: SV6-based variant equipped with leather upholstery, paddle shifters, Monaro CV8 wheels; powered by an enhanced version of the Alloytec V6 producing 195 kW

Production of the One Tonner ended in December 2005 to allocate manufacturing capacity for the forthcoming VE Commodore.

The ute range remained consistent until January 2006 when Holden introduced new L76 Generation 4 V8 engines to comply with Australia's stricter Euro III emissions regulations. These engines delivered an additional power increase of approximately 10 kW compared to their predecessors but omitted features such as Displacement on Demand and variable valve timing found in US-market versions. Additionally, emissions adjustments caused a slight reduction of around 3 kW in output for the Alloytec 175 engine.

Sales of VZ Utes and Wagons continued well beyond the launch of VE sedans; however, by December 2006 production ceased for Crewman models and AWD ute variants due to weak demand. The One Tonner was also discontinued once again. The VZ Utes were ultimately succeeded by the eighth-generation VE Ute series introduced in September 2007.

VE

Introduced in 2007, the VE Ute, derived from the VE Commodore, was designed to appeal to the expanding segment of lifestyle-oriented utility vehicles, moving away from purely utilitarian functions.

Omega: Entry-level trim powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine delivering and ; manual transmission variants featured a High-Output V6 generating and until mid-2009.
SV6: A sportier version equipped with an enhanced 3.6-litre High-Output V6 producing and .
SS: V8 variant fitted with a 6-litre V8 engine outputting and .
SS-V: Premium SS model maintaining the same 6-litre V8 performance figures.
SS-V Redline (Series II): A performance-focused edition including Brembo braking systems, 19-inch alloy wheels, FE3 Super Sports Suspension, and a compulsory tyre inflation kit.

This generation did not offer double-cab, cab-chassis, or all-wheel-drive options, unlike earlier models.

VF

The VF Ute featured refreshed styling and updated equipment while preserving much of the VE’s rear body design. Production ended in 2017 due to the shutdown of Holden’s manufacturing facilities in Australia. Subsequently, Holden continued to import the Holden Colorado until its discontinuation in 2020.

Holden Special Vehicles

Since 1992, Holden Special Vehicles (HSV), Holden’s performance division, has produced a high-performance ute known as the Maloo, strengthening Holden’s foothold in the performance utility segment.

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