The spacious and well-equipped Holden Epica CDTi offers an interesting alternative to a base model Commodore Omega sedan. When equipped with the optional leather upholstery, this flagship diesel version costs $35,490 compared with the Omega’s $36,790. If you could take the strong points of both, while eliminating the flaws, you would have an almost ideal family sedan.
The Epica, which is a Daewoo beneath prominent Holden badging, shares some styling cues with the more recently designed VE Commodore. In profile, there is a surprising similarity, although the Australian car has more flair. From front-on, they are very similar. The CDi model gets 17-inch alloy wheels and a body kit, which serve to lower the visual centre of gravity.
Three major points in the Epica’s favour are the diesel engine (not available in Commodore), six-speed automatic transmission (compared with the old four-speeder used in the Omega) and split-fold rear seat. Combine these and Holden’s mid-sizer appears every bit the early twenty-first century all-rounder.
In most respects the Epica drives well, without disguising its front-wheel drive configuration. The big negative is steering which is absurdly light at low speeds. It reminds me of Japanese cars of the 1970s and early 1980s with some lost motion at the straight-ahead position and no resistance whatsoever to pressure on the rim. There is no sense that the steering mechanism is directly connected to the front wheels and this is a car you drive by sight. Yes, you quickly get used to it, but it is a big negative. The steering firms up markedly as speeds rise, while still transmitting no road feel.
In other respects, this is a pleasant car to drive. It feels solid and rides quite well. Little road noise is transmitted to the comfortable cabin. There is some torque steer but it is not excessive. And the 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine is a gem, pulling eagerly from very low rpm to give the Epica strong acceleration.
Initial impressions, enhanced by the leather trim, are of a good quality car offering excellent accommodation for five adults and their luggage. Not only does the rear seat have the split-fold feature so sorely missing from Commodore sedans, but it also adds a ski-port. The boot itself deserves the adjective cavernous. This is quite a wide car and it offers more interior space than any pre-1988 Commodore.
Interior finish is excellent and the topline CDi model has delightful touches of what looks exactly like brushed aluminium on the steering wheel spokes and handbrake lever. This is a good quality interior with soft-feel plastics and excellent fit and finish. It is pleasing, too, to get a trip computer and Tiptronic-style manual gate for the lovely, smooth automatic transmission. Forward vision is also good, which is not the case in any VE Commodore.
This may not be the most economical diesel sedan on the market, but the official figure of 7.6 litres per 100 kilometres disguises a capacity to drop into the very low fives in open road cruising (thanks to tall overall gearing). With 110 kW of power at 4000 rpm to combine with 320 Nm of torque at just 2000 rpm, the Epica diesel is a good performer. In summary, the numb steering guarantees the Epica CDTi will not appeal to enthusiasts but the car is nevertheless something of a diesel family sedan bargain. You’ll pay thousands more for a Ford Mondeo diesel or similar money for a petrol Camry with a lower specification level.
Thumbs-up:
Fantastic value, excellent packaging, impressive diesel engine
Thumbs-down:
Light steering at low speeds
