2013 HSV Maloo Manual Review
2013 HSV MALOO REVIEW
Vehicle Style: Performance utility
Price: $58,990 (plus on-roads)
Engine/trans: 317kW/550Nm 8cyl petrol | 6spd manual
Fuel Economy claimed: 13.5 l/100km | tested: 16.5 l/100km
OVERVIEW
A thumping great big V8 up front, three pedals and a stick in the middle, driven wheels at the back and a big ol’ tub for your gear.
The only way this combo could be more Australian is if it came equipped with a wombat in the tub.
It’s the HSV Maloo, the entrypoint to HSV Gen-F ownership and, at $58,990, a bit of a performance bargain.
Nothing South of $60k offers as much power (317kW) and torque (550Nm), although FPV’s offering comes close. And, being a ute, it’s also got more than a modicum of practicality.
Straight line performance is, as you’d expect, rather good, but one thing that continues to surprise us about HSV’s utes is just how well they handle. With the arrival of the VF Commodore based Gen-F Maloo, it’s only gotten better.
INTERIOR | RATING: 3/5
Quality: The arrival of the VF brought a massive lift in interior quality for HSV’s product line - not just in presentation, but in materials used.
There’s more soft-touch surfacing, the suede-upholstered dashpad is a nice touch and the silver trimmings give the Maloo’s cabin an upmarket air.
There are still some hard and scratchy plastics on the lower dash and centre console, but, by and large, this is a hugely improved interior.