WASHINGTON — Most people are asking, “What’s the Chevrolet SS Sedan?” I say, “I’m driving an SS manual,” and they say, “oh the new Camaro.”
Nope.
This is simply called an SS sedan, and Chevrolet imports about 2,000 each year from Holden, in Australia. It’s the same division of GM that gave us the Pontiac GTO from 2004 to 2006 and the G8 sedan from 2008 to 2009 before Pontiac shut down. Holden also produces the Chevrolet Caprice police car. Most of their cars are all-rear drive, usually have a V8 engine and are a bit more fun to drive than the usual sedan.
The SS sedan is no different, but the 2016 version saw some improvements for its third year here in the States. The front-end styling is a bit more aggressive than before with functional hood vents and LED lighting. New 19-inch wheels with painted pockets on the spokes are different; it took a bit of time for me to warm up to them. But the SS sedan isn’t very flashy outside. It’s a bit subdued compared with the Dodge Charger, but still I like the SS look. I’m not one who has to have the flash.
Manual transmissions are rare; in large sedans, even more so. This SS sedan pretty much stands alone in the V8-engine, shift-your-own-gears column. The addition of magnetic ride control is an improvement from the 2014. It now allows the feel of a touring car or select performance and the suspension tightens up nicely.
The LS3 V8 engine sounds gutsy, and with 415 horsepower and manual transmission it moves swiftly and pops and makes nice noises when downshifting and decelerating. The shifter is better than I thought, with just a hint of force needed, and shift throws are shorter than my 2004 Pontiac GTO, but not Miata-like. The clutch is rather light for a V8, and second-gear starts are no problem.
What’s really surprising is the handling, and just how well this big car dances and likes corners as much as going fast in a straightaway. It doesn’t beat you up, either; long trips or trips to work are a joy if you don’t mind shifting or choose an automatic (if you must).
Fuel economy isn’t what this car is about. I managed 17.7 miles per gallon during a week of spirited driving. The sticker says 17 miles per gallon — a small victory.
The inside has good space, with heated and ventilated leather seats up front and a convenient heads-up display for the driver. The SS sedan only comes loaded: The only options are color, sunroof, transmission and a spare tire. Included are leather, NAV, an eight-inch screen and a rear-vision camera. It will also park itself with automatic parking assist, which works well.
Space for three in the back seat is real, thanks to the full size. Three children fit with various child seats. Only a few hard plastic trim pieces take away from the interior, such as on the A pillar between the windshield and door. It seems a bit cheap in a $48,000 car. Trunk space is also good.
The Chevrolet SS sedan, a fun-to-drive sedan, does a good job as a family car and doubles as a track car on the weekends. The V8 engine and manual transmission has me thinking of adding one to my driveway before Holden closes up shop in 2017 and we lose another really good car that not many people know about.
Mike Parris is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association. The vehicles are provided by STI, FMI or Event Solutions for the purpose of this review.
