"This is the new VT Commodore wagon, isn't it?" he asked.

"She looks a bit of alright. Nice inside, too", as he peered through the windows. "What is it - a Berlina. That's roughly equivalent to the old Premier, isn't it?"

Holden Premier - a name to conjure up memories. Premier was top of the Holden model-tree in an era when most Australians had basically three marques to choose from, and the General's Holden seemed unassailable in its command of the market.

The fact that Berlina is second fiddle to the range-topping Calais reminded me yet again just how far Australian-built cars have come.

And the VT Commodore is one of the best illustrations yet, having already claimed its lion's share of awards and now outselling Falcon once again.

As I found in the Executive and SS sedans, VT has set new Australian benchmarks for build integrity with its very clever body that manages to look smaller than before, yet has so much more interior space.

Accommodation in the wagon is typically VT, with good supportive seats and more interior space than its appearance suggests, especially in terms of legroom both front and rear. (VT must surely have been designed by tall people…)

But the stereo system is one of the better standard fitment items in Berlina's price sector. Sure, it could be improved if you want to spend big bucks and annoy other road users, but to my family's ears it did full justice to everything from Mozart to Midnight Oil.

As my first experience of the new wagon,  Berlina is a most acceptable sample with its equipment levels - climate control air con, power windows and mirrors, cruise control, very plush fabric trim, 6-speaker stereo with CD player, comprehensive trip computer - actually quite a list, if we had the inclination to complete it.

But not on that list was wind noise - certainly more than in either of the sedans, and noticeable to the point of annoyance at highway speeds.

Also noted was a mysterious creaking sound from the rear section when travelling on less-than-flat roads; nothing major, probably just a trim panel that was uncertain of how it was supposed to sit, but it remained a mystery because we never traced its location.

In the handling department, despite its longer wheelbase the wagon displays behaviour markedly similar to the sedan with prompt response to steering, good turn-in characteristics in corners, and as expected, a stronger tendency towards oversteer.

By making Independent Rear Suspension standard across the range, including the wagons, Holden really put runs on the board because it does make a difference - especially on gravel, where it displays a predictable stability that would once have been considered impossible for a wagon to achieve.

There is a reminder of the extra length of the wagon's body in the city, at tighter suburban corners. It is certainly no truck, but requires a slightly wider swing in order to clear the kerb.

VT wagon scores highly both for the size of its tailgate and the height to which it opens; if I can stand beneath the open tailgate without hitting my head I'm happy, and I can with Commodore.

The cargo area, now biggest in its class, benefited from the VT's wider track providing a larger flat floor, and folding the seats down creates a huge area. And Berlina wagon scores a pull-out cover blind for protection from the sun (or curious eyes).

One short burst of unseasonal rain highlighted a clever bit of thinking; set to intermittent, the rear wiper on the wagon now matches the front wipers sweep for sweep, and when reverse gear is selected the rear wiper reverts to normal speed for better vision. Yes - clever.

Earlier, I mentioned the impressive stereo system;  it was easy to appreciate music on a long run in the Berlina, as it has a relaxed feel about it on the open road. The gearing is reasonably tall, and at 110kmh it is loping along with the Ecotec V6 sitting comfortably on about 2600rpm.

Acceleration response is pretty good for overtaking too, especially if the auto is switched into `Power' mode, enabling even road trains to be despatched with ease. (It may be `fiddly', but the cruise control is useful for conserving demerit points, as this wagon might otherwise creep its speed easily into blue light territory!)

Fuel consumption during our test programme varied widely, soaring in city cut`n'thrust driving to 15.5 L/100km (18mpg), but on the open road with cruise enabled and a helium balloon tethered to my boot, it assumed a much more respectable 11.0 L/100km (26mpg).