The used muscle car market is more compelling than ever, and hidden inside it is one of the most underappreciated performance sedans ever sold in America. While shoppers chase Mustangs and Camaros, the Chevrolet SS quietly sits on the sidelines — a genuine rear-wheel-drive V8 bruiser with Australian racing DNA, a loaded standard-equipment list, and a price tag that still hasn’t caught up to what it deserves. Whether you want a daily driver that can embarrass sports cars at a stoplight or a weekend canyon carver with four proper seats, the SS makes a compelling case. And for those who need something with a little more practicality, alternatives like the Cadillac CTS-V or Euro bruisers like the Mercedes-Benz C63 are also worth a look — but they rarely offer the same value proposition.
There is another used model that is somewhat underrated though, and represents a great bargain. At least for now.
The Chevrolet SS Picked Up From Where The Pontiac G8 Left Off
As General Motors desperately tried to save its Pontiac brand, it elected to start shipping over Australian Holden Commodore sedans and badging them as Pontiacs. Called the G8, the range-topping GXP model came with a whopping 6.0-liter V8 sourced from the Aussie beast. The brand was too far gone by the time the G8 debuted in 2008, however, and it was dead just two years later.
Having been keen to keep a Commodore-style muscle sedan in the US lineup, GM refused to give up. Five years after the G8 ended production, the American auto giant borrowed the Commodore from its Australian arm once more — this time using the VF variant rather than the preceding VE version that underpinned the G8. Badged as the Chevrolet SS, it marked the first time the marque had offered a full rear-wheel-drive V8 muscle sedan since the Impala SS of the mid-1990s. While the Camaro Coupe remained the brand’s halo muscle car at the time, the SS was ideal for those who wanted a more practical way to burn up their rear tires. With an original MSRP of around $45,000, it was also a relatively accessible entry point for gearheads interested in taking the plunge.
The SS Came Packing A Hard Punch
Close
2015 Chevrolet SS Specifications
Engine
6.2-liter V8
Power
415 hp
Torque
415 lb-ft
0-60 mph
4.5 seconds
Top Speed
160 mph
GM elected to keep things simple with the SS, offering only a single engine across the model’s run. The powerplant in question was a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 — the same unit used in the Commodore SSV — which delivered a tsunami of 415 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque to the beefy rear tires. The SS launched with a six-speed automatic gearbox as the sole transmission choice, though a six-speed manual was added for the 2015 model year, giving driving purists a reason to celebrate.
Because it was derived from the Commodore SSV, the SS also benefited from the extensive chassis development work Holden had carried out over the years. The VF platform brought a stiffer yet lighter structure than its predecessor, making the car more agile and responsive through corners. Aluminum was used extensively throughout the SS’s construction to help achieve that balance.
Beyond the stiffer chassis, the SS was also equipped with the Commodore’s revised MacPherson front and multi-link independent rear suspension, which kept body roll in check and allowed the tires to work to their full potential. For 2015, Chevy added its Magnetic Ride Control system — an electronically controlled damping setup that could shift the SS from white-knuckle performance mode to a composed, comfortable cruise in an instant. That same model year also brought a Brembo disc braking system, giving this family-friendly sedan the stopping power to embarrass far more expensive performance cars.
The SS Was Positioned Higher Up The Food Chain Than The G8
Silver 2014 Chevrolet SS back endChevrolet
The SS’s higher base price compared to the G8, which started at around $29,000, was justified by a much more generous standard-equipment list. An eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system sits in the dash, while SS-branded leather bucket seats deliver comfort and support in equal measure. The front chairs also feature heating and cooling functionality, making them welcome in any season.
Dual-zone climate control was also included as standard, along with heated mirrors, a lane departure warning system, and a tire pressure monitoring setup. In fact, the only options available for the SS were an electrically operated sunroof and a full-size spare wheel.
The SS Is A Steal… For Now
The Chevrolet SS occupies a unique position in the enthusiast market. Sold in limited numbers from 2014 through 2017, this Australian-built (Holden Commodore) sports sedan blended sleeper styling with a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter LS3 V8 delivering 415 horsepower. Average transaction prices hover around $35,000 to $45,000, with low-mileage, 6-speed manual variants easily commanding upwards of $50,000 to $65,000+. That’s how much you’ll pay for a new Lexus ES, and it has roughly half the power. Yes, it will be lighter on fuel, but that’s hardly the point if you’re in the market for a family muscle car.
Its value proposition is anchored in rarity and mechanical purity. As pure internal-combustion rear-wheel-drive sedans disappear from modern auto lineups, the SS has morphed from an under-appreciated sleeper into a sought-after modern classic. Featuring Magnetic Ride Control, Brembo brakes, and standard rear-wheel drive, the Chevy SS delivers visceral performance wrapped in a practical, everyday package. It retains exceptional residual value, making it both a reliable thrill ride and a smart, steady automotive investment.
The SS Became Chevy’s Halo Racing Model
While the Camaro remained the top dog on the road, the SS was handed the job of flying Chevy’s flag in NASCAR, one of its premier racing programs. It saw considerable success, largely thanks to NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson, who claimed the final two of his seven championships behind the wheel of the SS — in 2013 and 2016 respectively. Taking the fight to Ford’s Fusion and Toyota’s Camry, the SS racked up an impressive 73 victories before it was retired at the end of the 2017 season.
Its first win came on debut, with Johnson triumphing in the 2013 Daytona 500. That enviable record places it third on the all-time NASCAR wins list for Chevrolet models in the series, behind the Monte Carlo and the Impala.
Its Aussie Sibling Also Bossed The Tracks Down Under
While the SS took care of business in the US, the Commodore dominated the high-profile Supercars Championship in Australia — the premier motorsport series in the region. It carried Jamie Whincup and Shane van Gisbergen to four of the five drivers’ titles it contested, and also claimed four manufacturers’ crowns for Holden. The Commodore patrolled Australia’s most celebrated racetracks between 2013 and 2017, mirroring the SS’s tenure in the States almost exactly.
Not only is the Chevy SS a genuine muscle car bargain, but it also arrives with serious racing pedigree earned on both sides of the globe.
Sources: Chevrolet
