Review of Holden Colorado LTZ 2020
Content
- Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10
- Is there anything interesting about its design? 6/10
- How practical is the interior space? 7/10
- What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 7/10
- How much fuel does it consume? 7/10
- What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 7/10
- How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided?
- What is it like to drive? 6/10
- Verdict
- Can Colorado succeed in today's world?
Six years ago, my introduction to the world of high-riding SUVs came on a particularly amusing day in rural Victoria. I had no idea tossing a car could be so much fun, and it was Holden's Colorado that gave me a new perspective on this particular segment.
Sure, it was gruff, had a Tupperware-style interior (as one colleague put it), and looked pretty ordinary, but it did the job Holden said his owners wanted him to do. From a one-ton cowboy to an LTZ, you just knew someone with better skills than I could ride anywhere in a Holden Colorado.
The Ute world of 2019 is completely different - for starters, you can buy a Mercedes. I find this as odd as the current global policy. If you had offered it to me on that rainy day in 2013, I would have offered a strong perspective. And yet, here we are - HiLux and Ranger are selling like crazy, and Nissan, Mitsubishi and Holden are hot on their heels.
| Holden Colorado 2020: LS (4X2) | |
|---|---|
| Safety Rating | |
| engine's type | 2.8 L turbo |
| fuel type | Diesel |
| Fuel efficiency | 8.6l / 100km |
| Landing | 2 Places |
| Price from | $25,600 |
Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10
Priced at $53,720, the LTZ+ is on par with the Ford Ranger Sport and close to the Toyota HiLux SR5. In the Colorado, you'll find 18-inch wheels, a seven-speaker stereo, climate control, faux leather interior, rearview camera, carpeted interior floor, front and rear parking sensors, cruise control, automatic headlights and wipers, satellite navigation, central locking with remote control, crankcase protection and a full-size spare tire under the trunk.
The stereo is controlled by Holden's MyLink, and I have to tell you that I'm longing for the first Trax interface, because this one isn't attractive at all. Luckily, there's Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but like other Holdens, the 7.0-inch screen is pretty cheap and washes out color, making it look old. It also has a DAB+ radio with a rather disappointing interface (it must be said that this is not the only car in this segment with this problem).
To enhance the lifestyle, the Colorado is equipped with shiny 18-inch alloy wheels. (Image: Peter Anderson)
Is there anything interesting about its design? 6/10
The LTZ+ is definitely aimed not only at the well-to-do, but probably also at outdoor families. To uplift the lifestyle, the Colorado is fitted with shiny 18-inch alloy wheels and has a colossal chrome sports bar in the back for all your hog shooting lighting needs (I guess?). The loose use of chrome helps lift the appeal of the big poop inside and out and, you know, it looks good I think. However, it still has that problematic double grille that I never touched.
It doesn't have a very pretty interior (but again, it's better than previous cars I've driven) with an emphasis on endurance rather than avant-garde design or, in truth, particularly good ergonomics. And this wheel is clearly 2014.
How practical is the interior space? 7/10
In the chassis of the LTZ+ CrewCab, you have five usable seats available, and given the overall size of the Colorado, there's plenty of room.
Passengers in the front seats sit on hard but comfortable seats, thanks to which you rise very high in the cabin. Rear seat passengers will have a bit more trouble, with seats that are a little higher, tight against the rear bulkhead, and a little tight if your clothes aren't loose, if you know what I mean. The floor is nearly flat, so you can fit three of you, but you'll miss out on two cup holders in the armrest if you're full.
You get two cup holders and door pockets for bottles on the front, while the short rear doors don't quite fit a bottle over 500ml.
The tray is covered with a very annoying soft lid, which took me a couple of nails to remove (harden - Ed). No doubt it will get easier with age, but it was not very good. The cover has to be detached to open the tailgate, which is even worse. There's also a tray liner that looks very sturdy and hopefully isn't expensive to replace.
What always amazes me is how the tailgate on this variant simply opens without any damping. Obviously this isn't aimed at me, but I think a lot of kids have seen stars after getting a head strap off a tray. Of course, the Colorado isn't the only offender here, and if you take one more step up the stairs, you'll get the dampening mechanism.
In the chassis of the LTZ+ CrewCab, you have five usable seats available, and given the overall size of the Colorado, there's plenty of room. (Image: Peter Anderson)
What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 7/10
The powerful 2.8-liter four-cylinder Duramax Colorado turbodiesel still roars under the tall hood, delivering 147kW of power and 500Nm of torque. In case you're wondering, the Ranger's 3.2-liter five-cylinder engine can't handle that amount of torque.
Attached to the engine is a six-speed automatic transmission that drives all four wheels or, if you prefer, just the rear wheels until you need extra traction. You also get high or low range all-wheel drive, which can be selected using the control dial on the console.
You can carry 1000kg in the LTZ+ and tow up to 3500kg. If you do, you are much braver than me.
The powerful 2.8-liter four-cylinder Duramax Colorado turbodiesel still roars under the tall hood, delivering 147kW of power and 500Nm of torque. (Image: Peter Anderson)
How much fuel does it consume? 7/10
Holden reckons you'll get 8.7 l/100 km on the combined cycle while emitting 230 g/km of CO2. It's not a terrible number, and I got 10.1L/100km mostly in suburban racing, which isn't bad at all for a 2172kg car.
What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 7/10
The five-star ANCAP Colorado comes from Thailand with seven airbags, front and rear parking sensors, rearview camera, hill descent control, traction and stability control, forward collision warning, lane departure warning and a tire pressure monitoring system.
The Colorado still doesn't have AEB like the Ranger. Colorado received the highest five-star rating in 2016.
It comes with a full size spare slung under the tray. (Image: Peter Anderson)
Warranty and safety rating
Basic Warranty
5 years / unlimited mileage
guarantee
ANCAP Safety Rating
How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided?
Holden's generous five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty covers the Colorado with life-long on-road support. If you are a trucker, you should be aware that the maintenance regime may be 12 months, but 12,000 km is not much, so be careful.
The price-limited service guarantees you will pay between $319 and $599 per service, with most services averaging under $500, giving you a total of $3033 for seven services.
What is it like to drive? 6/10
I won't pretend that city driving in Colorado is a bed of roses. The suspension is really tuned to the load, and when it's just you and a kind wife on board, it's quite bouncy. However, it is controlled, and the pronounced body tilt that was a few years ago seems to have been eliminated.
Huge ultra-low-rpm torque means the Colorado doesn't hesitate to jump forward even with light throttle, which works great if you're hauling a lot of weight, which dulls response but is a little fatiguing. when you are not. However, you feel like you can handle anything, which is a nice feeling.
Priced at $53,720, the LTZ+ is on par with the Ford Ranger Sport and close to the Toyota HiLux S5. (Image: Peter Anderson)
It's absurdly long at 5.3 meters, so finding a parking spot that you actually fit into is kind of a challenge. Parents of young children can be counted on to pick up and lift the kids, and thank goodness there are handrails you can use to get up and down as well. You're far, far away in Colorado, so be prepared for altitude sickness.
The diesel engine is very noisy and roars at you from the headlights to your chosen speed when it goes into a low hum. None of its competitors make that kind of rumble, but buyers obviously don't fuss, so my distaste for it may not matter - the big torque makes it worth considering.
Cruising is pretty comfortable and I expected wind noise but didn't get it, even with the hefty sporty steering wheels and giant rear-view mirrors.
There are many good reasons to choose the Colorado, but there are a couple that might put you off. (Image: Peter Anderson)
Verdict
The Colorado isn’t my first choice for motorcycles – the Ranger Wildtrak is still at the top of that pile for me – but the Holden does the job well. It's amazing off-road, tough as guts, and an engine that, while very loud, delivers plenty of power.
There are plenty of good reasons to choose the Colorado, but there are a couple that might put you off, especially in the area of safety - it doesn't have AEB and the number of cars in the segment is rapidly declining. .
Can Colorado succeed in today's world?
