Holden Colorado LTZ 4×4 – Tech’d up truck

– By Rod Fuller –

I drove the previous model Colorado and its sibling the Colorado 7 through outback SA in 2015. I thought they there were tough, reliable workhorses. Practical if not pretty; with an interior that was utilitarian in nature.

Now having experienced the latest LTZ variant of the Colorado, I can say improvements have been made to make it a much more liveable daily drive without losing any its predecessor’s ruggedness and strength.

The new front grille and headlights are quite refined for a big 4WD ute – stylish and rather attractive. With its chrome grille highlights and sculptured DRLs in the head lamps, it’s a softer or less rugged look and a definite improvement over the previous model.

Inside the cabin there’s massive amounts of head and leg room as you would expect for a vehicle this size. Although third row passengers may find it difficult to climb into the rear seat with grab handles only afforded to those in the front seats.

The seating position for the driver is very comfortable thanks to the six way electric adjustments which provides excellent visibility not only of the road ahead, but all round the vehicle as well (Though I still want some adjustment in the steering column).

Storage compartments are limited to the glovebox, console and one under the passenger side rear seat. I only noticed because its Isuzu sibling has dual gloveboxes and an in dash storage compartment for your phone.

You only get two cup holders for front seat passengers and none in the rear. Overall the trim level is good in the LTZ and it does have the option of leather seats (heated in the front), but it lacks a quality feel of a ‘top of the line’ model and I fear the utilitarian ghosts of the previous models interior still linger.

Out on the road, the LTZ rides tall and sits proud on 18’ wheels and 265/60R18 Bridgestone tyres. It’s a big vehicle and you feel comfortably in command. Its quieter than before and feels more responsive thanks to the new electrically assisted power steering. Off-road the Colorado’s credentials are impeccable, with good ground clearance (215mm) and clearance angles (28⁰ approach and 22⁰ departure) it will take you pretty much anywhere you might want to go.

The 2.8lt Duramax diesel coupled with a six speed auto transmission is effortless on the open road with enough power (147kW) to pull three and a half (braked) tonnes behind you. And with that much torque (500Nm) I doubt the Colorado will even notice a boat or caravan behind it. Holden lists fuel consumption at 8.7lt/100km combined.

Tech inclusions is what sets this new Colorado apart from its past. Electronic stability control with, brake force distribution, traction control, trailer sway control, roll-over mitigation and both hill start and descent control is standard across the entire Colorado range. I quite liked the “Grade Assist Braking” which cuts in automatically to help you maintain a steady speed downhill.

Cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple Car Play/Android Auto is standard across the range as is a seven inch touchscreen for infotainment system/reverse camera and rear park assist (excluding cab chassis variants). The LTZ has an eight inch touchscreen and front park assist, as well as forward collision alert, lane departure warning and tyre pressure monitoring. 12V outlets are provided front and rear, but only one USB connection.

The LTZ also has remote start and window control. Very handy. My inner seven year old self just loved this. Each morning I had it, I’d stand on the veranda and use the key fob to start the truck! (This was followed by a course of “windows go down, windows go up” – seriously, sometimes I need to get a life!) But a very handy feature nonetheless.

The Colorado has a five star ANCAP safety rating and Holden offers a 3yr/100km warranty along with roadside assistance and ‘Know your cost servicing’.

At around $55K the Colorado LTZ 4×4 is quite keenly priced against its main rivals such as the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger, and makes a compelling case for testing it before for you sign on the dotted line of your next novated lease.

What does it look like as a Novated Lease?

This data is from the 2018 Novated Leasing Guide produced by Fleet Auto News.