Holden Trailblazer LTZ 2016 new SUV review
Holden has ditched the Colorado 7 name for it's much improved ladder-frame chassis off-road-capable seven-seat SUV.
Holden has ditched the Colorado 7 name for it's much improved ladder-frame chassis off-road-capable seven-seat SUV. It's called the Trailblazer and comes with a one-size-fits-all luxury LTZ specification.
Just like it's pick-up sibling the Trailblazer receives the revised bonnet, LED daytime running lamps, as well as the new front fascia and upper grille, which gives it a more mature and refined appearance.
I'm not usually a fan of cars in red shades, but combined with the chrome details on the door handles, lower window trim, front grille, mirror caps, and roof rails, as well as the rear tailgate, it's a colour that makes the Trailblazer look more expensive than it is.
On that note, the Trailblazer is pricing up at $62,990 plus on-road costs which are a $4,000 reduction on the outgoing model, but Holden says with the additional equipment added to this model, the overall net gain in value is closer to $7,000.
Family friendly
Many seven-seat SUV vehicles such as the Trailblazer are becoming the default family station wagon. Not only do they need to fulfill the ability to be a rugged workhorse for towing boats, caravans or horse floats, they also need to offer the amenity and the driveability of a large passenger vehicle.
The leather seats are comfortable and durable, there is two-stage heating in the front seats for the driver and front passenger, as well as electric adjustment for the driver's seat.
One bad mark for the Trailblazer is the steering wheel adjustment, which is rake only, not reach. Surely the addition of a telescopic adjustment wouldn't be that hard, Holden?
The Trailblazer meets the market with a greater range of connectivity features such as Apple CarPlay. The new dashboard nicely integrates Holdens’ MyLink system into the 8-inch colour touch screen with satellite navigation and Bluetooth audio system. I never tire of using the Apple CarPlay system to activate voice dialing and voice to text messaging; it is a very convenient feature when on the run.
While the Trailblazer does continue to provide the capability of selectable high and low range four-wheel-drive, it is more than likely that most of these vehicles will be urban-based with the occasional excursion to a beach, boat ramp or ski run.
Grin not grimace
The cosmetic, specification and engineering improvements applied to the MY17 Colorado ute now also feature in the Trailblazer SUV; it is a far more refined proposition than the previous Colorado 7 which will endear it to a much bigger audience.
Thankfully the Trailblazer retains the lusty 147kW 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine with 500Nm of torque that the six-speed automatic transmission delivers to the rear wheels in normal use, but it feels and sounds a lot less clattery than the previous incarnation.
In partnership with the GM engineers in Brazil, Holden has thrown an enormous amount of work into the reduction of noise, vibration, and harshness in the Trailblazer, and it shows from the moment you turn the key in the ignition and turn the steering wheel.
The revised steering calibration does feel more precise, and there are fewer turns from lock-to-lock as you hustle the Trailblazer through an urban multi-story car park.
A faster rack ratio also contributes to this more precise feel from the steering wheel, and the electric power steering system also offers variable assistance, so its light when parking and appropriately heavier at motorway velocity.
The Trailblazer also benefits from the better quality engine, transmission and body mountings, providing a more refined and better-composed ride quality across all types of New Zealand roads, and Holden says it will also improve drive quality when towing.
We know from our brief experience towing with the Colorado LTZ crew cab automatic that it had no issues with towing, so we would think the Trailblazer should easily emulate its sibling's smooth performance.
Better safety
Holden is adding blind-spot alert and rear cross-traffic alert to the Trailblazer in addition to its arsenal of active and passive safety features including hill start assist, trailer sway control, and hill descent control. I also liked the forward collision alert which will be a boon for anybody who is driving along with children creating distractions in the rear two rows of seats.
The front and rear parking sensors are also pretty loud and pretty sensitive but turn them off at your peril, and the reversing camera allied to the colour touch screen is large, crystal clear and a godsend.
All of these safety features made day to day living with the Trailblazer more enjoyable and you felt more in control of the big beast when driving in congested and busy urban areas, it certainly will make the school run a much more pleasant affair for many parents and guardians.
Load lugger
Folding all two rear seat rows flat enabled me to move a large glass-topped outdoor table, sliding it gently into the Trailblazer wrapped up in packing blankets.
I like the smart design of the rear floor mounted storage box which helps to create a flat floor when folding the seats down, and also gives a storage area for the luggage cover when it's not in use for that function.
Using the Trailblazer as a five-seat wagon also provides more than enough space for a family of five and their luggage, and as for the Colorado Ute, there’s also a plethora of accessories to gear up the vehicle for specific needs, including roof boxes, tow bars, and also cosmetic bits such as the bonnet protector as fitted to our test vehicle.
Overall
It is amazing what an investment of time and engineering refinement can do to the look and dynamics of a large vehicle and the new Holden Trailblazer is testament to that. What was once an uncouth beast has now become a refined and serious contender in the seven-seat SUV market, with a value package that will make potential buyers of the Everest, Prado, Pajero Sport, and possibly even the Rexton, now consider the Holden on their shopping list.
Note: this was reviewed as a new vehicle.
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