Holden Trailblazer first drive review

By virtue of its badge, Holden is hoping the Trailblazer takes its seven-seat four-wheel drive into new territory.

While it is a new name, it isn't an all-new car as the Trailblazer is effectively a heavily-revised version of what was previously known as the Colorado7.

Even still, with SUV sales booming and adventurous Aussie families having more choice than ever before in this segment - thanks to the likes of the Drive Car of the Year Award-winning Ford Everest, Mitsubishi's Pajero Sport and Toyota Fortuner all arriving in showrooms over the last 12 months - the Trailblazer is a big deal for Holden and forms a significant part of a major showroom re-fresh that will see 24 new models launched between 2015 and 2020, including five over the next five months alone.

Available in two model grades when it officially arrives in dealerships from October 1, the Trailblazer maintains the same sticker price as the Colorado7 that preceded it despite featuring a raft of new equipment and a major styling update that visually separates it from the updated Colorado ute on which it shares its basic underpinnings.

Both the entry-level LT (which costs $47,990 plus on-road costs) and the flagship ($52,490 plus on-roads) LTZ variants are powered by a 2.8-litre four cylinder turbo diesel engine that produces 147kW and 500Nm and is hooked-up to a selectable four-wheel drive transmission through a six-speed automatic gearbox with a combined average fuel consumption of 8.6L/100km. The Trailblazer's rugged underpinnings give it genuine off-road ability with a 600mm wading depth and 218mm of ground clearance and the ability to tow a maximum of 3000kg with a braked trailer.

While the mechanical configuration is carried over from its predecessor, like the updated Colorado ute both the engine and gearbox have undergone significant engineering developments aimed at improving driving refinement. The motor, for starters, has had the balance shaft relocated to improve noise and vibration while the cylinder head now has a one-piece metallic timing cover and the injectors and oil pan have new insulators. There is also a new acoustic package installed across the range that features thicker side glass, additional or enhanced seals, mouldings and foam as well as revised body mounts that reduce vibration from the ladder frame chassis entering the cabin.

Like the dual-cab ute (and specific to Australia), the automatic gearbox now features a centrifugal pendulum absorber on the torque converter that isolates frequencies from the transmission with a revised shift calibration for smoother gearchanges.

And both models also now include electric power steering, updated suspension settings and new tyres that have been uniquely tuned by Holden's engineering team to suit local conditions.

As for standard equipment, both models come fitted with seven airbags and electronic stability control (for a five-star ANCAP crash rating) as well as a reverse camera with rear parking sensors

The LT rides on 17-inch alloys, has a cloth interior trim and a 7.0-inch colour multimedia screen with Holden's MyLink infotainment system and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone mirroring, while the LTZ has larger 18-inch alloys, LED rear lamps, additional chrome exterior highlights, a bigger 8.0-inch screen with the same functionality, fake leather interior trim with heated front seats and climate control air conditioning. It also comes with additional electronic driver aids in the form of front parking sensors, forward collision, lane departure, side blind zone and rear cross traffic warnings as well as a tyre pressure monitor and rain sensing wipers.

Apart from the new-look front end, which is much classier than the Colorado7 in the metal and brings the Trailblazer more in-line with General Motors' American designs, the sum of the updated parts is greater in the way it drives, as we experienced on a raft of rural roads - both tarmac and gravel - on the north-west outskirts of Melbourne recently.

While the engine retains its strong mid-range pulling power, it is noticeably quieter while cruising and under light throttle applications. It still can't hide the gruff diesel acoustics when pulling away from a stand still or under heavy acceleration, but it is much more refined than before and particularly relaxed at highway speeds.

The automatic transmission is more cohesive than before too, shifting smoother and more intuitively when on the move.

But it's the work done by Holden on the way it handles that is the biggest improvement. Needless to say, with a 2.2-tonne kerb weight, the Trailblazer is still a big bus and far from being a sports car in the bends, but the power steering is well-weighted, linear across the ratio and has good on-centre stability, the handling is sure-footed and predictable and the ESP calibration only intrudes when necessary - and not before. The suspension also rides the bumps reasonably well (particularly on the LT's smaller 17-inch wheels) with only the harshest managing to jar their way through the cabin. There's still some kickback through the wheel on sharp impacts, body roll through hard corners and the brakes are a bit vague on initial application, but these attributes are part and parcel of its ladder-frame construction and the Trailbazer is no worse than its direct rivals in these areas.

Mechanically though it is a huge improvement over the Colorado7 even if it doesn't set any class benchmarks.

It's the same from within the cabin too, as the revised dashboard is cleaner, classier and has more functionality to it. But it's hardly a model of design flair in its style or luxury in terms of the materials used, with a simple, slightly dated layout and robust plastics covering most tactile areas. Still, the seats are comfortable, the driving position is good, there's decent vision through the expansive glasshouse and enough small item storage across the three rows.

As for space, front seat occupants are treated to generous headroom and there's plenty of legroom in the middle row for adults to travel without discomfort while the third row is capable of hosting a couple of adults its best left for short journeys or small children on a more regular basis. When in use, there's only as much luggage capacity as a small hatchback but more than enough - with 878L in total volume - when configured as a five seater.

All in all, the Trailblazer is vastly better - in value, refinement, comfort and style - over the Colorado7 it replaces, and now a worthy rival to its much fresher seven-seat rivals even if it doesn't blaze any new trails in the segment itself or for Holden.

Read all the latest Holden news and reviews here

2017 Holden Trailblazer price and specifications

Price: $47,990 (LT), $52,490 (LTZ) - plus on-road costs

On-sale: October, 2016

Engine: 2.8-litre four cylinder turbo diesel

Power: 147kW at 3600rpm

Torque: 500Nm at 2000-2200rpm

Transmission: 6-spd automatic, 4WD

Fuel use: 8.6L/100km

• Share via Email
• Post on facebook wall
• Share on Google Plus
• Share on twitter