It has been a long time between drinks for Holden since they have had a capable 4WD wagon but now the tables are turned with the release of the Colorado 7.
First impressions are good. The Colorado 7 looks the biz with the front styling basically the same as its ute stable mate back to the C pillars. This is where the design team have had free range to create something new and they have done a pretty good job, with the rear having a strong boxy shape with little clutter to detract from this. Over all a good job and this is highlighted with two standard and four premium colours that hit the spot.
Inside there is little to differentiate the 7 from the ute apart from the extra row of seats (best left for the kids). The same goes for most of the features as they are shared between both of them, the Colorado 7 just gets some extras like Hill Descent and Hill Start assist, leather trim (on LTZ spec) as well as more speakers to name a few.
The third row seats sit flat on the floor and the second row can be folded up to the back of the front seats or flat to form a continuous cargo floor.
They also share the same drive-train, 4X4 system and nearly the same chassis. This is where it gets a whole lot better. The front end is the same but the rear has a 5 link coil arrangement witch soaked up all the bumps on our test route with ease as well as flexing really well for a stock vehicle. Towing is easy with a 3 tonne rating and 132Kw and 470nM making light work of all but the heaviest loads.
As with the Colorado, the Colorado 7 has a 5 star ANCAP rating, this rating is maintained when fitted with the Genuine bulbar which is a bonus for those who are after the best protection for themselves and their family.
Our test route highlighted how well the Colorado 7 is suited to Australian conditions and the design team have had a lot to do with this. Tweaks have been made to the gearbox and suspension specifically for our conditions and it works well. All the vehicles were fitted with highway rubber and they all performed well over the various terrain we encountered (they let me in on a little secret, at a previous run they got two of them stuck on one of the climbs but with a couple of PSI out of the tyres they made it over the obstacle) and they weren’t easy tracks by any stretch of the imagination. Wading depth is good at 600mm (factory snorkel available) and 30⁰, 22⁰, 22⁰ for the approach, ramp over and departure angles make it a competent off-roader. I’m not kidding it is a competent off-roader, I was pleased at how well it performed all the tasks we set for it.
The Colorado 7 is available in LT @ $46,990 and LTZ @ $50,490 plus on roads. There is also the Nullarbor pack which includes steel bulbar, spotties, roof racks, snorkel and towbar for a RRP of $4,220 including fitting.
I am confident to say that there is the basis for a good off-roader here. Out of the box the Colorado 7 is a great bit of gear and by the time you set it up to suit your needs you will have a competent vehicle at your disposal.
Stay tuned as I will be putting a Colorado 7 through its paces with the family on board in the next few weeks.