Holden Trailblazer 2017 Review

What’s it all about?
Holden’s Trailblazer is quite a bit more than an updated Colorado 7. Introduced in October 2016, the ute-based Colorado SUV is a dinkum seven-seat off-roader that is able to mix it with the best on bush tracks.

Yet it’s quite refined on the road; moreso by a decent margin than its Colorado forebear, and a world apart in terms of interior presentation.

The imposing, Thai-built Trailblazer sits at the head of Holden’s family-friendly 4WD line-up; the two-model range comprising close-to-identical twins: the base LT and its slightly more gifted sibling, the LTZ (tested).

How much will it cost?
It’s possible to step into a base Trailblazer LT from $47,990 (plus on-road costs), while the high-spec LTZ is not unrealistically distant at $52,490 (plus ORCs).

Some of the Trailblazer’s competition (Isuzu MU-X and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport) starts at a fair bit less – which goes a long way towards explaining the sales statistics. The Pajero Sport, and the MU-X in particular, rule the sales charts.

That said, the Trailblazer LTZ is actually the cheapest high-spec competitor, sneaking in just below the Pajero Sport Exceed ($52,750) and MU-X LS-T ($53,500).

For that you get seven airbags, MyLink infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus sat-nav, climate control, and leather trim.

Your money also buys you a three-year/100,000km warranty, along with 12 months of roadside assist and a lifetime, nine-month/15,000km capped-price servicing program.

Why should I buy it?
Holden has done a great job lifting the original Colorado up by the bootstraps and lifting refinement levels way beyond where they were at the beginning, while the interior is altogether more comforting, cosy and suggestive of a real quality upgrade.

The engine spec is basically unchanged and didn’t need to be because the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel was already the strongest in its class with 147kW/500Nm to play with. For all that, it’s pretty smooth and quiet nonetheless.

Gearbox lock-up points, new electric steering and a refinement-enhancing fiddle with the hunky four-cylinder engine have brought driveability benefits as well as economy improvements. On test where we recorded 8.7L/100km during a week of mixed driving conditions, virtually equalling the official 8.6L/100km claim.

And the slightly quicker, nicely-weighted steering works in with the suspension revisions to further separate the Trailblazer from its donor Colorado ute. It’s not as smooth-riding as the super-compliant Pajero Sport, but the Trailblazer is undeniably composed and secure on the road.

There are no beefs about safety either. Lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert help keep the drive informed – although, unlike the top-spec Pajero Sport, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) doesn’t make the cut. Like Ford’s Everest, there’s merely a forward-collision warning to alert the driver that something is amiss. The Trailblazer earns a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

When is it available in Australia?
The Holden Trailblazer went on sale nationally in September 2016.

Unlike some rivals, including Ford and Isuzu which offer cheaper rear-drive alternatives the Trailblazer, for the time being, comes in dual-range 4WD form only.

Who will it appeal to?
The Trailblazer is a good bet for families who would like a little more third-row seating space than some large SUVs. Although the seats feel a bit flat and marginally supportive, they prove comfortable on a long trip.

Access to the rearmost accommodation is made relatively easy by 60:40 tumble-fold centre-row seats. Once ensconced at the far back of the cabin, even tallish adults will find leg, shoulder and headroom is adequate for shortish trips.

And, although the capacious Ford Everest takes the high ground in this respect, the 235 litres of luggage space provided behind the rear seat isn’t bad either, as is the total 1830 litres available with second and third-row seating fully folded.

The 3000kg braked towing capacity equals all competitors bar the 3100kg tractor-pull-rated Pajero Sport, and outguns the 2800kg rated Toyota Fortuner.

Where does it fit?
Although the lines get a little blurred if you factor in road-biased, purpose-built seven-seat 4WDs such as Hyundai’s Santa Fe and Kia’s Sorento, the Trailblazer’s true, ute-becomes-SUV competition comes from Ford Everest, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Isuzu MU-X and Toyota Fortuner.

Although the trend is to establish separation from their workhorse ute roots, the Trailblazer and its ilk are true off-roaders and can be used with some confidence on gnarly bush tracks.

The Trailblazer has the clearance (219mm), ramp-over, approach and departure angles (30.1, 22.6 and 25.1 degrees respectively), plus the water-wading capability (600mm) that are all part of the serious off-roader’s lexicon.

So, what do we think?
Speaking personally, it took me some time to warm to the original Colorado/Colorado 7. But, after an off-the-beaten-track venture in company with some of its competition, my respect grew.

The Trailblazer is a big leap ahead. Though – and if I was bothered by the Colorado’s lack of refinement and the slap-it-together cabin – you need to look hard to find any of that in the Holden Trailblazer.

The gap to Ford’s Everest has narrowed, but the price differentials in favour of the Holden haven’t. Value for money is a big attraction that could see the Holden wielding a bit more muscle as market fortunes shift and 2017 rolls on.

2017 Holden Trailblazer LTZ pricing and specifications:
Price: $52,490 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 147kW/500Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 228g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

Related reading:
>> Holden Trailblazer 2016 Review
>> Holden Trailblazer video
>> Holden Trailblazer v Toyota Fortuner