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Holden Colorado ute Z71 2016 review

EXPERT RATING
6
Richard Berry road tests and reviews the Holden Colorado Z71, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Somebody abandoned their 1996 Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck in front of my house two years ago and it's still there. But rather than complain to the council I prefer to walk out each morning and mock it for its Z71 Baywatch-style sports body kit.

Truth is I secretly want to restore it to its former glory and drive around in it wearing only a pair of red shorts. Then as if Holden was eavesdropping on my dreams, a Z71 version of the Colorado ute appeared late last year. How the Hoff could I resist?

Neighourhood aspirations aside, the emergence of posh four-wheel drive utes like the Z71 is a bit like the gentrification of once-working class suburbs that are now inhabited by web designers. The Z71 follows hot on the heels of other luxo off-road ute rivals such as Toyota's HilLux SR5 for $57,990, Ford's $60,590 Ranger Wildtrack and Nissan's $48,990 Navara King Car ST-X.

The Colorado Z71 lives at the top of the Colorado ute range and at $54,990 (for the auto transmission we tested) it’s just $1800 more than the Colorado LTZ 4x4 Crew-Cab that sits below it. So which should you put your money on? 

Design

Holden launched this generation Colorado ute in 2012, then an update followed in 2014 which brought  ‘comfort suspension’ to the LTZ and a revised interior. The difference between a Z71 and an LTZ is mainly cosmetic. The Z71 gets heated leather front seats, the LTZ's 18-inch alloys coated in Arsenal Grey, nudge bar, roof rails, dark chrome headlight surround, a gloss black finish to the wing mirrors and tailgate handle, black door handles and door mouldings, plus Z71 decals on the bonnet and tailgate.

 It looks good in a tough, futuristic beach rescue vehicle type of way.

And then there's the sports bar with wing-like sailplanes that extend from the roof to the tray sides. They don’t do much other than bring a whole lot of Baywatch styling to the ute. It looks good in a tough, futuristic beach rescue vehicle type of way.

But open the door and apart from the leather seats the interior is the same as the LTZ and it’s starting to show its age. The front seats are flat and uncomfortable, the rear even more so - although legroom in the back is pretty decent for a dual cab. The instrument cluster is dinky looking with its small dials and oversized speedo and tacho needles. The seven-inch touch screen is becoming small by modern standards and the MylInk media system's presentation and feel is starting to date.

About town

Sydney's potholed roads are a test for any vehicle's suspension but the Z71 is out of its depth even with its 'comfort suspension'. Peak hour traffic was hardly enjoyable with its jiggly ride over poor roads and its tendency to lean a lot in the corners like a sleepy bloke sitting next to you on the train, and those flat and hard seats don’t help.

Heavy and slow steering means carparks provide a good arm workout especially with the large 12.7m turning circle. The reversing camera stopped me reversing into sneaky bollards which can easily catch out a ute driver.

Another point of frustration is the tiny speedo with its giant cartoon style needle making it impossible to read accurately – fortunately there’s a digital readout, too.

The MyLink media system works well –  connecting my iPhone, streaming music and making calls using voice control is easy, but there is no built-in satnav and you will have to use the Bringo navigation app which is great if you have phone reception.

What is pleasing though is the ability to ferry big car parts across town in its 1484mm x 1534mm tray. The LTZ/Z71 softer leaf springs do reduce the payload capacity from the LT spec’s 1086kg to 825kg.

Like all Colorado dual cabs the Z71 has a five star ANCAP crash rating. There’s traction and stability control, ABS, EBD, hill hold function, trailer sway and descent control. The Z71 has three top tether child anchor points and three ISOFIX mounts.

On the road

The Z71 is a all-terrain hero thanks to its ladder frame chassis which brings toughness and the four-wheel drive system with a switchable low range. But with great off-road capability can also comes great compromise in on-road ride and handling as pointed out.

There’s no mechanical or engineering differences between the Z71 and the LTZ it’s based on and this includes the 147kW/500Nm 2.8-litre turbodiesel under the decalled bonnet. It’s not the quietest diesel, but not the loudest among its rivals either. Our Z71 had the six-speed automatic transmission which did a smooth job of shifting with a conservative approach to the driving we could meet the claimed combined fuel figure of 8.9L/100km.

Highway driving proved hassle-free and comfortable, with road noise fairly minimal.

Verdict

The Colorado Z71 looks great, but underneath the Baywatch exterior is a ute that’s been left behind by newer rivals like the Ranger and the HiLux in terms of refinement, interior comfort and technology in general. If your heart is set on a Colorado, is it worth the extra $1800 over the LTZ? I'd go with my inner Baywatch.

What’s it got?

Heated leather seats, Z71 decals and bodykit, plus seven-inch touchscreen with reversing camera and rear parking sensors

What it hasn’t got.

Built-in satnav, front parking sensors,or the refinement of fresher rivals

Click here to see more 2016 Holden Colorado pricing and spec info.

Pricing guides

$27,990
Based on 322 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months
Lowest Price
$9,990
Highest Price
$42,990

Range and Specs

VehicleSpecsPrice*
DX (4X4) 2.8L, Diesel, 6 SP MAN $22,220 – 27,500 2016 Holden Colorado 2016 DX (4X4) Pricing and Specs
LS (4X2) 2.8L, Diesel, 6 SP AUTO $19,250 – 24,420 2016 Holden Colorado 2016 LS (4X2) Pricing and Specs
LS (4X4) 2.8L, Diesel, 6 SP MAN $22,770 – 28,160 2016 Holden Colorado 2016 LS (4X4) Pricing and Specs
LS (4X4) 2.8L, Diesel, 6 SP AUTO $27,610 – 33,330 2016 Holden Colorado 2016 LS (4X4) Pricing and Specs
EXPERT RATING
6
Richard Berry
Senior Journalist

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Pricing Guide

$9,990

Lowest price, based on 313 car listings in the last 6 months

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