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The dust has settled on this week’s big announcement, and soon Holden will be no more in Australia and New Zealand. While undoubtedly sad, this is great news for buyers in the market for a good but (presumably) cheap new car.
Here at CarsGuide, we have the pleasure of reviewing new cars so you, dear reader, can make an informed decision about your next big purchase.
That said, we present to you our latest expert reviews of Holden’s last seven models.
So, the only question is: are you going to take advantage of the great deals that will soon be on offer as Holden moves to clear its remaining stock? And if so, which one of its new models should you be buying?
Spoiler alert: the Commodore, Equinox and Acadia are the best ones on offer.
Astra
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The departure of Holden’s Mazda3 rival, the Astra, was announced last December, and despite its discontinuation, it’s a genuinely compelling small hatch, even by 2020 standards.
Contributor Peter Anderson gave the Astra R+ a 7.0/10 in March 2018, praising its looks, specification and driving behaviour, although its awkward pedal placement, compromised second row and small fuel tank were criticised.
Commodore
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Perhaps the model Holden will be best remembered for, the Commodore was also axed last December after barely half a generation of being imported from Germany. But guess what? It’s a good thing.
Editor Malcolm Flynn gave the Commodore range a 7.9/10 in March 2018, enjoying its comfortable but dynamic chassis and strong and smooth 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, although its relatively unassuming looks and the unrefined V6 engine were noted.
Trax
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Holden’s Mitsubishi ASX-rivalling small SUV has had a pretty tough run over the years. It’s arguably the least competitive model in its line-up, but the Trax is still a solid – if not remarkable – offering.
Peter Anderson gave the Trax LT a 6.6/10 in December 2017, impressed by its good looks and interior, plus the availability of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, but its driving position, lack of safety features and noisiness were moot points.
Equinox
This mid-size SUV is certainly a lot better than most care to admit… but the Toyota RAV4-rivalling Equinox’s promise just hasn’t translated to mass sales for Holden since its overdue release.
Contributor Andrew Chesterton gave the Equinox LTZ-V a 7.9/10 in January 2018, heaping praise on its spacious cabin and stacked features list (including safety), although its large turning circle, thirst for premium fuel and lack of dynamic prowess were singled out.
Acadia
The significance of the Hyundai Santa Fe-rivalling Acadia cannot be understated. If it wasn’t for Australia, the GMC-sourced model would’ve never been produced in right-hand drive. History can be cruel, especially to surprisingly good large SUVs.
Senior Journalist Richard Berry have the Acadia LT 2WD an 8.0/10 in October 2019, finding enjoyment with its good value, truck-like looks and advanced safety tech, although its elusive peak power and lacklustre maximum braked towing capacity (2000kg) were noted.
Trailblazer
Ute-based large SUVs sure are popular, and the Isuzu MU-X-rivalling Trailblazer is one of the better ones. Yep, there are plenty of similarities with the next model on this list, but that’s not a bad thing.
Adventure Editor Marcus Craft gave the Trailblazer LTZ a 7.3/10 in November 2017, rating it as a solid all-rounder with off-road ability and plenty of low-end torque, but its noisy engine, firm suspension and lack of a rear differential lock were criticised.
Colorado
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Holden had its hopes pinned on the Ford Ranger-rivalling Colorado ute. While certainly its best-selling model at the end, it never reached the heights it was intended to, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a good buy.
Peter Anderson gave the Colorado LTZ a 6.7/10 in July 2019, acknowledging its tough looks, strong engine and comprehensive specification, although fault was found its agricultural interior and unladen ride.
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