Holden Adventra CX6 2005 review

The all-wheel-drive Commodore station wagon was a quick response to the Ford Territory. So quick, in fact, that it beat the Territory release by several months.

But its Cross Trac AWD system won over judges in the 2003 Courier-Mail Car of the Year awards to win the recreational vehicle category. Yet, it failed to ignite consumer interest anywhere near the levels of the Territory, which also usurped its position in the annual awards.

Yet that has not been the case. In the first four months of 2005 Adventra sold 367 units, compared with 850 in the corresponding time last year. Meanwhile, Territory sold 7908.

The V6 Adventra may have been unfairly overlooked by the market.

It has great potential as a street car with an enormous luggage capacity and for use as a weekend getaway with towing.

It has a handy hill descent control that works in both directions, yet serious off-roading is still off-limits. But that surely doesn't form a huge part of the Territory attraction which has less ground clearance and attracts half its buyers to the two-wheel-drive version. Perhaps the market has just turned off the station wagon. Some see it as a little sexless.

That could hardly be said for the Adventra with its macho flared guards, ski racks and tasteful moulded black side skirts.

The Adventra V6 tackles the city streets like a normal car, but with the extra safety of all-paw drive and an electronic stability program for when freak hail storms turn the city streets to skating rinks.

There is also ample vision in all directions, unlike 4WDs, people movers and many modern cars.

Inside, there is the familiarity of the Commodore which has won so many fans over so many years. The CX6 has chromed projector headlamps, an abundance of quality leather trim, steering wheel and upholstery, climate air control, six-disc CD player and multi-function trip computer.

And in the CX6 and LX6 versions the five-speed automatic has active select with paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

On this excursion, the CX6 Adventra was asked to do what it does best — tow. It comes with a tow bar and seven-pin plug fitted.

All-wheel drive, a free-revving Alloytec V6 with 340Nm of towing-torque and a toughened rear suspension made towing this one-tonne load a breeze with no snatch, shudder or sway.

And what you can't fit in your trailer gets swallowed by the whale-sized luggage compartment which is more easily accessible than a 4WD with its low rear door and low and flat floor. It also has handy side compartments for fiddly odds and ends.

Further, fold the 60/40 split rear seats to reveal a 2683-litre cavern for storing long, awkward shapes. A folding rear seat option converts it into a seven-seater.