Holden Adventra SX6 2005 review

As children, free of the constraints of PlayStation, computers, mobile phones, TV serials and reality shows, it was a buzz so big that we still recall it clearly.

Unbeknown, our parents had probably sweated over a weekender in the country for months.

These were the days before long annual leave — and Dad possibly had to work most of Saturday. Time was precious, but used with a conservation barely perceptible by modern environmentalists.

Our transport was usually a station wagon, for that was de rigueur in the 1970s and 1980s.

As it could be again.

Holden's Adventra follows the go-anywhere appeal of that period, though it uses a pretty simple — and perhaps antiquated — formula of a big engine powering a relatively inefficient cabin.

The all-wheel-drive Adventra arrived a couple of years ago with a V8 engine and a thirst like John Meillon after voicing his radio series of Victoria Bitter beer advertisements.

Its fuel consumption, along with Ford's release of the Territory, dramatically eroded sales.

But things have improved. Holden recently optioned the Adventra with its Commodore V6 engine and, together with a lot of extra tweaking, has created a better driving car and one that is both cheaper to buy and easier on the fuel.

The Adventra V6 also gets a five-speed automatic gearbox to further improve its on-road dynamics.

Off-road performance is helped by a sophisticated electronic system that detects when a wheel loses traction.

This partially compensates for the fact that the Adventra doesn't have a low-range transfer case.

Though it is a long way from Land Cruiser competency in the dirt, the V6 Adventra does surprisingly well.

It's better at sandy trails and gravel tracks — as long as it's not too rough — than ocean foreshores and muddy hillsides.

The hill-descent program allows the vehicle to cautiously "walk" down steep and slippery slopes with no human intervention other than turning the steering wheel.

On the bitumen, the Adventra drives as well as the standard Commodore wagon, except it has a slightly wider turning circle.

It sits marginally taller than its 2WD counterpart to improve its on-road presence and enhance driver visibility, though isn't so high as to make hard work of alighting from and entering the cabin.

The 13.3 litres/100km average on this test was pretty good — on par with the Ford Territory and a lot better than the 15.4 litre/100km of the V8 Adventra.

I stress that the V6 felt as competent as the V8, was easier to drive because the steering was lighter, and still had decent performance.

The Adventra V6 comes with ABS with stability program and other safety-related goodies, plus front and side airbags, pretensioners and limiters on the seatbelts to minimise injury, and lap-sash belts for all occupants.

The Adventra SX6 model also includes airconditioning with rear ducting, electric windows and mirrors, a CD player, cloth trim and cruise control.

A third row of seats to carry two children is optional.