Holden Reviews

It’s not so long ago that small cars like the Astra meant little to Holden as Australians eagerly swooped on every full-sized car the company could produce.

Holden's American-looking (although it’s built in Mexico) new mid-size SUV replaces the five-seat Captiva, and will enter the fray against some of Australia’s best and most popular cars.

Compact SUVs aren't all created equal and they don't all follow the same path to production. Some, like the Holden Trax, were most definitely a toe in the water.

The re-engineered and facelifted MY17 Holden Colorado is such an improvement over the 2012 original, that in many ways it feels like a different vehicle. It's now one of the best all-rounders.

Holden's plucky little Trax was a bit of a trailblazer (ahem). Not only was it Holden's first compact SUV, it beat most of the manufacturers to the segment by almost 12 months.

You can't stand still in this world. If you're Holden's product planning team, you've got an ever-changing range.

The mid-point of the Holden Equinox 2018 model range is the LT, which is listed at $36,990.The LT gets a bigger engine than the two lower-spec models - a larger 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged unit with plenty of extra poke: 188kW and 353Nm, or about 48 per cent more power and 28 per cent more torque than the entry-level cars - but it uses a bit more fuel, too: 8.2L/100km as opposed to 6.5L/100km for the entry model. Gone, too, is the six-speed automatic, with a new nine-speed auto transmission taking its place for this front-wheel drive only model. A diesel will be available later in 2018.The LT builds upon the LS+ model, upgrading to 18-inch alloy wheels, a larger 8.0-inch touchscreen media system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, four USB points (two front, two rear) a 230-volt powerpoint in the second row, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, HID headlights and the provision for roof-rack mounting.All of the same safety tech remains, including a reversing camera, rear parking sensors (complemented by rear parking sensors in this spec), and six airbags, 'Holden Eye' camera safety system with auto emergency braking (AEB), lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, and forward collision warning. Additionally, there’s blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and auto high-beam assist, and Holden’s 'Safety Alert' driver’s seat, which will vibrate to warn the driver of potential hazards.

If you like a little bit more of everything, the fourth model up the Holden Equinox 2018 model range could be for you - it’s the LTZ, which is available in front-wheel drive at $39,990 or all-wheel drive at $44,290.That may seem like a big jump from front- to all-wheel drive, but that’s because the AWD model employs a clever system that can allow the driver to effectively disconnect the rear drive axle, in order to help save fuel. The AWD model also has revised suspension and a higher ride height.Both the FWD and AWD models use the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged unit with 188kW and 353Nm, and both are available strictly with a nine-speed auto transmission. A diesel will be available later in 2018.The LTZ builds upon the LT model, upgrading to 19-inch alloy wheels, while also adding a hands-free power tailgate, semi-automated parking (parallel and perpendicular), rain-sensing wipers, leather-appointed seats, wireless phone charging, heated front and rear seats, power adjustable driver’s seat, roof rails, DAB+ digital radio, LED headlights and tail-lights, and a Bose premium sound system. That’s on top of the 8.0-inch touchscreen media system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, four USB points (two front, two rear) a 230-volt powerpoint in the second row, and dual-zone climate control. All of the same safety tech remains, including a reversing camera, rear parking sensors (complemented by rear parking sensors in this spec), and six airbags, 'Holden Eye' camera safety system with auto emergency braking (AEB), lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, and forward collision warning. Additionally, there’s blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and auto high-beam assist, and Holden’s 'Safety Alert' driver’s seat, which will vibrate to warn the driver of potential hazards.

The entry-point to the all-new Holden Equinox 2018 model range is the LS, which is available with the choice of a six-speed manual gearbox (at $27,990) or a six-speed automatic (at $29,990).The LS is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, and only comes in front-wheel drive.It has 17-inch alloy wheels, a 7.0-inch touchscreen media system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, automatic headlights with LED daytime running lights, dual ISOFIX child-seat anchor points, and the automatic has what Holden calls 'Active Noise Cancellation'. Safety is accounted for with a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, and six airbags. It misses out on auto emergency braking and an array of other items that you can get as standard in the (albeit slightly dearer) Toyota RAV4 entry grade model.

The Holden Equinox 2018 range offers a lot of choice for buyers, and there's a clear standout in the range... and it's probably not the variant you think it might be.