The Colorado was the big mover in 4WD ute sales this time last year but has hit a snag
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Holden’s Colorado has seen a slump in sales compared to June last year
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The Colorado is the highest-ranked of the best selling 4WD utes that has gone backwards in sales in the first six months of 2018 compared with the same time last year. The slower 2018 sales come off the back of a big surge in 2017 with a year-on-year 11.2 per cent slide reversing most of the 2017 gains.
This generation Colorado first appeared in 2012, was tweaked just 12 months later and then again the year after before being pulled it completely apart and put it back together again for the 2017 model year. What resulted was a completely different vehicle from what had gone before.
The changes to the engine, transmission, chassis and body were deep, extensive and thorough, resulting in a vehicle that’s far smoother and quieter engine-wise, rides and handles better on road and is far more capable off-road.
The Colorado’s strong points include its punchy 2.8-litre engine that lives up to the promise of its 500Nm, a figure that betters the 470Nm of the notably bigger engine in the Ranger. The Colorado’s engine is revvy and willing and is aided by what is the best of the automatic gearboxes in any ute bar Volkswagen’s Amarok.
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The Colorado is also now a polished on-road drive in terms of its steering and suspension performance and if you want it to carry or tow anything notably heavy, it will do that too without complaint.
Best of all the Colorado is now a much better off road now thanks to its electronic traction control that’s been specifically tweaked to improve its off-road effectiveness. It’s still no Hilux, Ranger or Amarok off-road, but it’s far better than what it was.
Sales
2018 sales (to June 30th): 8,526
2017 sales (to June 30th): 9,603
Change: Down 11.2%
Report Card*
Engine and gearbox: B
Handing and ride: B
Cabin and equipment: C
Load and tow: B
Off-road: C
Comment: The Colorado is finally the ute it should have been right from the start.
*Scored against class competitors. A = Excellent; B = Very Good; C = Good; D = Fair; E = Poor; F = Fail.
Specs
Holden Colorado LTZ Crew Cab:
Engine 2.8-litre 4-cyl turbo diesel
Max Power/Torque 147kW/500Nm
Gearbox six-speed automatic
4X4 System dual-range part-time
Kerb Weight 2,121kg
Towing capacity 3,500kg
GCM 6,000kg
Fuel tank capacity 76 litres
ADR fuel claim 8.7 litres/100km
Photography: Ellen Dewar