Holden Colorado

A Colorado? I can't decide

For those that like to mix work with pleasure, no matter what boat you tow, the new range of Holden Colorados appear to have something for everybody.

And several models in the Colorado range bridge the gap between light truck commercial vehicles and a family jalopy offering high-performance and load carrying capability with car-like interior comfort.

Holden claim more than 30 different combinations (model, powertrain, cabin, ride height and body style) in the Colorado range, starting at $19,990 for the petrol 4X2 DX Single Cab Chassis up to $47,990 for the auto diesel 4X4 LT-R Crew Cab Pickup.

The base model 4X2 DX Single Cab Chassis manual is the only model available with the 2.4lt four-cylinder SOHC petrol engine which develops 92kW at 4800rpm and 207Nm of torque at 3200rpm. The remaining LX and LT-R models are available with either the 3.6lt Alloytec V6 DOHC petrol motor or the 3.0lt four-cylinder common rail turbo diesel engine. The V6 is the most powerful of the trio of motors with 157kW at 5300rpm and 313Nm of torque at 2800rpm. The diesel produces 120kW at 3600rpm and 360Nm of torque at 2000rpm.

With so many configurations and motor options available, there is also a variety of tow strengths to consider too. All models have a 750kg unbraked tow capacity. The 2.4lt petrol engine has a maximum towing capacity of 2000kg, while the V6 petrol and 4X2 diesel jump that to 2500kg. Hitting the scales as the heavyweight champ of the range is the 4X4 diesel with a 3000kg tow capacity.

If fuel consumption is a high priority in your new-car selection, then figures supplied by Holden also show some dramatic differences.

The leanest of the Colorado family is the diesel powered 2X4 LX Single Cab Chassis manual that chewed through 7.9lt/100km (ADR 81/01 tests). The thirstiest was the 4X2 petrol V6 LX Single Cab Chassis automatic which returned 13.7lt/100km under similar test conditions.

Standard features on DX variants include keyless entry, stereo system with CD and MP3 compatibility, front airbags for driver and passenger, power steering, Load Sensing Proportional Valve braking, shift on the fly (4X4 only), Limited Slip Differential (4X4 only), and engine immobiliser.

The LX model’s standard features include either type of diesel or V6 petrol powerplant, five-speed manual or four-speed auto transmission (depending on variant), Limited Slip Differential, shift on the fly (4X4 only), front airbags, ABS braking with Electonic Brakeforce Distribution (standard on 4X4 and optional on 4X2), power windows and side mirrors, Load Sensing Proportional Valve braking, high rise front suspension, air-con, engine immobiliser and keyless entry.

Standard features on LT-R models include either a diesel or V6 petrol engine, manual or auto transmission (depending on variant), shift on the fly (4X4 only), fog lamps, chrome sports bar, side steps, soft tonneau cover, Bluetooth for compatible mobile phones (4X4 only), Rear Park Assist (4X4 only), 16in alloy wheels and spare, six-speaker audio system with six-disc CD player and MP3 compatibility, leather wrap steering wheel and gear shift knob, cruise control, multifunction display, front airbags, air-con, ABS braking, roof storage console with map reading lamp, power windows, colour coded body and wheel arch mouldings, carpet floor covering, and engine immobiliser.

» Click here for the Carsales Network's launch review on the Holden Colorado