Holden challenges Toyota with Colorado 7 pricing

HOLDEN today announced sharp pricing for its long-awaited seven-seat Colorado 7 off-roader, starting at $46,990 (plus on-road costs) and consequently undercutting the segment-leading Toyota Prado by more than $11,000.

The 2.8-litre Colorado is also $1250 cheaper than the equivalent locally built Ford Territory, which employs a unitary body/chassis and is priced from $48,240 for the 2.7-litre turbo-diesel TX AWD auto.

Both the ute-based Colorado 7 and LandCruiser-based Prado employ a more rugged steel-beam ladder-frame chassis.

Among its other rivals with separate chassis, Holden’s new four-wheel-drive SUV also undercuts the 2.5-litre Nissan Pathfinder (by $1500), but is $5000 more expensive than the smaller Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2-litre diesel auto and $5500 dearer than the ageing Mitsubishi Challenger.

These vehicles will soon be joined on the Australian market – probably some time next year – by more ute-based SUVs in the form of the Isuzu MU-7, which is based on the D-Max, and Ford’s locally developed Ranger-based vehicle that is likely to be called Everest.

Holden is accentuating the Colorado 7’s “serious off-road ability” compared to less rugged large SUVs such as the Territory, Toyota Kluger, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Mitsubishi Pajero and its own Captiva 7, all of which have a unitary design with the chassis and body forming a single unit.

The cheapest diesel-engined auto version of the Japanese-built Toyota Prado 4x4 – the top-selling large SUV in Australia, ahead of Territory and Kluger – is the five-speed 3.0-litre GX at $58,254.

Holden today also announced pricing for the imported wagon version of the otherwise locally built Cruze small car, which arrives in mid-December priced $2000 above equivalent sedan and hatch models, starting from $25,790 for the 1.8-litre petrol CD specification with automatic transmission.

The Cruze wagon will be offered with the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine in CD spec ($29,790) and in range-topping CDX guise with the petrol engine only ($29,040), both also available only with the six-speed auto.

Holden has also introduced an automatic option at $2000 for both the Barina and Barina Spark light cars as part of a 2013 model year upgrade.

However, while the Barina (which continues from $15,990 for the CD manual hatch) gets a new six-speed unit, the smaller Barina Spark (still from $12,490 for the CD manual) makes do with a four-speed unit.

Although this would appear to further hamper the underpowered Barina Spark, Holden says that 68 per cent of light-car buyers now opt for an auto.

More significantly, an auto-only CDX variant has been added to the larger Barina line-up, priced at $20,490 for the hatch and $20,990 for the sedan.

The Barina CDX costs $2500 more than the CD auto but is the first model to be fitted with Holden’s new MyLink infotainment system, which integrates phone and media via Bluetooth, auxiliary jack or USB.

The CDX also gains locally tuned electric steering and suspension, along with 17-inch alloy wheels, front foglamps, reverse parking sensors, leather-bound steering wheel and gearknob, heated front seats, a trip computer and a storage tray under the front passenger seat.

Holden’s announcement of pricing and specifications for the forthcoming Thai-built Colorado 7 comes a month after it was shown at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney wearing Holden badges for the first time.

Helping the vehicle achieve a five-star ANCAP crash safety rating are rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, electronic stability control, dual front airbags and full-length curtain airbags that extend to the third row, hill descent control, front seatbelt pretensioners with load limiters and front seatbelt sash height adjustment.

Powered across the board by a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine producing 132kW of power and 470Nm of torque, the seven-seat SUV will be offered from next month in two specifications – an entry-level LT from $46,990 and an LTZ from $50,490 – that equate to the top two of four specifications for the recently launched ute on which they are based.

Holden has opted not to offer a manual gearbox, instead offering a six-speed automatic as standard.

This provides the off-road wagon with a 3.0-tonne towing capacity, 500kg less than for the 4x4 ute version.

LT models come standard with cruise control, 16-inch alloy wheels, body-coloured doorhandles and mirrors, side steps, front foglights, front and rear mudflaps, aluminium roof rails, leather-bound multifunction steering wheel, Bluetooth connectivity, USB and auxiliary inputs, rear air-conditioning controls with second and third row air vents, 60/40 tumble-fold removable second row seats and 50/50 folding third row seats.

Moving up to LTZ specification adds bigger 18-inch alloys, projector headlamps, LED tail-lights, chrome foglight surrounds and side window mouldings, chrome power-folding side mirrors, leather seat trim, six-way electric adjustable driver’s seat, climate control, upgraded interior materials and an eight-speaker audio system with amplifier.

Holden sales and marketing executive director Philip Brook said Colorado 7 is a serious 4X4 alternative in the rapidly expanding SUV market.

“The new Colorado 7 is the type of vehicle Australian buyers expect Holden to offer and we’re really excited to bring a genuine off-roader back into the Holden line-up,” he said.

“It has an accomplished and durable four-wheel drive system with shift on the fly, descent control and limited slip differential, which means it’s capable of tackling the toughest bush tracks.

“With our Captiva range a proven performer in the family SUV sector, Colorado 7 taking up the challenge in the serious four-wheel drive market, and the new Trax SUV arriving next year, Holden will be in its best position yet to take advantage of the SUV sales boom.”

Holden claims the Colorado 7’s chassis was engineered independently of the Colorado ute and is biased towards passenger comfort, with a five-link live axle rear suspension with coil rather than leaf springs, a configuration that is unique to the SUV.

The company claims this rear suspension provides greater stability, particularly when towing, minimising trailer snaking and lateral movement.

Holden new model pricing*

Colorado 7
LT (a)	$46,990
LTZ (a)	$50,490
Cruze Sportwagon
CD 1.8L petrol (a)	$25,790
CD 2.0L diesel (a)	$29,790
CDX 1.8L petrol (a)	$29,040
Barina
CD hatch	$15,990
CD hatch (a)	$17,990
CD sedan	$16,490
CD sedan (a)	$18,490
CDX hatch (a)	$20,490
CDX sedan (a)	$20,990
Barina Spark
CD	$12,490
CD (a)	$14,490

*Plus on-road costs