Holden Cascada 2015 Review

The new Cascada marks Holden’s return to drop-top motoring with a well-equipped, affordable and stylish offering. Priced from $41,990, the four-seater European-built Cascada boasts a value proposition that deserves attention.

If you were on the hunt for an affordable convertible that delivers comfort and style, Holden would not be your obvious choice.

The more accessible offerings in this segment have been dominated by the likes of Volkswagen, Peugeot and MINI. Until now, perhaps. Emerging from its Opel relative, the Cascada is essentially a drop-top Astra – it’s based on the same underpinnings. But don’t let that put you off.

Relatively new to the Australian market, the Cascada features a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine – the one and only available to the Cascada. It produces 125kw and 260Nm, which is in the ball park of MINI’s Cooper S Cabrio or Audi’s larger-capacity A3 cabriolet.

The Cascada is mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission, so choice is limited. To shift that focus however, Holden has thrown all the kit it can muster at its latest model. The 20-inch alloys on our Premium edition, for example, stack the visual appeal – as do daytime running lights and Bi-Xenon headlamps. From the outside, you begin to get a feel for what the inside delivers. Biased punters may be inclined to overlook the Holden in favour of traditional offerings, but that would be their loss.

Slip inside the Cascada and you’re faced with a plush cabin that envelopes you in soft leather seats (a pricey option in, say, the Golf Cabriolet) with the full suite of modern technology at hand. The large doors shut with a comforting thud and you’re free to manually adjust your heated and ventilated seat. The leather steering wheel feels good in the hands and ergonomics are spot on – everything is within easy reach. The leather stitched dash inlay and chrome-look details lifts the tone yet again.

Good in-cabin storage adds a dash of practicality, with enough room for phones, drinks and oddments.

On the go, the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine offers ample punch for a car that is far more a top-down cruiser than sports car. The six-speed is smooth and decisive, equipping you with enough power through the gears – it feels like a good match for a small but weighty cruiser.

From standstill, it gathers pace quick enough that it seems unfair to complain but a choice of transmissions and even paddleshifts would give the Cascada increased cred.

The Cascada’s steering is precise and feedback is good, but if you’re after driver engagement and a thrilling connection at the wheel, then look elsewhere. It’s far from bad, but don’t kid yourself that a drop-top silhouette equals a sporty demeanour. A rigid body and rolling with 1744kg, the Cascada fights push into corners and struggles with high-speed manoeuvres. It shines on long and winding (good surface) country roads.

The technology interface continues the premium vibe, although it lacks the design flair of the likes of Audi. Standard to Holden’s offering, the seven-inch colour screen hosts all of your infotainment and in-car settings – Bluetooth audio, navigation, voice control, phone and MyLink smart apps such as Pandora and Stitcher. It’s not a touch screen though, which many won’t care about – but those who shop around will detect the inferior interface.

Using the clearly labelled buttons and dials on the centre stack make it easy to navigate. A reversing camera and front and rear parking sensors complete the package – handy in this instance, where vision is quite poor with the roof up.

Dual-zone climate control, heated seats and heated steering wheel keep you toasty warm while enjoying some top-down motoring. It totally validates living in
Melbourne and buying a convertible, and even on cold days we had the top down. There are no dedicated vents for the second row, evident from the slight protests that could be heard from the back.

The soft-top is quick to action, taking around 17 seconds to convert. And it can be done on-the-go, operating at speeds of up to 50km/h. With the roof down however, your boot space is limited. The spec sheet says it shrinks from a generous 380 litres to 280, but you’re also left with a compromised load space.

With room for just two in the second row, passengers are afforded generous space and comfort. The large, comfortable and very supportive seats are divided by dedicated cup holders and a small oddments storage spot. While it’s a lovely place to sit, headroom is compromised. It was fine for kids, but adults will struggle.

Entry and exit access was good all round. As is often the case with two-door vehicles, the doors are large and heavy, swinging open wide for easier access – however, accessing the second row in a narrow car space for example, can prove a challenge.

The Holden Cascada lists a claimed fuel consumption average of 7.5L/100km, but our real-world testing revealed an average closer to 9.9L/100km for a combined cycle.
Dual front and side airbags and pop-up rollover protection bars are part of the Cascada’s safety credentials, but as yet, the Cascada does not have a crash test rating. Holden’s reasonable three-year/100,000km warranty is on par with its rivals and sweetened by a lifetime capped-price servicing program.

More stately than sporty, the Cascada pulls-off affordable top-down motoring with an unexpected level of charm and sophistication. True, it lacks the thrill of a MINI or the polish of an Audi – which an extra $5k plus will certainly buy you. But this worthy competitor is a welcome addition to a niche segment.

2015 Holden Cascada pricing and specifications:
Price: $41,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Output: 125kW/260Nm
Transmission: six-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.5L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 181g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: not yet tested