Holden Colorado ute range updated -- Australian pricing

A significant model cull, minor model reshuffle and an equipment tweak are the guts of a model year 2020 update for the Holden Colorado ute.

There are no mechanical changes to the Thai-built Holden Colorado range and no new sheetmetal, leaving the arrival of the LSX 4x4 dual-cab as a full-time model as its MY2020 headline act.

But the rationalisation of the range is also significant. All 4x2 models including the entry-level LS single-cab chassis no longer offer a manual gearbox. Holden says low demand and a desire for range simplification drove the rationalisation.

While pricing is unchanged from MY19 to MY20, dropping the manual LS pushes the entry price-point for Colorado up $2200 to $31,690. Full range pricing is at the bottom of this story.

But Holden is now also throwing in rebates if you buy one of the five new accessory packs at the same time as your new Colorado.

No body styles have been lost as part of the cull and Holden continues to offer single-cab, space-cab and dual-cabs.

The update comes as Colorado continues to lift its sales rate in 2019, defying an overall market sales downturn. Holden has made plain for some time that it wants to overtake the Mitsubishi Triton for third in the ute rankings, behind the dominant Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.

A regularly rolled out limited-edition, the LSX is a private buyer-skewed replacement for the fleet-focussed LT 4x4 dual-cab, which remains available by special order. LT also continues on as a 4x2.

The LSX retails from $46,990 plus on-road costs as a manual and $49,190 as an auto. It includes 18-inch grey metallic wheels, a gloss-black grille, extended black sports bar, black fender flares, soft tonneau cover, rear Colorado decal, tailgate lock and digital (DAB) radio.

Holden LCV marketing general manager Andre Scott described the LSX as “affordable tough”, meaning it had an aggressive look but still left a lot of opportunity for adding accessorises -- something ute buyers are renowned for.

“We’ve put the right accessories on it to give it the right look, but only gone just far enough so if you wanted to you could take it to the next level,” he said.

“It’s a clean slate, it starts the conversation, it starts that look. It’s up to you to finish that look however you choose.”

Also newly on offer is the LTZ+ that re-rates its payload below 1000kg, opening it up to customers purchasing via a novated lease. Its only equipment gain over the LTZ is a towbar. It is priced $1030 above the LTZ at $51,520 for the manual and $53,720 for three auto.

In other changes, the flagship Z71 and LTZ Colorados pick up a spray-on tub-liner. Holden claims they are the only sub-$70,000 utes on the market to get this technology.

The Holden Colorado Z71 also gets fender flares, a bash plate and a soft-drop tailgate. The LTZ gains leather seat trim and heating for the front pews.

All Colorados continue to be powered by a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine mated to either a as six-speed manual or automatic transmission. The engine produces 147kW and either 440Nm with the manual and 500Nm with the auto. Fuel consumption rates remain unchanged at 7.9L/100km and 8.6L/100km respectively.

Both 4x2 and 4x4 part-time drivelines with low-range are available and the Colorado continues with a helical limited-slip rear diff rather than the locker most utes employ.

While the Colorado is technically capable of being fitted with autonomous emergency braking, Holden didn’t make the upgrade for 2020. That’s despite the arch-rival Triton now having it across most of its range.

“We are just not hearing that feedback from a Colorado buyer that we must have that (AEB) right now,” said Scott. “There is always scope for improvement on any given product … and we will continue to evaluate the availability of AEB.

“It’s not hindering us from growth in terms of the segment.”

The five accessory packs now available with Colorado are the Tradie, Black, Farmer, Rig and Xtreme – which evolves from a limited-edition version of the Z71 offered in 2018.

Prices are as low as $2950 for the Black pack and as much as $19,550 for the Xtreme, which remains available only with the Z71. Rebates top out at $2000.

For our first drive of the Holden Colorado LSX 4x4 Dual cab ute go here.