Holden Colorado Z71 2017 Review

What’s it all about?
The flagship Colorado Z71 sits above the LTZ grade dual-cab at the top of Holden’s revised RG-series light commercial range.

In addition to the features found in the LTZ, the Z71 adds 18-inch Arsenal Grey alloy wheels, Maloo-style sail planes, black door handles, wing mirrors, side mouldings and grille, a model-specific soft tonneau cover, heated Jet Black leather seats, roof rails, an integrated nudge bar with unique front fascia, and a can’t-be-missed bonnet graphic.

These elements not only bolster the tough-truck styling of the Colorado, they also add to the model’s already obvious practicality attributes. This is, after all, an off-road-ready workhorse with a one-tonne payload capacity, five seats, and an impressive 3500kg braked towing capacity.

How much does it cost?
Like most top-spec dual cab utes, Colorado Z71 isn’t cheap. Retailing from $54,990 (plus on-road costs) for the six-speed manual and $57,190 (plus ORCs, as tested) for the six-speed automatic, the Colorado Z71 keeps company with the limited-edition Ford Ranger FX4 (from $58,915) and Toyota’s range-topping HiLux SR5 (from $54,390).

If the Z71 is a bit of a stretch, you’ll be pleased to know a dual-cab Colorado LS 2WD can be had from as little as $35,990 (plus ORCs) – which is about the same price as an entry-grade Commodore Evoke. In total, Holden’s dual-cab Colorado range is offered in four model grades, and with the choice of 2WD or 4WD configurations.

All variants share the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating, and are backed by Holden’s three-year/100,000km warranty and roadside assistance scheme.

Service pricing is capped for life with maintenance intervals set at nine months or 15,000km (whichever comes first). The first three visits to the service department will set you back $369 each, and it’s $429 a visit thereafter. Holden can rent you a car while yours is in the shop.

As is the case with all Colorado grades, metallic paint attracts a $550 premium.

Why should/shouldn’t I buy it?
If you’re shopping on aesthetics, equipment and ability, the Colorado Z71 won’t disappoint. It short, it ticks all the boxes a dual-cab ute should with very few omissions.

However, behind the wheel, it’s quickly evident the Colorado is generationally behind rivals like the Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok – despite the obvious benefits of a localised handling and control tune. And, toting-up the numbers, it’s also quickly apparent it doesn’t match the value of Mitsubishi’s Triton.

Of course the Colorado isn’t on its ‘Pat Malone’ there. The same could be said of the Isuzu D-MAX, Mazda BT-50, Nissan Navara and Toyota HiLux.

Nevertheless, the steep list prices are clearly not deterring buyers and light commercial vehicle sales in Australia show no signs of abating. In July, Toyota’s HiLux was our best-selling vehicle model outright and the Ford Ranger ranked number three.

That aside, after a week in the Holden Colorado Z71, we questioned the transmission flare which Holden’s CPA torque converter was meant to quell, and the number of driveline vibrations and clunks we experienced. It’s an issue noted in other reviews on this site and certainly does not fill you with confidence, especially considering our test vehicle had covered merely 2700km.

On the plus side, the MyLink infotainment array worked well, the ergonomics were generally good (if you excuse the absence of steering reach adjustment and the shapeless seat base), and the car-like electrically-assisted steering (previously hydraulic) was easy to live with.

Decently calibrated auto headlights and wipers, accurate parking sensors and a handy remote start feature were also highlights, and we were impressed by the Colorado’s ability to adhere closely to its fuel consumption claim (see below).

When is it available in Australia?
Sales of the updated Colorado range began in August 2016. The 52-variant Colorado portfolio offers a wide variety of models for trade and recreational buyers, all of which are powered by a VM Motori-designed 2.8-litre Duramax four-cylinder turbo-diesel.

The newer A428-series engine – updated last year with sheer-type mounts, repositioned balance shafts, new injector and oil pan isolators, and a metal front timing cover – makes 147kW/500Nm in automatic variants and 147kW/440Nm when mated to the six-speed manual. The powerplants are built at GM’s facility in Rayong, Thailand using a total of 236 parts from 92 factories in 17 countries – but none from Australian suppliers.

Like every ute in its class except the Volkswagen Amarok (which is made in Argentina), the Colorado is also produced in Thailand.

Who will it appeal to?
Recreational and trade buyers alike are generally moths to the dual-cab flame. But with accommodation and amenity levels rivalling many larger SUVs, family buyers are increasingly in focus for Holden’s sales team.

One problem with targeting family buyers is that, notwithstanding the incredible advances in light commercial vehicle safety seen in recent years, first-time buyers of the Colorado and its rivals will still find them difficult to see around – even when equipped with a reversing camera – and notoriously hard to park (turning circle 12.7m).

It’s also an issue that, despite the Z71 topping the Colorado range, it lacks both face-level rear seat ventilation outlets and dual-zone climate control (single-zone only). The climate control itself is also a little disappointing, seeming to blow warm over 28 degrees, and cold below.

And, like all utes, the Colorado provides no way of securing smaller items, shopping, or personal belongings, in the tray – a tray we note trails the best-in-class Amarok dimensionally (1484mm long x 1534mm wide v 1555mm x 1620mm). There is, however, a shallow storage area available under the rear seat.

Where does it fit?
The Colorado Z71 plays in Australia’s booming light-commercial utility segment, which is currently dominated by the Toyota HiLux (in the 2WD sector) and Ford Ranger (in the 4WD sector). For Holden, the Colorado places in eighth and fourth place respectively (figures according to VFACTS data dated 02 August 2017).

As we noted earlier, the Colorado Z71 faces a number of range-topping dual-cab 4WD variants including the Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-MAX, Mazda BT-50, Mitsubishi Triton, Nissan Navara and Toyota HiLux, as well as four and six-cylinder versions of the Volkswagen Amarok.

To see how the Colorado ranks against its contemporaries, check-out our recent 4WD Dual-Cab Ute Comparison.

So, what do we think?
It may not offer the refinement or modernity of generationally-newer competitors – or the price advantage of some in its class – but the Colorado Z71 is a good-looking which delivers on the promises it makes.

The Colorado Z71 is a strong, capable and capacious light commercial with the panache and practicality recreational buyers crave. In spite of a few niggles here and there, it’s an otherwise solid performer.

2017 Holden Colorado Z71 pricing and specifications:
Price: $57,190 (as tested, plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 147kW/500Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.7L/100km (ADR Combined) / 9.3L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 230g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

Trivia – What’s in a name?
The Z71 suffix traces its origins to back to 1988. It was the official RPO (Regular Production Option) code for GMC and Chevrolet’s uprated off-road package which included a limited slip differential, tougher dampers, and under-body bash plates. From the late 1990s, Z71 became a model grade in its own right across many of GM’s light commercial vehicles, albeit with a form-over-function focus in many cases (like the two-wheel drive Chevrolet Tahoe Z71, for example). Holden first applied the Z71 moniker to its Colorado in late 2016.

Related reading:
>> 4WD Dual-Cab Ute Comparison
>> Ford Ranger v Holden Colorado
>> Holden Colorado and Trailblazer Engineering Development Drive