Holden Rodeo 2003 Review

What we liked
>> Best standard spec in the class
>> Good fuel consumption
>> It looks cool

Not so much
>> Insufficient rear legroom
>> Not enough tie-down points
>> Optional rollbar is intrusive

BOTTOM LINE:
The LT Rodeo has the most power, good fuel consumption, competitive pricing, great standard features, and the best interior in this class. All up, it's tough to beat.

OVERVIEW
Holden has upgraded the entire light commercial range and by mid 2003 will have 56 variants in three body styles and three trim levels: DX, LX, and the top of the line LT. Re-engineering the Rodeo range comes at a time when Holden is launching more new vehicles across a broader range than ever as it works to grab a larger share of the market.

The new Rodeo, third biggest selling nameplate for Holden Limited, has really stuck it to the rest of the sports truck brigade with a well appointed spec that undercuts Toyota in price and leads the rest of the pack with a high level of standard features. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but we reckon the Rodeo is a cool looking package.

Buying a diesel powered truck used to come down to basics like fuel consumption, the engine's rebuildability, and how much the thing costs, but nowadays buyers want a lot more for their money than a smoky diesel that can't keep up with the traffic. The new family of diesel light commercials is car-like in appointment levels, clean, fast and quiet, and nowhere is this more evident than in Rodeo's LT.

FEATURES
The upgrade for 2003 has given the Rodeo far more interior space. Leg room, shoulder space and head room are all increased. The seats are taller and deeper and the doors higher and wider. Standard features on LTs include power windows, in-dash six-stacker CD, tilt-adjustable steering wheel, remote central locking, 16-inch sports alloy wheels and ABS brakes. As far as we know it's the only vehicle in this class with cruise control.

It's also the only one to offer an automatic transmission option. The auto produces slightly more torque than the manual box (292Nm against 280Nm) and has what Holden calls 'gradient logic control'. This device is said to recognise steep uphill and downhill conditions and then change gears according to speed and engine load. We thought all autos did that. Still, autos are useful in a cross-country role and offer inexperienced off-roaders a chance to learn new skills without worrying whether or not they're in the right gear.

The Rodeo has an electronically controlled transfer case that enables the driver to select any 2WD or 4WD configuration by pushing a button. Apart from any other advantage this might bestow, it removes one more protruding lever from the cab. Like its rivals, Rodeo also has the capacity to change from 2WD to 4WD High while moving at speeds up to 100kph.

MECHANICAL
The three litre intercooled turbo diesel produces lower emissions and now develops 96kW at 3800rpm and 280Nm of torque at 2400rpm. The standard transmission is a five-speed manual but, as we said, four-speed autos are an option on diesel models; something none of Rodeo's competitors can claim.

Front suspension is wishbone and torsion bars, and heavy duty leaf spring on the rear. Holden claims the Rodeo's 'high rise' front suspension gives its 4x4 trucks increased ground clearance. Power-assisted rack and pinion steering is standard. The 16-inch alloy wheels are shod with 245/70/16 tyres.

COMFORT
CarPoint found the Rodeo's interior the most comfortable and best appointed of the diesel sports trucks. The instruments and controls are all functional and easy to use and the dash has a very clean layout. The seats have full slide and recline adjustability and are covered in a pleasant two-tone velour. The steering wheel and gearshift lever are trimmed in a soft leather-like material.

Radio controls are easy to operate, even at night. So are the environment controls. The Rodeo rides well and the steering, clutch and brakes have a light action with plenty of feel. The only thing we'd criticise in the Rodeo was lack of legroom in the rear for adults. All the dual cab sports trucks are the same, though, so the Rodeo is not alone.

SAFETY
In terms of passive safety, the new Rodeo is built on a chassis that Holden says is bigger and more robustly constructed than any of the opposition in the cab-chassis and pickup market segments. Torsional rigidity has been increased by 60 percent through the middle of the frame, improving its energy absorbing qualities in a collision.

Front, side and rear structures are designed to deform progressively in a collision, and side intrusion bars help control crash energy loads on the passenger safety cell. All LT models have ABS brakes as standard equipment. Driver and passenger airbags are standard on LT Rodeos - a feature the opposition can't match, even in their ritziest models - and the windows are deeper to improve visibility. Graphics and visual displays have been made larger and easier to read.

Active safety features include upgraded brakes, bigger brake and clutch pedals, the largest windscreen in this class, and a driving position that is now higher and gives superior forward visibility. Crew cab models incorporate three child restraint anchor points.

COMPETITORS
The Rodeo's opponents are the Toyota HiLux SR5; the Nissan Navara ST-R; the Ford Courier XLT and the Triton GLS. The Toyota is the dearest and the Ford Courier the least expensive. At the time of writing, the Rodeo was more than $2000 cheaper than the HiLux SR5.

The Rodeo puts out 96kW compared with the Navara's 110kW but that still puts the Holden in the middle of the field.

ON THE ROAD
The Rodeo is very civilised when it comes to highway going with interior comforts as car-like as a crew cab 4x4 ute could be. Tyre noise is noticeable but not intrusive and the engine spins up willingly. Our test involved the car towing a motorcycle trailer with three dirt bikes installed for part of the journey, and the powerplant was more than comfortable with the extra weight.

Handling is good and off-road work is dealt with easily. Changing ranges is a simple affair with a push-button switch located centrally on the dash, and the general ergonomic layout is well thought out.

Finish is classy which makes for careful driving when off-road. Because it looks so good, the operator is mindful of blemishing that lovely paintwork. Hardly a criticism and the Rodeo will respond well to a little TLC, but there is nothing to suggest the build is not capable of dealing with some pretty harsh treatment.