Holden Rodeo 2007 Review

Not so much
>> Safety levels of LCV need to improve
>> Despite 27 models, still no auto turbodiesel 4x2 LT
>> Didn't drive petrol models

Overall rating: 3.0/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 3.5/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 3.5/5.0
Safety: 2.5/5.0
Behind the wheel: 3.0/5.0
X-factor: 3.0/5.0


OVERVIEW
The 4x4 and 4x2 pick-up market has never been hotter. Toyota's HiLux range is among the country's top five top-selling models (and sometimes in the top three!), Ford and Mazda have released muscular updated kissin' turbodiesel cousins and the usual suspects in the shape of Nissan and Mitsubishi both count their 'beaut ute' offerings among their respective bestsellers.

Tradies and urban warriors alike are buying up these vehicles, the former flush with cash from a burgeoning housing market or super commodity prices and the latter spurred on by the thoughts of getting away from it all. The only hiccup in the way of a total sales meltdown of this segment is the drought -- most cockies are concentrating more on keeping their families and stock fed than updating their utes.

Whether it's a case of chicken or egg, the last 12-18 months has seen substantial changes in the marketplace with plenty of new product arriving on our shores. These changes coupled with a mini arms-race in terms of rated power and torque has seen Holden's workhorse-warrior, the Rodeo, in need of a freshen up.

Add in more stringent emissions requirements and it was time for a mechanical makeover as well.

Holden's 2007 Rodeo range is therefore spearheaded by a new 3.0-litre VCDi four-cylinder common-rail turbodiesel engine but also includes a revamped interior, better towing ratings and an external freshen up.

The petrol engines, both the 3.6-litre 157kW Alloytec V6 and 2.4-litre 92kW entry-level four, continue essentially unchanged mechanically. As such we'll concentrate on the oiler in this review. To read our previous reviews of the Rodeo range click here.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
As is the case with the multiple engine, body style (single, space and crew cab) and powertrain options that proliferate in this segment, Holden lists no fewer than 27 Rodeo models in its official price list.

Starting from the four-cylinder 4x2 single cab chassis DX manual at $19,490, the model line-up wends its way through 13 two-wheel drive and 14 four-wheel drive models including the top of the range 4x4 Crew Cab LT turbodiesel automatic priced at $46,990.

While we're not going to list the full 27-model line-up some key models are:

Check out pricing of the full model line-up here

The most important piece of information in all of the above is that the 2007 Rodeos arrive at the same price as the outgoing 2006 models despite their specification (and in the case of the turbodiesels, power) upgrades.

The updated RA Rodeo can be easily identified thanks to a bolder, dare we say, more aggressive front-end with tall Cadillac-style upright headlamps. There's a new grille, different fender flares and, on the turbodiesel variants, a wide, functional bonnet scoop.

In addition, Holden has revamped the rear lamps on the pick-up models, though you'll need to be a Rodeo anorak to pick up the detail.

The range-topping LT models take the external makeover a step further. The flagship Rodeos get projector style front lamps that look they're straight off a Cadillac model and chrome-capped mirrors complete with Euro-style indicator repeaters.

Holden says its 2007 Rodeo range will offer seven colours: Alpine White and Sterling Silver (all models); Glacier Blue (DX, and LX only); Light Quartz Grey (LT only); Imperial Blonde (gold) -- LX, LT only; Tornade Red (LX and LT only); and Black Sapphire (LX, and LT only).

A note of caution, just because Holden offers three engines, three trim levels, two drive systems and both manual and auto transmissions, don't assume you can mix and match. There are no 4x4 four-cylinder petrol models and the top-of-the-range turbodiesel 4x2 is the LX -- though a 4x2 LT petrol V6 is offered. As they say in the classics, check your local guides...

MECHANICAL
The new 3.0-litre VCDi common-rail turbodiesel engine is unashamedly the story of the new Rodeo range. Indeed Holden is proclaiming the new oiler as "the most powerful diesel Rodeo ever!"

The all-new, high-tech intercooled direct-injection four delivers peak power increases of 25 per cent and a torque boost of 29 per cent (manual version) over the outgoing engine and still manages to meet new Euro 4 emission requirements. Holden also claims a slight improvement in the manual variant's fuel economy -- down from 8.6lt/100km to 8.4 -- while the auto matches its predecessor at 9.0lt/100km.

Peak power of 120kW is achieved at 3600rpm (up from 96kW at 3800rpm) and peak torque of 333Nm is achieved at 1600rpm (automatic). The manual turbodiesel manages an even better 360Nm at 1800 rpm (manual). These are increases of 39Nm and 66Nm respectively.

The new diesel is mated with a new five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. The combination of auto and the VCDi engine will prove popular with recreational users.

As noted above, the Rodeo's petrol engines are unchanged.  The 3.6-litre Alloytec V6 petrol engine delivers peak power of 157kW at 5300rpm and peak torque of 313Nm at 2800rpm. The 2.4-litre four-cylinder delivers peak power of 92kW at 4800rpm and peak torque of 209Nm at 3000rpm.

All 2007-model 4x4 models have received an uprated driveline (though they retain 'shift on the fly'). In conjunction with the new turbodiesel engine this yields a braked towing capacity of 3000kg on both manual and auto variants. This is an increase of 500kg and 1000kg respectively.

V6-engined models have a 2500kg limit with the four-cylinder model capable of a claimed 2000kg.

PACKAGING
Holden says it has substantially changed the interior on the 2007 Rodeo and a quick glance picks out new seats, steering wheel, instruments, centre console stack changes and new trim.

Owners will probably note the new side vents and instrument clusters. To most of us the changes will be lost -- it's updated but remains pretty much regular universal light commercial cum SUV fare.

Spanning uses from practical workhorse to family car wannabe, the Rodeo's interiors range from Spartan but comfortable through to quasi upper-spec saloon. At their higher levels the Rodeos offer most of the equipment you need -- even a six-disc in-dash six-speaker audio system. That said, only the very top LTs offer cruise control as factory-fit item. Buyers of other grades will have to opt for a dealer-fit Holden accessory item.

The 2007 DX and LX models receive a new trim called New Jersey (dark grey) while the abovementioned LTs spice up the mix with "interior silver sports highlights," sports instrument cluster, passenger vanity mirror, multi-information display and roof console.

The new seats up front feature a more sculptured look but given our (very) short launch drive we can't really comment on their effect on comfort levels.

The dash makeover and new instruments do little to change the realities of the rear seat passengers in the crew cab models. Like most vehicles of this ilk, the back seat is a compromise in terms of backrest angle and cushion depth. That said the Rodeo leaves enough rear legroom to make longer stretches possible and was one of the first to offer a centre lap-sash rear belt.

SAFETY
Holden says the Rodeo registers three stars in NCAP testing. As a body on frame vehicle this is a reasonable result -- that said, purchasers should note that this type of vehicle can never achieve the safety ratings of conventional monocoque construction passenger cars.

Holden says special attention has been paid to the Rodeo's crash structure and survivability front, rear and side. It features standard front occupant bags on most models (they are optional on base DX pick-up and cab chassis) but does not offer side or curtain airbags -- even as options.

ABS brakes are optional on all but three models -- the 4x2 V6, and 4x4 V6 and turbodiesel LTs. Rodeo retains front disc rear drum brake configuration in all variants.

COMPETITORS
Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Mazda and Ford are all gunning for the 4x4/4x2 workhorse and plaything pick-up dollar. As noted in our intro, this is one of the most hotly contested battlefields in the marketplace today.

However, to label the pick-ups and cab chassis as the Rodeo's only competition would be to over-simplify the purchasing decisions in play in this type of vehicle. As well as the work/play buyers, the upper specification crew cabs (especially) are attracting potential buyers from the family wagon, compact and medium SUV marketplace as well.

Holden says a Rodeo purchaser might be stepping out of a softroader or indeed a conventional wagon.

If you are one of these prospective purchasers we'd suggest you take the time to drive a cross-section of 4x4/4x2 pick-ups as they all offer slightly different packages. And remember, as good as these vehicles are (Rodeo included) they cannot match the overall comfort or refinement of the industry-standard all-wheel drive wagons.

ON THE ROAD
Our test drive of a small selection of the new Rodeo variants was very short -- too short to offer but a few observations.

Two variants were driven, both turbodiesels -- a manual LX 4x2 cab chassis and a LT-spec crew cab, also a manual. Given the popularity of these vehicles we will follow up this launch review with in-depth road tests of key models.

The 4x2 took in a road loop on the winding country lanes in the hills to the east of Holden's Lang Lang proving ground. The VCDi's grunt made short work of the alloy-trayed unladen ute making it pointless to do anything other than short-shift from first to third to fifth.

It's not the fastest engine off the line (one suspects there's a big whack of flywheel bolted to the back of it) but in-gear acceleration is vivid. The Navara and Ranger/BT50 might just have the edge but it's going to take a back-to-back drive to settle the argument.

Comments from the notebook read: "quiet, great midrange, suspension seems to be good even without anything in the tray". Indeed, overall, the diesel is a very civilised engine -- one Holden staffer described the engine as possessing "a Euro passenger car feel". We might not go that far, but it's a good'un, no question.

The engne's prodigious torque was demonstrated on the Lang Lang test track where four-up our LT crew cab VCDi Rodeo idled up a steeple-like 29-degree slope in low range first with no throttle and no clutch. Impressive... Given the turbodiesel's midrange delivery, we'd suggest the Rodeo will be a good towing choice.

In comparing the crew cab models back in September 2005 our resident LCV expert Joe Kenwright said of the Rodeo: "Best compromise between price, safety features, cabin space, load area and style." Though the landscape's changed somewhat since then, it is still up to the others to take this mantel away from the Holden.

Let the battle begin...

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