Holden Trax 2019 Review
The Holden Trax might losing the battle it helped create, but is it still worth a spot on your new car shopping list?What’s it all about?
The Holden Trax baby SUV was one of first to arrive in the segment, leading the way for open-minded Aussies ready to jump into a vehicle with high-rise status and enough room to still walk around it in the garage.
It arrived six years ago, but has since been overrun in the same category it helped establish, beaten in sales by baby SUVs like the Mitsubishi ASX, Mazda CX-3, Subaru XV and Hyundai Kona – all of which make arguably better cases for themselves in range-topping guise.
Still, the Holden Trax LTZ has plenty going for it, with a decent-sized boot, lots of tech and enough personality to have some responsible fun.
How much will it cost?
The Holden Trax range begins with the entry-level LS at $23,990 (plus on-road costs) fitted with a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and five-speed manual gearbox. It’s available in automatic too, but only with a 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, priced at $26,490 (plus ORCs).
From there, both the mid-spec Trax LT and top-spec LTZ (which we’re testing here) come fitted with the 1.4-litre turbocharged donk paired to a conventional torque-converter six-speed automatic transmisison and priced from $28,890 and $30,490 (plus ORCs) respectively.
Every Trax comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, while servicing for the top-spec LTZ averages out at $341 per year for the first five years. Service intervals are recommended every 12 months or 12,000km and owners also receive one-year free roadside assistance.
Why should/shouldn’t I buy it?
The Holden Trax is a good proposition for those wanting a compact SUV that’s capable of daily duties, and without the need to carry a full load of passengers too often – unless they’re small children.
It sits nice and high, so you don’t feel too crowded driving next to jacked-up 4x4’s and you’ve got a clear view over sedans and hatches, while still having the small footprint of the latter.
Storage solutions are good, not great, however, even though it has (most of) the latest tech. The Trax does miss out on safety features that are standard in even base-spec models today, however.
What kind of features does it get?
The top-spec Holden Trax LTZ gets handy features like a digital speedo, smartphone monitoring and cruise control. Creature comforts like a sunroof, push-button ignition, keyless entry, leather-appointed seats and LED daytime running lights are also included.
The Trax rides on 18-inch alloy wheels and comes with a tyre repair kit, as opposed to a full-sized spare tyre – which makes room for a decent sized 387-litre boot with seats in normal position and 1270 litres with rear seats folded.
Everything inside the cabin, from the materials to plastics and indicator stalks feel solid and good quality. The leather-appointed seats are firm but comfortable and are finished with a brown stitching.
A 7.0-inch colour touchscreen that’s fairly intuitive offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, AM/FM and digital (DAB+) radio, Bluetooth connectivity and an AUX port.
In the all-important safety department, the top-spec Trax gets six airbags, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, brake assist and more. It also gets a reverse camera, which is painfully blurry, but still gets the job done. And, while it gets cruise control, it’s not adaptive and that’s a shame.
What is doesn’t get though, is autonomous emergency braking (AEB) which means while it currently gets ANCAP’s maximum five-star safety rating (because it was crash tested in 2013), it may only get a three or four star rating if tested again today.
Who will it appeal to?
Small SUVs are suitable for most household dynamics, from singles to small families and retirees. Because it sits well off the ground with a high hip point, it’s easy to get in and out as well as loading children, pups and groceries.
Cargo space is decent and fitting both a large and small carry-on suitcase in the boot was simple. There’s also four shopping hooks in the boot, a foldable armrest for the driver (neat!), powered sunroof up top and heated seats.
Rear seat passengers get a good amount of head room and leg room is okay, but three adults in the back is a tight squeeze.
A tow bar can be added, which offers 1200kg braked towing capacity and 500kg unbraked – so just a small box trailer, really.
Where does it fit?
Holden’s baby SUV is faced with tough competition in one of Australia’s most popular segments. It’s fallen behind in sales, beaten by newer and mostly better equipped models.
The Mitsubishi ASX has led the small SUV category for years, and while the Trax was once a popular option, it currently sits at the bottom end of the ten best sellers in the small SUV category, selling just 5433 units Australia-wide, compared to the ASX’s 19,034.
What’s it like to drive?
It probably won’t win awards for being the most fun SUV anytime soon, but for what it is, the Trax is easy to live with and drives quite well.
The 103kW 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine takes a little push to get going and is quite noisy as it works to pick up speed, but cruises nicely in suburbia. It rides smooth with little road noise (until you hit coarse bitumen) and carries speed well once you’ve reached 80-90km/h, floating through bends and changing direction nicely with light feathering of the throttle to get it over crests.
If you’re loading it up with people and gear however, you’ll be pushing it a little harder.
It glides over small potholes and road imperfections well, sometimes sending a little jolt through the cabin.
Gear changes are smooth thanks to a conventional six-speed auto (the only option for the LTZ) and there’s a faux-manual option too – however, it’s via a button atop the gearstick, which is neither natural nor fun to use.
So, what do we think?
The Holden Trax LTZ has a good level of equipment and even though it’s designed to be an urban run-about, it’s knuckles down and is actually fun to drive on twisty back roads. However, lower speed (60km/h) city driving is where it feels most comfortable and easy to drive.
Unfortunately, it still falls behind most of its competition thanks to its lack of aforementioned active safety features. Given its price $30k price tag, it might be worth considering other options. But if your heart is set on the Trax, it’s an SUV most will happily live with.
How much does the 2019 Holden Trax LTZ cost?
Price: $30,490 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 103kW/200Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.5L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 155g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP (2013)
- Cabin quality feels solid
- Engine holds speed well
- Good boot space
- Lacks modern active safety equipment
- Engine loud under load
- Doesn’t get electrically adjustable seat
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