Ute v SUV: Which is the best weekend warrior?

Holden Colorado v Holden Trailblazer
Lifestyle Comparison Test

Australia’s love affair with SUVs is matched only by its growing affection for dual-cab utes. Each one offers a level of flexibility and functionality with which other vehicle types simply can’t compete. Between them, they’re becoming the default purchase – particularly for families.

SUVs significantly outsells passenger cars in Australia, crowning it as the popular choice for Aussie buyers. But the utility vehicle, once reserved for tradies only, finds similar appeal with credentials for both work and play.

Thanks to clever platform sharing and wistful advertising spin, the number of twin-under-the-skin offerings (ute v SUV) is growing. They give buyers variety, within a familiar framework. It’s inspired packaging at its best.

Holden’s Colorado one-tonner and seven-seat Trailblazer SUV are just one such example of a pairing. So we’re taking them on the family camping trip to find out which one is best suited to the city-dwelling family who occasionally ventures off the beaten track.

The full package
Drivers in these segments want everything – car-like handling and performance, with all the versatility and flexibility that a ute or SUV brings to the table. If we can add some eco-friendly enhancements, that’d be great, too.

SUVs came to the table with much of this, and the dual-cab ute has fast caught on, lifting its game with a more refined experience that is now fit for the whole family.

Our recent 4WD dual-cab ute comparison shows just how much variety is available.

Following in the footsteps of prestige brand Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz is even getting in on the act with its much-anticipated X-Class, due to hit Australia in 2018.

The differences in body style are obvious and it’s what truly separates these two. As we find out, however, each has its pros and cons.

Drivetrain and driveability
Under the metal, there are many similarities. Our test vehicles are both are powered by the same 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel that delivers 147kW and a hefty 500Nm. They’re matched to a six-speed automatic transmission and feature dual-range four-wheel drive.

The vehicles have undergone local engine, chassis and equipment upgrades for their foray into the Australian market. Suspension set-up sees the Trailbalzer with a double wishbone (front) and car-like multilink (rear), whereas the load-lugging Colorado features a leaf-spring live rear axle.

It’s fair to say that behind the wheel, there’s not a lot in it. Both vehicles deliver a smooth and forgiving ride across a variety of surfaces. As evidenced in this adventure, there’s no loser.

For the sake of this tale, we’re more focused on practicalities and flexibility – family-friendly stuff.

Containing the kids
When it comes to second-row amenity we find the Colorado ute slipping behind. It has no second-row air vents and no centre armrest – which means the complaints department will be running hot.

The ride comfort was also a little ‘jiggly’ compared to the softer-riding Trailblazer.

Both back seats are equipped with a 12-volt outlet, but neither featured a USB in the second row.

Conversely, the Colorado won points for its ease of access. It’s about 70mm lower in its side step to seat base measurement – which is good news for kids and short-folk alike.

It’s a pain to load child seats into the top-tether points on the Colorado, whereas the Trailblazer is made for such torturous tasks.

Off-road and hauling a load
Colorado wins this battle, towing up to 3500kg versus 3000kg for the Trailblazer. It’s hardly a deal breaker if you’re towing on the odd occasion but it could be the difference between a trailer or a caravan, a horse float and the like.

The Colorado provides ground clearance of 231mm with a wading depth of 600mm. Approach, break-over and departure angles are 30, 23 and 22 degrees respectively.
The Trailblazer offers less ground clearance (219mm ) and the same 600mm wading depth.Approach and break-over angles are comparable at 30.1 and 22.6. But, thanks to the lack of a tray, the SUV betters the Colorado’s departure angle at 25.1 degrees.

On both vehicles hill-start assist, trailer sway and hill-descent control help you with both off-road and load hauling duties. We found all systems worked impeccably well.

Safe carriage of cargo
This is the great divide… to say the least.

The Colorado’s robust nature lends itself to a more rugged approach to loading things. It’s awesome to literally throw the kids’ bikes in the back with limited care factor to scuffing the tray. And with camping gear in mind, it’s definitely got the edge. Load gas bottles, jerry cans and wet/dirty/smelly gear with clear separation from the passenger cabin.
Cram things in and secure them with ropes and tie-downs for safe carriage. Depending on your choice of ute, most offer four tie-down points (Ford Ranger and Mazda’s BT-50 boast six). Load these things in your SUV and it’s a potential safety hazard, particularly in the event of a sudden stop or collision.

An easy to hose out tray also lends itself to the kind of muddy affair that you’d be hesitant to expose your carpeted SUV to.

Surprisingly, a 12-volt outlet can be found in the load area of the Trailblazer only. It also has lights in the cargo area, whereas the Colorado misses out on tray illumination (which you’ll find on the Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok). In remote camping conditions, you need to rig lighting to find anything in the tray.

The ute’s major downfall is the ‘security’ part of this equation. It leaves your cargo exposed – to the elements and potential theft. As standard you may get a tonneau cover, at best, but that won’t stop committed thieves.

You can option a hard canopy to achieve the load safety of a SUV… but they ruin the essence of a ute, and make the carriage of tall or odd-shaped items difficult, which kind of defeats the purpose.

Tech-friendly twins
There are many active and passive safety features on both Colorado and Trailblazer giving each vehicle a five-star ANCAP rating.

Other tech of high importance in family terms is Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, which continues to grow its appeal. Rightly so, it’s a great system that makes mobile phone functionality a seamless transition to in car connectivity, and with voice control as part of the deal, keeps eyes where they should be – on the road.

The MyLink infotainment system with 8.0-inch colour touchscreen is a pretty good interface, too.

Big ticket features are shared, including cruise control, reversing cameras, forward-collision alert, lane-departure warning and blind-spot monitoring.

Dollars and sense
The Colorado LTZ is priced from $50,490 (as tested, plus on-road costs), while the Trailblazer LTZ starts at $52,490 (as tested, plus ORCs). The tipping point here is that the Trailblazer will accommodate seven occupants – which is a game changer and, quite frankly, an unfair advantage when it comes to family-friendly credentials.

At the bowser there’s not much to separate the two. The Colorado comes in at 9.1L/100km (ADR Combined) while the slightly heavier Trailblazer claims just 8.6L/100km (ADR Combined).

A three-year/100,000km warranty and service intervals of 15,000km or nine months (whichever comes first) are shared.

The value equation is a moot point if it’s seven-seats you crave. For everyone else, it becomes a question of value versus versatility.

Levelling the playing field
In order for the Colorado to become a true ‘all-rounder’, rivalling the rise and rise of the SUV, it has to sacrifice the very thing that makes it an icon – the essence of ute, the vulnerable, tools-out tray.

It’s un-Australian, to suggest it.

In theory, the family-friendly, something-for-everyone SUV rises to the challenge more easily. Vomit-friendly, hose-out third-row accommodation would be a big step forward.

There’s a fine line between robust and revolting, utilitarian and user-friendly that no manufacturer has nailed as yet.

Who ‘wins’?
It seems we will not hit peak ‘Australian’ for some time, with the dual-cab ute unlikely to replace the SUV in the near future.

Ride comfort, cargo security and creature comforts trump the gnarly spirit of the dual-cab ute on this test. But watch this space, because the ultimate ute is a force to be reckoned with.

2017 Holden Colorado LTZ pricing and specifications:
Price: $50,490 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 147kW/500Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 9.1L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 230g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

2017 Holden Trailblazer LTZ pricing and specifications:
Price: $52,490 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 147kW/500Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 228g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP