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Holden Acadia SUV revealed alongside new Astra, Trailblazer and facelifted Trax, Barina

Holden has revealed five new and facelifted models overnight, including the 2018 Acadia SUV, which will finally give the company a rival to the likes of the Toyota Kluger and Mazda CX-9.


The seven-seat Acadia was joined by the anticipated new Astra and the new Trailblazer off-roader (which replaces the Colorado 7), along with the facelifted Barina and Trax.

Holden has also announced the Acadia, Trax and Trailblazer will be joined by an all-new ‘global SUV’ that is yet-to-be revealed, though it’s a safe assumption this new model will serve as a replacement for the ageing Captiva.


Above: US-market GMC Acadia

Scheduled to go on sale locally in 2018, the Holden Acadia is essentially a rebadged version of the new-generation GMC Acadia, which was first revealed in Detroit earlier this year and has recently launched in its home market of North America.

The Acadia’s local unveiling confirms reports earlier this year that Holden was evaluating the large SUV to fill a gaping hole in its line-up.

It should be noted that the vehicle shown in Australia this week is an American-market left-hand-drive model brought in for preview and engineering purposes, and some styling changes are still to be made. One notable tweak will be to the grille, with the final Australian look expected to be more in-line with the example linked above.

Powering the US-market GMC Acadia is a choice of two engines; a 144kW/255Nm 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine along with a 231kW/367Nm 3.6-litre V6.

A six-speed automatic transmission sends drive to either the front or all four wheels, depending on model.

Measuring 4917mm long and 1915mm wide, the Acadia is slightly longer and about as wide as a Toyota Kluger (4865mm/1925mm), while it’s just short in both dimensions compared to the Mazda CX-9 (5075mm/1969mm) and Nissan Pathfinder (5008mm/1960mm).

Details on local specification are yet to be released, and are likely to be revealed closer to the Acadia’s 2018 launch. However, the US version offers stop/start on the 2.5-litre engine, along with tri-zone climate control, and keyless entry and start.

There is also be a WiFi hotspot, reversing camera, 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, daytime-running lamps and 17-inch alloy wheels on the base ‘SL’ variant.

Astra

Meanwhile, the all-new Holden Astra is sourced from European sister company Opel, and will go on sale locally in November.

Earlier this year the Astra was named the 2016 European Car of the Year (in Opel guise), ahead of the new Volvo XC90 and Mazda MX-5.

Weighing around 200 kilograms less than the outgoing model, the new Astra also offers segment-first features (in Europe) including matrix full-LED headlights along with ventilated and massaging front seats.

The new Astra is also claimed to be more upmarket than the current car, taking aim at the class-leader for refinement, the Volkswagen Golf.

Trailblazer

Joining the Acadia and Astra is the new Trailblazer off-roader, which replacing the slow-selling Colorado 7 in the brand’s line-up.

After being revealed last week when it received a five-star ANCAP safety rating, Holden has officially taken the wraps off its revamped ute-based SUV.

Like the recently-launched Colorado ute, the new Trailblazer gets an exterior facelift and a comprehensive refresh for the interior, which includes a new 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

New higher quality materials are employed throughout the cabin, as opposed to the Colorado 7’s fairly plasticky interior.

Powering the Trailblazer is the same 2.8-litre turbo-diesel from the outgoing car, producing 147kW of power and 500Nm of torque, likely mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Trailblazer hits showrooms in October.

Trax

Rounding out the new crop of Holden SUV’s is the facelifted Trax, which was previewed by the Chevrolet version earlier this year before the Chicago auto show in February.

Headlining the updates is the new face, which is inspired by the upcoming Cruze update and recently-launched Spark. Thinner, wider headlights now house LED daytime-running lights, flanking a new version of Chevrolet’s ‘dual port’ grille design.

Out back, the new Trax is subtly distinguished by a new bumper and revised tail-lights.

Inside are where the most comprehensive changes have been made, starting with the more conventional driver speedo and tacho dials which replace the outgoing car’s white-on-blue LCD cluster.

The dashboard and centre stack have been redesigned, incorporating a new 7.0-inch MyLink touchscreen infotainment system which features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

In the US, the Trax offers 4G LTE and Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity, though it’s unknown whether these features will be available in Australia.

Final details and specifications will be revealed closer to the new Trax’s January 2017 launch.

Barina

Finally, the refreshed Barina has been revealed, scheduled to go on sale in November.

We got a glimpse of the updated hatch in March when Chevrolet revealed the facelifted Sonic - the Barina's American twin - then a partially-disguised 2017 Barina was spied earlier this month in Melbourne.

Up front the new Barina looks very similar to the new Trax and the smaller Spark, with its more rectangular headlights and updated ‘two port’ grille design.

LED daytime-running lights are now offered, though it’s not known whether these will be standard across the range. Out the back revised tail-lights and a new bumper complete the minor facelift.

The updated Barina features a lightly refreshed interior with a new 7.0-inch MyLink infotainment system which features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

In the US, the new model offers keyless entry and push-button start, heated seats, an electrically-adjustable driver’s seat and a heated steering wheel - though final specifications are yet to be confirmed.

Mechanically, regular Barina models are powered by a carryover 1.8-litre petrol engine while the hotter RS model retains its 1.4-litre turbo.

Stay tuned for an updated closer to the Barina’s November launch.

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