- Doors and Seats
4 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.8DT, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
147kW, 440Nm
- Fuel
Diesel 7.9L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4XD
- Transmission
Manual
- Warranty
5 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2016)
Tradie Review: 2020 Holden Colorado
A lot comes into play when choosing your next work ute. Can the Holden Colorado be your next work horse?
How does this compare on price?
The Colorado is sharply priced across the entire line-up, with prices running from $31,690 before on-road costs for the base model to $57,190 for the range-topping Colorado Z71.
With unique stickers, black wheels, and niceties like a soft-drop tailgate and folding tonneau – along with extra underbody protection – the Z71 is fully loaded, but doesn’t go quite as far as cars like the Toyota HiLux Rugged or more specialised but more expensive Nissan Navara N-Trek Warrior when it comes to off-road equipment.
What is it like inside?
The Colorado has everything you’d expect of a dual-cab ute in 2020.
There’s an 8.0-inch infotainment system in the middle of the dashboard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the range-topping Z71 has heated leather seats, a leather steering wheel, and DAB digital radio.
Space in the rear seats is par for the class, which means taller tradies won’t want to spend too much time back there, but the front is comfortable for long stints behind the wheel – even if you’re awkwardly shaped or long-limbed.
Is it a safe car in this segment?
The Colorado has a five-star ANCAP safety rating from 2016, but it misses out on autonomous emergency braking technology.
Rival utes like the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, and Mitsubishi Triton all offer the technology standard, while the new-generation Isuzu D-Max is expected to offer it when it arrives late this year.
With that said, the Colorado does offer pre-collision alert, lane-departure warning, and a clear reversing camera.
How much does it cost to maintain?
Holden is currently offering four-wheel-drive 2019 Colorado models with seven years of free servicing.
Under the ‘Know Your Cost Servicing’ plan, the first five services cost a combined $2155 at 12-month/12,000km intervals.
What does it have under the bonnet?
Power comes from a 2.8-litre turbo diesel engine making 147kW and 500Nm with an automatic, or 440Nm for manual models, put to all four wheels through a switchable four-wheel-drive system.
It’s a capable engine, too, with plenty of pulling power for overtaking, towing or lugging a heavy load. Although it’s a bit noisy when you really bury the accelerator, the Colorado is quiet at highway speeds.
The optional six-speed automatic transmission is a smooth mover, shuffling happily away in the background around town, and ensuring the engine sticks where there’s plenty of pulling power.
What is its economy like?
Claimed fuel economy is 8.6L/100km on the combined cycle, although you can expect to get closer to 10L/100km in the real world. We most recently drove the Colorado in Thailand, where the driving wasn’t really conducive to finding real-world figures for Australians.
What else should I consider in this segment?
The Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger are perennial favourites in the dual-cab ute segment, but the recently updated Mitsubishi Triton is also worth a look.
It has a lower list price than the Colorado, although both Holden and Mitsubishi dealers are known for sharpening their pencils when pushed.
Any problems I should look out for?
If you’re a serious off-roader, the lack of a locking differential on the rear axle could prove problematic, although the Colorado has proven itself a capable, dependable off-road companion every time it’s been through the Drive office.
Back in the city, it’s worth bearing in mind the Colorado misses out on safety equipment like autonomous emergency braking. An update in mid-2020 should rectify the most glaring of those omissions, although Holden wouldn’t outright confirm it.
Should I buy it?
The Colorado is an underrated offering in the competitive dual-cab ute market. It’s definitely worth a look.