- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
1.4T, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
103kW, 200Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 6.9L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Holden Trax LTZ 1.4 new car review
The Trax has been a welcome addition to the Holden's lineup, helping grow the strong SUV showing for a brand that by the end of 2017 will lose its former dominant best seller, the Commodore.
In a growing market segment – small SUVs – the Trax is one of the more popular candidates, commanding an 8 per cent share. It's also added some healthy volume to Holden's overall sales as it battles with slowing demand for its locally produced models.
Now Holden has grown and tweaked the Trax range, adding the option of the 1.4-litre turbocharged engine that's already available in vehicles such as the Cruze and Barina.
What do you get?
The biggest news with the latest iteration of the Trax is under the bonnet, where the 1.8-litre four-cylinder is sidelined for a 1.4-litre turbo.
That new engine – marketed as iTi, or intelligent turbo induction – is fitted only to the more expensive LTZ model, which picks up features such as heated seats and fake leather trim on top of the already generous spread of a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, colour touchscreen, Bluetooth, alloy wheels, a suite of embedded apps and six airbags (dual front, front-side and side curtain). LTZ models also get the favoured auto transmission standard.
Coinciding with the arrival of the new model is an overall update that adds rain sensing wipers, driver's arm rest and 18-inch wheels to the LTZ equipment list.
There's a tyre repair kit or you can option a full-sized spare tyre.
The asking price for the 1.4 Trax is $29,990 (plus on-road and dealer costs), which represents a $1500 premium over the 1.8-litre that's in other models. At that money it's more expensive than some of the bigger mid-sized SUVs, although it offsets that with plenty of equipment.
What's inside?
The Trax is one of the bigger of the new breed of small SUVs, something appealing to those planning on using the rear seats regularly. But its more compact dimensions - deep beneath it's based on the Holden Barina - ultimately reduce the rear seats to two people, unless a trio are particularly petite.
Luggage space, too is basic rather than broad. The load area is compact but benefits from split-folding rear sears, which go flat if you initially raise the seat base.
Up front, though, space is generous with ample head room and a higher seating position.
There are three covered binnacles, although all are differing grades of small; none can fit a full-sized iPad.
Under the bonnet
The 1.4 iTi engine uses its turbocharger to match the peak 103kW output of the larger 1.8. But it's with torque, or pulling power, where the force-fed engine scores bonus points.
Torque peaks at 200Nm, a full 25Nm more than the 1.8. More important than the overall figure is how it's delivered; in the iTi engine the torque swells to its maximum at just 1850rpm, whereas in the 1.8 the 175Nm arrives at 3800rpm.
That means that you can achieve more muscular performance at lower engine revs, meaning you can drive it more gently and without having to rev it as hard when calling on above average acceleration.
Throttle response is perky and it gels well with the six-speed auto, which also provides a generous spread of ratios that work well around town and on a freeway.
But the 1.4 iTi is not all good news. Despite the same engine happily running on regular unleaded in other models, Holden recommends Traxs fitted with the 1.4 be fed with more expensive premium unleaded.
Fuel use is nothing spectacular, either; it's claimed at 6.9L/100km, which is 0.7L/100km better than the 1.8-litre engine in more affordable Traxs. We found it use a whisker over 10L/100km in a mix of everyday driving.
Considering the higher fuel costs (typically 10 per cent for premium unleaded) it means it won't necessarily be cheaper to run than the regular models.
On the road
Don't be fooled by the four-wheel-drive looks because the Trax only drives its front wheels. But it generally does a respectable job of feeding power to the bitumen.
Clever design cues make it look chunkier than it is; much of that is down to the black surrounds of the lower skirtings surrounding the car, which allow the body colour to sit higher and prouder.
Still, you feel as though you're tall enough - and certainly taller than most of the surrounding traffic, which to many is the important bit. But be wary of the low front bumper, which is prone to a scrape or scuff on a steep driveway.
Oherwise the Trax is one of the more obedient of the baby SUVs.
There's some suspension noise, though, with unwanted clunks more noticeable at lower speeds. But the ride is relatively compliant and composed, only leaning noticeably when pushed harder.
Speaking of which, the Continental tyres compliment the competent dynamics, with above average grip.
Verdict
There's little doubt the 1.4-litre turbo engine is a better bet than the trashy and unsophisticated 1.8 that's until now been the sole option for the Trax. But it comes at a price, both when running it and to step into it in the first place.
Holden Trax LTZ 1.4 pricing and specifications
Price: $29,990, plus on-road and dealer costs
Country of origin: South Korea
Engine: 1.4-litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 103kW at 4900rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 1850rpm
CO2 emissions: 163g/km
Transmission: 6-speed auto, front-wheel-drive
Weight: 1371kg
Safety: 6 airbags; stability control