The upgraded 2017 Holden Trax crossover has arrived
in Australia, bringing a number of positive changes to the lion brand’s
increasingly important small SUV offering.
The revised Korean-made crossover gets significantly
more mature frontal styling, a thoroughly overhauled cabin and more equipment,
while the base LS now comes available with the superior 1.4-litre turbo-petrol
engine, previously the province of higher grades.
Holden has also kept the base price of the LS at an
unchanged AUD 23,990 plus on-road costs, but has increased the cost of the flagship LTZ by AUD 1600 (to AUD 30,490) in return for a number of additions. However, a new LT variant joins
the range in the middle priced at AUD 28,890, the same as the old LTZ and adding
equipment.
Holden’s revised rival to the Mazda CX-3, Honda
HR-V, Suzuki Vitara and Toyota C-HR among many others gets a softer and
sportier frontal design with new LED daytime running lights as standard, while
there are some less obvious tweaks to the rear.
Inside, there’s a whole new fascia with
nicer contrasting trims and a new 7.0-inch touchscreen that displays the
standard reversing camera ad Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration. This
addresses a key shortfall of the previous vehicle.
Holden has also added the punchier and more
efficient 140 Hp/200 Nm 1.4-litre turbo engine to the base LS in six-speed
automatic transmission guise, meaning the only car with the old 140 Hp/175 Nm
1.8-litre normally aspirated unit is the base LS with five-speed manual.
The mid-range LT and flagship LTZ are 1.4/auto only propositions. The 1.4 LS also gets rear disc brakes
now. The Trax is 4278 mm long, 1776 mm wide, 1674 mm high, on a 2555 mm wheelbase. Boot
space is 357L/785L, tare weight is 1390 kg and towing capacity is a 1200 kg
braked trailer.
A number of features have been added over the MY16
model. The LS gets the 1.4 engine, LED daytime running lights and Apple
CarPlay/Android Auto. The new LT grade gets (over and above the old LTZ) a
sunroof, push-button start and DAB+. The MY17 LTZ adds new gear such as LED
tail lights, TFT driver information display, an illuminated blind-spot monitor
and rear cross-traffic alert.
There’s also a new paint line-up. Base colours are
red and white, while AUD 550 premium options are Boracay blue, Burning Hot orange,
Mineral black, Nitrate silver, and Son of a Gun grey. The Trax joins the
Trailblazer in Holden’s refreshed SUV range, with the recently revealed Acadia
and Equinox due by early 2018.
