Holden Trax Ltz 1.4 Turbo – It’s a tough segment right now, the small SUV category, and the Trax has been playing there for a long time. Does it still have what it takes to keep the package?
The Holden Trax was one of the first modern compact SUVs to hit the market, but, with the current generation going on sale in 2013, the Trax’s time in the showroom is now working against it.
Holden Trax Ltz 1.4 Turbo
It’s not the oldest option in the segment – that award goes straight to the old Mitsubishi ASX, but now there are plenty of newer options for buyers to choose from. It’s a tough market for six-year-old cars now.
Holden Trax Ltz 1.4 New Car Review
The LTZ Trax is the highest grade available in the range, and retails for $30,490 before on-road costs. It sits at the top end of the compact SUV market, but still undercuts the high-spec versions of the Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona, Mazda CX-3 and Nissan Juke.
While lower-spec versions of the Trax are more attainable for buyers looking for their first car, or those upsizing from a traditional small hatch or sedan to an SUV, the Trax LTZ may appeal more to older people. Will get a big SUV or sedan / station wagon.
However, most buyers will likely be drawn to the Trax’s extremely high seating position, which gives the driver a jacked-up vantage point without the bulk or cost of a full-size SUV.
The Trax’s footprint on the road is modest, about the same as an average small hatchback like the Corolla. The biggest difference in dimensions, however, is height – Trax is incredibly tall.
Used Holden Trax Review: 2013 2020
And it really is a Trax calling card. The body is raised and the high seating position allows the driver a great view of the road ahead, while also providing easy access to the rear seat for strapping in children. For many people considering an SUV, a high H-point – or the height of a person’s hips above the road – is paramount.
This LTZ is equipped with faux-leather upholstery that is admittedly not as bad as synthetic hide, and there is reasonable comfort from the front seats – which are also heated in the LTZ.
The width of the cabin is not great, however, given the underpinnings of the Trax’s light car, and it only serves to increase the feeling of the car about its length. Even though it eats up a bit of the LTZ’s standard sunroof headroom, you can probably still get away with the top hat.
However, the rear seat comfort is poor. The upright seating position and flat, horizontal seat cushions mean it’s not a place you’ll want to spend most of your time.
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However, rear passengers get a minimally padded armrest, generous legroom, ample headroom, good visibility from the side mirrors, a small door pocket for storage and a fold-down center armrest with a pair of cupholders.
Oh, and there’s also a 230-volt household-style power outlet on the back of the center console. It’s not a feature you usually find at this end of the SUV segment, and it means you can likely plug in – and use – any light-duty home appliance you want. . We question the discretion of anyone who chooses to put a sandwich press or hair straightener in their Trax, but it would be perfect for charging like a laptop during long trips.
There are also other sensible features, such as a quarter of a shopping bag hook in the boot (a very underrated feature), and a full-size steel spare wheel under the boot floor. The 356 liter boot is also a useful size, especially for empty nesters or singles who don’t need to pack a pram or other large luggage on a regular basis.
However, it is positively brought down by the design of the cabin which not only looks dated, but lacks a consistent style. It’s dated, and the organic protrusions of the Trax’s cabin plastic are nowhere near as appealing as the better-designed Mazda CX-3 or Toyota C-HR.
Holden Trax Ltz 1.4p/6at/sw/4dr
The infotainment system is also a bit dated, and while Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring are standard, the absence of a built-in nav system thanks to the color touchscreen seems a bit stingy at the LTZ’s $30K+ price point, as the climate control is lacking.
Powered by a 1.4-litre turbo with 103kW and 200Nm, the Trax LTZ has a relaxed demeanor when cruising around town and suburbs. The engine produces quite a bit of torque, and its calibrated six-speed automatic does a good job of making the most of it.
However, it’s not fun when you have to put a little more capital into the step, at high rpm the engine becomes rough and noisy and the engine is reluctant to downshift and give you extra boost.
Weighing in at just under 1.4 tonnes, the Trax is heavier than you’d expect a heavy front-wheel drive hatchback to be, and it’s that mass that obscures its performance. .
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That said, the Trax LTZ actually handles very well. The well-tuned suspension and surprisingly accurate steering means there’s actually some fun to be had if the road turns, and the rigid body control translates into stable and predictable handling – this SUV certainly does, and it doesn’t topple like a boat in the water.
But the other side of the coin is to ride a lot firmer on the city streets. You will feel anxiety with this suspension as it wants to react to every bump, no matter how small, which can become tiring the longer you spend behind the wheel.
Ride comfort can definitely be improved – competitors like Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3 and Toyota C-HR do it better.
The Trax is showing its age quite a bit, and while it’s a good buy in the lower grades, the top-spec LTZ isn’t as competitive as it should be given what’s in the segment today.
Holden Trax Lt 1.4l Turbo Auto
It handles the road well and boasts a generous-sized cabin, and that high seating position will definitely be a big drawcard for many small SUV buyers. The engine’s flexible performance and stiff ride take some of the shine off it, and feature fit is a bit inconsistent (why heated seats, but no climate control?).
Overall, it’s a middle-of-the-road player, with some virtues that are negated by the corresponding number of minuses. It’s priced on the wrong side of $30K, but for some the fact that it boasts a good amount of equipment and plenty of room for a little less money than competing range-topping compact SUVs earns Trax LTZ a point. in their short list.
The first book Tony ever read cover-to-cover was a maintenance manual for a Volkswagen Beetle, and he has been reading and writing about cars ever since. While Holden covered the big end of the SUV market until the start of this decade, it wasn’t a fair dinkum competitor at the bite-sized end.
Enter the Trax, a high-riding wagon with typical SUV touches, including wheelarch extensions and large alloy wheels.
Holden Trax Ltz 1.4 Turbo Petrol Nz New
The catch is that your Trax really wants the more expensive version with a superior engine.
The highlight of the Trax is the ready and punchy 1.4 liter turbocharged engine option. Handling is better than some of the competition and the front seats offer plenty of support.
In addition, it is the typical SUV features that attract people to this vehicle: a high seating position and easy access and, in terms of the size of this SUV, easy parking.
The interior is nothing special and looks cheap in places. The steering lacks feel and precision and the entry-level 1.8-litre engine is unimpressive.
Holden Trax Ltz Quick Review
Used Trax prices start around $7000 for the base model from the first year it went on sale.
While the Trax was one of the longest running models around before the ax fell on Holden, it’s still basically the current model on the price list, so the manufacturer’s RRP is still a valid guide.
The top-of-the-line version, the Series 2, starts around $15,000, but to get a better engine, budget closer to $20,000 for the 2017 LT or LTZ.
Holden’s South Korean-sourced products don’t have the odd quality problem, and the Trax is no different, although it’s not the worst offender.
Holden Trax 2015
The Trax has been recalled twice by Holden, the first time for a potential defect in the seat belt pretensioning system which has been known to have safety implications.
The good news is that only eight cars are involved in this particular recall, and Holden dealers can identify those affected if you’re in doubt about a particular example.
The second recall falls under an odd title: Some Trax have a defect in the ignition barrel that will cause the car to mysteriously crank its starter motor even when no one is in the car.
If the car is manual, in gear and the park brake is not fully engaged, the starter motor is sufficient.
Holden Trax Tj Lt Automatic Wagon
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