Holden TRAX LTZ

 

Holden's dinky SUV the TRAX, has plenty of competition in the Australian marketplace, but is holding its own with a certain stylish appeal.
First though, how does it look. The TRAX presents well with perky upright styling and large glass areas that enable easy manoeuvreing in tight spots. The turning circle is tight, ideal for city wheel twirling. The steering is very sensitive off centre, but still light and responsive.
Doors open wide and if normal sized people are up front, the leg room is not too bad for rear seat passengers.
The TRAX is based on the tried and true Holden Barina floor pan.Instruments, including the motorcycle style speedo binnacle are clear, well placed and easy to read, especially the large digital speedometer. You don't get auto climate control, but that's not really necessary. The manual setting knobs work just fine.

 

Either side of the central information screen are two cavities....style only, they don't store anything. There are plenty of storage spaces in the TRAX, no fewer than three in the dashboard One on top and a double affair ahead of the front seat passenger. Only the driver's window has an auto up/down function, The rear glass lowers into the doors completely, unlike some others which don't sit flush in the window opening. 
Seat height is manually done with a pump lever at the side of the driver's seat, and there's also a dead pedal for the driver's left foot

 

 

The front seats are heated, but the heat is not adjustable. They are either full on or off. Cold winter mornings they warm quickly though and heat the seat squab and lower back as well.
The seats are narrow and firm and lack some lateral support, but this is not a car you will be flinging at speed through tight corners too often. It will handle benignly if you do however, but it's tall stance doesn't encourage it.
The ride is similar to the Barina, but the TRAX is a tad heavier.. The suspension soaks up most regular urban ruts and bumps but becomes unsettled over anything rougher.

 

The 1.8 litre engine is the same as in the Barina hatch.
Pedalled enthusiastically it lets you know about it, becoming quite busy in the upper rev ranges. The motor develops 103 kw and 175nm of torque. It's no slouch but needs a good prod of throttle to get up and go. Highway cruising, there's little road or wind noise, and the engine is hovering at just over 2,000rpm.
Average fuel consumption is under 7 litres per 100 kilometres..
The six speed gearbox changes unobtrusively, and while there are no steering column mounted paddles, you can hold the car in gear or change gear manually via a switch on the side of the console lever. It's quite awkward to use, but ownership should breed familiarity.
Part of the top of the range TRAX LTZ kit is satellite navigation, cruise control, and bluetooth connection, auto headlights and auto door locking. There's no keyless entry and start.. just a regular key.The audio system produces reasonable sound. The headlights however are barely adequate on either low or high beam

 

You are however provided with a full sized spare wheel and reasonable tool kit. The rear cargo area isn't huge as you'd expect, but with the rear seats folded flat it's a useful carrier for a couple or small family.
The TRAX LTZ costs just over 28K.
It's well worth a look.
Peter sellen