Holden aims its $50K SUV at the top-sellers

Holden’s import hope competes in the hottest SUV class against bestsellers from Toyota, Mazda and Hyundai. Does the top-spec Equinox have the power, packaging and equipment?

BILL McKINNON

4 min read

January 26, 2018 - 12:01PM

Motoring writers are like vultures. We watch all the new cars go by. Most of them are healthy and strong but, once in a while, a weak or wounded one falls behind the pack.

It’s then that we move in for the kill. First we pick out the eyes, then we tear it to pieces.

Holden’s Captiva SUV has had more scorn heaped upon it by the motoring media than any other vehicle I can think of. It’s usually referred to as the “Craptiva” and with its less than exemplary reliability record, some owners use an even less complimentary expletive that ends in “box.”

It’s got a lot of GM-owned brand Daewoo DNA under the skin, dating from the early noughties when the South Koreans made some truly awful cars.

Holden Equinox: Replacement for the five-seater Captiva.

The Captiva five-seater has now been replaced by the Equinox, which we’re testing today. Later in the year, the Captiva name will disappear when the seven-seater is superseded by the Acadia.

We’ll find something else to turn into roadkill. There’s always a weak one somewhere. It’s nature’s way.

VALUE

The Equinox competes in the hottest SUV class, where the top sellers are Mazda’s CX-5, Hyundai’s Tucson and the Toyota RAV4.

At the pointy end of the range, we’re testing the LTZ-V, powered by a 2.0-litre turbo (188kW/353Nm), with a nine-speed automatic and selectable all-wheel drive. It costs $46,290 plus on road costs. That’s more than 50-large by the time you drive it home.

It had better be good, then.

Equinox: Competitive fitout and ample standard features in top-spec LTZ-V.

Standard features include heated and cooled, leather-faced, power-adjustable front seats, wireless phone charging, automatic parallel and perpendicular parking, LED headlights, Bose audio, full-length sunroof, remote engine start, hands-free power tailgate and 19-inch alloys.

Holden’s premium MyLink infotainment features an eight-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, navigation with traffic updates, voice control and digital radio.

Despite its generous specification, the LTZ cabin feels like $25,000, not $50,000. Fit and finish quality are OK but GM’s trademark sludge grey decor gives it a grim, low-rent ambience compared with more stylish, polished rivals.

COMFORT

No major problems here, with a flat, reasonably comfortable driver’s seat and clear vision in all directions.

The heated rear seat has plenty of legroom but the backrest is too steeply angled in either of its two positions. Vents, two USBs and two power outlets (12V and 230V) are provided, so kids will be happy.

Equinox five-seater: Spacious second-row with vents and power outlets plus big boot.

A big boot is easily extended using the 60-40 split fold rear seat backs.

Holden’s engineers (yes, it still has some) have tweaked the suspension for local roads, so the ride, though firm on 19-inch wheels, is reasonably compliant. Base models on 17-inch wheels would be more comfortable in town.

SAFETY

The Equinox has a vibrating driver’s seat cushion that gives your bum cheeks a tickle when the forward collision or rear cross traffic alerts are activated — kinky but effective, though the forward collision alert throws up so many false alarms you’ll probably turn it off.

You also get autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist and trailer sway control. In the absence of adaptive cruise or surround cameras, there are just a rear camera and parking sensors.

DRIVING

The Equinox doesn’t drive like $50,000 worth either. The turbo is tractable and refined on a light throttle but when you put your foot down it’s got way too much torque for the front-wheel drivetrain to deal with — it chirps the tyres, the steering wheel tugs hard in your hands and the car veers from side to side.

Sporty it is not: Safe handling but Equinox’s punchy engine can be a handful.

In all-wheel drive mode, this tugging is less severe, but still excessive. The test car also had a serious drivetrain shudder under hard acceleration that would have had an owner taking it back to the dealer for attention.

Despite automatic stop-start, which you can’t turn off, it will use 10-13L/100km of premium in town, where a wide turning circle is another annoyance. On the highway, expect 7L-8L/100km

When you have too many choices, making a decision can be difficult. So it is with the nine-speed transmission, which dithers around when you want the next gear (or two) in a hurry, slurs its shifts under pressure, won’t shift into top gear at Australian speed limits and gives no real benefit over a six-speed.

As you would expect from Holden, handling is safe, secure and predictable on the open road, with good control on rough surfaces. It ain’t sporty, though.

HEART SAYS

I know they don’t make cars here any more but I like Holdens. This one’s made in Mexico, so I’m giving the finger to Donald Trump as well.

HEAD SAYS

OK, so it’s not a frontrunner in the class but it’s a lot of SUV for the money. It’s got the most powerful engine in the class and all the gear you could want.

ALTERNATIVES

SUBARU FORESTER XT PREMIUM FROM $48,240

Runs the WRX’s 177kW 2.0-litre turbo, with a CVT and all-wheel drive. Safe, comfortable, sportyish dynamics and strong resale values. Pricey, frequent servicing.

VW TIGUAN SPORTLINE 162 TSI FROM $45,990

If you want a performance SUV, this is the one. Golf GTi 2.0 turbo with 162kW/seven-speed dual-clutch auto/all-wheel drive. Beautiful design, up to the minute tech, great handling.

VERDICT

2.5 stars

Power without glory. Packaging and equipment are competitive but the drivetrain needs work and it’s a style-free zone. You can buy a lot better at the price.

HOLDEN EQUINOX LTZ-V