Holden Rodeo Review Australia | Features & Specifications

• Car Reviews,
• Jul 27, 2020

Do you require a big and strong vehicle? Does your job nature require a vehicle that can handle anything that you ask for it? If you require heavy lifting and going to places that no ordinary vehicle can go, then we have just the thing for you. Behold the Holden Rodeo ute, which is an almost perfect vehicle that checks all the above requirements and more. It offers robustness, excellent ground clearance, ample space to fit in your family or crew, and a high performing engine.

 

The Holden Rodeo 4x4 was available in Australia and New Zealand from 2003 to 2007. It was previously known as the Isuzu Rodeo, which was manufactured and exported by the Japanese. Similar in size and specifications are the GMC Canyon and the Chevrolet Colorado.

 

The Holden Rodeo was available in various trims and versions and included options for single, double, and extended cabs. You could also choose between two-wheel and four-wheel drive variants.

Even though Holden Rodeo 4x4 was a practical vehicle suitable for all kinds of heavy jobs, its sales were still affected. This was due to the strong competition and the numerous vehicles with similar make that were manufactured at that time.

 

The Holden Rodeo had a payload capacity of a minimum of 2054 kg and a towing capacity that ranges from 2000 to 3000 kg, depending on the engine variant that you opt for.

 

Background:

The Holden Rodeo can be labeled as a utility vehicle or a mini truck. It was sold in Australia and New Zealand by Holden car manufacturing company. It was initially produced by Isuzu since 1980 and continued to do so for the next three decades until Holden took over the manufacturing. In 2008, when Holden became a separate entity, it was renamed to the Holden Colorado.

 

At the start, the vehicle was imported from Japan under the name of Isuzu Faster. It was also known as the Chevrolet LUV, or the Isuzu LUV.  Isuzu in Japan discharged the upgraded Faster in May 1988. And then received, and gave by Holden in August 1988 as the second era Holden Rodeo TF. The TF had a few assignments over its life expectancy. R7 was the primary significant facelift, presented in 1997, highlighting a totally new hood, front quarter boards, and grille. This was the last Rodeo to have chrome guards.

 

Then came the R9 in 1998, which supplanted the chrome guard with plastic guards on all models. A V6 motor opened up just because, which demonstrated extremely well-known. A driver's airbag opened up without precedent for 2000. In 2001, Rodeos got refreshed tail lights with clear markers.  Bigger composite headlights supplanted the past rectangular fixed bars.

 

The last update in 2002 saw the round Holden logo show up on the grille. The 4JB1T turbo diesel motor demonstrated mainstream in 4x4 models. In spite of its unpleasant running qualities. Removed late in the R9 life expectancy before the all-new Holden Rodeo RA.

 

Engine and Performance:

The Holden Rodeo 4x4 was available in multiple engine types. The most popular one was the 3.0-liter VC Di four-cylinder turbo diesel engine. You could also opt for the 3.6-liter Alloyed V6 engine if you were looking for more power. Or you could go for the 2.4-liter four-cylinder unit.

 

The top of the line 3.0-liter VC Di engine saw some major tweaks in its life. The changes further enhanced performance. Power output was reported to increase by 25 percent. It also saw a 30 percent increase in the maximum torque. These tweaks also ensured that the diesel engine met the Euro 4 carbon emissions norms. Previously, the fuel economy was reported at 8.6-liter per 100 km, which improved at 8.4-liter after the tweaking.

 

The 3.0-liter diesel engine outputs an impressive 88 kW of power and 333 Nm of torque at 1600 Rpm. You have the option for a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission to choose from.

The other two engine variants are petrol. The V6 engine is reported to output 57 kW of power and a peak torque of 313 Nm at 3000 Rpm. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine can turn out the power of 92 kW and similar torque.

 

Interior:

The interior for the Holden Rodeo is average at the most. If you were expecting a high-class material used in the cabin, then you thought wrong. The material that is used is reasonable and sits on the brink of decent, but not more than that. The quality of plastic that is utilized may look to be poor at times. But it still offers robustness to ensure that it will not fall apart after some years.

 

The dashboard is pretty basic and simple. The simplicity makes it practical at most times. The metallic finish in the center console is a nice touch which improves the overall look. Seating space for the driver and passengers in more than enough. On the front, there is ample space to stretch out your legs. Alas, the same cannot be said of the rear seats which are cramped.

 

The Holden Rodeo ute comes equipped with front bucket seats, which provide all the back support that you need. The driver’s seat also gave power adjustment. This means that you can arrive at the perfect driving position based on your height or requirements.

 

The mini-truck offers three buttons to switch between the different driving modes. The buttons are both easy to use and come handy when you need to change the mode suddenly. The road visibility is excellent. Moreover, the lateral mirrors which are situated strategically keep blind spots on the minimum.

 

Conclusion:

Replacing the Holden Rodeo in 2008 was one of the best decisions by the company. The Rodeo was starting to decline in sales. The design had started to become old. Cabin interior offered ample space but was not refined as some of the competitors. When it comes to reliability, the Holden Rodeo scores well. Not forgetting the generous payload capacity.