Holden Adventra 2005 review

It got out first with the Adventra, and followed up with the Crewman Cross8. But the price was too high, supply was tight, the cars only came with V8 engines and the package didn't deliver on all the promises.

And then Ford lobbed the Territory into the mix . . .

Now Holden is playing a rare game of catch-up, but not making nearly enough pace with its VZ all-wheel-drives.

They now have the V6 motivation they should have had all along, and the styling is better on the VZ version. There is good value on a solid bottom line, but Holden is still struggling to crank out the cars from its factory at Elizabeth in South Australia.

And then there is still the Territory . . .

The VZ Adventra is much more than just a tickle, and the installation of the V6 in the nose -- only in the punchier 190kW version and only with five-speed auto -- makes a big difference. Holden is confident it will hit the spot with customers, as well as allowing the company to start its Adventra pricing at $40,990.

That should give it a showroom lure for potential Territory buyers and allow it to compete with everything from the classy Subaru Outback and Toyota's Kluger to mid-sized four-wheel-drives such as the Mazda Tribute and even the Mitsubishi Pajero.

There are three models in the line-up, from the SX6 to the LX6. The fully loaded model is still relatively affordable at $52,990. For those who must have a V8, the Adventra LX8 is $56,990.

Holden quietly admits it has taken too long to get its V6 soft-roader moving, but it was fully occupied with the Alloytec installation in the rest of the VZ family.

And it says the total program has brought considerable benefits, including the electronic stability program for added safety and hill descent control for fewer worries in genuine off-road conditions.

The technology package includes electronic brake assist, which Renault says is the biggest safety breakthrough since airbags. It also has corner braking control and a paddle change for the automatic in the CX6 and LX6.

It is impressive stuff and important to recognise and praise.

Holden has also updated the look of the Adventra in line with the rest of the Commodore family, giving it more edge but also making the styling better integrated into the overall look.

The rest of the deal is pretty familiar, either from Adventra V8 or VZ wagons. The wagon body has split-folding rear seats, a separate lift-up glass section in the tailgate and a roof rack, which gives the Adventra a little of the Euro look previously seen in cars such as the Audi Allroad.

The first drive of the Adventra V6 confirmed a lighter feel to the car, thanks to less weight in the nose and tweaking of the steering and suspension, as well as plenty of punch from the Alloytec 190.

We were keen to get it on home territory and to see if Holden's claims for the car were backed by its performance.

"The introduction of our premium V6 engine to Adventra takes Holden's all-wheel-drive wagon range to a whole new level," company president Denny Mooney says.

On the road

THE Adventra is still not a threat to the Territory. Even if they are Holden fans, people are going to do a direct comparison before they commit.

They also are likely to be looking at an Outback or a Kluger, or a serious four-wheel-drive, which will make life tough for the Adventra.

It is a good car, and a good development from the Commodore wagon, but it is still way short of the all-wheel-drive stars.

The CX6's AWD system is good for what it is, and for light-duty work in the bush or gravel road travel, and we commend Holden for the car's safety systems.

The Alloytec V6 is strong enough for the job, and brings benefits to the ride and handling, but our fuel consumption of 13 litres/100km was nothing special.

It has more than enough go for the job, with solid overtaking punch, but you still have to remember the real performance is at the top end and even past the tacho's redline markings. The engine makes the car a sweeter deal than the V8, and that will win some people.

We also liked the touch-change paddles for the automatic, and particularly the ability to downshift trouble-free in a corner, as well as the extra ratio over the clunky four-speeder in the original Adventra.

The rest of the package is still good, particularly the extra storage compartments, bottle holders and opening glass in the tail.

And we know that an Adventra will easily handle the sort of soft-road work that most people tackle.

The time with the Adventra also reminded us of all the things we still love about the Commodore family, from the cabin space and handling balance to the brilliant headlamps and a dash that comes with a digital speedo.

We would like to score the Adventra V6 higher, but every time we think about the car we think about its rivals.

The Subaru is a brilliant AWD wagon with refinement and the Kluger has more of a family focus.

Then you come to the Territory, which makes the Adventra look like a camel because it is a horse designed by a committee and a compromise between a wagon and an AWD.

So the Adventra V6 is a nicer car and a sweeter deal than the V8, but is back in the pack.