Holden Adventra Reviews

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2009 Holden Adventra and Crewman as a used buy.

It seems everyone wants to go bush. Ford certainly thought so when it introduced its Territory, so too did Holden when it went down the same track with the Adventra.The Adventra was based on the VY Berlina wagon. It had a high-riding suspension for ground clearance, and a V8 automatic drivetrain, and an all-wheel drive system that gave it the capability off-road.Cross Trac was a permanent all-wheel drive system using three open differentials controlled by sophisticated electronics with a front-to-rear torque-split of 38:62.It's a system built on the car's anti-skid braking system to maintain traction by monitoring the grip at each wheel and selectively applying the brakes to switch torque away from wheels that are starting to slip to ones that have grip.Being based on a traditional wagon the Adventra is different to most off-roaders and should appeal to anyone who wants to drive a normal car around town, but still have the capability to go bush when they want to.Power for the first Adventra came from Holden's proven 235kW 5.7-litre V8 and four-speed automatic transmission.With the Cross Trac system a full-time one there's no call for fiddling with switches or levers to select low range, lock diffs, or do any of the other things off-roaders have to cope with.Ground clearance is critical to off-road driving and the Adventra had 200mm. There was also a front strut brace, a sump guard, and special Bridgestone tyres with thicker tread faces and sidewalls to handle the rough going.Being based on the Berlina meant the Adventra came equipped with plenty of standard features to add to its attraction.The Adventra was made to go off-road, so check for signs of off-road use and move on if you spot anything that says the car you're considering has been used extensively off-road.The initial offering was only available as a V8, and the V8 wasn't without it troubles.Listen particularly for rattles and noises from the engine. They were relatively common, but not all suffered, so look for one that is quiet.The V8 could also burn oil. That's a little more difficult to determine on a quick test drive. You could ask the seller if the car was an oil burner, or had been checked by a Holden dealer.Weight was also an issue with the Adventra, it was a heavy jigger, and that meant the fuel consumption could be high.If you're looking for diesel economy look elsewhere, but driven sensibly the Adventra would return reasonable economy.Importantly it had the grunt needed to comfortably tow a caravan or camper trailer when needed.A recent trip to outback South Australia in an LX8 with a camper trailer on the back returned an average of 15.5L/100 km, and that wasn't sparing the ponies.The Adventra was equipped with special tyres designed to cope with rough, rocky roads, and they're a mite more expensive than your regular tyres.Servicing is also important, so check for a service record to show your chosen car has been well maintained.

Ewan Kennedy reviews the 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 Holden Adventura and Crewman as a used buy.

Yes, I'll admit. I've started thinking like a responsible adult. It happened after I picked up the Holden Adventra CX6 and found a bigger car was not necessarily a bad thing. Especially when there's serious luxury involved.Maybe it was the DVD player (add $1749) in the back seat, the Bluetooth technology or the car fridge (add $1100) that swayed me. Maybe it was the roomy interior. Or perhaps it was the thought of the three children I had to deliver to a fifth birthday party at Victor Harbor, knowing they wouldn't be as content in my own little hatch.Yes, the CX6 has something to keep the whole family happy. DVD for the kids, beer fridge, music controls on the steering.It was about then I realised a big crossover vehicle like this, in Shanghai red, could also be stylish.I wouldn't have to give up good looks just for safety or space.Safety is built in. Front and side curtain airbags, reversing sensors, which are a must on a long vehicle like this, and warning bells for the lights and seat belts are conscientious inclusions. This off-roader, with its grippy 16in all-terrain tyres, roo bar, nudge bar, roof racks etc, is very much a sports utility that happens to have a plush, intelligent interior. That intelligence was tested on a trip to Golden Grove, on a mission that was very much thinking of another, yet-to-be-born little person. This was an adventure for an expectant friend.Luckily, we had satellite navigation. Or so we thought.In the CBD, the sat-nav lady, whom I christened Matilda, seemed a bit confused. Out of its bounds, she was more lucid, although we suspected she was taking us the long way. Driving-wise, the car's length bothered me as I changed lanes in built-up traffic on unfamiliar roads – and although it is a V6, I found it sluggish on takeoff.I had to be heavy on the accelerator to get it moving – but once it was away, it was a fluid, easy ride. On the open road, like the trip to Victor, it was effortless driving.Unfortunately, at times the power steering felt hard going and I had to make a real effort to direct the CX6's long body.Lifting the rear door was also a challenge, needing a firm effort; not good for someone opening and closing it frequently.LOVE IT LEAVE ITHolden Adventra CX6Priced from $46,990LOVE ITSPACIOUS, practical, yet still luxurious. Double locking system on the doors is excellent for night safety. Cup holders that fold away.LEAVE ITTHE electronic fuel reading and fuel economy. There is cause for alarm when a car tells you there is 0km until empty even though you added fuel yesterday. Warning bells screaming "low fuel" made me panic.

The all-wheel-drive Commodore station wagon was a quick response to the Ford Territory. So quick, in fact, that it beat the Territory release by several months.But its Cross Trac AWD system won over judges in the 2003 Courier-Mail Car of the Year awards to win the recreational vehicle category. Yet, it failed to ignite consumer interest anywhere near the levels of the Territory, which also usurped its position in the annual awards.Holden had hoped the introduction this year of the new Alloytec V6 engine would win buyers concerned about the original fuel guzzling V8.Yet that has not been the case. In the first four months of 2005 Adventra sold 367 units, compared with 850 in the corresponding time last year. Meanwhile, Territory sold 7908.The V6 Adventra may have been unfairly overlooked by the market.It has great potential as a street car with an enormous luggage capacity and for use as a weekend getaway with towing.It has a handy hill descent control that works in both directions, yet serious off-roading is still off-limits. But that surely doesn't form a huge part of the Territory attraction which has less ground clearance and attracts half its buyers to the two-wheel-drive version. Perhaps the market has just turned off the station wagon. Some see it as a little sexless.That could hardly be said for the Adventra with its macho flared guards, ski racks and tasteful moulded black side skirts.The Adventra V6 tackles the city streets like a normal car, but with the extra safety of all-paw drive and an electronic stability program for when freak hail storms turn the city streets to skating rinks.There is also ample vision in all directions, unlike 4WDs, people movers and many modern cars.Inside, there is the familiarity of the Commodore which has won so many fans over so many years. The CX6 has chromed projector headlamps, an abundance of quality leather trim, steering wheel and upholstery, climate air control, six-disc CD player and multi-function trip computer.And in the CX6 and LX6 versions the five-speed automatic has active select with paddle shifters on the steering wheel.On this excursion, the CX6 Adventra was asked to do what it does best — tow. It comes with a tow bar and seven-pin plug fitted.All-wheel drive, a free-revving Alloytec V6 with 340Nm of towing-torque and a toughened rear suspension made towing this one-tonne load a breeze with no snatch, shudder or sway.And what you can't fit in your trailer gets swallowed by the whale-sized luggage compartment which is more easily accessible than a 4WD with its low rear door and low and flat floor. It also has handy side compartments for fiddly odds and ends.Further, fold the 60/40 split rear seats to reveal a 2683-litre cavern for storing long, awkward shapes. A folding rear seat option converts it into a seven-seater.

As children, free of the constraints of PlayStation, computers, mobile phones, TV serials and reality shows, it was a buzz so big that we still recall it clearly.Unbeknown, our parents had probably sweated over a weekender in the country for months.These were the days before long annual leave — and Dad possibly had to work most of Saturday. Time was precious, but used with a conservation barely perceptible by modern environmentalists.Our transport was usually a station wagon, for that was de rigueur in the 1970s and 1980s.As it could be again.Holden's Adventra follows the go-anywhere appeal of that period, though it uses a pretty simple — and perhaps antiquated — formula of a big engine powering a relatively inefficient cabin.The all-wheel-drive Adventra arrived a couple of years ago with a V8 engine and a thirst like John Meillon after voicing his radio series of Victoria Bitter beer advertisements.Its fuel consumption, along with Ford's release of the Territory, dramatically eroded sales.But things have improved. Holden recently optioned the Adventra with its Commodore V6 engine and, together with a lot of extra tweaking, has created a better driving car and one that is both cheaper to buy and easier on the fuel.The Adventra V6 also gets a five-speed automatic gearbox to further improve its on-road dynamics.Off-road performance is helped by a sophisticated electronic system that detects when a wheel loses traction.This partially compensates for the fact that the Adventra doesn't have a low-range transfer case.Though it is a long way from Land Cruiser competency in the dirt, the V6 Adventra does surprisingly well.It's better at sandy trails and gravel tracks — as long as it's not too rough — than ocean foreshores and muddy hillsides.The hill-descent program allows the vehicle to cautiously "walk" down steep and slippery slopes with no human intervention other than turning the steering wheel.On the bitumen, the Adventra drives as well as the standard Commodore wagon, except it has a slightly wider turning circle.It sits marginally taller than its 2WD counterpart to improve its on-road presence and enhance driver visibility, though isn't so high as to make hard work of alighting from and entering the cabin.The 13.3 litres/100km average on this test was pretty good — on par with the Ford Territory and a lot better than the 15.4 litre/100km of the V8 Adventra.I stress that the V6 felt as competent as the V8, was easier to drive because the steering was lighter, and still had decent performance.The Adventra V6 comes with ABS with stability program and other safety-related goodies, plus front and side airbags, pretensioners and limiters on the seatbelts to minimise injury, and lap-sash belts for all occupants.The Adventra SX6 model also includes airconditioning with rear ducting, electric windows and mirrors, a CD player, cloth trim and cruise control.A third row of seats to carry two children is optional.

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.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.

It's a road best tackled in the morning, when concentration levels are high, when visibility is at its best. And as a test track for an all-wheel drive, it's hard to beat, for not only is it never straight, it's also buried deep in snow on some winter days. This month, I was lucky enough to be able to haul the full family – three big kids, two parents, plus a week's worth of ski luggage – up there and back in the big all-wheel drive Holden, the Adventra LX8.And what a good thing it is.Cruising from Sydney, along the Hume Highway via Goulburn, Yass, Gundagai, Holbrook, Albury, then along the Kiewa Valley Highway via pretty Yackandandah and Dederang, the Adventra proved itself a satisfyingly reliable conveyance, with equipment levels to please easily bored teenagers. Which is saying something.But if you think that adds up to something tediously middle-aged, think again. The baritone sound of 5.7 litres remains suggestively audible all the while, reminding the driver of the power that is available.Put your foot gently down and the acceleration is swift but undramatic. Foot down hard and you are pushed back with a snap. The so-called Cross Trac all-wheel drive system imparts a sense of sure-footedness, while the mass of the car – it weighs about 1.9 tonnes – delivers a real feeling of safety and substance.So far, the Adventra hasn't been a big hit in the sales department – apparently on the basis of the perception that it's a gas-guzzling throwback. Well, over a bit more than 1400km, loaded to the gunwales, the Adventra used 12.8L per 100km at an average speed of about 86.5km/hr. Some sixes would struggle to return such figures.Certainly, a two-litre four would use less fuel, but our trip, with our load, would have been an ordeal in a smaller car. In the Holden, the road slipped serenely by.Fuel consumption in the Adventra can be a matter of constant interest to the driver, because a clever function in the trip computer lets you see exactly how much you're using at any given moment.Ease off the throttle and the readout shows an instant fuel flow reduction. Accelerate up a hill or to pass, and the readout can shoot up to frightening levels. So there's a constant reminder to be a bit feather-footed, which is no bad thing.On our adventure, we tried just about every feature in the Adventra, except the airbags and the spare wheel, and everything ran like a Swiss watch. The cruise-control, the sunroof, the electric seats, the lush leather interior – all pretty swish. And the Blaupunkt sound system – teenage tastes in music notwithstanding -- was superb.Oh, and that winding road from Mt Beauty to Falls Creek. On the way up, the road was clear, but lead skies threatened snow, and we were not disappointed.A few days later, on the return trip, snow and ice meant lesser mortals in two-wheel drives were delving around in the slush, fumbling with frozen fingers to fit chains.But not us. The Adventra pulled itself out of its deep hole in the snow without fuss, and we loaded up for the last downhill run.For about 20km the road was white, so we weren't setting any speed records.But without chains, the car showed no hint of a slip or slide, the Cross Trac system combining with the ABS to provide precise control on every corner. So much so, it was almost disappointing to come upon dry road.Then home again via the Hume; first stop The Dog on the Tucker Box, where we tossed a coin into the wishing well. We all wished for the same thing – another holiday.

Forget the hype: it is time to discover which of Australia's big three brands has the best crossover wagon.The new wave of all-wheel-drives have been tagged the ultimate vehicles for drivers who spend most of their time in the city, but want to head for the hills at the weekend.The only way to find a winner was to run the Ford Territory, Holden Adventra and Toyota Kluger through the ultimate Australian test.We subjected all three to rush-hour traffic, highway cruising, a charge through the forest, a river crossing and a steep hill climb to find a winner.The Kluger is based on the Camry and is imported from Japan, while the Adventra (built off a Commodore wagon base) is built in Adelaide and was developed here with a budget of $125 million.Ford's Territory was developed locally for $500 million, shares its drivetrain and some other components with Falcon, and is built here in Victoria.Adventra is currently only available with the GEN III 5.7-litre V8, with a new V6 arriving late this year. Ford uses the Falcon's 4.0-litre twin-cam in-line six, while the Kluger has a 3.3-litre V6 from the Lexus RX330.For our test we chose a Kluger CVX, Adventra CX8 and Territory Ghia all-wheel-drive which lined-up on price.Holden AdventraIgnore the styling, because this Adventra is more than just a Commodore wagon with cladding. It can handle some serious off-road work and has tough under-body protection.Holden engineers have done a good job with a limited budget to turn a regular wagon into an all-wheel-drive machine fit for the Australian Outback.But the Adventra lags behind when it comes to refinement and comfort.It can crash and bang over harsh ruts that the Kluger and Territory cruise over, but rides well on less brutal bumps on tarmac and dirt.The Adventra's automatic transmission is too harsh for stop-start traffic and the steering is too heavy.The engine grunt is brilliant, but the V8 is the thirstiest engine of the three and still doesn't sound like a V8. A V6 would have fared better.The Adventra, along with the Territory, feels heavy (because they are) and Holden engineers will no doubt look for ways to reduce the weight.Interior space is a step behind its rivals, and the lack of a fold-away third row of seats counts against it.Kluger and Territory can be used as legitimate people movers, the Adventra is not so suitable.It is also rather expensive when you compare prices and specifications, but much of this extra price is due to the V8 premium.Our Adventra suffered no underbody damage but it broke down when the alternator died, along with the ABS module. Holden says the module was a pre-production part which didn't have the right seal, and is investigating the alternator failure.Toyota KlugerToyota has an enviable reputation in Australia for producing four-wheel-drives that are tough, capable and reliable. It is also known for building cars that can function well, but are mundane to drive and to look at. The Kluger reinforces all of these impressions.In some ways, the vanilla car is the pick of the bunch.It survived our torture test with the least damage, just some minor dents to the under-body cladding and is the best when it comes to tougher off-road duty, with its soft suspension absorbing many of the jolts and bumps.It is quite refined, has seven seats and is comfortable enough, but the Kluger is not fun to drive.The soft suspension means there is more body roll in turns and the Kluger feels more truck-like than the others.The steering is light and you feel little connection with the road.It also drives like a front-wheel-drive when pushed hard and can tend to push through corners.The Kluger's 3.3-litre V6 will be enough for many commuters, but it lacks the pull or punch of the Territory six or the Adventra's V8. You have to push it hard if you want to keep up the pace and the automatic can tend to hunt around for the right gear.Passenger comfort is excellent and there is a quality feel to the interior, which is spacious, and the fold-down third row of seats is a good standard feature in the CVX.Value for money is reasonable and you will spend less on fuel, but options push the price up.Ford TerritoryThe Territory is not as much fun to drive as a Falcon, but for an all-wheel-drive, it's great.Ford has managed to make the Territory sit flat through corners, rather than roll like a traditional four-wheel-drive.The engine is reasonably thirsty, but is well suited to the car and has loads of torque.The Ford was the first to scrape on the ground over tough terrain and it is obvious that engineers chose to sacrifice a higher level of off-road ability for driving pleasure, but the Territory can still go further on the dirt than all but a few owners would venture.The Ford's interior is the best – a lot of thought has gone into handy spaces and wet storage areas in the back.The third row of seats is excellent, though access from the second row could be better, and there is plenty of interior room.The steering is a little light, but the Territory is the best handling car of the bunch.On slippery dirt tracks, the Territory's stability control system shines and works constantly to keep it in control.The optional hill-descent control ($865) works a treat and the side curtain airbag (standard on Ghia) is an excellent addition.The Territory is the best value. The Ghia AWD lined up with the cheapest Adventra and mid-range Kluger, while the TX Territory costs less and the TX rear-wheel-drive is the cheapest of all at $38,990.But there were some dramas with our Territory after it bumped through a rutted mud-pool.Its metal fuel tank cover bent and rubbed against the driveshaft (above) but we were able to fix it with a tyre lever. Ford says this problem has been sorted for the production car. The Ford also went into "limp home" mode after the water crossing, but dried out and continued as normal.The Herald Sun are giving you a chance to win one of two four-wheel-driving courses at the Melbourne 4x4 Training and Proving Ground at Werribee Gorge. See this week's Herald Sun CARSguide for details.

The all-wheel drive version of the Commodore wagon has copped a serve for its lack of off road ability and "excessive" fuel consumption.While it is as guilty as sin on both counts the Adventra is still a very likeable, knockabout kind of a vehicle – it just depends what you're looking for?We clocked up 1500km behind the wheel of a top of the line LX8 and it might fly in the face of popular opinion, but we reckon it's a good thing – although there is obviously room for improvement.The Adventra has strong road presence, sitting higher than your average Commodore with large wheels, plenty of cladding and flared wheel arches. Twin tailpipes and the note from the big V8 command attention.It's Commodore comfy inside, with big plush leather seats that in the LX8 are a lift from the SS wagon. Plenty of room in the back for the kids, with a seven seat option..The LX8 is fitted out to Calais specs with green lit instrumentation and knobs are all easy to find and use. Pajero style roll and incline meters are an interesting addition.Plenty of room for luggage, especially with the cargo barrier fitted, although extra storage bins either side in the back eat into the load space. Rear glass opens separately which is handy for shopping but a good way of filling the back with dust or rainwater.The big 5.7-litre V8 churns out 235kW of power and 460Nm of torque, more than enough oomph for any occasion. Towing is a breeze although maximum weight is limited to 2100kg. Four-speed auto is standard and maybe it is just us but we found the shift action awkward to use.Initial reports from the trip computer showed a scary 20 plus litres per 100km, but with steady driving we managed to get this down to 16L/100km which is on par with any large 4WD – and this is a large 4WD.The Cross-Trac all wheel drive system distributes torque permanently in a 38-62 split between the front and rear wheels and provides good stability on dirt roads.Performance is strong but it is not as responsive as an ordinary Holden V8 sedan or wagon, bearing in mind that the vehicle weighs in at almost 2 tonnes.We gave the Adventra a good workout on a variety of sealed and unsealed country roads, as well as rougher dirt tracks and water crossings. It is no rock hopper but it will go any where the average owner is likely to venture.Having said this steep descents require constant braking and the suspension is prone to bottoming out when the going gets rough.Lots of goodies including driver, passenger and side airbags, six disc CD player, climate control air and rear park assist. The LX8 priced at $60,990 adds sunroof, leather trim and premium audio system.