Driven:Holden Acadia LTZ-V

Holden Acadia AWD SUV. Photos by Stuart Munro

Holden has been through some drama in the last couple of years, largely following the decision to end production of the brand across the Tasman.

Gone offshore is production of its major flag bearers such as the Commodore range.

Hard core Holden fans indulged in a fair amount of teeth-gnashing as their car ran off production lines in Europe and, Heaven forbid, turned up with things like 2-litre four-cylinder diesel engines under the bonnet.

So the brand managers would have been very keen to get a game-changer; a vehicle that would bring the iconic badge back to the bosom of its army of fans. No surprise then that the big, brash Acadia could be the vehicle to do it.

It's a sizeable all-wheel drive SUV, boasting seven seats and a mass of equipment that warrants some respect. This is essentially a SUV badged as a GMC in the US but specifically run out in right-hand drive format for the Australasian market.

And this SUV has been around a while, with the first iteration launched in the States back in 2006.

Looking into the rear view mirror and you get an idea of the imposing length of the Acadia.

There is plenty to like about the Acadia but some things are puzzling. Why the manual release for the dual sunroofs shades when others in the class – and at the price – opt for power functions? And not every function in the cabin seems to be an intuitive fit; things get a bit busy.

There is no doubting the heritage of the Acadia. This has the hallmarks of a US-built SUV all over it (it's built in the GM plant in Tennessee), from the splashes of exterior bling to the finish in the cabin. It is a big unit.

But its importance for the badge can't be understated. The Acadia gives Holden a player in the large and close-to-premium priced SUVs.

You have to say this is a true seven-seater because that third row is more spacious than most. And in terms of space, the LTZ-V doesn't come up short either.

There's close to 300 litres behind that third row and it follows that dropping that row down and the second row means you'll have masses of load space.

The V series gets more bits and pieces than others in the troupe, including things like front seat heating and ventilation, the two-paned sunroof, bigger (20-inch) wheels, powered tailgate and a Bose premium audio system.

Safety features rope in things like pedestrian alerts, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring and rear park assists.

The front park sensors adopt a more novel warning system (officially called haptic): the driver's seat vibrates when the Acadia is getting close to immovable objects. And with its traffic sign recognition function, the LTZ-V's cruise control will automatically alter the speed accordingly.

The engine under that long bonnet is essentially the same V6 powering the current Commodores. Mated to that nine-speed auto, it gets the job done without any issues. And it comes with a smart fuel saver; a cylinder deactivation function that will let the engine run on only four cylinders when it's not under any strain to help fuel economy.

The LTZ-V also has the add-on of adaptive dampers - called FlexRide - which constantly adjust the suspension feedback depending on the road conditions.

You can dial two or four-wheel drive settings or set the drive train to handle more arduous off-road conditions. If you've got a trailer hooked up then there's a trail hitch setting which also adapts the drive train to better match the impact of the load you're towing behind.

The 3.6-litre V6 is shared across the three models in the Acadia range. Base price starts with the LT ($49,990), moves to the LTZ ($59,990) and finishes with the LTZ-V we've been driving topping the pole at $71,990. All-wheel drive standard to the LTZ and LTZ-V, while the entry level LT drives through the front wheels although AWD is an option.

That's a fairly broad stretch in terms of price, and while the spec level amps up in the pricier two, some will be happy with the two-wheel drive LT and its cheaper price.

The Acadia is big and brash, as you'd expect from something made in the US-of-A, but that doesn't detract from its performance.

Given NZ and Australia are the only right-hand drive markets this vehicle is going to, it meant Holden engineers had a strong involvement in setting the vehicle up for our conditions.

So welcome to the new Holden flagship SUV. It again reinforces that global influence for the badge too, sitting above the Mexican-made Equinox SUV and alongside the Thai-built Trailblazer seven-seat off-roader.

And it has arrived at time when the Kiwi SUV market continues to ping along at pace so this stands to be a litmus test for the brand.

Techno stuff ...
•Holden Acadia LTZ-V
•Price: $71,990
•Engine: 3.6-litre, V6 petrol
•Power: 231kWQ at 6600rpm, 367Nm at 5000rpm
•Transmission: 9-speed auto, AWD
•Suspension: MacPherson strut (front), independent 5-link (rear)
•Brakes: Discs front/rear
•Safety: ABS, EBD, BA, ESC
•Size: 4979mm long, 1916mm wide, 1767mm long, 2857mm wheelbase
•Wheels: 20-in alloys, 235/55 tyres
•Fuel: 82 litres

She says ...
This is a big SUV and I was careful choosing ample parking space around town. I was a bit disappointed the truck-like appearance outside flowed through into the cabin but that aside there are some excellent features like that dual sunroof and an impressive array of safety features.

There's oodles of space for the driver and six passengers with great head and leg room. Everything in the Acadia is on a big scale, including the door pockets and storage areas.

But it delivers a comfortable and stress-free ride on the highway and stands as a great vehicle for large families.
-Nanette Maslin