General Motors’->ke1024 Holden->ke33 division has just released its newest top-trim model for its Colorado pickup truck,->ke242 the 2016 Colorado Z71. The updated trim level comes loaded with visual upgrades, both inside and out that include 18-inch wheels, heated leather seats, and a unique appearance package with a hard tonneau cover and a bumper-mounted front nudge bar.

The new styling cues don’t detract from the Colorado’s truckish abilities, including its 7,716-pound towing capacity and its off-road capability. Holden’s move to include such an appearance package reflects customer’s increasing tendency to use trucks as a lifestyle vehicle.

“Drivers are increasingly using trucks to facilitate an active lifestyle, whether it’s surfing or snowboarding, and looking good is important to them,” said Peter Keley, Holden’s Executive Director of Sales. “Z71 adds an impressive range of features to the Colorado truck, not least the exterior black components and leather-appointed seats that combine to give a more aggressive look and comfortable ride.”

Of course, Holden’s version of the Colorado is inherently different than our U.S.-spec version, though there are a number of similarities. The two trucks do not share the same interior or exterior design, nor do they share the same exact underpinnings. Each truck is built specifically for its intended market.

That extends to the powertrain as well, as the Holden exclusively offers a 2.8-liter Duramax turbodiesel four-cylinder. The U.S.-spec 2015 Chevy Colorado comes with either a 2.5-liter four-cylinder or the 3.6-liter V-6. However, the 2.8-liter Duramax is set to make its U.S. debut for the 2016 model year in the Colorado.->ke1193

Returning back to Holden’s new Colorado Z71, the truck’s announcement comes only days after Ford->ke31 announced its newest top-trim level on the global Ranger->ke1060 – the 2016 Ford Ranger Wildtrak. The trucks compete head to head for folks looking to utilize trucks for both work and play. So let’s dive into the Colorado Z71.

Continue reading to learn more about the Holden Colorado Z71.

Exterior

There is a lot to look at with the Colorado’s new Z71 package. Starting at the front bumper, the truck gets a black plastic “nudge bar” that adds a rugged persona to the truck’s attitude. That tough guy attitude extends to the hood where a matte black decal resides between the accent creases in the metal.

Down low, unique 18-inch wheels with a black anodized look give the truck an upscale look. Full length side steps make for easy access to the cab and black door guards keep dings to a minimum. Around back, the bed is treated to a soft tonneau cover and body-colored sailplane. That sailplane, reminiscent of the Chevy Avalanche, adds visual length to the cab while making the truck look more aggressive.

The aggressive looks are matched by a tall approach angle and respectable break-over and departure angles. The truck’s available 4WD adds meaty all terrain tires, underbody skid plates, and a limited slip rear differential.

The exterior also hosts plenty of safety features as well, including a backup camera and proximity sensors for the Rear Park Assist. Electronic safety features include ABS, Traction Control, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Descent Control System (Hill Decent Control), Hill Start Assist, Electronic Stability Control, and Trailer Sway Control.

Interior

The difference between the U.S.-spec Colorado and Holden’s version are plainly apparent inside the cabin. The Holden is furnished in the same materials and design as the global Colorado – which is decidedly down market from the one sold in North America.

Regardless, the Colorado Z71 gets upgraded materials, including leather seats, of which the front are heated. Upper trim level Colorados already comes standard with the backup camera, extra acoustic paneling, and the MyLink infotainment system with its seven-inch color touch display.

The truck also enjoys a unique, circular HVAC control design. The center knob offers a view of the temperature setting and fan speed. A multifunction steering wheel offers redundant radio controls and cruise control functions. The driver’s gauge cluster features dual analog gauges that monitor engine rpm and speed. Two smaller gauges – one in each nacelle – offers engine temperature and fuel level readouts.

Power locks, windows, and seats bring added comfort, as does keyless entry and automatic headlights. Speaking of automatic, the truck’s optional six-speed automatic is control via the center console-mounted shifter and offers manual controls. The 4WD system’s electronic switch is also housed on the center console and offers shift-on-the-fly capability between 2WD and 4WD.

Drivetrain

Under the Colorado’s hood lies a 2.8-liter Duramax four-cylinder turbodiesel. The engine’s inline design is compact and its longitudinal design is standard in the truck market. The engine kicks out 197 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of toque when mated to the six-speed automatic transmission. Those trucks equipped with the standard six-speed manual transmission are restricted to 324 pound-feet of torque.

In its standard configuration, the Holden Colorado can tow up to 7,716 pounds (3.5 tonnes) and carry a payload of 2,204 pounds (1 tonne). An optional upgrade to a heavy duty package will allow for a payload of 3,086 pounds, or 1.4 tonnes. Those are certainly impressive numbers.

That’s a hardy improvement over the U.S.-spec Colorado’s 7,000-pound max towing and 1,590-pound payload capacity. While it’d be nice to simply suggest the difference in capability is due to the advantages of diesel over gas, there are several other factors at play. One of those includes American automakers recent (slow and voluntary) adoption of the SAE J2807 towing standards.

For those Holden owners who want to make the most out of their Colorado, the automaker offers dealer-installed options that include steel bumpers capable of holding an electric winch and an engine snorkel for deep water crossings and dusty environments. Other packages add simple things like bug deflectors, mud flaps, and hard tonneau covers.

Prices

The new 2016 Colorado Z71 trim level rides at the top of the Colorado’s trim line. As a result, it carries the highest starting price. Holden lists the Z71 starting at $59,391, or roughly $46,064 in U.S. dollars. That’s a rather large jump from the next highest trim level’s starting price of $42,990, or $33,343 U.S. dollars for the LTZ.

Still, the Z71 offers some nice upgrades, both inside and out that make the extra cost justifiable to those looking for a high-end, dual-purpose truck.

Competition

Ford Ranger Wildtrak

Though there are other trucks competing in this market, the Holden Colorado Z71’s main competition is going to come from Ford. Enter: the 2016 Ranger Wildtrak. The Wildtrak is the Ranger’s newest trim level and sits atop the model lineup. Unlike the Colorado Z71, the Ranger Wildtrak offers a much longer list of interior upgrades. The truck gets nearly every bell and whistle in the safety department, including Active Lane Keeping and Adaptive Cruise Control. The interior is also awashed in upscale materials with French stitching and multi-tone leather seats.

The Wildtrak’s exterior is also upgraded with gunmetal grey accents and unique wheels to coincide with its unique color options. Under the hood is Ford’s typical lineup of powertrains. Two engines are offered in the Wildtrak trim: the 2.2-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel and the optional 3.2-liter five-cylinder turbodiesel.

Prices for the Ranger Wildtrak have not been announced as of this writing, but are estimated to start in the upper $30,000 range to lower $40,000 range.

Read our full review here.

Conclusion

The Holden Colorado is a formidable truck in the land down under, offering plenty of power from its diesel engine, payload capacity from its cargo box, and towing prowess from its hitch. Adding the range-topping Z71 trim level adds more luxuries without killing the truck’s abilities to do work. That’s certainly a win-win for those needed an every day vehicle that can handle its on at the job site or on the cattle ranch.

It will be interesting to see how the Colorado competes against Ford’s newest range-topping truck, the Ranger Wildtrak. As both trucks hit the market only weeks apart, the competition will no doubt be fierce.