Review: Holden TJ.I Trax (2013-16)

Overview

Released in September 2013, the Holden TJ Series I (TJ.I) Trax was a compact SUV. Manufactured in Bupyeong-gu, South Korea, the front-wheel drive Holden Trax was initially available with a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that was mated to either a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. From August 2014, however, the Trax was available with a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine. Furthermore, the TJ Trax range consisted of LS and LTZ variants (see table below).

Engines: A18XER and A14NET

Of the engines,

Shared with the JG and JH Cruze , the 1.8-litre A18XER four-cylinder petrol engine had a cast iron cylinder block, an aluminium cylinder head, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, dual continuously variable camshaft phasing, a variable intake manifold and a compression ratio of 10.5:1; and,
The 1.4-litre A14NET turbocharged petrol engine had a cast-iron block, aluminium cylinder head, chain-driven double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, double continuous variable cam phasing and a compression ratio of 9.5:1.

Holden TJ.I Trax specifications
Variant	Engine	Years	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
LS	1.8-litre petrol I4	2013-16	5sp man., 6sp auto	103 kW at 6000 rpm	175 Nm at 3800 rpm
LTZ	1.8-litre petrol I4	2013-16	6sp auto	103 kW at 6000 rpm	175 Nm at 3800 rpm
LTZ	1.4-litre turbo petrol I4	2014-16	6sp auto	103 kW at 4900 rpm	200 Nm at 1850-4900 rpm

Platform and dimensions

Underpinned by General Motors’ Gamma II platform, the Holden TJ Trax was 4248 mm long, 1766 mm wide, 1674 mm high and had a 2555 mm long wheelbase. Inside, the Trax had cargo space of 358 litres, though this increased to 1370 litres when the 60/40 split rear seat and front passenger seat were folded.

Suspension and steering

The Holden Trax had MacPherson strut front suspension and a compound crank rear axle (all tuned for local conditions). Furthermore, the Trax had rack-and-pinion steering with electric power assistance.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Holden Trax included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. The Trax was also fitted with ISOFIX child safety seat attachment points for the two outer rear seats.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the Holden Trax received a five star safety rating which included a 94 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 85 per cent child protection rating. In the offset crash test, occupant protection was generally good though there was a slight risk of serious leg injury for both front occupants. Maximum points were awarded in the side impact test and, in the more severe pole test, there was a slight risk of serious chest injury.

Under ANCAP’s assessment methodology , this testing resulted in a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 35.18 out of 37.

Brakes

Holden Trax models with 1.8-litre petrol engines had 300 mm by 26 mm ventilated front brake discs and 230 mm by 43 mm rear drum brakes. Trax models with 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engines, however, had 268 mm by 12 mm ventilated rear disc brakes.

Features: Holden Trax LS

Standard features for the Holden Trax LS included 16-inch alloy wheels with 205/70 R16 97H tyres, a sound system with auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB/iPod), a seven-inch touch screen, Holden’s MyLink system and Bluetooth connectivity (audio streaming and mobile phone), air conditioning, black cloth seats, cruise control, daytime running lights, automatic headlights, a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, a 240 volt inverter (at the rear of the centre console) and an immobiliser.

For the Trax, the MyLink system supported Pandora Internet Radio, Stitcher Smart Radio, TuneIn, BringGo navigation and Siri Eyes Free applications, though these could only be accessed when a compatible device with those apps was connected.

Features: Holden Trax LTZ

The Holden Trax LTZ was further equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels with 215/55 R18 95H tyres, black Sportec cloth seats, heated front seats, front fog lights, a trip computer, a storage tray under the front passenger seat and a trip computer.

August 2014 update

In August 2014, standard features for the Trax LTZ were extended to include rain-sensing wipers and a driver’s arm rest; models with 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engines were also fitted with a sunroof as standard.

2015 Trax Active

Released in May 2015, the Trax Active was based on the Trax LS but further equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, power sunroof, roof racks, chrome exterior door handles and ‘Active’ badges.

Trax options: Essentials and sports pack

Both the Trax LS and LTZ variants were available with an optional Essentials pack ($510) which included carpet mats, mud flaps, a cargo tray and cargo net. The LTZ was offered with a sports pack which consisted of 18-inch ten-spoke alloy wheels and ‘track stripes’ in black, silver or orange.

Brochure

Review: Holden TJ.II Trax (2016-20)