2018 Holden Equinox diesel joins range

Holden’s Equinox range has been bulked up with the arrival of a diesel-engined option, priced from $35,990 in base LS+ grade.

Joining the existing 1.5-litre turbo petrol and 2.0-litre turbo petrol powertrains, the diesel equinox is available in all grades except the entry-spec Equinox LS. All diesel variants generate a stout 100kW and 320Nm, delivered through the front wheels for LS+ and LT variants. The extra grip of all-wheel drive only becomes standard if you step up into the high-spec LTZ and LTZ-V models.

Opting for the diesel comes at a $3000 premium over comparably-specced petrol models, though the value equation is sharpest in the LS+ grade given the diesel replaces that model’s 127kW/275Nm 1.5 litre petrol, rather than the much gruntier 188kW/353Nm 2.0 litre petrol of the LT, LTZ and LTZ-V. All diesel variants come equipped with a six-speed automatic as standard.

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While it’s not the most powerful or most torque-laden powertrain in the line-up, the Equinox diesel range does have one crucial advantage – fuel consumption. Front-drive variants consume a claimed 5.6L/100km on the combined test cycle, which delivers a solid advantage over the 6.9L/100km factory claim of the 1.5-litre petrol Equinox. The 2.0-litre petrol, meanwhile, is even further adrift of the diesel’s figure with a combined average of 8.2L/100km in front-wheel drive form.

Equipment levels mirror those of the petrol-powered range, with the base LS+ featuring blind spot monitoring, AEB, 17-inch alloys, rain-sensing wipers and a seven-inch colour touchscreen display with Android Auto and Apple Carplay smartphone mirroring.

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The LT and above grades bring an eight-inch touchscreen and integrated sat-nav, as well as heated seats, while the LTZ flaunts a hands-free tailgate, Bose audio and front/rear heated seats. The range-topping LTZ-V cops a panoramic glass sunroof and adds ventilated/heated front seats.

2018 HOLDEN EQUINOX DIESEL PRICING