2005 Holden Rodeo RA DX review from Australia and New Zealand

Car has a rattle from the tappets, it comes and goes. Dealer heard it, but didn't tell the mechanic.

Electrical fault that fixed itself after 3500kms.

Weird vibration when you get up it a bit.

Aircon compressor bearings on its last legs.

Besides those little niggles, the Rodeo has been good.

Its easy to drive and park, turning circle could be bigger however.

The clutch is extremely light for a commercial ute. The diff is massive so I'm not betting on any driveline problems for a long time. Gearbox is nice, shifts are as good as you would expect for a light ute.

Ride is hard, tray is 2.6metres so it takes a heap.

The independent coil set up in the front doesn't give a "car like ride and handling" like Holden advertised.

Interior is hard wearing and doesn't look like anything is going to fall off. Doesn't have a clock!?! Seats are uncomfortable. Wouldn't want to go on a long trip in this thing.

I just brought it for a work ute, and so far I'm happy.

The electrical fault was the battery draining if it sat over the weekend. Try explaining why your late every Monday morning because your car needs jumpstarting. But this soon disappeared strangely.

Vibration in the firewall when you get up it a bit. Nothing major though. Air con is icy cold, but will probably break soon when the AC compressor carks it.

Not that good on fuel. Pretty disappointing considering it's only a 4 cylinder. But not horrible.

Overall a tough ute that is very much bias to the tradesman. Doesn't give much in comfort. But feels like it will keep going for a while yet.