The formula for a modern pick-up is to blend workhorse credentials and a tough truck image at the same time as rounding off rough edges from the driving experience.
The redeveloped Holden Colorado heads down that road.
It features a fullscale cabin makeover, powertrain refinements and key changes to the driving dynamic achieved through new steering and revised chassis tuning.
As well as being a solid number three in a fast-growing ute segment behind the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux, the Colorado now accounts for 29 per cent of total Holden sales here and is clearly ahead of Commodore as Holden's best-seller.
Holden New Zealand sees the utility segment continuing to grow. The 2017 upgrades for Colorado carry Holden's long term hopes of making the Kiwi ute market a three-way fight -- or threatening the Toyota Hilux for number two status.
Colorado has been a smart-looking truck with competitive pricing since the current shape appeared in mid-2012. The shortcomings were the gruff -- but grunty -- 2.8-litre Duramax diesel engine and an interior dressed with hard plastics that were a disappointment.
No more. In a programme that has delivered a mix of global GM upgrades and specific improvements pushed for by Holden, the Brazil-designed and Thailand-built Colorado has been transformed.
It's quieter, steers with greater precision, rides more comfortably on the highway and now boasts the modern dash architecture and quality materials drivers demand from a multi-role vehicle.
All of this makes it Driven's 2016 ute of the year.
Want to know more?
Read our full Holden Colorado review here.
Driven Car of the Year Awards winners
Driven Car of the Year: Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Driven Compact Car of the Year: Holden Spark
Driven Small Car of the Year: Honda Civic
Driven Medium/Large Car of the Year: Skoda Superb
Driven Green Car of the Year: BMW 330e
Driven Luxury Car of the Year: Mercedes Benz E-Class
Driven Performance Car of the Year: BMW M2
Driven Small SUV of the Year: Kia Sportage
Driven Medium SUV of the Year: Volkswagen Tiguan
Driven Large SUV of the Year: Mazda CX-9
Driven Luxury SUV of the Year: Jaguar F-Pace
Driven Commercial Vehicle of the Year: Holden Colorado
Driven Bike of the Year: Yamaha MT-01