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Back to November 2012 Motorsports News Archive
| 06-11-2012: 2012 Holden Barina Test & Review | |
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The Barina is a car that has been in the Australian car market for several years. During its time it has undergone more major facelifts then a Hollywood actor. With ties to Suzuki in its earlier days, Opel in the middle stages, Daewoo in the later stages and finally Chevrolet in its most recent showing, it definitely has tried to keep up with its appearances. Unfortunately had the Barina continued its relationship with Opel, in my opinion, we would have a much more aesthetically pleasing car, though there are positives to the current design especially the aggressive and almost nostalgic circular headlights. It’s hard not to think back to the Barinas glory days when it seemed every second P plater had a Barina for a car. It is clear that all departments have come together and are still focusing on the young and first car owners. An example comes straight from the marketing department where the ads show young couples heading out for a road trips while another example is the motorcycle inspired instrument cluster which is one of the focal points of the interior. Other internal features include Bluetooth, multi-media audio, steering wheel controls and more which is quite a good offering for such a sharply priced car. The steering wheel is surprisingly sporty while the rest of dash has a high concentration of plastic, though it is a quiet pleasant. From a standing start the 1.6ltr DOHC 16 valve engine sprightly runs through the first and second gears of the 6 speed automatic which our test car had been coupled to. However, highway cruising is where you start to notice the short legs of the engine and that is mainly due to its capacity, although Holden have given this 1.6 high performance figures. A down side to the increased performance is the fuel efficiency which can counteract some of the appeal for city driving when trying to keep efficiency to a maximum. On more of a novelty factor is the sports shift on the automatic gearbox, instead of mimicking a sequential gearbox they have decided to use two buttons on the gear shaft. It is hard not to think of it being almost Playstation like even though you do get used to it, it is still just doesn’t feel right. For those disconcerting parents who think that all P platers are reckless drivers, yes figures may agree with you, you can put your mind at ease if your kids were to drive the Barina. With the highest possible ANCAP safety rating (5 stars) being awarded to the car it is somewhat of a reversal to some years ago when small cars had issues with the crumple zone, it has to be given to the engineers which now have created such a safe, car especially for the price of the car. With features such as Electronic Stability control, ABS Brakes, traction control and 6 airbags you can see why the Barina is still a popular choice among the younger drivers. If you have decided that the Barina is the car for you, Holden have simplified the process significantly so that there are only 3 main choices to make. What body type? Which Colour? Which Transmissions? It’s basically as easy as that, so commitment phoebes you can breathe a sigh of relief that you don’t have to make too many decisions. A small complaint I had with the car had to do with the electronic instrument cluster. While some readings are good to see in a digital form, there are still things that are better seen in an analogue form ie. Fuel levels, even though the readings are broken down to 1/12th it can still be difficult to judge how much fuel you actually have and if you can make it to a more convenient servo. A solution to this would be to break it down into even further increments possibly 1/16th increments would prove a more satisfying and reassuring level for the driver. ADM Opinion There is no doubt that the Barina represents excellent value, but there is also a lot of manufactures seeking your business. The small car segment is such a crowded market and you would be able to find exceptional value with a lot of manufactures these days. Refering back to my earlier comments about the road runner, there is no doubt that the coyote has caught up in some aspects but the Barina still manages to keep its head in front in other areas. If you are a fan of the design and looking for a zippy inner city car, this is an excellent choice. However, if you were to do more highway driving it may not be the best choice. Ultimately what I would like to see is a Barina designed and built in Australia, based on the success of the Cruze, this could be another popular Australian car. Likes Dislikes Features Barina Hatch with 5-speed manual transmission - $15,990 Key Features · 1.6 litre, DOHC 16 valve 4-cylinder engine· 4-speed automatic transmission or 5-speed manual transmission· Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)· Steering wheel mounted audio controls· Air conditioning with variable temperature control· Power windows, front and rear· Front and side impact airbags for driver and front passenger· Front seatbelt force limiters· Front seatbelt pretensioners· 45-litre Petrol tank capacity· Front ventilated disc brakes. Rear drumADM gives the Holden Barina 3 out of 5 helmets
Written by Jason Sharman |
Depending on which era you were born in Beep Beep will probably mean one of two things. Your either a baby boomer/gen x and you will probably think of the road runner from the Loony Tunes. Or you’re a gen Y and you’ll think of the beep beep Barina ad campaign from Holden. The Barina may not have the catchy slogan any more, but will the Barina be like the road runner and outsmart the competition (coyote) or will the coyote finally have his day and turn the tables.
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