Holden Barina 2005 Review

7-day Test

With Astra at the premium end of the small car market Holden needs a cheapie. The more expensive, German-designed and Spanish-built Barina predecessor didn't compete well in segment sales -- up against the likes of (bargain) Kia Rio and (Euro-built) Ford Fiesta -- but Holden still wants in at the "value end of the marketplace". Enter GM-Daewoo-sourced TK Barina, aka Kalos.

Those fighting the budget car cause need to be somewhere near as 'good value' as the Hyundai Getz, which was deemed worthy of Australia's Best Small Car Award for 2005. Starting at $500 less than Getz, Barina is on par in terms of its price tag and manages a comparable job to fellow road wallflowers. For a first date with driving, it's decent company.

Barina has a similar interior look and feel to the model-up (and also Daewoo-sourced) Viva. For this price it's nice designers managed some style over substance; while materials might be cheap, nothing looks nasty.

They've also loaded up the stripper model with lots of (relatively inexpensive to the manufacturer) features like seat-belt, key and headlight warning buzzer, remote central-locking, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, power windows and power, heated exterior mirrors. Front passenger airbags, air-conditioning and power steering are also standard.

We went from a VW Golf to the Barina -- the sublime to the meretricious, you could say -- but the point is Barina's bells and whistles list at least intends pleasing like those in the more-pricey parade. Barina also has an MP3-compatible stereo; evidence GM's involvement with electronics juggernaut South Korea has its bonuses.

The new Barina is larger than the outgoing Opel model, with respectable room in both the three and five-door models.

The light-filled cabin has good headroom and seating and, with five lap-sash belts and padded head rests all 'round, is comfortable if not exactly cosseting. The driver's seat is six-way (including height) adjustable.

Looks have been a point of discussion for many. The Holden stylists have added a hint of aggression to the original Kalos' lines. Whether the add-ons float your boat, and just how they will translate two or three years down the track are probably a question of personal taste. Stationary, at least, we found the Barina in both three and five-door versions is neat and tidy.

Handling is up to the job required in the daily traffic grind and around town. While outside the Barina's natural habitat however, such as freeway stints or in the hills, steering and chassis response feels dull. This is no Yaris.

We'd like more on the options list too - if that's where the car's price point determines items like ABS and four-wheel discs should sit. Both our test cars had smart-looking, option-fit 6 x 16-inch alloy wheels and metallic paint but were otherwise bog stock.

The manual model makes the most of the hard-working 76kW 1.6-litre four but the auto is competent and, surprisingly, quiet. The auto is also arguably the better option: the manual requires some coaxing to speed and the gearchange offers little in the way to encourage driver participation. Still, remember the target buyer and entry price... 

You'll either like or loathe how lightweight and blunt it is to drive. Depending on your side of the fence you'll either tolerate the attempts to round off cost-cutting corners or react indignantly to its cheap shot at driver sensitivities.

Aspirations aside, it's inexpensive, inoffensive transport, and now with Barina sedan, GMDAT gets A for effort creating its version of an affordable 'world car'.

See CarPoint's Holden TK Barina launch coverage in our new car review section for more details