Holden Barina RS 2014 Review

The range-topping Barina RS is unlike any Barina I’ve ever driven. Its 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine is lively, eager and a little bit special, plus it’s well equipped and competitively priced at $20,990. But the Barina RS does have its work cut out as it seeks to go head-to-head with an onslaught of cheaper performance models entering the Australian market -- not least of which is the strong-selling Hyundai Veloster.

There’s no doubt that many a motoring pundit is ready to belittle GM’s decision to slap an RS badge on the humble Barina. Having spent some time behind the wheel, I will not be one of them.

Powered by a turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol four, the five-door-only Barina RS delivers 103kW and 200Nm, which is 18kW and 45Nm more than its CD and CDX underlings. It’s matched to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

Outside, the Barina RS scores 17-inch alloy wheels, front foglights, and reverse parking sensors. And on the inside, features piano black and chrome trim garnishes, leather appointed sports seats, sports pedals, and, wait for it, RS floor mats.

Technology is also of a high standard, with a 7.0-inch colour touchscreen forming the hub of the Barina RS’s clever MyLink infotainment system. There’s also heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift knob, and a nifty storage tray under the front seat. Not bad kit for a $21,000 car.

The ride/handling blend of the Korean-built Barina RS strikes a nice balance between chic and sporty. It’s no boy-racer, but there’s a definite nod to rally-inspired motoring that doesn’t impact (pardon the pun) on everyday driveability.

The RS sports seats are comfortable, and very supportive, and the six-way electric adjustment makes it pretty easy to achieve a good driving position, regardless of driver size.

From standstill, the RS is quick to draw on its power. The gearshifts are short and smooth, with little downtime between changes. The force-fed donk is willing to rev to its 6500rpm redline, but with good response down low you never really need to visit that part of the tacho.

From around 4000 revs motivation is steady, and with tweaked gear ratios in-gear response is brisk. My only criticism of the manual transmission sampled is that the clutch has a lot of travel and is very late of uptake, which is tiresome in stop-start city traffic.

On winding roads, the front-end grip and overall handling of the RS was commendable. Refined electric power steering, a lowered ride (-10mm) and tightened suspension have transformed the Barina’s on-road behaviour.

There was a pointy assertiveness to its steering and reassuring feedback through the wheel. Travelling on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria I was delighted with how the RS performed. The Mac Strut front/Torsion Beam rear suspension was firm but forgiving enough, and the handling balanced though sharp and long corners alike.

Like any self-respecting performance hatch, the Barina RS took joy in diving into tighter corners and showed no protest in the uphill climbs. The four-wheel disc brakes were quick of action and predictable of feel, although like the clutch, the pedal travel was a little too long underfoot.

But it’s on the long, straight sections of highway where the Barina RS’s character changes. It shines a little less brightly on the freeway where the steering feels vague on centre, exaggerating straight-line wander, and the road noise becomes intrusive.

To its credit, though, rolling acceleration was brisk and the cruise-control well-mannered, maintaining set speed on both ascent and descent.

In what can only be described as an astonishing display of packing ability, I loaded the Barina RS for a family weekend away. It quite happy took, two child seats, two scooters, two kids suitcases, an esky and a couple of overnight bags, drink bottles, snacks, my handbag, his manbag and way too many stuffed toys; with room to spare!

Remove the false floor in the boot, and you’ve got 290 litres of luggage space -- albeit at the expense of a spare tyre (which is a no cost option). My point is, the Barina RS has load capacity above average.

Comfort and ergonomics were of a high standard, notwithstanding the Barina’s dimensions. Second row occupants had decent head, shoulder and legroom two-up, but squeeze three people in there and it’s beyond an intimate affair.

Let’s not forget an obvious benefit of the small capacity engine -- it’s fuel efficiency. The Barina RS delivered more than respectable fuel economy, showing an average consumption of 7.0L/100km after a week of mixed driving.

This small hatch also has safety is well covered, including anti-lock brakes, brake assist, electronic brake-force distribution and stability control, dual head and side airbags for driver and front passenger and full-length curtain airbags. It was awarded a five-star safety rating from ANCAP.

Sure, the Barina RS won’t score you props for sheer power and pace, but it does a fine job of exploiting everything it has to offer. I came away quietly impressed and most definitely surprised by what Holden has achieved in its take on the RS badge.

What we liked:
>> Nimble handling
>> Fuel efficient
>> Good kit