Overview of the Holden Barina
The first Barina was essentially a rebadged Suzuki Swift. It established itself as one of the best city cars between 2001 and 2005 when it was a Holden-badged Opel Corsa, though the next iteration from South Korea disappointed. The latest-generation Holden Barina was released in 2011 (still built in Korea but this time related to America's Chevrolet Sonic), adding a sportier RS variant in 2013. A facelifted 2016 range dropped the RS and its 1.4-litre turbo, as well as the Barina sedan variant to focus on the hatch.
HOLDEN BARINA GENERATIONS (SINCE 2001)
2001-2005
2006-2011
2011 onwards
RUNNING COSTS
Fuel Consumption
1.6L 4-cylinder: 6.9 to 7.3 litres per 100km
1.4L 4-cylinder turbo (RS): 6.6 litres per 100km
= Highly economical.
= Good economy.
= Average fuel use.
= Heavy consumption.
Servicing
Every 15,000km or nine months, whichever is sooner. Each service currently costs between $249 and $349. Holden Barina parts and accessoriescan be found on Gumtree.
SIMILAR MODELS TO HOLDEN BARINA
Ford Fiesta
Kia Rio
Suzuki Swift
Toyota Yaris
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR: HOLDEN BARINA (2011 ON)
The first thing to check on any automatic Barina is that it selects all the gears properly and without hesitation. Count the gears as the car shifts up through them.
Don't forget to make sure Reverse selects promptly from Park, too. On the road, make sure the gearbox isn't slipping or flaring between gears as this is a sure sign of a worn gearbox.
Check the area around the coolant pump for leaks and check that the coolant level is correct in the expansion tank.
Barinas were also hard on engine mounts and a car with a broken mount can often be identified by a clunk when selecting a gear or when driving over a bump that sets up a vibration which feels like it's shaking the whole car.
Check that everything electrical in the Barina works as it should, too.
