2017 Holden Barina LT Review – Hatch Falls Further Behind Its Rivals
It was time to face up to the fact that the Holden Barina has not been a light hatch hit, but now for 2017 the five-door-only model range has been grafted a fresh face.
Particularly in this flagship LT trim, the latest version of the South Korean-built Barina could be seen as one of the most successful mid-life facelifts in the industry, and the handsome new façade is all the work of Australian designers.
This current model arrived locally in 2011, however, and beyond the exterior changes the only other differences centre around the addition of a new 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto phone projection technology plus a fresh speedometer and tachometer cluster with a larger trip computer display.
Holden claims that the redesign and new technology provides the Barina with a fresh injection of energy for the new year. But with nothing else altered, is it really enough?
Vehicle Style: Light hatchback
Price: $20,190 plus on-road costs
Engine/trans: 85kW/155Nm 1.6 petrol four-cylinder | six-speed automatic
Fuel Economy Claimed: 6.7 l/100km | Tested: 8.9 l/100km
OVERVIEW
Gone are the CD, CDX and RS nameplates in the Barina range, replaced by the LS and LT utilising the same 1.6-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine as before. The flagship 1.4-litre turbo model has been ditched altogether due to low sales.
Pricing starts at $14,990 plus on-road costs for the manual, or $17,190 (plus orc) for the auto, while the LT seen here is a $20,190 (plus orc) auto-only proposition.