2012 Holden Barina: Australian prices and specifications

By Tim Beissmann
September 20th, 2011

FIND DEALS

The decision for consumers in the market for a light car will get even tougher in November when the all-new 2012 Holden Barina goes on sale in Australia.

The new five-door Holden Barina hatch will start from $15,990 before on-road costs, and the optional six-speed automatic transmission adds $2000 to the price, making it $17,990 before on-road costs.

A special price of $16,990 driveaway will apply to the five-speed manual Barina for the first few months of production.

Initially, these will be the only two variants available. The new Barina sedan will arrive in local showrooms a few months later around the beginning of 2012.

Until then, Holden will continue to sell run-out models of the outgoing Barina sedan alongside the new hatch, as well as run-out models of the outgoing Barina hatch, which is now badged as the Barina Classic, and priced from $14,490 driveaway.

The entire Barina range sits above the sub-light Barina Spark, which is currently available in two manual-only variants: the $12,490 CD and the $14,490 CDX.

At 4093mm long, 1735mm wide and 1517 tall, the new Barina hatch is 213mm longer, 65mm wider and 22mm taller than the model its replaces, making it one of the larger cars in the class.

The 1.6-litre petrol engine produces 85kW of power (at 6000rpm) and 155Nm of torque (at 4000rpm), up from the old model’s 77kW/145Nm output.

Combined cycle fuel consumption drops to from 7.2 to 6.8 litres/100km for the manual model and from 7.8 to 7.3 litres/100km for the automatic.

The new Barina has already been awarded the maximum five-star ANCAP crash test rating, and employs six airbags (dual front, side and curtains), electronic stability control, traction control, electronic brakeforce distribution and a number of other active and passive features.

The Barina will score 15-inch alloy wheels, and despite coming standard with a space saver spare, Holden will include a full-size steel spare on demand at no extra cost.

Measured with the space saver, the Barina offers 290 litres of boot space, which expands to 653 litres with the rear seats folded flat.

Standard features of the well-equipped solo model include ‘follow-me-home’ headlights, cruise control, Bluetooth phone connectivity and audio streaming, USB input with iPod integration, and steering wheel controls.

Seven paint colours will be offered from launch: black, white, grey, silver, red and two shades of blue.

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Paul

That is one hell of an ugly car.
- bobin
  
  I like it, i think it looks fun and aggressive.
  - Crummydore
    
    I agree – it looks cool, especially like the ‘old fashioned’ round headlights – gives it that aggressive look
    
    Much, much better than the odd looking Spark.
    - Harry B
      
      its a small hatch back city car……agressive…fun…. its no GTI
      - Crummydore
        
        Yeh, that’s for sure…. but they have nailed the design for the demographic its aimed at. Its all about style and blue tooth. This will sell quite well I suspect.
        
        The rest of us who have any clue at all on the good stuff out there will buy a Polo!
- CRS200
  
  One thing I know it is:
  
  Piece of Crap!
  - Peter Stone
    
    And how do you KNOW this?
- http://mummas.com.au your mummas sweet ass
  
  Yuck well done GM.. another heap of crap on the way to Australia
Mike

Those are some shocking fuel economy figures for an engine of this size. only superior performance will excuse it but i highly doubt that is the case
- Goodfa
  
  I agree that the fuel economy figure is not competitive.
  
  The 1.6 in the RIO gets 5.6l/100km and makes over 100kw.
  
  How can Holden release a completely new model that has fuel economy not even close to its competitors.
  
  Poor engines seems to be the main problems with Holdens latest offerings. (Price is OK though)
  - Goodfa
    
    How can Holden get 7.0l/100km from the 1.8 in the much heavier Cruze and only get 0.2l/100km less from a 1.6 in the much lighter Barina. It does not seem to make sense unless it is geared for acceleration.
    
    If that is the case it should do 0-100 in no more than 10 seconds.
- Jos
  
  No the fuel figures are not shocking, they’re just not exaggerated and are probably honest figures..
  
  Seriously i see here some mid-size 2.5L cars and are claiming combined cycles for 7.0L/100km **Cough KIA & Hyundai**
  
  I mean come on man..
  - Mike
    
    explain how the larger cruze gets better figures then? if holden were that honest id assume the cruze would be higher than is claimed….wake up
Mike

Nice looking car though
Golfschwein

Not a fan of the toytown look.
delux

Does it come with cruise control?
- KD
  
  According to other sites, yes it does.
- http://www.caradvice.com.au Tim Beissmann
  
  Hi Delux
  
  The new Barina does come with cruise control. I’ve added it to the story now.
  
  Thanks
  Tim
  - delux
    
    Thanks. Impressive features for a small car. I like that the focus has shifted to small cars, and they’re now getting the same level of kit as larger cars.
t39

This seems better than the base Opel Corsa: more power, 2 more gears in auto, width dimention from the class above.
JEKYL & HYDE

1.4 turbo,bigger wheels,a real dash, with a sri badge please…
o

Is the 1.4 turbo coming?

Also does anyone want to explain why this is priced about the same as the US version yet we pay a premium on the cruze? This is reflected in all offerings with light cars the same but our bigger cars more expensive, so is it just inflated as we are willing to pay more?
- Golfschwein
  
  O, forget America. America is America. Things are different there. You’ll only do your head in trying to figure out why and how. Do what I do: don’t worry about it!
ScottT

Have they just taken the fron end off a Lancer or what?

Holden = Plagerism
- delux
  
  I agree. It is similar to the Lancer. As are the chunky door frames. Looks good either way.
Far Canal Racing

Is it still built by the Daewoo Dog?.
The only thing that makes these look good is the even worse junk coming out of China.
Mikey

It looks very unfinished & a mess of styles that doesns’t work for me, almost like they changed styling directions near the end.
I’ll take a Fiesta over this…
dadar

From the front it looks like a Captiva has had a kid with a Lancer. But I like it. Compared to the current one. Pshhhhh.

The interior looks a little messy though? =\
- LS FTW
  
  Now that i think of it, thats sort of what it looks like. It is meant to be however, based on the Chevrolet design used by many a few- including the camaro, and the yet to be released holden malibu (based on a chev). I think this new barina looks quite alike its chev cousins from the front end….which cant be a bad thing!
gmh-bogan

Very smart hitech package.
Mr Gaspo

Yuck!
Aaaaplay

I was on my way to Phillip Island when in just a little town before San Merino I saw I truck filled with production ready Barinas all with Victorian number plates.
- delux
  
  Must have been headed to or coming from a press event.
- Ready9
  
  It’s San Remo you idiot
Jersey_997

What is with those gauges? They look very cheap and nasty!
- Freddo
  
  Just like a motorbike- i really like them
Lachy

I thought that since Holden was sourcing the Barina from Korea, that it would be much cheaper than this, but $15,990 for the base model (before on-road costs), is only $500 less than a VW Polo. Sure, the Polo doesn’t come with cruise control or alloy wheels, but it would likely be better built and better to drive. I hope I’m wrong, but it kind of makes me wonder why Holden has bothered.
- delux
  
  You forgot to mention that it is also missing two doors. Entry to a base 5 door Polo is 20k.
  - LS FTW
    
    Missing 2 doors!!?? In case you didnt catch on that this is much alike its “SPARK” sibling, the 2 rear doors have hidden door handles….to give the impression of a 2 door.
- Captain Nemo
  
  Lachy
  
  VeeDud cobble the Polio together in Africa build quality is fairly mediocre so is reliability. But probably is a better to drive than Barina.
  - Lachy
    
    I think you would find the new Polo is made in Spain.
    - Richard
      
      The 5 door is made in SA for our market
      - Lachy
        
        True… 3-door Trendline in Spain (which I was referring to) and Comfortline models in South Africa… not that either fact alone will dictate how good or reliable a car will be.
- http://holdenbarinaau tmt
  
  mmm iam not sure where u hail from but where iam a polo is at a cost of 23,686.00 well dream much mate???
Toxic_horse

Looks like a winner. Bag holden as much as you want but they are totaly killing it. They really know how to appeal to the target market in nearly every segment they are in.
Opelman

The design is not to bad. You can tell that Holden / Chevrolet are GM’s bargain basement or Daewoo derived cheapies. The dash looks very odd and is not aesthetically pleasing to the eye, it has a nose from the Lancer.

Give me a Corsa or Polo over this hea any day!
Shak

Well going on the few reviews i have read from the US this is a well driving, well built and attractive car. If only they gave us the 1.4 as an option at least to add some sparkle to the range, or maybe they are saving it for later…
anthony

I suspect a 1.6 turbo Sri model in the next 12-18 months. please don’t let me be wrong.
- JEKYL & HYDE
  
  1.6 turbo (tell him he’s dreaming!!!)…
from ere

First of all, the car pictured is not representative of the Barina that will be on sale. No fog lights, no chrome, no 17″ alloys.

Secondly, that fuel economy is nigh on terrible when some of the competition are quoting 5.5′s for a manual (Swift admittedly a 1.4L)

Thirdly, how is it that the drive away price for the manual is $16990 but the auto is $19990 (quoted on another website) but the auto is only meant to be $2000 more RRP?
- Grady
  
  Isn’t the $16,990 driveway just an introductory promo price? Smart since more people will opt for the auto anyway – the $16,990 will just get them in the door.
Clem

What is so special about Holden? Why Australian love Holden so much? Holden Daewoo … that’s sounds better.
gmh-bogan

The first Australain made car Clem,1948.Before that they where Holden+ Frost Bodybuilders.Before that they where saddle makers.
Built millions of cars in Australia,paid billions in wages,paid billions in fees to contractors.
What has your favourite car company done for Austraila.
GO HOLDEN…………..
- Bangel
  
  And sent all the profits back to good old USA , made garbage cars for years until the japanese forced them to lift their game .
  
  Nothing special about GMH just another car co that got lucky with govt support and lots of tariff protection to serve up a very average product .
  - Captain Nemo
    
    Still banging the same old drum about profits going OS i see Bungel.
    
    The only thing your beloved VeeDud contribute to AU is keeping tray truck drivers in jobs with all the breakdowns of their cr@ppy cars. Been and had a look at Carsguide yet Bungel? now well over 100 complaints of broken down VeeDuds.
  - Captain Nemo
    
    Still banging the same old drum about profits going OS i see Bungel.
    
    The only thing your beloved VeeDud contribute to AU is keeping tray truck drivers in jobs with all the breakdowns of their rubbish cars. Been and had a look at Carsguide yet Bungel? now well over 100 complaints of broken down VeeDuds
    - Bangel
      
      WOW zero only a 100 complaints , last week it was thousands , get your fairy tale right .
      
      Regarding this POS , just another cobbled together daewoo for the chevy car co , that interior screems cheap .
      - Captain Nemo
        
        Learn to understand English Bungel if capable. I said over 6000 cars involved in the “service campaign” from VeeDud not 1000s of complaints.
      - gmh-bogan
        
        Volkswagen have a bad record on reliability.
        Just seems to be getting worse,little wonder they call it a (service campaign).Every one else calls it a recall
      - Bangel
        
        CORPORALZERO/GMH BOGAN Awhatever name your using , total rubbish do you lie in bed dreaming up these tales , we all know you bogans create fake tales of woe about other brands , facts are VW sales keep growing while crummers keep falling
birdie

How cheap does that dash look
Nathan

I love that blue Barina in the photo, was a difference some 16 inch alloys and fog lights make, these will sell like hot cakes
Bruce Da_hacka

Why do we always end up with the bread & butter models here in Australia. The same car in the USA under the Chevorlet Sonic name gets the 16 in mags as standard equipment with optional 17 inch mags, spotlights etc etc and the 1.8 motor, (the same engine fitted to the Holden Cruze) as standard equipment with the 1.4 Turbo charged motor as an option. Here we are offered an asthmatic underpowered 1.6 motor, crappy 15 inch alloys and no spotties all at a dearer price. GO figure????
Holden Lover

I test drove one yesterday and I must say I was extremely disappointed. The car looks great, drives well and is very quiet but that is about all I can say that is positive. The engine lacks power considerably. I could not believe how sluggish it was. We took it up a hill in second gear and was ready to jump out and push. Even once we got it going it was slow. Dropped it into 3rd gear doing about 80 k and watched the speedo tick 1 klm at a time till i reached 90 and gave up. The car handles quite strange as well. I put it into a hard corner and I swear the back of the car was going to overtake me at any moment!
The dash is cheap and plastic. So are the door trims. There are little pockets everywhere for storage but no carpet or felt lining so whatever you put in there will rattle like crazy.
Sorry Holden, I give you a 3 out of 10 for this one. Atleast the Cruze will do you proud!
Suecousins11

Well, have just read thru all your comments and you have helped me decide what we in tend to get. We were after a little second run a bout and trading our beloved little Sirion we bought from new in 1999. On our list of options were Swift, no go as I kept hitting my shin when using the clutch and the boot would only be able to hold one bag of compost!!! Kia Rio rear mirror view was very limited and it was OK but did not do anything for me. Barina looked flash but you have made me change my mind, summing up, gorgeous looking blond but totally dumb. Finally the Polo, a little bit pricier but liked the look, quality and roominess and in the long run pretty economical, so the Polo it is…thanks again for the I put from you all.

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2012 Holden Barina: Australian prices and specifications

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