New Holden Barina spied
27 Jun, 2008
76 Comments 
2008 Holden Barina spied
The upcoming Holden Barina facelift has been spied on the streets of Sydney – and it looks very happy to say the least.
Recently released in Europe as the Chevrolet Aveo, the new Barina is the creation of General Motor’s Korean design team.
The exterior changes are more than obvious, sporting a completely new front end design with new headlights, grille and bumper.
The new Barina is expected to make its official Australian debut in the coming weeks.
Source: PressPortal.com.au
Location: Home / Australian Car Industry News, Car News, Holden, spy photos / ...
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June 27th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Still looks like the original Daewoo sheet metal but with a Skoda-looking grille. Still a two-star Euro NCAP then? Maybe three, because it seems as if some work has gone into the front end.
Vote:Good luck guys, you’ll need it.
June 27th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
it does look like a skoda roomster!!!
Vote:June 27th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
That front looks terrible, I wouldn’t exactly say ‘new’ Barina, as it is just an updated, facelifted version of the current one.
Vote:June 27th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Looks like crap, made like crap, designed like crap.
Just compare it in any way to a Honda Jazz.
Vote:June 27th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
gods! im so excited. coming in weeks….can’t wait.
Vote:June 27th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Yay! More cheap Korean crap to finally kill off any reminder of the old Opels that actually gave the Barina a good name back in the day.
Vote:June 27th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Kinda looks like the front of an Opel Vectra mixed with Skoda and a little bit of new Corolla…?
Vote:June 27th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Poor Holden. Their ads state “that every time we make a new one, we have to make it better” surely that doesn’t apply to the re-badged Daewoo’s or thats false advertising on their part. Now before I get any negative comments, there is a ‘Barina’ in the ads not only the Commodore. Pathetic Holden, Pathetic!!!
Vote:June 27th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
I don’t think anyone who knows anything about cars (and reads this website) would buy one.
Target audience for buyers is the Big W or Safeway catalog…
Vote:June 27th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
The new barina must be selling well, i’ve seen heaps of them on the street
o wait
Holden that thing is a disgrace to a good badge.
Vote:June 27th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
OMG !!!!!!!!!!!!! HOLDENWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
THIS LOOKS TERRIBLE, ANOTHER 2 STAR ANCAP, REBADGED DAEWOO, PIECE OF JUNK…………….
Vote:June 27th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Hideous travesty, Holden. You should withdraw this piece of junk from the market rather than persist.
Shame, shame, shame.
Vote:June 27th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
It doesnt look high class. It doesnt look modern. It looks like one of those cheap chinese cars.
Vote:June 27th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
it must be good if they say it is!!
Vote:June 27th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Reminds me of the very first Hyundai’s….cheap and nasty!!
Vote:June 27th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Holden said its gonna compete with the other small cars this new Barina is just cheap korean car.
Vote:June 27th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Whats worse is that Holden said its going to continue the Viva/Epica instead of the Brilliant new Insignia.
Nice move Holden :erg:
Vote:June 27th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
I have to say I don’t think it looks bad, kind of looks like a modernised spiritual successor to the Barina that used to be sold as the Suzuki something or other. Maybe I’m just nostalgic at the moment. Dash looks fairly modern and interesting for a cheap small car.
Having said that, I wouldn’t drive one because it probably is a death trap. I’ll stick with the near-2 tonne VE Calais in my driveway thanks :-)
Vote:June 27th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
To put it this way, it looks better! So does the interior!
Vote:June 27th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Despite what people think, consumers do listen to reviews.
And they prefer cars that are dynamically sorted, and most importantly safe.
Vote:June 27th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
Totally agree to the first comment you posted Tom! :D
Vote:June 27th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
Drivers at this end of the market are only looking for the cheapest car available. Maybe if holden knocked of another $1000 off there price (drive away) and/or offered a 5 year warranty they would sell alot more.
Vote:June 27th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
Is this the same as the Vauxhall Agila which is the same as the Suzuki Splash. built in hungary i believe. Not sure
Vote:gotta check out the vauxhall .co .uk website.
June 27th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Nah its not. The Agila is far more stylish.
Holden get it wrong again. Destined to become a minority car supplier.
Vote:June 28th, 2008 at 12:01 am
No Name, your onto something but i dont think you realise it. Holden should import the Vauxhall Agila. Its looks great, its incredibly practical, its safe, its not bad to drive and its got a diesel option! And it could still start at about 15 thousand! Not bad really…
Vote:June 28th, 2008 at 8:13 am
Tom,
Vote:Yes people do read reviews….but…..usually the wrong ones – Of course there will be plenty of main-stream reviews that will applaud this piece of junk because it is a Holden and therefore somehow related to some lost icon of Aussie motoring history.
June 28th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Putting some lipstick isn’t going to fix the inherent flaws of this vehicle. Unsafe by today’s standards and also not very economical in its class, though by no means the most powerful either… Cheap quality, outdated design, etc.
The only thing going for it is price and it’s actually not that big of a margin. Besides, I remember it was actually in the $12,XXX for about a month until Holden canned it for some reason.
Vote:June 28th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Sorry Holden, but this is nothing more than just another unsafe Korean tin can & you know it. Congratulations on failing the market again.
Vote:June 28th, 2008 at 11:28 am
I would prefer to buy a second hand hyundai getz than even consider the barina!
Vote:June 28th, 2008 at 11:29 am
actually on second thoughts… i would not feel ashamed driving a Nissan Micra, but i would definitely feel ashamed driving this Barina!!!
Vote:June 28th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
^I’d rather buy a a second hand XC Barina.
Vote:June 28th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
I can’t believe people actually buy these 2 star Barina’s and don’t even know the origin, let me spell it out D_A_E_W_O_O from korea, come on there are better car’s in this category even used is a better option..
Vote:June 28th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Another heap of Holden crap………
Vote:June 28th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Duck,
I’d rather buy a real car.
one where you have leg room, power and safety.
dont ask me why people are flocking to small rice burners period, let alone shocking examples of them.
and dont give me the fuel economy angle because it still wont sway me there for the saving of 2-3L/100k
Vote:June 28th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
I rather an E-Gas Falcon any day. This Barina looks cod ordinary and is sad as – Aussie design keeps the lid firmly on last boring bland look as same same Daewoo joke!
Ford figures show that an E-Gas Falcon uses $350 less fuel then a “MUCH SMALLER AND NARROWER” Toyota Corolla over 12months and about 25,000kms! Also produces 4% less emissions then a 6 cyclinder Falcon petrol 4.0litre. And think of all that “HUGE BOOT” space compared to the Toyota Corolla!
Vote:June 28th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Right on NM
be buggered if ill ever settle for half a car
Vote:June 28th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Yeah where’s all the all-Aussie Holden fanboy’s now?
Vote:June 28th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
The car is starting to show it’s age – the old school door handles are a give-away (although the Honda Jazz still has the same style handles and it looks relatively modern). To the person who praised the Spanish-built Barina – they
Vote:were a step down from the Japanese-built Barinas – the early models had very shoddy paintwork that faded easily, and were terribly underpowered (remember the 1.2L!?). I’m not defending the Daewoo, just saying that the Spanish Barina was nothing special either.
June 28th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Hey Robbo, VW Golf driver and closet Holden fan here. I grew up with Holdens, after all.
These cars cause pain and embarassment. No fan boy in his right mind is going to trumpet these.
Vote:June 28th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Holden please bring back the Corsa and make it the Barnia again :)
Vote:This doesnt look good from any angle really.
June 28th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
The small cars the Japs have come up with more than a decade ago are way better than this one!
Vote:June 28th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
I agree with you Atomic SS-V, bring back the rebadge Corsa and restore some pride Holden!
Vote:June 29th, 2008 at 12:35 am
Very sad. I can’t believe Holden continues to release such crap cars! Do they think people are stupid?
So much money spend on the looks of the car and no thought about safety whats so ever.
I have no doubt the chassis of the car remain unchanged and it will still be a death trap!
Stay away people!!!
Vote:June 29th, 2008 at 10:39 am
To those who are saying it will have a 2 or 3 star ANCRAP rating. The specifications have not been announced yet so no one can say anything yet. For all you knoe ESP maybe standard on it as could 6 airbags. Those 2 changes could be enough to improve its safety rating. Holden are know for upping the ante when it comes to safety so do not judge it until all is known about it. It may still only be a 2 star but wait until all specs are announced. If the Corsa makes it over as well which is possible or the next generation Corsa is built in South Korea it will be great, and from what I hear the new Epica will be based off the Insignia built in South Korea so the same could be said about the Barina/Corsa. All will come out in the not to distant future.
Vote:June 29th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
The Ford’s tiny festiva looks nice and decent.
Vote:This one looks cheap rubish…
June 29th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Fiesta, Tomas79.
Vote:June 29th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
NO NO NO!!!!!! WHEN WILL IT STOP?????!!!!!
This is worse than the original daewoo. can we skip back and think about the xc barina for a minute……..
How can a car company let their product go backwards??????
Pathetic effort. This is the worst can you can buy… FULL STOP!
Vote:June 29th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
There’s plenty of 2003 Daewoo Kaloses for sale on the internet. Presumably, 2003 was their release year.
Now, five years later, Holden are about to serve up a re-grilled, re-dashed and re-tail lamped version to last for…how long? 18 months? 2 years?
Let it die, Holden.
Vote:June 29th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
To be fair to Holden, this pathetic facelift has been locked in for quite some time do Mark Reuss wouldn’t have had time to influence this release apart from minor spec changes.
I get the feeling he is definitely not happy with current Daewoo products. It’s the next Barina about 2-3 years away which will tell us if Holden has come to its senses or not.
Vote:June 29th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
^We would see the all new Barina as early as next year, GM are trying to get the vehicle ready ASAP.
Vote:June 29th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Frosty this is one FUGLY car in fact the entire daewoo range is a disgrace, I agree with you one point tho, the next models will be better, but consider this, Would not exactly be hard to achieve this, add a air bag, maybe even….ABS, LOL, they still fall apart. …47 epicas sold in may, now thats gotts be a record!
Vote:June 29th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
All the logic in the world doesn’t matter. The buyer of this car will never read a site like this, they probably won’t even know how to “use the internet”. They’ll most likely be middle aged, overweight, female public servants with 2 cats and a massive collection of woolen ponchos.
Am I stereotyping…maybe, but take a look at who’s driving any current model Daewoo Barina the next time you overtake them as they’re nervously doing 80 on the freeway.
Vote:June 30th, 2008 at 11:54 am
“They’ll most likely be middle aged, overweight, female public servants with 2 cats and a massive collection of woolen ponchos”
That single comment is the funniest thing I’ve read in many a moon – caused me to snort my morning coffee out my nose…!
What a cracker of a website this is – always good value
Vote:June 30th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
The joke is of course Holden can’t move the Korean Barina at all (and that’s not a reliability joke).
They’re selling less ‘new’ Barinas now then they did of the unprofitable XC Barina in its last year of being on sale. Buyers are voting with their wallets; this is Australia’s least popular small car.
Buyers who want something cheap and reliable (an A to B vehicle) are buying the Getz; where exactly does this car fit in?
Vote:June 30th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Actually Hugo I think the Korean Barina is selling better than the XC, but not by much. The very few extra sales weren’t worth the criticism the Korean Barina has received over the XC.
Vote:June 30th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
That first shot from the front looks like something from the movie Cars!!!
So GM Australia give us this crap while GM UK get this:-
http://www.vauxhall.co.uk/vx/c.....Name=corsa
Lets hope they have managed to double the star rating!!!
Vote:June 30th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Don’t know why you guys don’t like the Barina, me and my girlfriends all drive Barinas and we love them.
Vote:We love it when the boys beep beep and whistle at us driving past.
I do modelling for FHM magazine and promotional work so I need a cute little car, I cruise down to the beach with my girlfriends in ouir bikinis and all the ute boyz check us out, if you don’t like the Barina guys you must be GAY, cause us girls love them, Seeya xoxo
July 1st, 2008 at 12:29 am
Durr Mandy its not the motor they are smiling and waving at is it. Come on girl, sure your fathers proud of you.
Vote:July 1st, 2008 at 7:52 am
It’s air heads like Mandy that these awful cars are aimed at!!!
Vote:The saying a sucker is born every minute could not be truer when it comes to buyers of these cars!
July 1st, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Listen up Mandy and all the other bimbos!!! If your daddy buys you one of these cars he wants to get rid of you. There should be a minimum safety requirement on all new cars. Holden are so desperate to grab your cash that they put their name to this piece of shit. Shame!!! Shame!!! Shame!!!
Vote:July 1st, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Mandy, the Barina is a car for chicks or GAY men, and a pathetic one at that.
Vote:July 1st, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Mandy, even the boss of Holden has stated it as an insuperior product and lacking quality. It is a pretty clear message if the boss of Holden doesn’t support one of its products.
Vote:July 5th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
to all of you,you do not know where you talking about.
Vote:Complaining about nothing. Berina a good car even the daewoo was not bad.
July 5th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
berina is spelt Barina Lisa, obviously have one because you clearly have a Holdenwoo mentality by saying Daewoo are not bad, next you will be wishing the Pope is good in bed 2..
Vote:July 19th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
I honestly think it looks quite good from the pictures I saw from holden NZ I thought it was from Opel. The rear of the Barina I think looks like the Kia Picanto. This is a much improved car and safety is improved now with side curtain A/bags and I think it should get at least a 3 stars maybe 4 but im not holding my breath for that. The new Alloys not shown on the photos above looks so much better than the old most boring rims in the world.
Vote:All in all a better looking Barina and I’d choose it over a Yaris anyday… maybe just until safety rating come in :D
July 28th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
A terrible excuse for a car.If You can find a good quality one two year old version of a Corolla,Elantra,Cerato,Tiida,Focus,Mazda3 and other cars in that end of the market with low mileage and in good condition buy one of them or if you must buy new go to a Mazda dealer and buy a 2 or Suzuki for a Swift or Toyota for a Yaris.Off the topic a little bit.Does anyone remember the Lada Samara?Those things were such a joke it made us thankful for the Laser,Pulsar,Corolla,Lancer of the day
Vote:August 5th, 2008 at 3:16 am
Guess what guys.
Vote:Just checked out the Chevy website for the 2009 Aveo (Which is this Barina).
5 Star EuroNCAP rating.
Just shows you.
August 7th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Get a life people. honestly its just sad your spending time slagging a car you dont like or will own. Everyone to there own,There are worse things to worry about in life, If the car was that bad it wouldnt sell or wouldnt be aloud on the market,GET OVER IT LOSERS….ps: the Barina looks great to………. not like the getz like everyone says, that looks like plastic, but if people like it thats all that matters, you buy what you want, Spend your time doing more important things..
Vote:October 2nd, 2008 at 11:29 am
I find it hard to agree with people saying its crap and comparing it to the much more expensive and larger Jazz.
Vote:I think Holden are playing the market well with sourcing some of its cars from GM-Daewoo in NZ were currently in a recession and there has been a large slump in new and used car sales, lots of people are looking for cheaper and sometimes smaller alternatives. The Barina and Epica fit in well however I think the Viva hatch should be dropped sedan and wagon kept no need for hatch with the Astra. Maybe in a few years we will see the European Opel sourced cars make a return.
October 23rd, 2008 at 10:07 pm
I brought a barina last yr. It goes well, but i had trouble insuring it because nrma refused to believe that the owner (me) was male.
It doesnt go that fast, but i couldnt afford a real mans car so had to settle for the barina. My mates pay me out about it, but i secretly love driving a womens car
Vote:October 23rd, 2008 at 10:31 pm
I do beleive that this car has a higher reliablity rating than the VE Comodoore now that is really sad to say the least
Vote:November 9th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
I recently collected my new car two days ago. 2008 Holden Barina.
I was shocked it was so much bigger than the one i drove. 1995 Holden Barina Swing model. I like the size of it.
I think they made it a too big and its almost like i’m driving inside a ball or something. Everything looks hi – tech iinside. I find that i have to keep turning the steering wheel a fair bit to do a direction. Toyota corolla 1994’s steering wheel does a better job than that.
I’m not complaining but who knows if i ‘m not happy i can always trade it for a Ford in the next two years.
Vote:November 9th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
For all of those who say that the Daewoo Lanos/ Holden Barina is a deathtrap..
Last night in Perth there was a serious head on accident on the Kwinana Freeway involving a Lanos and a Truck.
Photographs of the accident are in todays WA Sunday Times and there is virtually no way of telling what the car was..
Appears as though the car is torn it two – the engine and gearbox have been forced into the cabin; the steering and suspension is ripped apart; you can’t see the dashboard ; the windscreen is gone; the drivers door and roof is ripped off
It Looks like a crushed aluminium can – yet the 30 year old female driver survived escaping with some back and lower leg injuries….
Vote:November 21st, 2008 at 11:47 am
i am ashamed to say yes i bought one
Vote:the new barina is the worst car i have even bought the faults are many
1 massive understeer due to a poor quality front suspension and a rear axle layout mine has been replaced at 3000km
the car has steering problems wants to go bush and holden have informed me twice that the car is set to the allowable tollerence
a quick trip to fulcum and they informed me that yes this is a common problem with barinas but it can be remidied approx 4hrs labour
when notified of this the dealer the dealer informed me that their staff do not have the training or knowledge to rectify it and it is up to me to get it repaired as they have followed all holden repair guidelines
the barinas may need to have the throttle control sensor switch replaced and even then it may not stop the increase in revs when you depress the clutch no will it improve the poor deceleration response
the mysterious noise that occuurs between 750and 1500 revs when using the cluch well good news
holden dont know the cause of this but are working on a fix and will contact owners when the have a solution
fuel economy forget it as average use is 9 to 11 per 100km
and im a conservative driver
overall impression very lucky to receive any star and that are only for looks 1 star from me
but anway i have an excuse for buying this car old age whats yours
November 23rd, 2008 at 5:57 pm
For all you idiots who make comments without actually checking the facts- the TK MY09 model (the new one) had its safety upgraded and is now a FOUR STAR rating, not two… Dickheads… I drive a new Barina and I love it. It’s great!
Vote:May 5th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Just purchased the new Barina 3 Door Hatch Auto in white. I have to wait about 3 and a half weeks for delivery but it will be worth it. It\’s a funky little number with a zippy engine. I\’m a big, tall bloke and there is heaps of head and leg room. It\’s roomier than the so called medium i30.I also got the extra pack including ABS and alloy wheels. It looks great. check it out at: http://www.chevrolet.it/aveo-3.....i-360.html. It\’s know as the Chevrolet Aveo in most countries. I reccommend that everyone in the market for a small Auto that they test drive the new Barina. Be quick if you want a good deal before June 30 though. I think the special grants ends then. Cheers.
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