13 Apr, 2007
40 Comments 
Back in mid 2006 we reported Holden Barina’s 2 star safety rating from ANCAP. Only today did we find the footage to explain why:
Notice how the entire chassis is damaged.
Rate Post: 
(8 votes, average: 4.25 out of 5)
Loading ...
-
Print it:
.jpg "Hummer Photo Shoot 07 (43 of 63).jpg")
Bleak future for Pontiac G8 in the U.S.: I was told yesterday that the american sales of any US produced car... by pious
Bleak future for Pontiac G8 in the U.S.: FG FALCON…..Best Large Car This award is given by all motoring... by LSD
Bleak future for Pontiac G8 in the U.S.: With the dollar so low now against the US they would be making... by Motorhead
2008 Suzuki Jimny Sierra Review: i am looking for an affordable and practical vehicle to get me around the... by mai
2009 Subaru Impreza WRX First Steer: Subaru has a key problem here… WRX was once the leader. When you... by davie
Bleak future for Pontiac G8 in the U.S.: This news has been around for a while, but it is still a great... by Gift-Ed
Mitsubishi Triton Utility ML 2006 2007: I have a GLX/r DID triton with 48000kms and it is sweet. Engine is... by Chris
Toyota prices set to rise for 2009: For every good news story about a Toyota someone will have a bad one, it... by Ezz
2009 Holden Barina Review: Noel…didn’t think anyone could get confirmation from Holden regarding... by Ezz
Volkswagen Scirocco Studie R concept: WOW! That looks awesome! :D by James
April 15th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
Kinda puts the price saving into perspective. Save $3000 on the car, then spend $6000 recovering in hospital after hitting a roo. Yeah, nice on Holden.
(Report)
April 16th, 2007 at 1:13 am
While I am not suggesting we all become Family Guy’s Peter Griffin and put our kids into Tanks,I am thinking there are much safer small cars than this out there for similar money.These Cars should all come with Funeral Plan and Coffins with every purchase
(Report)
April 16th, 2007 at 10:44 am
Well it wasn’t long ago (sort-of) when the top euro brands were achieveing two star ratings. I know times are very different now, but you don’t really expect to buy a car to smash it up or crash it. That being said, I do believe that safety is of high importance and would unlikely see myself anywhere near the Korean Barina, bring the Corsa back!
(Report)
April 16th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
Haha, what’s the big deal, we poor Malaysians have been driving rating-less cars from Protons, which we affectionately call “Milo can”, for years. (You know Milo, don’t you?) And yet we survive…
(Report)
April 24th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
I picked this one up last year. No one ‘expects’ to be in a crash. The point is, if you were unlucky enough to be involved in one, this Barina is going to do next to nothing to help you get out of it alive!
(Report)
April 24th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
“I am concerned by the publicity. First of all, I was not surprised at the Australian NCAP results as the Euro NCAP results were very similar in Europe a couple of months earlier. But it was a little surprising to our technical community. We had a better internal result. Both tests are exactly precise yet there�s variation in the results. Let me say, though, I am very confident of the safety of the Barina. That�s one test.”
So thats:-
2 Stars from Euro NCAP
2 Stars from ANCAP
5 Stars from Holden NCAP
Hmmmm, nothing suspect there swollenpickels. Almost as dodgy as the VE ADR fuel figures :)
(Report)
April 26th, 2007 at 10:10 am
i like my car thank you and i think it is very safe. so whatever
(Report)
April 26th, 2007 at 10:11 am
Hi Jo,
I don’t think you will like you car very much after it shatters into a million pieces when you reverse into a pole :D
(Report)
April 26th, 2007 at 10:19 am
Lol what a stupid thing to say… ‘I think it is very safe’. You can THINK whatever you want, its called blind optimism, the fact is these cars safety is shyte and is behind cars 10 years old without half the safety features these days. Its a disgrace Holden put their badge on a car like this and shows that they couldnt give a rats about the Australian peoples safety.
(Report)
April 26th, 2007 at 11:20 am
“i like my car thank you and i think it is very safe. so whatever”
The video speaks for itself. And I think thats a 64Kph impact. Whats going to happen to you at 100Kph. Not so much whatever, but game over.
(Report)
April 30th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
I think id rather be in my honda jazz ( 4.5 stars ) than a 5 door barina (2 stars ) oh and my car only costs an extra 1500 - 2000 bux than a barinawoo!
the jazz scored 15 out of a possible 16 points for side impact as well. “I” can feel safe :)
I feel sorry for anyone who feels safe in their barina!
(Report)
May 1st, 2007 at 10:00 pm
I saw the risks of tiny cars after stepping out to see remains of small Hyundai doing 100 kilo/hour that whacked straight into the side of my old Mercedes. Barina is both small and badly built. See the effects on occupants who shouldn’t have suffered so much after hitting the side of Falcon at speed (rear seat passenger unfortunately died after taking full brunt of impact)http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2007/05/01/3357_news.html
(Report)
May 2nd, 2007 at 3:15 pm
Do not buy a Holden Barina, especially 2001 model. $600 to fix a gearbox linkage problem which is so common they could give me the price of the repair immediately over the phone. This was after $1600 to replace motor after ’spark plug tip broke off’ and damaged cylinders. Hmmm, just out of warranty surprise surprise. Same story for windscreen wiper motor - apparently they rust out but not until it’s out of warranty, another $470 for the part only, don’t know how much to fit because I’m not going to bother - will trade it as is for a Toyota and never ever buy a Holden again. Service prices are also astronomical. Nothing but trouble since I bought it new.
(Report)
May 12th, 2007 at 9:39 pm
The results of the Barina’s crash didn’t surprise me as much as the amout of idiots who buy them, I once rear ended a brand new Hyundai Sonata with a 1980’s Holden Shuttle and was surprised that the rear seats were moved fom their mounting point, the accident was only at 60kmph and the entire boot of the Sonata was gone.
What really surprised me however was that the guy driving it was a doctor, when did people become so cheap that they confuse a Hyundai or any of these Korean peices of junk for a luxury sedan.
(Report)
September 14th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
What worries me, of course, is how many of these TK Barina’s you see with child seats in the back…
(Report)
November 3rd, 2007 at 1:04 pm
The fact is, the car may not be the safest on impact, however, god forbid, you could just as easily get run over whilst crossing the road….
The barina is a overall a neat car, and for its price, you can’t really ask for more… its generally for that part of the public who wanta new car but havent got full pockets…
So Knowing it is cheaper car, you should expect that its going to hav a few let downs.
If you do have the car… driving safely is usually the best way to stay safe… so take it easy… as thought your driving a porshe or sumthing. ;)
(Report)
November 3rd, 2007 at 1:52 pm
frank the problem with your argument is that there are better, safer cars in that market for the same money. Hyundai getz is a better and safer car, toyota yaris, suzuki swift, the new mazda 2, ford fiesta, there are just so many better cars at that price that have better safety and are better to drive. About the only car the barina is better than in that market is a kia rio.
And realistically, if you can only afford $14k for a car, you shoudn’t try and buy new. You can buy a car thats just 12 months old, done bugger all k’s and still has new car warranty, and save thousands, so you can get a better ex - $18k car instead, which would be so much better.
Yes cheaper cars should have let downs, in refinement, interior trim, engine power and transmissions, but not in safety. A 2 star rating isn’t a sign of a cheap materials car, its just a sign of a poorly designed chassis. You can get 4 star with just two airbags, the barina should of been at least a 3 star car, its competitors are 3 - 4 star at that price bracket.
(Report)
November 3rd, 2007 at 3:43 pm
Why do so many people believe in the ANCAP tests. These tests are carried out in “crash labs under controlled conditions.. they don’t allow for variables such as road surface or weather conditionns etc.
I mean what are the chances of someone driving along at 60 Km/h towards a concrete wall; steel pole or back of a truck without taking some form of evasive action.. be it gradual braking or swerving/changing lanes.
I remember an article just after a recent ANCAP test which said that the car companies provide the cars [one for each test] at their own expense.
Holden only provided 4 cars for the tests which they passed. Toyota provided 5 cars of which 4 passed - they failed the last test. Yet because the guidelines allow Toyota continued to provide cars for the last test until it passed thereby receiving 5 stars.
This means that if a manufacturer is prepared to wear the cost involved in writing off 5 [or more] cars they will eventually get a 5 star safety rating.
It also menas that it’s not really the overall safety of a particular model being tested its actually the safety of 5 individual cars of that model.
Therefore; the car used in the ANCAP test may have failed but the one in your drive might pass - even a new Barina
Based on the above example even though Toyota got a better safety rating the Holden is actually safer.
Because the Holdens passed all 4 tests which they were subject to whereas Toyota had several attempts at the last test. You never know if holden did provide a car for the last test it might have passed that as well
A better idea would be for ANCAP or the insurance companies purchase 5 cars of each make/model to be tested from 5 randomly selected dealers [across Australia] as it’s the insurance companies who love these tests and I doubt they’d be willing to write of 100’s of new cars every couple of months.. Not to mention give the tests and results a bit more credibility.
(Report)
December 18th, 2007 at 9:47 am
Re: ANCAP Vs. EuroNCAP
Australian = lower speeds and usually based on very few cars - Which generally ANCAP DO have to purchase themselves…
European NCAP - Tests multiple vehicles, from all angles in a huge variety of situations and therefore these results are a lot more respected. Why do you think australian Dealerships do not advertise their star ratings often? because they do not have to! In Europe they do…
Barina used to be a great and safe little car. Now the quality has dropped by a large margin and prompted this discussion. Any testing an automotive company conducts is ALWAYS going to be biased - be it Ford, Toyota or Holden etc…
Whilst this discussion is about the “possible impact that woe betide ever happens, just MAY happen” I still like Frank’s comments. if everyone were better and safer drivers, this would be less of a major topic… But it is, and there are a multitude of tosser drivers out there… I travel 2 hours in traffic everyday and I can TOTALLY understand why and how road rage occors, i just thank God I’m a calm person! lol
Drive safe all
Dave
(Report)
December 18th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
Hi all,
I am going to sound completely stupid here, but I have just bought a second hand Holden Barina (2001 xc series). Is this the car that received the 2 stars? I am under the impression that the TK received the 2 stars and the XC series from 2001 to 2006 received 4 out of 5? Is this correct?
(Report)
December 18th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
It doesn’t matter. Who told you to buy this piece of junk, keep your barina parked in your garaged this would be safer for you, plus the reliablity of the barina is shocking to say the least a lemon on four wheels, sorry but can i pee on it to hopefully improve the existence of a poorly built car..
(Report)
December 18th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
The first Suzuki Barinas were allright, but the Opel ones are a complete lemon sh!tbox! I’m not sure what these new unsafe ones are like.
- NEVER BUY ANY RE-BAGED HOLDEN OPEL, THE PROBLEMS ARE ENDLESS!!
(Report)
January 19th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
I have an XC 2001 5 door Barina, and it has been nothing but pleasure. No problems, zippy to drive and runs on the smell of an oily rag.
(Report)
January 19th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
OMG… hahahahahaha safe 2 star driving Dieter, I wish you luck and god bless, oh what a barina!!!! ahhhhhhhh
(Report)
January 23rd, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Has Jo posted again?
hope she hasn’t been in a an accident in that Barina she THINKS is safe…It’s your life in the end Jo…
(Report)
January 23rd, 2008 at 3:31 pm
I was looking at one of these barinas at a dealer and i opened the bonnet… looked at the puney lawnmower motor then closed the bonnet. Being used to closing my falcon bonnet i pushed on the leading edge of the bonnet, not wanting to slam it down because i didnt want to break it. i left a slight finger dent in the front edge… I walked very quickly away as though nothing happened. 30sec later i was gone. “You didnt see anything”
These cars are mostly purchased by young p-platers, people who are most likely to crash. And look how it turns out.
(Report)
January 23rd, 2008 at 4:07 pm
^
If I were you, I’d stick with my Falcons!
(Report)
February 14th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
having had my 2002barina for 13 yrs i purchased a 2007 had it 3months .defect 1 after rain when driving with window down water off the roof runs in windows 2 when driiving into curb parking square you cant see the square if you are in it or not 3 bad view reversing.should of bought the i30 ready to re trade
(Report)
February 15th, 2008 at 12:00 am
Latoya…learn to write… Oih dunt no wats yoom sayun
(Report)
February 27th, 2008 at 1:50 am
Ultimately we all would like to think we’re driving the safest car available in our price range! Have had 2 barina’s and loved them - never been in a bingle though! There are so many variants that affect an outcome of an accident - speaking as an an ED nurse I see pictures of car’s and think how the hell did you walk away from that- my main concern now as a mum is the safest car possible for my kids. We now drive a car with a 15/16 safety rating with all the safety features available at the time. I guess cars mean different things to different people!
(Report)
February 27th, 2008 at 2:32 am
Hi Cass. your right there. Also much depends on how the vehicle is driven of course. Then you cannot account fot the idiot coming the other way. In 28 years of driving ‘touch wood’ I’ve never had a serious accident and never wrtiiten off a car.
(Report)
July 10th, 2008 at 7:24 am
The Holden Barina TK earned 5 stars in the USA crash test. Why did it perform so badly in AU?
(Report)
September 7th, 2008 at 9:33 am
I bought a Holden Barina,2007,unfortunately, and it has been back to be repaired by the dealer 18 times in a year. Holden, Melbourne and the dealer say it is not a LEMON. It has cost them more to keep it on the road than the car cost me. Talk about pig headedness. They fix it(???) and then a day, week or month later it is back to the same conditionit was.
(Report)
October 13th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
All you haters should get lives. Don’t like Barinas, dont buy one. I’ve got a 2005 XC and it has been nothing but wonderful, even AFTER crashing it into a pole. So stop blowing smoke.
(Report)
October 15th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
well.. its all about how you drive,, if you drive world’s safest car stupidly you gona die..
Barina is beautiful car
(Report)
October 15th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Dean, your logic is utterly faulty, sorry. No matter how well you drive, how safe you are, if someone runs a red light and T-bones you, your zero demerit points and smattering of baby on board stickers are not going to save you. In that case the only thing that might is how well your car can keep all that kinetic energy absorbed in the crash from being transported through your body. Thats what the ANCAP tests measure, and the 2 star safety rating shows that the Barina will do this very poorly.
To the people who have Barina’s and are happy with them, congrats. But don’t get angry at people for pointing out that testing has shown this car will not protect you in a crash to anywhere near the extent of many of its rivals.
(Report)
October 23rd, 2008 at 8:15 am
October 2008 - Holden have now added side airbags on the upgraded model and it has just scored a Four Star Rating which is as high as it can go because you have to have Electronic Stability Control like big cars have to get a 5 star rating.
(Report)
November 19th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
What a load of crock crap thats been said here. If you hit something stationery at anywhere near 100kph you going to die. No safety crap will save you. The Barina is as safe as any of these cars and without doing much to the Barina at all it now has a 4 star rating by ANCAP.
LAZY BONES said: “Whats going to happen to you at 100Kph. Not so much whatever, but game over.”
Tell me the name of a car you would feel safe in 100kph impact with a stationery object???????????????????
A vehicle has its exorbent limit and once thats over the G forces will kill you anyway. I will put it another way.. If I sat you in a toyota yaris and dropped you front first from a crane so you reached 100kph just as you hit the ground, do you think the yaris would be alot safer??????? Facts are you would die pretty quick no matter what car your in. Another thing I want to mention is: Why has the Barina now got a top score rating just by fitting side airbags?????? Shows what you really all know about crash test ratings….! NOTHING ……..
(Report)
November 19th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Bill, quite a rant there, however it appears that you have little real knowledge on the car or autmotive safety in general.
In fact to get the 4 stars the Barina underwent significant strengthening and re-engineering, before they slapped in extra airbags.
BTW Stephen and Bill, whacking in ESP won’t give the Barina 5 stars, it just does not have the structural integrity (even now) to get there.
Back to sleep now boys…….
(Report)
November 29th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Looks like holden added an extra crumple zone in the A Pillar…Awesome engineering…
(Report)