Holden Barina 2017 | new car sales price

Holden has taken the axe to the underperforming Barina line for 2017, reducing the number of variants to just two.

A new naming system for the Barina – mirrored by both the Colorado and the Spark – sees just two models survive the redo.

“We’re trying to simplify the range. The vast majority of our sales were in the hatch variant,” said Holden’s product communications manager Mark Flintoff of the changes. “The additional content of the two new models lifts the car quite a bit.”

The top spec RS hatch, powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged engine, has also been banished.

Barinas sold in other GM markets around the world will adopt the Aussie redesign.

“It sold reasonably well, but we are trying to focus and simplify,” said Mr Flintoff.

The Barina competes in the same space as the Hyundai Accent, Mazda2, Honda Jazz and Volkswagen Polo, and its sales are off by 30 per cent compared to the same time last year.

Gone are the CD, CDR, CDX and RS hatches, along with the CD and CDX sedans, replaced by the LS and LT hatches.

The LS starts at $14,990 before on-road costs for the manual version, rising to $17,190 for the six-speed auto version. The manual undercuts the outgoing CD by $600, adding kit like a rear view camera, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The LT, meanwhile, will sell for $20,390 in auto-only guise.

Both the base model LS and top-spec LT get a new front bar, grille and rear bar that were designed by the GM Australia design studio in Melbourne, along with headlights that are “inspired by the Camaro”, according to Holden. 

Barinas sold in other GM markets around the world will also adopt the Aussie redesign.

For the new range, the entry level LS hatch replaces the CD, and offers a 1.6-litre petrol engine in both five-speed manual and six-speed auto, 16-inch alloys, 7.0-inch colour touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a rear view camera with rear park assist, and automatic headlights with LED DRLs.

The top-spec LT, meanwhile, adds keyless entry, push-button start, 17-inch alloys, heated seats and a leather –bound steering wheel and sportier trim. No manual variant is offered at the LT level.

Both cars come from GM’s Bupyeong plant in Korea, are powered by the same 85kW, 115Nm 1.6-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine as the outgoing model.

Is this update enough to boost the Barina's appeal? Tell us what you think in the comments below.