Holden Barina XC 2004 Review

Even a facelift and freshen-up is not enough to re-ignite whatever excitement was caused when the model burst on to the scene.

Take Holden's Barina – yes, the 'Beep Beep' car – as a case in point. With much fanfare and more than a little praise, Holden launched the XC Barina early in 2001. Its Euro-build, big-car dynamics and pleasing demeanour shot the Barina to the head of the light-car class and gave its rivals a target to aim for. And aim they did, with laudable efficiency.

Mazda was first into the fray, scoring a hit with the Mazda2. Then Honda lined up the pair of them with its Jazz.

The Barina slipped off the publicity radar but never too far down the popularity scale, continuing to sell its 500-odd cars a month.

Early this year Holden sent its beep-beep baby off for a make-over – nothing extreme, just a tuck and trim and a bit of a update on the wardrobe.

Back on the party circuit, it was time to revisit Barina and what a nice experience that was.

All the good things that impressed everyone at the original launch – the feeling of substance and quality, strength of engine, space and steering that put many more expensive cars to shame – were still evident.

The changes are largely cosmetic with a new chrome grille, colour-keyed front and rear bumpers, body-coloured door and tailgate handles.

The five-door CD manual, the model re-visited, has won some significant interior changes with a new charcoal grey fabric trim, and co-ordinated centre console along with a 60/40 split rear seat.

The Barina's dynamics, impressive to start with, have been tweaked to further sharpen the steering control. Changes to the ride are so fine as to be almost indistinguishable.

A new 1.4-litre engine – available only with the manual gearbox – delivers exactly the same 66kW of power with a marginal 5Nm improvement in torque but does, according to Holden, improve fuel efficiency to below 6L/100km.

During the test period it wasn't quite that good – around 6.6L/100km – but there was a fair degree of enthusiastic zipping involved. And that, in a nutshell, is the attraction of the Barina.

It does encourage a bit of fun without ever feeling that it is just a try-hard out of its league.

You are not going to blow off too many performance models – well, none to be honest – at the lights, but when asked, the Barina gives its all and is quite capable of punching above its weight.

The engine spins out willingly right to its redline, just a tick past 6000rpm without getting gaspy.

The five-speed box is well sorted for ratios and the shift feel is nice and precise without being especially sporty.

Room in the Barina is particularly impressive. There is no feeling of being cramped – for headroom nor shoulder space.

Steering adjustment is rake-only but the seating position is enough to make finding a comfortable driving position possible.

Rear-seat room is also impressive with enough clearance to the roof and the rear of the front seats to make transporting four adults a no-fuss proposition.

Luggage space is not huge but is adequate for a couple of suitcases or a large shopping expedition and if you need that bit extra, the split-fold rear seats can accommodate.