Holden Barina vs Suzuki Swift

What's the difference?

VS
Holden Barina
Holden Barina

$6,800 - $15,990

2018 price

Suzuki Swift
Suzuki Swift

$19,290 - $37,180

2024 price

Summary

2018 Holden Barina
2024 Suzuki Swift
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Inline 4, 1.6L

Inline 3, 1.2L
Fuel Type
Unleaded Petrol

Unleaded Petrol/Electric
Fuel Efficiency
6.6L/100km (combined)

3.8L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Not fun to drive
  • Underwhelming engine
  • Feeling its age

  • Needs 95 RON premium unleaded
  • Spare wheel now an option
  • Base model loses seat-height adjustment
2018 Holden Barina Summary

The Holden Barina is a nameplate that is arguably better known than many of the others in the company’s line-up. It has been around longer than Trax, Equinox, Colorado, Trailblazer, Spark… in fact, longer than everything but Astra and Commodore.

The current-generation Barina itself has been around for a while, too: it launched way back in 2012, and it’s fair to say the market has moved on a long way since then. But so has the Barina, following a refresh late in 2016 - and it remains one of the roomier offerings in the segment, and one of the keener-priced cars, too.

In fact, it managed to run eighth in terms of sales in the declining light-car segment in 2017… and yet, with nearly 4000 cars sold, there are still plenty of people interested in the Barina model. 

So, does it still stack up?

View full pricing & specs
2024 Suzuki Swift Summary

Few cars have had the sheer staying power of the Suzuki Swift.

Except for a four-year hiatus as the original Ignis from 2001, the Japanese supermini has been a segment mainstay since 1983, winning over consumers worldwide as an inexpensive, economical and reliable yet fun option in the Toyota Yaris class.

In Australia, its impact has been even more profound, providing Holden with its famous “beep-beep” Barina for two early iterations from 1985, while also introducing us to the pocket rocket decades before the Volkswagen Polo GTI, with the Swift GTi of 1986.

Now there’s this – the sixth-gen model in 41 years if you exclude that Ignis – doing what the little Suzuki has always done: offering buyers a great budget alternative. But this time, in this new-electrification era, where precious few attainable choices remain.

Is it any good? Let’s dive straight in.

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2018 Holden Barina 2024 Suzuki Swift

Change vehicle