Holden Reviews

Price, running costs and looks are factors light car buyers agonise over. The Holden Barina has two of the three criteria down pat and updates to its six-speed automatic have brought it back into the game on weekly fuel expenses. With a youth-oriented interior that now has the My Link apps-based infotainment system, it is on the money as a practical inner-city commuter.VALUEThe CD kicks things off at $15,990 with a 1.6-litre engine and five-speed manual gearbox. The auto costs another $2500, which makes the self-shifting CDX at $20,490 the pick of the pair.It runs on 17-inch rims fitted with decent Continental rubber, reverse parking sensors, heated front seats, fog lamps and the My Link infotainment system. The price puts it ahead of the pack - the top-selling Mazda2 Genki costs the same money with a manual ‘box, as does the Ford Fiesta Zetec.TECHNOLOGYHolden is leveraging smartphone technology and software apps to avoid the headache of infotainment systems that date within 18 months of a car’s launch. It’s a smart move - providing the apps suit the market.The Red Lion sees internet radio as a big selling point, along with an apps-based satnav system due next year. My Link copes with most smartphones and, by being just the interface, should stay contemporary long past its rivals.The auto gearbox is now good for 6.3L/100km, which is a mere 0.2 of a litre more - or a couple of aggressive take-offs from the lights - than the likes of the Fiesta, Kia Rio or CVT-equipped Suzuki Swift.DESIGNA clean and modern look without too many fussy lines helps explain the Barina’s external appeal. The distinct dual headlamps give it an upmarket look and the chrome highlights on the CDX say you’ve got the premium package.It looks good inside, too … just don’t touch. The plastics are marked improvement on the Barina Spark but are still far from best in show.SAFETYNo worries here. The Barina’s five-star ANCAP rating is at the high end of the light car scale, with a rating of 35.32 out of 37. Six airbags are standard and the basic structure was praised by the crash-testing body for its rigidity. Just don’t hit a Commodore ... size still matters.DRIVINGLocal input into the suspension and steering can be felt from the first decent turn. The Barina rides well on its 17-inch rubber and quashes secondary jiggles over rippled road as well as any car in this class.There’s no wallowing, little body roll and a sense of solidity when it does hit decent bumps. The electric power steering is trick. Around town it is light enough not to make parking an issue but there’s never an issue of not knowing where the wheels are pointed.There is enough play on centre to cope with back-seat glances by frustrated parents or distracted teens without putting the car into the next lane but as lock is applied, it is rewardingly direct. And there’s head and leg room for two adults in the back, along with enough cargo space - 290 litres - to fit a couple of overnight bags.VERDICTThe updated Barina is a good reason why Holden engineers should be unleashed on products brought in from South Korea. They’ve turned an average car into a good one. Between the clean looks, decent ride and tech-based interior, they should be able to lure more than a few first-time new car buyers into a Barina.Holden Barina CDXPrice: $20,490 (sedan adds $500)Warranty: Three years/100,000kmResale: 51 per centCrash: Five starsSafety: Six airbags, ABS, TC, ESC, EBDEngine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder, 85kW/155NmTransmission: Six-speed auto, FWDDimensions: 4.04m/4.4m (L), 1.74m (W), 1.52m (H)Weight: 1193kg/1220kgSpare: Inflation kit (full-size spare a NCO)Thirst: 6.3L/100km, 151g/km CO2

Holden is using one of its cheaper cars to debut innovative communication systems that will put the world at its owner’s fingertips. The MY13 Barina CDX will gain the Holden MyLink infotainment system which operates by integrating the owner’s compatible smartphone and stored media, via Bluetooth, auxiliary jack or USB, with the radio.This allows owners to enjoy easy-to-use, personalised connectivity while their smartphone is stowed. Holden MyLink launches in the New Year with the Stitcher Smart Radio application. Thereafter, additional apps will be available, with Holden MyLink the first in-car system in Australia to offer full compatibility with Pandora Internet Radio.TuneIn Radio will also become available in 2013 and allow Barina drivers to stream radio stations from around the world. Holden MyLink will also bring innovative low-cost navigation to Barina drivers through BringGo, a navigation application which runs through the mobile device’s 3G or 4G service and is controlled and viewed on the MyLink seven-inch touch screen.VALUEThe Holden Barina CD manual entry-level hatch comes to the market at $15,990, while the range is topped off by the CDX automatic sedan at $20,990, both plus on-road costs. The new models are on sale now.Holden also took the opportunity to wheel out the 2013 Barina Spark for the first time, due to go on sale in January. The Barina Spark CD auto will go on sale for $14,490, the manual $12,490, plus on-road costs. The 2013 Barina Spark gains design updates, including new look front grille, side skirts, headlamps, tail lamps, 14-inch alloy wheels and body colour rear spoiler with integrated LED stop lamp. Air-conditioning is standard and it gets benefits of Bluetooth connectivity and steering wheel-mounted phone controls are on offer, while electric power steering, remote flip key, hill start assist and a fuel-saving neutral idle feature add some unexpected technological touches to an otherwise price-pinned car.DESIGNIn the cabin, hard plastic surfaces announce the Barina’s utilitarian light car character but this is balanced by a range of quality driving aids such as a modern motorcycle-inspired instrument cluster, home to a digital speedo and analogue tacho, plus trip computer recording average fuel consumption and speed, distance to empty and trip time. Initial impressions of the Spark are of body creases all round, while the rear lamp clusters dominate the back of the car almost to excess. The chrome tipped exhaust is a nice touch though, as are hidden rear door handles.SAFETYIt comes with dual front, side and curtain airbags, front seatbelt pre-tensioners, collapsible pedals and Electronic Stability Control help earn the Spark a four-star ANCAP safety rating.TECHNOLOGYThe new Barina offers fuel economy of up to 6.3 litres per 100 kilometres on the range topping CDX sedan thanks to its 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine (85 kW and 155 Nm) being matched with a new six-speed automatic transmission with Active Select, and electric power steering package.The new automatic transmission is also offered as an option for the Barina CD and gives fuel consumption of 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres, around 10 per cent better than the equivalent 2012 model. CDX ownership is further enhanced by a new 17-inch alloy wheel and tyre package and an updated steering calibration, the latter being part of development work undertaken by Holden engineers in conjunction with their Korean counterparts.The little Spark hatchback will come in CD five-speed manual and four-speed automatic form. And is powered by a 1.2 litre DOHC engine, putting out 63 kW of power and 113 Nm of torque, returning 5.8 litres/100km on the combined urban/highway cycle, the Spark automatic is happiest commuting around town where low fuel usage and manoeuvrability matter more than out-and-out performance. Emissions are to Euro 5 standard.DRIVINGOn the launch over a range of town, country and highway driving a Barina CDX automatic and Spark CD auto both came up with fuel consumption close to six litres per 100 kilometres. Cabin noise was low thanks to chassis-to-body interfaces designed to enhance stiffness, helping to reduce low frequency sound. Air/noise barriers are incorporated in the floor, instrument panel and inner body panels.Four acoustic resonators from low to high frequency on the intake system help to limit engine noise and the exhaust system incorporates a front and a rear muffler.VERDICTThe latest Barina CDX is driving the small car into new infotainment territory and an automatic transmission puts the MY13 Barina Spark at the forefront of light car appeal.Holden Barina CDXPrice: from $15,990Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cylinder, 85kW/155NmTransmission: 6-speed autoThirst: 6.3L/100kmHolden Barina Spark CDPrice: from $12,490Engine: 1.2-litre 4-cylinder, 63kW/113NmTransmission: 5-speed manual or 4-speed autoThirst: 5.8L/100km

Holden has finally gotten serious about the large SUV market. After years of watching its rivals migrate buyers out of big sedans and into even bigger off-roaders, the Red Lion has launched a proper four-wheel drive of its own.The Colorado 7 is based on the Colorado pick-up, meaning a ladder-on-frame chassis and four-wheel drive with a transfer case for work far off the beaten track. So it’s tough.A reversing camera with overlaid guidelines on the rear-view mirror is standard on both the LT and LTZ models, as is Bluetooth and USB connectivity and cruise control. A six-speaker stereo system is capable but not class-leading.The LTZ picks up another pair of speakers, climate-control airconditioning and highlights like chrome accents and leather seat trim. The direct-injection turbodiesel engine is a robust performer without being the most refined donk in this field. It is matched to a six-speed auto - that’s an extra cog over its rivals - but uses marginally more fuel at a claimed 9.4 litres/100km.The Colorado 7 is a part of the GM global range. It is a re-nosed Chevrolet Trailblazer that is built in Thailand and was designed in Brazil. The slab-sided design gives it a solid look that’s softened by the scalloped doors and the side steps and fog lights give it a decent upmarket look.The inside is more utilitarian - especially on the LT model - though the driver’s display graphics are relatively modern and the rotary dial in the centre stack is easy to operate. Cargo space is a light-car like 235 litres but that extends to 878 litres with the third-row seats folded into the floor. Flick a latch and the tumble-down second row seating expands space to a van-like 1780 litres.ANCAP accepts the Colorado 7’s pick-up heritage as cause to rate it a high five stars. Only the Toyota Prado and ML Mercedes top it and in the case of the Prado, only just. Front airbags and full-length curtain bags are standard, along with the expected brake-based software nannies.The diesel engine is noisy. It’s not tractor-like but a bit more insulation in the firewall could have softened it. That’s the only complaint about noise; for a big bus there is very little wind rush or tyre roar, even on coarse chip surfaces.The five-link rear suspension also does a decent job of softening pitching and rolling usually found in ladder-on-frame platforms. And those on-road manners only get better when the going gets rough. Switch the rotary dial mounted between the front seats to low range and the Colorado 7’s crawls over rocks and wades through slush far better than it should given the road-biased rubber it runs on.Toss a decent set of off-road tyres on it and there would be very few places it isn’t capable of travelling. A sump guard is standard and ground clearance is more than adequated, as is the 600mm wading depth.

My mental list of Holdens that attract attention used to have one entry: any HSV. The Holden Volt -- it's sold as a Chevrolet elsewhere -- is the electric car General Motors wouldn't kill for quids because it tells the world, and the Republicans, that of course it cares about the planet and it can do tech wizardry when it wants to.But that was before the Volt, which goes on sale this month as a US-built import and threatens to tilt the brand's entire demographic. Some of the oglers were not wearing blue singlets.However, the threat is more apparent than real. Conversations with the curious go well until you reveal the price: sixty large. “Tell 'em they're dreaming,” sums up the average response. Holden's Volt is expensive but it is the only electric car available here that can recharge itself on the move.As well as almost 200kg of batteries it has a little petrol engine to power a generator when they run out. That makes it a hybrid of sorts, although the engine is not connected to the wheels.GM says it only ever runs on electric power. The reason for the engine is something EV proponents prefer not to call “range anxiety''. That's the fear that you're going to get stranded, and from my experience, it starts the moment you disconnect the recharger.The Volt has a tiny electric-only range -- compared to other EVs -- of about 80km. But you'll get another 500km once the engine fires up, so it's about the same as a standard car. Under the boot floor is a special connector that you won't want to handle every night when you plug in. It needs to be fixed to a wall. Which means you probably need two of them -- one for home and one to carry.The exterior is a bit more Toyota Prius-shaped than Holden would care to admit, but that's essential in a small hatchback to achieve aerodynamic efficiency. But the cabin presents as modern and premium, with an unusual overlapping dash design capping a centre console housing a large screen and lots of rather randomly scattered touch-sensitive buttons.Distinctive white plastic trim, here and elsewhere, is me-too Apple, and durability might be an issue. In some lights, the button labels can be invisible, and there's a mine's-bigger-than-yours gearshifter. But the Volt gets away with it. The materials are soft where they should be, there are chrome highlights, quality wands and a great wheel.And a blue pulsing power button. Press it, and Star Trek sound effects tell you it's coming to life. The centre console screen plus another in front of the driver become a Times Square of tiny, attention-seeking neon. There's an awful lot going on and the organisation does not lend itself to clarity. But it's mostly useful stuff, with the usual ability to monitor power and fuel use to the ninth degree.However, there are practical limitations including just four seats, with the rear occupants seated under (darkened) glass and nothing between them and a cargo area of modest (300 litre) capacity. The rear glass could do with a wiper and the design compromises rear vision a bit too. The hatch itself is long and heavy.The centre console screen is also helpful because lit screens tell you it's on, and like other EVs it's so quiet it's possible to forget. There's even a special horn with a non-threatening warble to alert sleepy pedestrians. The premium appearance is backed up by a mountain of features, including a lane departure warning system and forward collision alert. You don't have to option this car up.Driving on batteries alone, it's pleasantly quiet and comfortable. Electric motors have plenty of torque so throttle response is immediate and ample for city traffic. On highways it's better than other EVs until the petrol engine starts. Then there's the sound of an angry four-cylinder operating within a narrow rev range. Volume doesn't even move in concert with your right foot. It just drones unpredictably.Its dynamics are not ideal for country roads either -- it's tall, just 4.5m long and a whopping 1721kg. But if short city trips are your thing and you recharge -- from a standard powerpoint -- every night, you might hardly hear the engine. It can be quite a positive experience.

There’s been plenty of expectation surrounding the Holden Captiva 7. From the outside it looks great. However, while out on the road it’s a frustratingly different story.VALUEThe flagship of the Captiva range with a price tag of $42,490 has been our test vehicle for the past week. On the whole we like it, but there are some features that really should be better. For a start, we have sat on park benches that have more comfort than the front seats of the Captiva.Captiva LX 7 is well endowed with technology with Bluetooth phone and music availability. We used the sat/nav to find a particularly complicated address and we must say it's as good as our own Garmin system, and just as easy to use. The sat/nav screen doubles as the rear view camera screen and is bright and clear and works well at nightTECHNOLOGYUnder the bonnet of the Captiva 7 LX is a 3.0-litre DOHC direct-injection ‘SIDI’ V6. It puts out 190 kW of power and 288 Nm of torque, but there are times we have to say it does not feel like it. Fuel consumption is another concern. The engine IS borrowed from Commodore, but for an extra grand you can get the 2.2-litre turbo diesel. Holden claim 11.3 litres/100 km from the V6, but we found consumption closer to 13.3 litres/100 km. The diesel consumption is rated at a much better 8.1 litres/100 km, but we didn’t test it for proof of that figure.DESIGNHolden’s Captiva is not a bad looker at all. The pointy end has some resemblance to Ford Territory, and that's not a bad thing. The SUV stable is pretty much full of look-alikes and in that sense Holden has played it safe with the Captiva. Holden may have done little to soften the overwhelming grey plastic interior but, it is practical in layout and easy to use. We like the illuminated circle around the key hole which makes it easy to find at night.The second and third rows of seats are easy to fold flat and this gives around 1.8 metres of storage length. While this is called the Captiva 7, you would not want to be third row passengers. We suspect even the billy lids may revolt at being sat back there with it's minimal foot well and leg space. But, in a pinch it does take seven passengers, and would be handy for mum's taxi to the junior footy match.SAFETYSeries II Captiva gained side impact airbags to take the tally to six. On the crash avoidance front Captiva has the essential stability control, ABS brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, traction control, active rollover protection and active AWD system. The latest Captiva also gained hill start assist along with hill descent control. Front and rear park assist is standard on five-seat Captiva 5, while the Captiva 7 seven-seater CX gets rear park assist while our test car has rear park assist as well as standard rear-view camera.DRIVINGAdd to these gripes below average handling and an interior that is dominated by hard plastic. We did persevere. After the first day we thought we may have got out of the wrong side of the bed and were too quick to make a judgement. We went for a three-hour drive in the Captiva and as we dragged our body from the park bench it confirmed our initial suspicion.Our test car was hooked up to a six-speed automatic transmission and it's not a marriage made in heaven. In the lower gears the Captiva seemed unsure what gear it should be in and as a result drifts between gears unless you plant the right boot. For a family SUV the Captiva's suspension is quite harsh. Small bumps become big and large bumps become downright uncomfortable. With the seat hardness and shiny leather and lateral movement of the car combined there is little lateral support for passengers.Cornering in the Captiva is smooth at high speeds on long sweeping bends, but a fair amount of body roll is apparent on slower, tighter bends.Holden Captiva 7Price: from $42,490Warranty: 100,00km, 3 yearsWeight: 1852kgEngine: 3.0-litre 6-cylinder, 190kW/288NmTransmission: 6-speed sports automatic, 4X4 on demandThirst: 10.1L/100Km, 241CO2 emissions

Meet the cheapest mass-produced electric car on the road today, the US version of the Holden Barina Spark. When it goes on sale next year it’s expected to cost less than $30,000.But with the US government’s $7500 incentive for electric vehicles and the Californian government’s $3500 rebate, the price will likely dip under $20,000. That’s Toyota Corolla money.The Spark EV’s nose is covered in checkered camouflage because we had a sneak-preview drive ahead of its unveiling at next week’s Los Angeles motor show. But if you imagine the shiny grille treatment of the Holden Volt grafted onto the front of this hatchback you’ll have a pretty good mental picture of how it will look.This is General Motors’ first all-electric car since the ill-fated EV1; the company accused of killing the electric car in a documentary movie has re-invented it. The Spark EV might have cutesy looks but it is the fastest electric hatchback on the road to date.Engineers have also given it sports suspension and wider tyres – the opposite of the skinny rubber favoured by eco cars. It will be built in South Korea and sold in North America at first but Australia is on the distribution “wish list”.“With the Volt, we’ve introduced the notion of electric Holdens . We’re well positioned to take advantage of other GM global EV projects should the right level of market demand become apparent,” says Holden director of external communications, Craig Cheetham.Electric cars still don’t make economic sense, but the Spark EV puts the technology within reach of mass-market buyers for the first time. The petrol-powered Holden Barina Spark starts at $13,990 – so it would take decades to recoup the $15,000 or so price difference in fuel savings from the $30,000 fully electric model.But that’s still a much lower price premium compared to other electric cars such as the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi iMiev which each cost about $50,000 – or about $30,000 more than similarly-sized petrol cars. The cost of electric cars aren’t expected to make another large step down for another five years, the estimate the industry gives for the next change in battery technology.The Spark EV has an electric motor under the bonnet and a 255kg lithium-ion battery pack under the back seats, straddled over the rear wheels. Both are elegant installations. The technologies are borrowed from the Holden Volt plug-in hybrid but are different in design and capacity.The Spark EV’s electric motor has about 100kW of power and a phenomenal 542Nm of torque – just 8Nm less than the V8 in the Holden Special Vehicles GTS sports sedan. And all this in a car that weighs 1346kg – 500kg less than the HSV. By comparison the bigger and heavier Volt has a 111kW and 500Nm electric motor, which makes the Spark EV quicker from 0 to 100km/h (less than 8 seconds).Press the “power” button to start the car and the computer does 1400 diagnostics checks in the time it takes the instruments to light up. Recharging time is 8 hours from empty, but a fast charger can bring the battery pack to 80 per cent full in 20 minutes.General Motors wouldn’t reveal driving range until next week (it said the battery had a capacity of “at least 20kWh”). If it had a 24kWh battery pack a driving range of 100 miles or 160 kilometres would be possible. Most motorists drive less than 80 kilometres to and from work daily.Below the shiny Volt-like grille and hidden behind the bumper are “shutters” that close at high speeds to improve airflow around the front of the car, and open at low speeds to improve cooling.The underbody is almost completely flat to allow it to better slip through the air; even the rear spoiler and side moulds have subtle curves in them to make a clean “break” with the air to reduce turbulence.The interior is largely unchanged from the regular Spark, but the instrument cluster has been replaced with the digital display from the Volt. It looks small (the Spark competes in the city-car segment) and has seatbelts for five – but it can fit four adults in relative comfort.It is yet to be independently tested but there’s no reason to suggest the Spark EV would not get the same 4-star ANCAP safety rating as the petrol-powered model. Six airbags are standard.Last year a Volt battery pack caught fire weeks after a US government crash test because it was not drained properly. But before and since that incident the Volt battery packs have been tested in severe impacts – mounted in cars as well as standalone in laboratory conditions – and none have caught fire on impact.Emergency services are also trained on how to deal with electric car battery packs after a crash. Following cyclone Sandy in New York, 16 electric sedans made by Fisker caught fire – after one became submerged in salt floodwaters for hours and then wind carried flames to 15 others parked alongside on the shipping dock.But the company said it was the Fisker’s 12V battery that caused the initial spark, not the lithium-ion battery pack, when it fed power into the circuit. However a Fisker car’s lithium-ion battery pack did catch fire earlier in the year after the supplier installed faulty cells.Here’s the big surprise. The Spark EV is awesome to drive. It shouldn’t be a surprise, though. This little car has more torque than a Holden Commodore V8 – and only 1.4 per cent less torque than the almighty HSV GTS sports sedan.General Motors has tweaked the electric motor gearing slightly to make peak power arrive at 65km/h – the speed at which most other electric cars tend to taper off -- on the way to a top-speed in excess of the speed limit.It also steers well and handles bumps much better than the regular petrol-powered Spark. That’s because engineers gave the Spark EV a wider “footprint” – by pushing the wheels further out to the extremities of the car. And then they fit wider rubber (15 x 6-inch up front and 15 x 6.5-inch at the rear).You read that right. The rear has wider rubber than the front (just like HSV performance cars do) to handle the weight of the big battery pack in the rear floor. Now, if only Holden could make the regular Spark handle like this.

Canny motorists are facing a shopping bonanza as car makers start slashing prices to make way for new models. But it's not only outgoing models going cheap - look out for end-of-year sales as well.Any time a carmaker trumpets a new model, these shoppers are there ready to make a financial killing by buying up the old model. Look for sales at particular times of the year. June is traditionally a strong month for squeezing extra savings out of a dealer though, with a buoyant car market and fierce competition, anytime towards the end of any month can deliver a bonus.End of year sales are popular. Dealers always want to sell but the months of November and December provide a chance to discount cars built in the current year. Fighting this are car buyers who want a car built in the new year to preserve resale value. Here's some deals but be prepared for more as the calendar year draws to a close.HOLDENDeep Purple is no longer a rock band - it's Holden's new colour that is available on a range of cut-price “Z-Series” Commodore sedans, utes and wagons. The new colour is the same as Holden's iconic show car, the Efijy. Different models in the Z-Series line-up get different equipment levels but, as an example, the base Omega automatic is $41,990 but the Z-Series edition costs $39,990.The bonus is that the Z includes a heap of extras within that price, including leather upholstery, 18-inch wheels, rear camera and sensors, leather steering wheel and chrome door frames. The SV6 ute adds 19-inch alloys, carpet mats and leather seats for $38,490, down $1000 on the plane-Jane SV6.The discounts on the VE Holden Commodore range precede the launch early next year of the VF Commodore models. Holden is also running out the Barina five-door manual hatch at $16,490, a saving of $500.TOYOTAYou'll have to do some legwork here. The new Corolla is on sale and some dealers still have stocks of the old model. Officially, there's no discount on the outgoing model though some dealers - predominantly NSW and Victoria - have extra stock and have advertised a $18,990 price, $1000 off the list price. Note that the cheapest 2013 Corolla is also $19,990. Toyota WA says customers should discuss pricing direct with their dealer.It's not only the Corolla that may offer savings. The RAV4 gets updated early next year and though there's no official price, dealers will consider offers. On top of that, Toyota has zero per cent finance on Camry, Camry Hybrid and Aurion until the end of the year.HYUNDAIThere's a lot of previous-model stock available from Hyundai and buyers can make big savings if they're not chasing the latest car. These include old-stock i30 hatchbacks with $2000 off the normal price and previous Santa Fe SUVs for up to $3000 off.But there are also current models. The big one is the $13,990 drive-away price on the i20 three door which saves $2500. A similar discount is on the five-door i20. The i40 wagon is now from $29,990 driveaway, a saving of about $3000, and the sedan model with automatic transmission is also from $29,990, saving about $2500.Hyundai's popular baby SUV, the ix35, is now from $27,990 driveaway for the Active version, a saving of $1120, while other ix35 variants have been reduced by $500.MITSUBISHIThe new Outlander SUV arrives November 18 so Mitsubishi is sweeping out current stock. The "Enhancement Pack" model is an LS version with leather seats, heated front seats and an electric-adjust driver's seat. It has Bluetooth, 18-inch alloys with a full-size alloy spare, six airbags for the front-wheel drive version (up from two) and a cabin styling pack with bright trim to the door handles, console panel and rear door trim.Prices start at $28,990 drive away for the LS front-wheel drive model with five-speed manual transmission. The normal price is $29,340 plus on-road costs so the saving is about $4500. But for buyers who want the new model, register on Mitsubishi's website and there's the chance to win a $1000 Westfield shopping voucher and 15 per cent off accessories for the new Outlander. If that's not tempting, Mitsubishi also has 0.9 per cent finance until the end of this month.SUBARUThe 2012 run out has just started for Subaru which has chopped up to $5000 off three models. It replaces its Liberty and Outback in early 2013 as a mid-life makeover that includes upgrades to trim specifications. There is an all-new Forester also due about February. So the deals are now on the table.The Outback 2.5i manual is usually $37,490 plus on-road costs (say, $5000) but is being rolled out the showroom door for $35,990 including all on-road costs. The same axe has lobbed on the Forester X which is now $32,990 drive-away including leather-faced seats, alloy wheels and fog lights.The normal retail price is $30,990 without the extras and without on-road costs. Subaru is selling the Liberty 2.5i sedan manual for $31,990 drive away with leather seats, electric driver's seat and reverse camera. The car normally sells for $32,990 plus on-road costs.FORDKuga Trend $35,490 drive away (normally $38,990 plus on-road costs) and the upmarket Titanium is now $41,490 drive away, previously $44,990 plus all on the road charges. The Kuga is to be replaced with a new model in early 2013.Focus Ambiente hatch now $19,990 drive away (normally $20,290 plus costs). The Mondeo Zetec hatch is $33,990 with all costs (usually $37,740 plus on-road fees) and Falcon's XR6 Turbo is down from $46,235 plus costs, to $43,490 drive away.KIAThere's a new Sorento SUV so the outgoing model has a $2000 gift voucher attached to its normal retail price.VOLKSWAGENIs running out stocks of the current Golf VI to make way for the Golf VII due early next year. Volkswagen Australia has set the price of the current Golf 77TSI manual at $20,990 including metallic paint and all drive-away costs. This is a saving of about $5000.The Golf Wagon 90TSI with DSG auto, metallic paint and all drive-away costs is now $29,990, saving about $3500. Note that for small-car wagon buyers, Volkswagen has not confirmed a wagon version of the new Golf. If you want this shape, this could be your last chance.VOLVOThe Swede is clearing out its 2012 stock by adding value rather than chopping the price tag. The S60 and V60 entry-level models now come with the upmarket Teknik pack valued at about $4500. But if you specify the Teknik model, Volvo will automatically give you the R-Design pack (valued at $3000) for free.The same deal applies to the XC60 SUV. There's also a deal on S60 or V60 from the dealer's existing stock. Volvo will include free scheduled servicing for three years or 100,000km.

Did you get a shock a couple of weeks ago when the price of petrol jumped almost 30 cents litre at the pump? Fear not, help is here.There’s little you can do about the rising cost of oil – but there is a choice of fuel-efficient cars with most mod-cons for less than $14,000 drive-away, no more to pay. Previously, it hasn’t always made economic sense to trade-in your old banger and buy a new car purely to save money on petrol. More often than not, the fuel savings are evaporated by the high cost of a new model.But that’s changing. The strong Australian dollar – and the most competitive new-car market in the free world – means you now get much more for your money. Standard fare typically includes six airbags, air-conditioning and, in most cases, wireless Bluetooth phone connectivity. That’s in addition to the miserly consumption and peace of mind new cars provide.As ever, the headline prices are for cars with manual transmission. Figure on another $2000 for auto (where available). One other word of caution: always ask how much metallic paint costs. Holden charges as much as $550 extra (Hyundai and Nissan $495 and Suzuki $475) which takes some of the shine off the bargain price.With all that in mind, we’ve assembled the four cheapest – and most worthy – fuel misers money can buy.Holden Barina SparkSales of the smallest new Holden money can buy have fallen off a cliff this year because of newer competition and the lack of an automatic transmission. But the baby Barina Spark will be worth another look in January when it finally becomes available with an automatic transmission – two years after it went on sale.The Barina Spark is among the smallest of this bunch but it comes with five doors and five seating positions, although there is really only room for two in comfort in the back. The interior has a futuristic design. It’s a user-friendly layout, with plenty of storage cubbies, although the plastics are hard to the touch.The 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine is willing but, as with most cars in this class, you need to keep the revs up to maintain momentum up hills. Or keep with the traffic. Road holding is sound but not best-in-class. Happily, there’s a full-size spare in the boot.The sound system is below average and Bluetooth is not standard (it’s a $410 accessory). In North America the Barina Spark is available with internet radio; Holden is rolling this feature across the range starting with the regular Barina in the new year.As with many brands, Holden offers fixed price servicing. But check the fine print: Holden requires you to service the car every nine months, not 12, which makes it dearer to maintain over the three-year warranty period. And another thing: Holden has the dearest metallic paint option in this group. At $550 extra, be sure to haggle.VERDICTSharply priced but lacks some features standard on rivals. Wait until January for the updated model.Holden Barina SparkFrom: $13,990 drive-awayEngine: 1.2-litre four-cylinderEconomy: 5.5L/100kmTransmission: 5-speed manual, 4-speed auto from JanuaryHyundai i20In the past few months the Hyundai i20 has had a facelift and a price cut, and it’s now back to being a bargain buy. When the i20 was released two years ago, Hyundai initially set the price at $16,990 – and buyers stayed away in droves.The Hyundai i20 has the longest warranty of this lot – five years and unlimited kilometres – but at this price only comes with three doors. Standard fare includes six airbags, Bluetooth connectivity (including music streaming) a new six-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic transmissions.The i20 is among the roomiest of this quartet, with the biggest boot (Hyundai i20: 295L, Nissan Micra: 227L, Barina Spark: 170L, Suzuki Alto 110L). As with the others, it comes with a full size spare. The Hyundai i20 is also the only car in this price range to score a five-star crash safety rating (the Volkswagen Up is five-star but it is $13,990 plus on-road costs, giving it a drive-away price closer to $17,000).The Hyundai’s interior is neither striking nor dull, it’s been designed to make life easy with 12V and USB power sockets, decent sized door pockets and a roomy glovebox. Given that the i20 has the biggest engine of this bunch, it’s no surprise it has more go and copes with the daily grind with less stress than the others.Road holding is near the top of these four cars but not class-leading. We’re not a fan of the Kumho Solus tyres in the wet. In the dry they’re fine. Hyundai’s fixed-price servicing deal is among the cheapest available – but the offer runs out after three years. Disappointingly, service costs return to free-market prices in the last two years of Hyundai’s warranty coverage.Given that it has just introduced this program, here’s hoping Hyundai extends the servicing deal to five years before the first customers hit this hump in their ownership experience. And another thing: Hyundai makes a point of the fact that the i20 was designed in Germany – but it’s built in India.VERDICTThe roomiest, zippiest and safest among this quartet (also has the longest warranty). But you only get three doors at this price.Hyundai i20From: $13,990 drive-awayEngine: 1.4-litre four-cylinderEconomy: 5.3L/100km manual, 5.9L/100km autoTransmission: 6-speed manual or 4-speed autoNissan Micra STWith its bubble-shaped cutesy looks, you could be forgiven for thinking the Nissan Micra is a bit of a toy car. But it’s surprisingly capable and, in the three-cylinder guise we’ve chosen, more fuel-efficient in the real world than the rating label suggests.The Micra very nearly won a host of Car of the Year awards when it was released two years ago, winning praise for its road holding and fun-to-drive dynamics. It tops the class in this price range (and has the tightest turning circle this side of a Smart car).Picking the right time to buy is key to the Micra's appeal. It has been priced as low as $12,990 drive-away for a manual model (an absolute steal), but the current cash offer is $13,990 drive-away – or 0 per cent finance for 60 months. However, if you take the finance offer you must pay full retail, which is closer to $15,990 drive-away.Our advice? Pay cash or arrange your own finance and shoot for a $12,990 drive-away price and see if you can get a Nissan dealer to take the bait. As with the Hyundai i20, the Nissan Micra has an inoffensive but functional interior, with plenty of hidden cubbies, big door pockets and glovebox and (for an economy car) surprisingly good seats.Although there are seats for five, it’s better off carrying a maximum of four. An unusual omission, the centre back-seat position lacks a head rest. The sound system may look bland but the audio quality is above average, and the Bluetooth set-up works a treat – but it doesn’t yet include music streaming and there’s no USB power source, just a 12V socket.Nissan offers fixed price servicing for the Micra (and the rest of its range) but it’s the dearest in the business. Nissan requires a visit to the dealer every six months – and the cost of each visit is higher than the competition. And another thing: Depending on overseas demand, Nissan sources the Micra from factories in Thailand and Indonesia.VERDICTOur pick based on its current discount price, the Nissan Micra is the best to drive in this group and (contrary to the label) among the most frugal.Nissan Micra STFrom: $13,990 drive-awayEngine: 1.2-litre three-cylinderEconomy: 5.9L/100km manual, 6.5L/100km autoTransmission: 5-speed manual, 4-speed autoSuzuki Alto GLIf you really want to drive your dollar further, the Suzuki Alto is the champion. Priced at $11,990 drive-away, it’s making life hard for the other mainstream brands – and even the cut-throat Chinese car makers struggle to undercut it.The Suzuki Alto is three years old now but is standing up well to the test of time. Its 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine is not the most refined in its class, but it operates with sewing machine-like reliability. It’s also the most frugal car in this group – in part because it demands premium unleaded petrol (95 octane), which is dearer to buy but goes further than regular petrol.The Suzuki Alto doesn’t come standard with Bluetooth but the current $11,990 offer for the “Indie” pack includes a portable navigation unit which comes with Bluetooth. The Alto has a hard-wearing functional interior that probably won’t win any beauty contests, but it’ll likely outlast owners. At least Suzuki is honest about how many people can fit comfortably; it only has seatbelts for four occupants.The boot is small (at least there is a ful size spare underneath) but as with all the hatchbacks here, the back seats fold so you can fit more gear. And another thing: Suzuki is the third-biggest car maker in Japan and outsells Mitsubishi, Subaru, Honda and Mazda in Europe. The Alto comes from India, where Suzuki is the market leader.VERDICTAt this price, nothing gets close. The limited edition ‘Indie’ pack is a bargain as it includes navigation and Bluetooth.Suzuki Alto GLFrom: $11,990 drive-awayEngine: 1.0-litre three-cylinderEconomy: 4.7L/100km manual, 5.3L/100km autoTransmission: 5-speed manual, 4-speed auto 

The Holden Cruze from 2002 until 2006 shouldn't be confused with the Cruze introduced in 2009. The two are such completely different vehicles that it’s hard to imagine why Holden should have reused the same name for the current model as the older one.The Holden Cruze being examined in this week’s Used Car Checkout was built by Suzuki in Japan. However a great deal of the design was Australian. Even more fascinatingly much of the body shape was penned by the same team that designed the third generation Monaro.Cruze began its life as a chunky little concept SUV based on the Suzuki Ignis. The interior styling of the Cruze is as adventurous and appealing as the exterior, with Tonka Toy style controls highlighted by bright alloy-style inserts. Under the skin is virtually all Suzuki, though the final suspension turning and component selection also involved some Australian input.The latter resulted in greater ground clearance and a wider track to suit it to Australian conditions, both on road and off. Handling is surprisingly good for an SUV of this type and the Cruze can hold on pretty well, both on sealed and unsealed roads.But always keep in mind that it’s a 4WD not a car. It has a higher centre of gravity and so there is a greater likelihood of it rolling over in extreme conditions, than do hatchbacks in similar price groups. Seating in the Holden Cruze is fine for four adults. Three children can be carried in the back seat if the one in the centre is on the smallish side. Having said that, most owners regard the Cruze as a two-seater. Boot space is compromised to make room for passengers. One big suitcase just about fills it so you will soon get used to folding down the 50/50 backrest if you have a lot to carry. This little Holden fun car is powered by a 1.5-litre engine. There's not a huge amount of torque and the grunt is developed higher in the rev range than is ideal for a 4WD.So the Cruze will struggle at times in harsh climbs. In fact, even hill climbing on sealed roads with a load on board may tax it at times. The five-speed manual is better than the four-speed automatic, though the latter isn't as bad as you might expect given that Cruze doesn’t have a lot of weight to haul. On the beach the lightweight Holden Cruze is in its element, skimming over sand that the big 4WDs sink into.Cruze isn't too bad in the bush, or even on rock shelves. Good clearance angles front and rear and a compact body can take you a long way in rough off-road conditions. But don’t drive it too hard as the relatively light construction means it can be broken more readily than purpose-built 4WD vehicles. There's good under bonnet and under car space so a good amateur mechanic can do a lot of their own routine servicing. Safety related items should be left to the professionals and we highly recommend you have a repair manual at your elbow before lifting those spanners for the first time. It almost goes without saying that there are Holden dealers all over Australia. However, not all carry spare parts for the Cruze, that’s because 4WDs aren't as common in the bush as in the suburbs (silly, isn’t it!).Holden operates an efficient parts delivery network and you’re not likely to be waiting for more than a couple of working days before parts arrive at your dealer in the remote outback. Parts prices and servicing costs are reasonable, though not always as low as for locally-made Holdens. Insurance generally sits towards the bottom end of the scale, though, for some reason, there's a fair bit of difference at times between one company and another. So shop around rather than opting for the first insurer suggested by the sales person. Just make sure you are comparing like with like before coming up with your decision. Holden Cruze didn’t enjoy the success anticipated for it, partly because most buyers in the 4WD class were looking for medium to large vehicles during that period. The final shipment arrived here in June 2006, but some may not have been sold new for several months afterwards. Be wary of any advertised as 2007 models – it's the build-plate date that counts, not the year of first registration.Salt water can cause serious rust, rust that can cause the body to be written off in a short time if repairs aren't carried out promptly. If you suspect a Holden Cruze has been beach cruising check for signs of white salt, underneath as well as on the visible parts of the body. Lift the floor mats and have a good look at the floor for signs of dampness and/or rust. Check over the complete body inside and out as well as underneath and be suspicious of any damage caused by off-road use. In particular look for dents at the lower corners of the bumper, in the door sills and underneath the engine and transmission. Make sure that the engine starts easily, runs relatively smoothly, and that the transmission works quietly and shifts gears with no fuss. Tyres with severe wear, particularly if that wear is uneven, can also indicate a harsh off-road driving. If a Holden Cruze pulls to one side or locks one of the wheels under heavy braking, it could mean expensive problems in the braking system. Go for a professional inspection if there’s the slightest doubt about the condition because repairs to small off-roaders can cost more than those for hatches in the same price bracket.Small off-road vehicles are sometimes treated as toys by kids who haven’t yet learned the lessons of mechanical sympathy... 

The all-new VE Commodore was heralded as the car that would keep Holden ahead of the pack when it was released in 2006.Holden invested more than it had ever done before in developing the VE and was looking to the new car to maintain its premier position in the market. Sadly for Holden, and Ford, the market has undergone a seismic shift in the last year or so and big cars, like the Commodore and the Falcon, are now on the brink of extinction.While that might be the modern reality cars like the VE Commodore can still represent good value for money if you prize might and power. The attractive sedan and wagon are roomy, comfortable, refined and well equipped, with lots of space to carry the family and the gear a family takes when they hit the road.Holden offered a choice of V6s, there were two versions offering different output, a big beefy V8, and an option of a dual-fuel V6 to save a few bucks at the servo. With 180 kW and 330 Nm the base V6 was plenty powerful enough for anyone, but for those who felt they needed more there was the 195 kW version available in the sporty SV6. For even more the option of a V8 was there in the SS.Transmission options varied between models, starting with a four- speed auto and ending with a six-speed self-shifter. There was also a manual gearbox although that wasn't a big seller, at least in the cooking models. On the road, the VE handled well, the ride was well controlled and comfortable, and performance was brisk no matter the engine. Fuel consumption was a concern, however, and an average ranging between 10 and 14 L/100 km was disappointing.While the VE was generally well built and solid there are issues that affect it and these make it a questionable used car purchase. It's been well documented that the previous 5.7-litre V8 was troublesome, it rattled on start-up and used oil at an alarming rate; the troubles haven't gone away with the introduction of the new 6.0-litre engine.Owners still report rattling noises and there are also reports of high oil consumption. Unfortunately it seems the 3.6-litre V6 also has some issues. One member of the trade recently contacted us to tell us about his experience with the engine, which he says can become clogged with sludge between the 15,000 km service intervals with the result that it can be severely damaged to the point of needing to be rebuilt.All carmakers have been stretching service intervals with the object of saving the owner a few bucks on servicing costs, but in this case it would appear that the interval is too extreme and anyone with a Commodore V6 should consider having their cars serviced at 10,000 km intervals. The V6 also consumes oil and there appears to be no fix from Holden, and listen for timing chain rattle, as they wear and become noisy.We have heard of timing chains breaking. Anyone thinking of buying a VE V6 would be well advised to have a trusted mechanic give it the once over. Other areas of concern are worn suspension bushes, listen for clunking and banging from the suspension, and electrical gremlins, check that all systems are working.Appealing on the surface, but can be troublesome and should be approached with caution.