Browse over 9,000 car reviews

Holden Barina Spark

What's on this page

Holden Barina Spark Australia

Holden’s Barina Spark was a budget-focused, city-sized (3.5m long) five-door hatch powered by a 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine driving the front wheel through a five-speed manual gearbox early on, with a four-speed auto offered late in its life here.

Sold in CD and CDX grades and surprisingly roomy for its size, the car only remained in market for two years (2010-’12).

The line-up currently starts at $6,600 for the Barina Spark CD and ranges through to $10,780 for the range-topping Barina Spark CD.

Holden Barina Spark Q&As

Check out real-world situations relating to the Holden Barina Spark here, particularly what our experts have to say about them.

  • How many doors are on a 2021 Holden Barina Spark?

    I’m not sure about other markets around the world, but the Barina Spark sold in Australia between 2010 and 2015 was a five-door hatchback. That is; it had four doors and a lift-up tailgate (hatchback) that is considered the fifth door.

    At first glance, you might be forgiven for thinking that the Spark is, in fact, a three-door car, but that’s because the South Korean designers (the car is actually a Daewoo with Holden badges) styled it to look that way by hiding the rear door handles high up in the car’s C-pillar. So until you look carefully and spot the rear handles, it could pass as a three-door. The idea is that it looks like a sporty three-door but has the practicality of a five-door.

    Show more
  • My 2013 Holden Barina Spark is having trouble starting after a short time turned off

    Diagnosing starting faults often requires a mechanic familiar with a particular make and model who will know where to start looking, as there are literally hundreds of causes for behaviour like this. An auto electrician can also be your best friend at a time like this.

    However, as a very rough guide, the problem could be to do with something in the engine bay getting hot and not allowing the engine to restart. The symptoms bear this out; no hot start, but play resumes once things have been allowed to cool over time. Suspicions would be drawn to the ignition system, and a dodgy spark plug, distributor, ignition lead or coil-pack can easily create this sort of problem. In fact, the coil-packs on your car would be a very good place to start looking, as they have a reputation for cracking and putting a stop to things, especially when they’re hot.

    Show more
  • Why is the clutch in my 2013 Holden Barina Spark making a clicking noise?

    A sharp clicking noise from under the dashboard when you press or release the clutch is almost certainly going to be down to a sticky or dry clutch-pedal pivot. It could also be the clutch cable itself, but for the 2013 model year, Holden switched to a hydraulic clutch for the Barina, so that rules out a cable noise. But I’ll stick with the theory that something connected to the clutch pedal is either sticking or dragging against something under there are causing the noise; there’s a fair bit going on under the dash of a modern car. A few minutes with a torch, a keen ear and a can of penetrating fluid might yield a good result.

    Show more
  • How do I know if I need to change the gearbox in my 2011 Holden Barina Spark?

    Your problem could be a gear-selection issue within the gearbox or the selector linkages, but it’s also very likely to be a clutch problem instead. Many people think that the first sign of a worn clutch is one that slips when you accelerate. And in many cases, that’s so. But sometimes, you can have a clutch that wears differently and, in that case, an early symptom can be difficulty in selecting gears from a standing start as the clutch refuses to disengage completely. As the problem progresses, you might find it difficult even to select higher gears once you’re moving.

    A workshop should be able to diagnose what’s going on, but we definitely wouldn’t be rushing out to replace the gearbox when a much simpler, cheaper clutch replacement might very possibly put things right.

    Show more
See All Holden Barina Spark Q&As
Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.

Holden Barina Spark Wheel Size

The Holden Barina Spark has a number of different wheel and tyre options. When it comes to tyres, these range from 155x70 R14 for Hatchback in 2016 with a wheel size that spans from 14x4.5 inches.

Year Body Type Front Tyre Size Front Rim Rear Tyre Size Rear Rim
2016 Hatchback 155x70 R14 14x4.5 inches 155x70 R14 14x4.5 inches
2015 Hatchback 155x70 R14 14x4.5 inches 155x70 R14 14x4.5 inches
2014 Hatchback 155x70 R14 14x4.5 inches 155x70 R14 14x4.5 inches
2013 Hatchback 155x70 R14 14x4.5 inches 155x70 R14 14x4.5 inches
2012 Hatchback 155x70 R14 14x4.5 inches 155x70 R14 14x4.5 inches
The dimensions shown above are for the base model. See All Holden Barina Spark Wheel Sizes

Holden Barina Spark Models Price and Specs

The price range for the Holden Barina Spark varies based on the trim level you choose. Starting at $6,600 and going to $10,780 for the latest year the model was manufactured. The model range is available in the following body types starting from the engine/transmission specs shown below.

Year Body Type Specs Price from Price to
2016 Hatchback 1.2L, ULP, 5 SP MAN $6,600 $10,780
2015 Hatchback 1.2L, ULP, 5 SP MAN $5,830 $9,570
2014 Hatchback 1.2L, ULP, 5 SP MAN $4,950 $8,470
2013 Hatchback 1.2L, —, 5 SP MAN $3,190 $7,480
2012 Hatchback 1.2L, ULP, 5 SP MAN $2,860 $6,160
See All Holden Barina Spark Pricing and Specs

Holden Barina Spark Dimensions

The dimensions of the Holden Barina Spark Hatchback vary according to year of manufacture and spec level.

Year Body Type Height x Width x Length Ground Clearance
2016 Hatchback 1522x1597x3595 mm 132 mm
2015 Hatchback 1522x1597x3595 mm 132 mm
2014 Hatchback 1522x1597x3595 mm 132 mm
2013 Hatchback 1522x1597x3595 mm 132 mm
2012 Hatchback 1522x1597x3595 mm 132 mm
The dimensions shown above are for the base model. See All Holden Barina Spark Dimensions

Holden Barina Spark Fuel Consumption

The Holden Barina Spark is available in a number of variants and body types that are powered by ULP and — fuel type(s). It has an estimated fuel consumption starting from 5.2L/100km for Hatchback /ULP for the latest year the model was manufactured.

Year Body Type Fuel Consumption* Engine Fuel Type Transmission
2016 Hatchback 5.2L/100km 1.2L ULP 5 SP MAN
2015 Hatchback 5.2L/100km 1.2L ULP 5 SP MAN
2014 Hatchback 5.2L/100km 1.2L ULP 5 SP MAN
2013 Hatchback 5.2L/100km 1.2L 5 SP MAN
2012 Hatchback 5.6L/100km 1.2L ULP 5 SP MAN
* Combined fuel consumption See All Holden Barina Spark Pricing and Specs for 2016