Spunky chunky little Spark

Holden Barina. Photo / Supplied.

Holden's latest Barina was a rebadged Daewoo - not a new one, and not a patch on its Euro predecessor.

This one's a different pottle of Kimchi, for though it's also designed in Korea, it comes from a much more vigorous design studio that mixes international influences with a Korean can-do attitude.

What's new
The global platform is a newbie as most obviously is the sculptured skin, under which is tucked a 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed manual - the auto not expected for some time.

Its 59kW at 6400rpm and 107Nm at 4800rpm are matched to a claimed thirst of 5.6l/100km, making this easily the most frugal Holden on the lot. Naturally, the cabin's also new, with motorcycle-inspired instruments and a fresh design.

The company line
Small cars are now an important part of the New Zealand market, and Holden has to strengthen its hand. It hopes Barina Spark will attract a new kind of buyer - young or young at heart, city-based extroverts.

Holden NZ managing director Simon Carr says marketing strongly to private buyers will make the car popular with fleets; if you "create a strong demand in the used market, rentals automatically come after it".

What we say
This Barina Spark may be small but it certainly looks good, and the chunky family face imparts a larger-than-life air when it's spotted in the rear view mirror. I like the coloured dash and door insets, too, though wish GM had the courage to deliver more choices than just red or grey.

The dash is well laid out and easy to use, and the cabin surprisingly spacious - it'll carry four average-sized adults without cramping them unduly. The back seats fold flat to liberate up to 568 litres of luggage space. It's a shame the child seat tether points are at the tailgate though, as using them halves the 170-litre boot.

Still, buyers get a lot of features for their dollar.

Even the $16,990 CD has six airbags, ABS and stability control for the disc front and drum rear brakes, plus air conditioning, 14-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, a body kit and spoiler.

The $18,990 CDX adds bigger 15-inch wheels, rear power windows, an underseat storage tray and Sportec seats - a leather look that's most effective with the red insets.

On the road
Our Australian drive was largely conducted in limited speed zones - Holden obviously forgot even city slickers drive further afield.

Still, we soon discovered the engine is perky and sounds nice enough provided you keep the revs up; let them drop and she bogs down. The gearing's quite high, too, which should mean reasonable open-road economy. The ride seemed comfy enough and handling well up to our roundabouts-and-junctions shenanigans. And for Kiwi roads? We'll have to wait and see.

Why you'll buy one
You want a stylish and affordable small car that feels cheeky and perky without setting the tarmac alight - or would rather your teen drove one than some cheap import without airbags or stability control.

Why you won't
You're 1.9m tall, own a large dog or lots of kids. And you don't worry about fuel-frugal cars, given our petrol's among the cheapest in the OECD.