Holden Spark 2016 Review

Holden Spark LS and LT

Local Launch Review
Lang Lang, Victoria

You're a 20-something female looking for a new car. Educated, working full-time and earning decent coin, you're going to do your homework, probably on your smartphone #newcarhunting. And while your new car needs to be good looking and fun to drive, for this group, there are more important factors according to Holden...

The all-new Holden Spark is as much about technology and connectedness as it is getting from A-to-B #techgoals. And it's this seamless integration of smartphone to car phone that may well see young buyers eager to hook-up with the new Holden Spark #carbae.

The Spark arrives with one engine type, two model variants, the choice of (CVT) automatic or manual transmissions and a starting price of $13,990 (plus on road costs).

Got your interest?

The Spark's 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine produces 73kW/126Nm – a larger capacity engine that's more powerful than its key rivals.

Other highlights include a 7.0-inch colour touch screen with Siri Eyes Free smartphone voice recognition, Holden MyLink, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto multimedia functionality and satellite navigation as standard.

The top spec LT adds to this with keyless entry and push-button start, rear-view camera, park assist and cruise control – but the LT auto will set you back $18,990 #seewhatholdendidthere.

You certainly won't be disappointed in the entry-grade LS. It looks near identical to the top spec LT. Given the price point, however, there's the expected level of plastics inside the Spark. A modern design and mixture of textures soften the look considerably, and your eye is always drawn to the modern centre console housing the good-looking colour touchscreen.

You can fit two, officially three, friends in the back seat and there's enough airbags (six) and active safety technology (electronic stability control, traction control, anti-lock braking and hill-start assist) to convince mum and dad it's a sensible buy. Although official crash test ratings are yet to be announced, a five-star ANCAP rating is what Holden aimed for #goals.

Holden's marketing aside, it's thoroughly unisex in its offering – all that tech stuff, a 20 (or 40)-something guy would also favour.

Holden acknowledges that feel at the wheel is not the highest priority for the target group, but that doesn't mean it's not fun to drive.

Once the technology and connectedness story faded, it was time to focus on ride and handling. While the Spark's equipment list was no great surprise, its dynamism was #didntseethatcoming.

At launch, we had the privilege of throwing the Spark around, in the best possible way – closed roads with professionals on hand. Through a series of tests that would demonstrate the Spark's dynamic ability and safety technology, we pushed the micro-car beyond what any of the prospective buyers are likely to do. The Spark came out on top, showing it is small in size alone.

Holden's Proving Ground at Lang Lang was where it began. Gravel slalom, tarmac motokhana (in reverse with mirrors blacked-out) and a hill climb were a warn-up to a public road loop nearby.

The five-speed manual offered in the LS only proved a good fit and gives you the ability to squeeze those revs just that little bit more. The clutch felt good under foot and changes were seamless.

It's the CVT transmission – offered in both LS and LT variants – that will no doubt be the popular buyer's choice; and as far as CVTs go, it's good, but far from quick off the mark. On the upside, there's no CVT drone and pace builds nicely with a few revs on board. Accelerating up a decent grade hill at the Proving Ground, the Spark reached 100km/h and maintained it fairly easily. On the freeway too, the Spark sat firm and felt confident at cruising speeds. There's not a huge amount left in reserve for overtaking, but that's no surprise.

The Spark's stability control is a stellar set up – ever-present and efficient, but never intrusive.

Feel at the wheel was good as well – not too much, and not too little. The electric assist steering has good on-centre feel and gives you a nice sense of what's going on below. It's a breeze to manoeuvre around the city and communicative enough in other situations.

A real highlight of the Spark is its ride. The time Holden engineers spent on localised tuning has paid off, big time. It's balanced, supple and competent ride is a clear win over its current competitors. Over rough corrugations and dipping into corners, the Spark maintained composure well beyond expectations. This does not feel like a budget car.

It is, however, without stating the obvious, very small. Nonetheless, ergonomics are pretty good up front, and the manual adjust seats are comfortable enough. The lack of reach adjust on the steering is a downer. There's also a bit of wind and road noise in the cabin, which detracts somewhat from an otherwise nice space.

Second-row space is limited – and there's no storage back there. In the entry-level LS passengers will have to manually wind their windows, too.

The boot will consume 185 litres of cargo, which is more than the outgoing Barina Spark, but 40-60 litres less than its main rivals. A 60:40 split-fold seating helps grow that to 985-litres. Still, pack light.

Fuel consumption is listed at 5.2L/100km for the manual transmission and 5.5 for the CVT (on the ADR Combined cycle).

At the time of launch, buyers can get into the manual LS for $15k drive-away, but it's the LT price-point which is possibly the Spark's biggest weakness. At $19k, buyers can move from micro-car to small car – Mazda2, for example.

Admittedly, few can offer the technology and modern interface that comes standard in the Spark #holdenkickinggoals.

2016 Holden Spark LS pricing and specifications:
Price: from $13,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 78kW/124Nm
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Fuel: 8.7L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: TBA
Safety Rating: TBA

2016 Holden Spark LS pricing and specifications:
Price: from $15,690 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 78kW/128Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable
Fuel: 8.7L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: TBA
Safety Rating: TBA

2016 Holden Spark LT pricing and specifications:
Price: from $18,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 78kW/128Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable
Fuel: 8.7L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: TBA
Safety Rating: TBA

Also Consider:
>> Mitsubishi Mirage (from $11,990)
>> Nissan Micra (from $13,490)
>> Suzuki Celerio (from $12,990)