| Production | |
|---|---|
| Model Year: | 2003 |
| Production Years: | 2003 - 2005 discontinued in 2005 |
The Holden Barina XC IV facelift, produced between 2003 and 2005, represents a refined iteration of the Barina hatchback line, tailored to the compact car segment popular in Australia. This model featured modest enhancements in styling and equipment compared to its predecessors while maintaining its core as a practical city and suburban vehicle. The Barina XC IV is primarily recognized for its compact dimensions, making it ideal for urban environments and easy parking.
The hatchback body style balances passenger space and cargo versatility, supporting daily commuting needs. Though the exact dimensions vary slightly based on configurations, typical measurements for the Barina XC IV hover around 3.8 meters (approximately 149.6 inches) in length, which places it comfortably within the subcompact class alongside vehicles such as the Toyota Yaris or Ford Fiesta of similar years. Width generally measures close to 1.63 meters (around 64.2 inches), ensuring agility on tighter city roads.
In terms of height, the hatchback stands near 1.44 meters (56.7 inches), providing adequate headroom while contributing to a low center of gravity for stable handling. The curb weight, depending on trim and equipment, is approximately 1,050 kilograms (about 2,315 pounds), which supports efficient fuel consumption and nimble driving dynamics.
The facelift edition brought subtle front and rear styling updates, improving aerodynamics and visual appeal without altering the footprint or overall practicality of the vehicle. Inside, the Barina XC IV continued to offer a functional cabin with user-friendly controls tailored to daily driving comfort.
Overall, the Holden Barina XC IV (2003 facelift) remains a relevant choice for those seeking a reliable, easy-to-drive hatchback — especially favored for city living with its compact size and balanced performance.
Discover the standout features that make the 2003 Holden Barina XC IV a leader in its class
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The 2003-2005 Holden Barina XC IV facelift hatchback measures approximately 3,755 mm (147.8 inches) in length, 1,600 mm (62.9 inches) in width, and 1,430 mm (56.3 inches) in height. These compact dimensions make it suitable for city driving and tight parking spaces while offering practicality for small families or urban commuters. The hatchback configuration also ensures efficient use of space for cargo and passenger comfort.
The wheelbase of the 2003-2005 Holden Barina XC IV facelift is approximately 2,450 mm (96.5 inches). A longer wheelbase often translates to improved interior space, particularly legroom for rear passengers, and can enhance ride comfort by providing better stability and smoother handling. In the Barina XC IV facelift, the wheelbase balances compact exterior dimensions with a practical interior layout suitable for its segment.
The curb weight of the 2003-2005 Holden Barina XC IV facelift hatchback is roughly around 1,020 to 1,100 kg (2,248 to 2,425 lbs). This relatively light weight contributes positively to fuel efficiency, allowing the small engine to optimize fuel consumption without being overburdened. Additionally, the lightweight aids in nimble handling and responsiveness, making it a practical choice for urban and suburban driving conditions.
The Holden Barina XC IV facelift hatchback offers a modest cargo capacity typical for small hatchbacks. With rear seats up, it provides around 230 liters (8.1 cubic feet) of boot space, suitable for everyday errands and small luggage. When the rear seats are folded down, the capacity increases significantly, providing more flexibility for larger items or increased storage needs. This configuration is handy for owners who require versatile cargo space within a compact vehicle.
Yes, the Holden Barina XC IV facelift hatchback easily fits into a standard Australian garage. The average Australian single-car garage measures about 3 meters (approximately 9.8 feet) in width and around 6 meters (approximately 19.7 feet) in length. Given the Barina's compact length of approximately 3,755 mm (3.75 meters or 12.3 feet) and width of 1,600 mm (1.6 meters or 5.25 feet), there is ample space for comfortable parking and opening doors without difficult maneuvering.
Compared to its predecessor, the earlier Holden Barina XC III, the 2003-2005 XC IV facelift featured slight dimensional tweaks mainly for styling and minor ergonomic improvements rather than a complete size overhaul. While the general compact footprint was maintained, the facelift introduced updated styling cues and improved interior packaging but retained similar overall length and wheelbase. This continuity in size ensured that drivers benefited from a familiar maneuverable compact car while enjoying incremental improvements.
The 2003-2005 Holden Barina XC IV facelift hatchback is comparable in size to other popular subcompact hatchbacks of the early 2000s, such as the Ford Fiesta and Toyota Echo (Yaris). All these vehicles feature lengths ranging from approximately 3.7 to 3.9 meters (12.1 to 12.8 feet) and widths around 1.6 to 1.7 meters (5.2 to 5.6 feet). The Barina is generally competitive in compactness but offers familiar Australian market-oriented features. Its tight dimensions are well-suited for urban environments, placing it effectively in the same class as its contemporaries.
The 2003-2005 Holden Barina XC IV facelift typically came equipped with a 1.4-liter 4-cylinder petrol engine producing around 75-76 horsepower, paired with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission. This setup offers sufficient performance for city commuting and light highway use, focusing on fuel economy and reliability rather than outright power. This engine choice complements the Barina's lightweight and compact dimensions, making it an economical and practical choice for budget-conscious drivers.
The Holden Barina XC IV facelift hatchback accommodates five passengers with a standard 2+3 seating configuration. Despite its compact exterior, the interior is efficiently designed to maximize space, providing reasonable headroom and legroom for a subcompact car. The rear seats can fold down to increase cargo space, enhancing practicality. While the back seat is better suited for two adults or three children, the Barina's interior layout is typical of its class, balancing comfort and utility for daily driving.
The 2003-2005 Holden Barina XC IV facelift included standard safety features for its time such as dual front airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners, and anti-lock braking system (ABS) on most variants. However, advanced safety technologies like electronic stability control or side airbags were generally not available in this generation. While safety ratings for this exact facelift may vary, its features provided adequate protection in the early 2000s subcompact segment context but might be considered basic by modern safety standards.
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