If you thought that Holden was just about great big Commodores, you’d be wrong. Holden is keeping up with modern trends towards smaller and more compact vehicles, and has released the smallest Holden on the block: the Holden Spark.

I like it when companies come up with names for their cars – sorry, BMW and Mercedes; your boring numbers and letters have no soul even if your cars do – and “Spark” is one of those names that’s just right.  As a writer, I’d like to send a great big bouquet to the marketing team who thought that up. It’s a name that suggests small size, clever thinking and energy all in one. Brilliant!

The Holden Spark is a nice little three-door hatchback that can unashamedly wear the label of being a “hairdresser’s car”. It’s neat and tidy in its overall appearance, but it has something slightly sculptural and modern about it. From the side as well as the front, the Holden Spark’s styling is strong without being aggressive, with nice deep tailored lines along the side that add to the aerodynamics and fuel efficiency as well as the looks. The rear roof spoiler adds a jaunty touch. On the entry-level LS model, you get 14-inch steel wheels; on the more advanced LT, you get 15-inch alloys.  Both look pretty good.  The basic body colour available is white, but if you opt for the extra-cost premium paints, you’ve got seven colours available.  These go beyond the classic red, black, white and silver, and throw in lime green, cobalt blue and even purple – and the purple is deep enough and with enough blue undertones to avoid the Holden Spark looking like an oversized Barbie accessory.

Small cars are all about fuel economy as well as urban convenience.  Exactly what sort of fuel economy figures you’ll get out of the Holden Spark if you decide that this is the car for you will depend not just on how and where you drive it (all the official fuel economy stats are recorded under test conditions, not the real world) but also on whether you opt for the CVT automatic or manual transmission (the automatic is the only option possible on the LT variant). Whether you go for manual or auto, LS or LT, you get the same 1.4-L petrol engine. The manual version is the thriftiest, managing 5.2 L/100 km; however, the auto is pretty frugal as well, with a combined fuel economy figure of 5.5 L/100 km.  This 4-cylinder engine with overhead cam is fairly nippy, managing a maximum power output of 73 kW at 6200 revs and a peak torque of 128 Nm at 4400 revs.  The engine has been designed so that it can take E10 fuel with ease, which is good in today’s carbon-conscious climate.

Small cars like the Holden Spark need to handle well, so it’s good to know that this little hatch has a pretty good system in place.  The system in question features ABS brakes with EBD, traction control and brake assistance, and hill start assistance.  Other driver aids to make getting from A to B to C in the Holden Spark safer and easier include the rear view camera and rear parking assistance (standard in the LT variant).

Most modern vehicles are pretty impressive when it comes to the sound system. Gone are the days when you felt lucky if you had a radio system and (showing my age here) a tape player.  Like most modern vehicles, the Holden Spark has a six-speaker audio system with steering wheel mounted controls. This system has a USB input jack and phone projection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so you can stream your Spotify playlists or plug in your MP3 player.  Bluetooth preparation and an auxiliary input jack also help dictate what you’re listening to.

The Holden Spark is capable of seating five (just) and it has Isofix child seat preparation for two rear seats and split-folding rear seats.  It’s got front, side and curtain airbags, and pretensioned seat belts for the driver and front passenger. Air conditioning and tasteful black cloth trimmed upholstery all go to making this comfy to drive in, even if things are a little cosy in the back seat if you have three friends sitting back there.

Two variants of Holden Spark are available, as mentioned above. On top of the handy features you get in the Holden Spark LS, the LT also adds in front fog lamps, chrome trim on the grille, Sportec trim for the upholstery, cruise control, a few more storage compartments, rear power windows, and keyless entry with push-button starting (which those marketing geniuses have called the PEPS system, standing for Passive Entry and Push-button Starting).

Current model series include:

• Holden Spark LS 1.4 Auto
• Holden Spark LT 1.4 Manual
• Holden Spark LT 1.4 Auto

For any more information on the Holden Spark or for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quotes requests out to our national network of Holden dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!