TO FIND another $2000 for a couple of extra doors on the Barina makes little sense at first glance. But the benefits brought with the five-door model, including steering wheel and seat height adjustment, are soon realised. Whether it's worth the extra dollop of dollars will depend on the individual. The bottom line, though, remains the same. An assured, involving driving experience, combined with a great many unexpected features, make this a car worth considering over most of its budget rivals. With three doors or five.

Holden Barina five-door
Released: April 1994
Ended: February 2001
Family Tree: BarinaTHE current XC Barina replaced the long-running SB model in February 2001. The first of the Opel-built Barinas, the SB appeared in April 1994 with a 44kW SOHC four-cylinder, which was replaced by a 60kW SOHC unit in August 1997. The SB's predecessor, the MF/H model, also doubled as a Suzuki Swift.
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