The Holden Spark is STUFF Top Car for 2016
<p>The Holden Spark is our Top Car for 2016.</p> <p>We didn't choose Spark simply because it's one of the cheapest new cars on the New Zealand market, although it is. Prices start at just $16,490 for the LS version and even the all-singing LT pictured here will give you $10 change from $20k.</p> <p>We didn't choose Spark simply because it offers a lot of equipment, although it does. It might be an entry-level city car, but every version comes with cruise control, a touch-screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone-projection, and six airbags.</p> <div id="86907376" class="landscapephoto"><img class="photoborder" title="" src="https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/f/q/q/5/s/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1fb9zw.png/1481841052351.jpg" alt="Holden Spark beat allcomers to Top Car prize by being more than the sum of its tiny parts." /> <div class="photocredit"><span class="photocredittext">DAVID LINKLATER/FAIRFAX NZ</span></div> <div class="photocaption"> <p>Holden Spark beat allcomers to Top Car prize by being more than the sum of its tiny parts.</p> </div> </div> <p>Step up to LT and you add keyless entry/start and a reversing camera.</p> <div> </div> <div id="86907042" class="landscapephoto"><img class="photoborder" title="" src="https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/f/q/p/w/i/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1fb9zw.png/1481841052351.jpg" alt="Spark is Holden's entry-level model. But one of its best, we reckon." /> <div class="photocredit"><span class="photocredittext">DAVID LINKLATER/FAIRFAX NZ</span></div> <div class="photocaption"> <p>Spark is Holden's entry-level model. But one of its best, we reckon.</p> </div> <div class="hdivider"> </div> </div> <p>We didn't choose Spark simply because it's a new car from the ground up, although it's certainly that. In fact, it's the first clean-sheet model from General Motors since the Global Financial Crisis, a bit of "here's what we can do" from one of the Big Three.</p> <p>We chose Spark because it does the one thing that any Top Car absolutely must: it moves the goalposts for every other car in its class. It recalibrates buyer expectations.</p> <p>Having said that, Spark is unapologetically tiny: just 3595mm tip-to-tail with a letterbox-sized 185-litre boot. It's Spark's job to be this size.</p> <div id="86907038" class="landscapephoto"><img class="photoborder" title="" src="https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/f/q/p/w/e/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1fb9zw.png/1481841052351.jpg" alt="Sawn-off rear essential for city-car super-parkability. But it does limit bootspace to just 185 litres." /> <div class="photocredit"><span class="photocredittext">DAVID LINKLATER/FAIRFAX NZ</span></div> <div class="photocaption"> <p>Sawn-off rear essential for city-car super-parkability. But it does limit bootspace to just 185 litres.</p> </div> <div class="hdivider"> </div> </div> <p>The amazing thing about the Holden is that it can conform to those city-car dimensions while looking, feeling and performing like a much bigger car.</p> <p>The new 1.4-litre engine is the most powerful in its class, although we'd like a bit more character. Continuously variable transmission often gets our brows furrowed, but Spark's is smooth in the city and "steps" down during hard acceleration to avoid flaring.</p> <p>If you fancy a bit more fun, there's a manual option for the entry LS.</p> <div id="86907041" class="landscapephoto"><img class="photoborder" title="" src="https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/f/q/p/w/h/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1fb9zw.png/1481841052351.jpg" alt="Build quality excellent. Cabin styling includes white inserts, which can be used to create art. See?" /> <div class="photocredit"><span class="photocredittext">DAVID LINKLATER/FAIRFAX NZ</span></div> <div class="photocaption"> <p>Build quality excellent. Cabin styling includes white inserts, which can be used to create art. See?</p> </div> <div class="hdivider"> </div> </div> <p>The CVT also gives Spark long legs on the open road. With impressive ride and refinement for one so small, you need not fear life beyond the 50kmh signs in this micro-machine.</p> <p>The steering and chassis of the Korean-built Spark have been fettled by Holden in Australia.</p> <p>There's a limit to what can be done of course, but the Aussies have proven talent for getting the calibration of imported product (hey, that'll be all of it soon) more in tune with our tastes.</p> <div id="86907043" class="landscapephoto"><img class="photoborder" title="" src="https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/f/q/p/w/j/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1fb9zw.png/1481841052351.jpg" alt="Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard on all Spark models. We like this track." /> <div class="photocredit"><span class="photocredittext">DAVID LINKLATER/FAIRFAX NZ</span></div> <div class="photocaption"> <p>Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard on all Spark models. We like this track.</p> </div> <div class="hdivider"> </div> </div> <p>Build quality and equipment also set Spark apart. It's a five-star crash-test car (not a given with budget cars launched this year) and boasts dual front, side and head airbags.</p> <p>All Spark models feature Apple/Android phone projection on the seven-inch touch-screen, which means you automatically have integrated sat-nav - even if you've opted for the cheapest version.</p> <p>The flagship LT adds keyless entry/push button start, reversing camera and pseudo-leather "Sportec'' trim.</p> <div id="86907044" class="landscapephoto"><img class="photoborder" title="" src="https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/f/q/p/w/k/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1fb9zw.png/1481841052351.jpg" alt="Hidden rear doorhandles can confuse small children. Although if Holden had its way, the children would be driving." /> <div class="photocredit"><span class="photocredittext">DAVID LINKLATER/FAIRFAX NZ</span></div> <div class="photocaption"> <p>Hidden rear doorhandles can confuse small children. Although if Holden had its way, the children would be driving.</p> </div> <div class="hdivider"> </div> </div> <p>Impressive, although we reckon it's smarter to leave the LT behind and stick with the entry LS: the cloth seats are more supportive than the funny Sportec stuff, you can do without a reversing camera on a car this size (although it does come in handy at times) and there's less chrome. You can spend the extra $2000 on a new mobile phone.</p> <p>As we said when we road-tested it this year, Spark rises above its segment because it's not just a Nana-car. Although Nana would also be stoked with it. Don't diss Nana.</p> <p>Holden NZ even came up with a nifty way of selling Spark to younger buyers with an "add fuel and go" campaign this year, a hybrid lease that covered the car, maintenance and insurance for $99 per week.</p> <p>Oh, and Spark is also our Top City Car for 2016. So double-congratulations.</p> <p><strong>AT A GLANCE<br />Price range:</strong> $16,490 (LS manual) to $19,990 (LT).<br /><strong>Powertrain:</strong> 1.4-litre petrol four with 73kW/128Nm, continuously variable transmission, front-drive.<br /><strong>Fuel economy:</strong> 5.5 l/100km.</p>
