What's New
- The Spark continues with no major changes in 2021
- Two new extra-cost colors: Mystic Blue and Cayenne Orange available on all trims
Pros & Cons
- Cost advantage over competitors at the most basic entry level
- Four-cylinder engine is smoother than three-cylinder rivals
- Cute looks, fun color choices, micro-crossover-like Activ package
- Rivals offer more safety and convenience features for not much more money
- Low price rises on higher trims to rival larger cars
- Advanced safety systems are only available on the highest Spark trim, but standard on most competitors
Chevrolet Spark Overview
The Chevrolet Spark draws attention with its tiny size and alluring base price. At $14,395 for a base-model manual LS, the Spark is the cheapest new car you can buy, and at a hair over 143 inches long, the smallest. The Spark has been heavily incentivized over the years, and dealer and manufacturer discounts can sometimes make it even cheaper. But add any extras and the price quickly creeps up to par with larger cars and crossovers that offer more standard features.
A base Chevy Spark has manual mirrors, door locks and windows. The Kia Rio, Mitsubishi Mirage and Nissan Versa all include power niceties in base trim. The Spark also lags behind the Mirage and Versa in standard active safety systems. Even the base Mirage and Versa include automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning as standard equipment. The Spark’s limited array of driver-assist gear, which also includes lane departure warnings, is only available as an extra cost option on the top trim. The physically larger Versa offers a much more comprehensive standard driver-assist suite than either and has more room than both.
As basic transportation goes, the Spark is still a leap forward from the cheapest cars of yesteryear. Air conditioning is mercifully standard, and the cabin presents passengers with a pleasing design rendered in nicely textured materials. Braking is much improved from the first-generation Spark and the ride is comfortable, though there isn’t much power.
The Spark’s handy hatchback maximizes its tiny footprint. Eight inches shorter and nearly five inches narrower than a Mini Hardtop, the Spark’s 11 cubic-feet of cargo space behind the rear seats is actually not bad for this vehicle’s tiny size, and with the seats folded it has 27.2 cubic-feet of cargo area, only five cubic-feet shy of a Nissan Kicks. Easy to park, cheap to fuel with up to 33 combined mpg and equipped with the requisite Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, the Spark is one of the last inexpensive runabouts in a vanishing segment now that the Fiat 500 and Smart Fortwo are gone.
Trim Specifications
The base Spark LS starts at $14,395 including a $995 destination fee. Each Spark trim level is equipped with a 98-horsepower 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) can be fitted to any model for $1100. Most buyers will start with the Spark 1LT, which adds power windows, mirrors and locks as well as cruise control and alloy wheels for $16,495 after destination. The 1LT trim does include a few surprises for such a cheap car, including a six-speaker sound system and heated outside mirrors.
At $17,995 after destination fees, the top-of-the-line Spark 2LT adds heated leatherette seats, genuine leather accents, keyless start and rear park assist. Add the CVT, and the price comes uncomfortably close to much larger and better-equipped vehicles such as the Nissan Sentra or Hyundai Venue, especially considering the Spark 2LT’s optional forward collision avoidance system suite still costs an additional $295.
Outdoorsy types may appreciate the toughened-up Spark Activ appearance package, which adds black cladding on the wheel arches and bumpers to guard against everyday scrapes. Slotting between the LT trims at $17,595, the Activ is a game of give and take. It loses the 2LT’s projector headlamps to gain roof rails and heated leatherette seats.
Warranty
3 Years/36,000 Miles
5 Years/60,000 Miles
Qualified Fleet Purchases: 5 Years/100,000 Miles
3 Years/36,000 Miles
Rust-Through
6 Years/100,000 Miles
5 Years/60,000 Miles
Qualified Fleet Purchases: 5 Years/100,000 Miles
1 Year/1 Visit
Specs & Safety
Chevrolet Spark Specification
Chevrolet Spark Safety
NHTSA: Not Rated