Chevrolet Spark

Overview: Is the Chevy Spark a Good City Car?

The pint-sized Chevrolet Spark combines an affordable price tag and basic transportation. This five-door subcompact hatchback transports four passengers with a gasoline four-cylinder engine or all-electric powertrain. Many features come standard across the range, though power amenities remain sparse. There’s no getting around the fact that the Chevy Spark is an economy car, but it’s certainly more substantial than the basic transportation options of 20 years ago. Built by GM-owned Daewoo in South Korea (home to Hyundai and Kia), the Spark joined the Chevy lineup from 2012 through 2022. It sat alongside everything from the compact Cruze to the high-performance Corvette.

Note: Equipment, features, and trims can vary by model year. Always confirm these details when looking for used Chevrolet Spark cars for sale.

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Related: Here Are The Chevy Spark Years To Avoid and How Long Do Chevy Sparks Last? The Scoop on Vehicle Lifespan

Key Features

The Chevy Spark offers:

• Five-door subcompact hatchback body style
• Front-wheel drive
• Four-cylinder power
• Five-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT), a four-speed automatic was available for 2013
• All-electric Spark EV sold from 2014-2016

Trims

The LS marks the base offering for the Chevy Spark. Upgrades range from just the LT or 1LT and 2LT, depending on the year.

Comfort, Technology & Cargo

The Spark’s upright shape provides ample headroom, but other dimensions are less generous, especially in the second row. Despite this Chevy’s economy car focus, numerous standard technologies exist, including a touchscreen infotainment display, Wi-Fi capability, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Cargo space behind the back seat is practically non-existent, requiring the folding of the second row if you need to carry more than a few grocery bags.

How It Drives

The tiny four-cylinder engine gives the Chevy Spark adequate motivation, but the car will struggle on highway on-ramps and other roadways needing extra oomph. Nonetheless, the vehicle can be fun to drive around corners. That said, the Spark EV is downright quick, with a zero to 60 mph performance of 7.6 seconds.

Safety

Only a few initial Chevy Spark model years underwent government safety testing. These examples all received four- to five-star (good to great) overall or specific-test safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Reviews

Chevrolet Spark reviews via Kelley Blue Book are surprisingly strong. Owners give their cars an average rating of 4.2 out of 5.0. As expected, performance and comfort are somewhat lacking, but there's praise for the Spark's reliability and value.

Learn More: The 10 Best Used Compact Cars and The 8 Best Cars For First-Time Buyers (2024)

FAQs

Is Chevy Spark electric?

Yes, there is a battery-powered version, the Chevy Spark EV. The all-electric model went on sale for 2014 and was discontinued after 2016.

Is Spark fuel efficient?

Yes. The gas-powered Chevy Spark mpg ranges from 33-35 combined, depending on the year and equipment. The EV has a combined rating of 128 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent).

Why was the Spark discontinued?

Declining sales and an aging city car platform caused General Motors to end Spark production after 2022. Evolving safety regulations also sealed its fate in favor of larger vehicles. The Trax replaces it as Chevy’s smallest offering.

Which is better, Spark or Sonic?

The larger Sonic delivers more power, passenger, and cargo room. But the Spark’s turning circle, fun driving dynamics, and lower price make it appealing for tight urban areas. The Sonic was sold from 2012 through 2020.

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