Overall Rating
Updated on: July 21, 2020
Automotive Journalist
The Chevy Spark has been a global hit ever since its launch early in 2010. It began a new freshness to the Compact Hatch Segment with its youthful and radical looks Not to mention, a ton of new features too. Enduring by the same sentiment, the 2020 Chevrolet Spark undergoes mild updates over its 2019 version and with its sub $14,000 starting price makes for a pleasant approach.
The Chevrolet Spark is a city car that was produced by GM Korea. Ever since its launch, it has been a favourite of many due to its compact size and pricing. There are various variants to choose from and the manual variants start from $13,925 and the automatic starts at $15,025.
See detailed review »Plentiful features for the price
A big bang for buck
Impressive safety features for the price
Stern and nimble handler
Manual transmission survives!
Too slow
Cramped interior
Loud engine noise creeps in the cabin
Nothing new for 2020
$14095
4dr Hatchback
4
117 mph
front wheel drive
85
98 hp @ 6200 rpm
94 lbs.-ft. @ 4400 rpm
5-speed manual
Independent front strut suspension
Semi-independent rear torsion beam suspension
9.3/7.9
93.9 in.
54.5 in.
62.8 in.
58.4 in.
2246 lbs.
83 cu ft.
27.2 cu ft.
10.5 sec.
18.2
177 ft.
30/33/38 mpg
342.0 mi.
3 yr./ 36000 mi.
5 yr./ 60000 mi.
6 yr. /100000 mi.
Yes
$14,095 - $15,195
Style | Prices | MPG | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Seats | Colors |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LS 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl 5M) | Starting at $14,095 MSRP | (30/33/38) | 98 hp @ 6200 rpm, 1.4 L, Inline 4, regular unleaded | 5-speed manual | front wheel drive | 4 | |
LS 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl CVT) | Starting at $15,195 MSRP | (30/33/38) | 98 hp @ 6200 rpm, 1.4 L, Inline 4, regular unleaded | 1-speed cvt | front wheel drive | 4 |
$15,995 - $18,595
Style | Prices | MPG | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Seats | Colors |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1LT 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl 5M) | Starting at $15,995 MSRP | (30/33/38) | 98 hp @ 6200 rpm, 1.4 L, Inline 4, regular unleaded | 5-speed manual | front wheel drive | 4 | |
1LT 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl CVT) | Starting at $17,095 MSRP | (30/33/38) | 98 hp @ 6200 rpm, 1.4 L, Inline 4, regular unleaded | 1-speed cvt | front wheel drive | 4 | |
2LT 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl 5M) | Starting at $17,495 MSRP | (30/33/38) | 98 hp @ 6200 rpm, 1.4 L, Inline 4, regular unleaded | 5-speed manual | front wheel drive | 4 | |
2LT 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl CVT) | Starting at $18,595 MSRP | (30/33/38) | 98 hp @ 6200 rpm, 1.4 L, Inline 4, regular unleaded | 1-speed cvt | front wheel drive | 4 |
$17,095 - $18,195
Style | Prices | MPG | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Seats | Colors |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ACTIV 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl 5M) | Starting at $17,095 MSRP | (30/33/38) | 98 hp @ 6200 rpm, 1.4 L, Inline 4, regular unleaded | 5-speed manual | front wheel drive | 4 | |
ACTIV 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl CVT) | Starting at $18,195 MSRP | (30/33/38) | 98 hp @ 6200 rpm, 1.4 L, Inline 4, regular unleaded | 1-speed cvt | front wheel drive | 4 |
Vehicle images are guides only and may not reflect the model's exact specifications/features– exact specifications/features should be confirmed with the seller.
Features
Engine And Performance
Fuel Economy
Interior
Exterior
4.6
OVERALL RATING
Overall Rating
The baby Chevy starts at $13220 which is equipped with class-leading features like a 7-inch Infotainment System with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, electronic traction control, and projector headlamps and a lot more. Chevy offers the Spark in four trims catering to varying needs.
The baby Chevy takes on the likes of Mitsubishi Mirage, Toyota Yaris Hatch and the funky Kia Rio. We will look at how these small hatches pit against each other. Small cars are notorious when it comes to rear seat and cargo space. It would be interesting to watch the standoff in terms of performance, size, and efficiency.
4.0/10
Features
3.0/10
Engine and Performance
6.0/10
Fuel Economy
7.5/10
Interior
3.0/10
Exterior
The Chevy Spark is offered in 4 variants with the base variant starting at $13,000. The Spark gets a 1.4-litre engine that churns out a humble 98 horsepower. The engine is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The Chevrolet Spark is a great daily driver. It also performs well in the city. Moreover, it gets some interesting tech features that are simple to use. Highway driving isn't all that really great and that's something that will disappoint you.
Trims |
LS |
1LT |
ACTIV |
2LT |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP (5-Speed Manual) |
$14,095 |
$15,995 |
$17,095 |
$16,620 |
MSRP (CVT) |
$15,195 |
$18,595 |
$18,195 |
$17,720 |
Engine |
1.4L I4 |
1.4L I4 |
1.4L I4 |
1.4L I4 |
Features |
Solar absorbing Glass |
All the features in LS trim added/replaced and: |
All the features in 1LT trim added/replaced and: |
All the features in ACTIV trim added/replaced and: |
Manual Outside Mirrors |
Cruise Control |
Black Rocker Mouldings |
Rear Park Assist |
|
15-inch steel wheels |
Automatic power emergency door locks |
Fog Lamps |
15-inch Aluminum Wheels |
|
Chrome Grille |
Steering Wheel Mounted Controls |
Custom ACTIV Grille |
Chrome Beltline Mouldings |
|
Daytime Running Lamps |
LED Daytime Running Lamps |
Luggage Rack |
Enhanced Driver Information Center |
|
Halogen Projector Beam Headlamps |
Sirius XM Radio |
Black Front and Rear Bumpers |
Keyless Entry |
|
Rear Spoiler |
Body-coloured door handles |
Heated power outside mirrors |
||
4-Speaker Audio System |
6-Speaker Audio System |
Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel |
||
Driver Information Center |
Power Windows |
|||
Electronic Stability Control System |
||||
Hill Start Assist |
||||
Traction Control |
We Recommend
The Spark is the kind of car you will generally use for driving around the town and go to some departmental stores to buy your monthly or weekly grocery. The LS variant gets all the basic thing that you need to have for a car of this stature. Moreover, for $13000, it comes at a bargain price.
The Chevrolet Spark is powered by a 1.4L gasoline motor. It is a naturally aspirated 4 cylinder motor putting out a peak power of 98hp @ 6200 rpm and a torque of 94 ft.-lbs. @ 4400 rpm. The Spark is a city car and that is how it likes to behave. The car has an engine that is peppy enough to be driven within the city limits.
However, on the highway, this is a different story. You fell the car is underpowered, less responsive to throttle inputs and is not so stable either.
Models |
Chevrolet Spark LS |
Toyota Yaris Hatchback LE |
Kia Rio S |
Mitsubishi Mirage ES |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$14,095 |
$17,750 |
$16,490 |
$13,795 |
Engine |
1.4L I4 |
1.5L I4 |
1.6L I4 |
1.2L I3 |
Transmission |
5-Speed Manual |
6-Speed Automatic |
6-Speed Automatic |
5-Speed Manual |
Horsepower |
98 hp @6200 rpm |
106 hp @6000 rpm |
130 hp @6300 rpm |
78 hp @6000 rpm |
Torque |
94 lb-ft @4400 rpm |
103 lb-ft @4000 rpm |
119 lb-ft @4850 rpm |
74 lb-ft @4000 rpm |
The Chevy Spark has a decent power of 98HP but its counterparts, the Kia Rio and the Toyota Yaris are much more powerful than Chevy. While the Chevy is powered by a 1.4-litre motor, the Rio & Yaris has a 1.6-litre motor and 1.6 litres. Rio is the most powerful with a class-leading power of 130 HP and 119 lbs. ft. of torque. In the engine and transmission section, it is the Rio that outperforms its contenders.
The Spark is a slow and sluggish car, credit to its small engine. The Spark takes 10.7 secs to reach 60 MPH from a standstill. This car hits the quarter-mile mark in 18 secs. This certainly isn't the car that you take to the race track to enjoy driving.
Spark has been created for city hopping and so it fitted a light accelerator that swings to your melodies. The output is immediate without any lag and dashing off red lights or passing vehicles is a breeze in the baby Chevy. But when it comes to highways, it lingers as getting up to speed is going to take time and overtaking would be cumbersome.
Models |
Chevrolet Spark LS |
Toyota Yaris Hatchback LE |
Kia Rio S |
Mitsubishi Mirage ES |
---|---|---|---|---|
0-60 MPH |
10.7 sec |
10.3 sec |
8.7 sec |
12.2 sec |
Quarter mile |
18.0 sec(est.) |
N/A |
16.5 sec |
18.8 sec |
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15k mi/yr) |
5.3 |
N/A |
4.9 |
4.5 |
The Chevy Spark is the slowest among its contenders. The Mitsubishi Mirage which has a smaller 1.2-liter motor manages to complete the quarter-mile 0.5 seconds faster than the Spark. It is the weight of the car that is to be blamed for this. Though the KIA Rio is heavier than the spark, the engine power output has been tweaked to make them perform better in spite of being heavy.
On good roads, the Spark does handle really well. On bad roads, the ride quality degrades. Spark is the perfect car for city driving. It easily squeezes into parking spots and the low turning radius enhances its manoeuvrability. The Spark is a front-wheel driven car and so expect it understeer a little bit. The Spark handles like a typical small city car in that it is very easy to park this car in those tight parking spaces due to its small size. However, its when you start pushing this car you realize that this car is best suited for use only within the city.
There is significant body roll around corners and it does not inspire much confidence when pushed hard. On the better side, it has a fairly comfortable ride which reinforces its reputation as a city car. The steering is light and easy which means manoeuvring in and out of traffic is very easy. Still, it does not weigh up adequately at highway speeds. It's certainly not the best handling car but pretty clear about what its meant to do and that it does pretty well.
The Chevrolet Spark gets 9.3 inches diameter discs up front and 7.9 inches diameter discs at the rear. If you ever slam brakes hard, the Spark will come to halt at a distance of 120 feet from 60 MPH.
The low curb weight of 2246 lbs. helps the Spark to achieve decent braking performance.
Models |
Chevrolet Spark LS |
Toyota Yaris Hatchback LE |
Kia Rio S |
Mitsubishi Mirage ES |
---|---|---|---|---|
Brake Front (in.) |
9.3 |
N/A |
11.0 |
9.0 |
Brake Rear (in.) |
7.9 |
9.0 |
8.0 |
7.0 |
60-0 MPH (ft) |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
127 |
Kia is outfitted with the largest brakes, given the fact that it is the biggest vehicle with the most potent engine of the group. Spark should be able to slot itself behind the Kia Rio in terms of braking power. The Yaris would be stalked next on the list followed by the Mitsubishi Mirage. The Mirage and the Yaris stack up head-to-head with each other in terms of stopping distance.
Thanks to the humble engine and the low kerb weight, the Spark delivers impressive fuel economy numbers. The Spark can go for 29 miles every gallon of fuel when driving in the city while on the highway it can go for 39 miles every gallon of fuel. The Spark gets a combined fuel economy rating of 34 MPG.
Models |
Chevrolet Spark LS |
Toyota Yaris Hatchback LE |
Kia Rio S |
Mitsubishi Mirage ES |
---|---|---|---|---|
MPG (city) |
29 |
32 |
28 |
33 |
MPG (highway) |
38 |
40 |
37 |
41 |
MPG (combined) |
33 |
35 |
32 |
36 |
Fuel Tank Capacity (Gal.) |
9.0 |
11.6 |
11.9 |
9.2 |
Range (City/Highway) |
261/342 |
N/A |
N/A |
304/377 |
The only car that's more fuel-efficient than the Spark is the Mitsubishi Mirage. The Mirage gets a combined fuel economy rating of 36 MPG but at the same time, it is 22 horses deficient than the Spark. However, comparing to the heavier rivals, the spark has the edge over the Rio and the Yaris
Spark can accommodate 5 people. It isn't very spacious on the inside but you can still cramp in 5 adults inside. The legroom and headroom on the front and on the rear are pretty decent if not the best. The upright position of the seats is a little disappointing and sitting in the same position continuously for a long period of time might troublesome people.
Most surfaces are just hard plastic and you can really see the cost-cutting at certain places. The layout is simple with the infotainment screen sitting on top with the climate control vents below it and then the controls for the same underneath. The layout is not the most aesthetically designed but perhaps can be forgiven considering that it's a budget car. Metallic grey trim on the dashboard provides much relief to the otherwise dull trim.
Models |
Chevrolet Spark LS |
Toyota Yaris Hatchback LE |
Kia Rio S |
Mitsubishi Mirage ES |
---|---|---|---|---|
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) |
39.0/50.8/41.7 |
38.2/53.2/41.9 |
38.9/54.1/42.1 |
39.1/51.7/41.7 |
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) |
37.0/49.8/33.0 |
37.2/50.0/34.4 |
38.0/53.3/33.5 |
37.3/51.0/34.0 |
Mitsubishi is the spacious of the lot as the small engine helps add a lot of space on the inside. The Kia comes in second followed by Toyota. Chevy ranks the last in terms of interior space management.
The base model of the car has a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It has a multimedia system with 4 speakers. The reverse parking camera is standard on all variants. The infotainment system is quite slick and easy to use offering most features you could have in a car in this price range.
The higher variants have the touchscreen infotainment system on the LS along with a six-speaker setup for better sound. The 2LT variant has reverse parking camera as standard along with a host of other features. The biggest boon is that it offers Android Auto and Apple CarPlay right from the base trim.
The cargo volume of the Spark is its biggest downside. With the second row up, the Spark offers a cargo volume of 11.1 cubic feet which is not all that really great.
Fold-down the second row, you open up to 27.2 cubic feet of cargo volume.
Models |
Chevrolet Spark LS |
Toyota Yaris Hatchback LE |
Kia Rio S |
Mitsubishi Mirage ES |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cargo Volume (cu.-ft) |
11.10 |
15.86 |
17.4 |
15.6 |
The Kia Rio & Mitsubishi Mirage has a much larger cargo space compared to the Spark & Toyota. In terms of cargo space, the Spark is really disappointing whereas the cargo capacity of the Rio and Mirage are just excellent.
The Spark is a smart looking hatchback from the exterior. It has neat lines and good proportions. The blacked-out headlamps and the large bold grille with the fog lamp housing look cool. The rear door handles have been neatly tucked into the C-pillar to give it a clean look. At the rear, the tail lamps are quite sleek and the contours on the bumper round of the simple yet bold looks.
The Chevrolet Spark is a compact city hatchback. It weighs 2246 lbs. and has a ground clearance of 6.6 inches, which means you don’t have to worry about scraping the chassis on those large bumps or potholes. With a length of 143.1 inches and width of 62.8 inches, the car is easy to manoeuvre through the crowded city traffic.
Models |
Chevrolet Spark LS |
Toyota Yaris Hatchback LE |
Kia Rio S |
Mitsubishi Mirage ES |
---|---|---|---|---|
Length (in) |
143.1 |
161.6 |
160.0 |
149.4 |
Width (in) |
62.8 |
66.7 |
67.9 |
65.6 |
Height (in) |
58.4 |
58.9 |
57.1 |
59.4 |
Ground clearance (in) |
N/A |
5.5 |
5.5 |
6.3 |
Wheelbase (in) |
93.9 |
101.2 |
101.6 |
96.5 |
Track width (in) F/R |
54.5/54.5 |
58.8/58.4 |
60.0/60.2 |
56.3/55.7 |
Curb weight (lbs) |
2246 |
2396 |
2714 |
2018 |
The Mitsubishi Mirage is the lightest car in the segment followed by the Spark, Yaris, and Rio. With a length of 143.1 inches and width of 62.8 inches, the Spark is shorter than the Mirage, Toyota, and Rio. This means parking the car into those tight parking spaces won't be an issue with the Spark.
Chevrolet has equipped the Spark with a host of safety features that are impressive for the price. Most of its competitors are yet to get a hold on most of the features. The chassis is made of high strength steel which added to the safety along with driving dynamics. It comes with 10 airbags as standard and active ABS on all 4-wheels
The Toyota Yaris is amongst the only few cars in the segment to offer a manual transmission along with the others compared here. Toyota offers the best build quality among all the cars compared here but we still are not big fans of material quality.
Toyota provides a well-built car with the only manual offering in this set. The build quality is second to none and is utterly reliable being a Toyota. The Chevy is $2500 less than the Toyota and drives better in the city. It provides better mileage and helps has a better standard equipment list than the Yaris. The Chevy shines here with a better overall package that masks its outcomings.
KIA Rio is the most powerful car in the segment. It also has a six-speed transmission and is more spacious than all its counterparts. It was redesigned in 2018 and has persisted pretty much unchanged after it. And being a Kia, quirkiness is its highlight.
But if you are planning a car only for the city, then Spark offers a much better cause. The compact proportions and small turning radius makes it perfect for a city ride. But the Kia wins in the overall package.
The Mitsubishi Mirage is a very basic and frugal car. It only delivers 78 HP of power. As a result, the Spark has better acceleration figures than the Mirage. The Mirage scores big in terms of cargo volume and offers marginally better fuel economy than the Spark.
Moreover, the Spark offers a better infotainment system and is also loaded with some advanced safety systems as standard. In conclusion, Spark clearly makes more sense between the two cars.
Chevrolet Spark is a pretty average car. It bags a pretty modest score. There is nothing exciting about this car and it lacks charm. It is certainly a very frugal car.
Everything has always got two sides, the good and the bad. The compact size of the car makes it easy to wade through the city traffic and manoeuvrability is no big deal. At $13000, Chevy has loaded the Spark with some great safety tech and gizmos which simply gives the Spark a little bit of edge over others. All in all, those seeking a car for basic transportation will certainly be happy with the Spark.
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