The Spark is a small car and it likewise makes due with a small engine. Displacing 1.4L, the 4-cylinder powerplant in the Spark makes 98 hp, which may not sound like much until one realizes that the engine is only burdened with 2300 lbs to pull around. Power is sent to the front wheels through either a 5-speed manual or a CVT transmission. The resulting acceleration is peppy, but more importantly to most buyers, the Chevrolet Spark is able to achieve up to 41 mpg on the highway.
The Spark comes in three different trims, each available with an automatic or a manual transmission. Equipment on even the Base LS models is somewhat generous. A 7-inch LCD touchscreen dominates the dashboard, housing the stereo and the standard rearview camera. Bluetooth is standard and of course a USB input port is present as well. The Spark is also equipped with a Siri Eyes Free mode allowing drivers to keep their eyes on the road when interacting with the stereo or their telephone. A 6-month subscription to Chevrolet's OnStar service is also included.
The Spark 1LT improves on the features in the base LS by adding a 6-speaker stereo and a 3-month subscription to SiriusXM Satellite radio. Other standard features include remote keyless entry, power door locks, power mirrors, 15-inch wheels, fog lamps, steering wheel mounted audio controls and cruise control.
The top of the line Spark 2LT includes a Driver Information Center, displayed through the 7-inch screen, with pertinent information that should help drivers get the best mileage with an Eco Drive Assist mode. The interior of the 2LT is spruced up with the addition of chrome interior door handles, heated front seats, a leather steering wheel, push button start and leatherette seating surfaces. The exterior of the 2LT also gets a bit more bling with several chrome accents that are absent on other Spark models.
Small cars are generally seen as being more dangerous than their bigger counterparts, however the Chevrolet spark combats this assumption with 10 standard airbags, stability control, traction control and 4-wheel antilock brakes. Available active safety features include a forward collision alert system, a lane departure warning system and a side blind spot alert system.
The Chevrolet Spark received a top to bottom redesign for the 2016 model year. New styling hides a significantly improved chassis, housing more safety features and an improved engine. Connectivity was a major point of emphasis for the new Chevy Spark. As a result, the 2016 model doesn't ask for too many compromises from drivers who like to stay connected, but who may not want a large car and all the trappings thereof.
The Chevrolet Spark is the smallest and least-expensive car in the Chevy lineup. Starting at under $13,000, the Spark competes with the Ford Fiesta and the Honda Fit. A dozen years ago, cars in this class would be very spartan and economically designed, devoid of even the most basic of features. However, times have changed and Americans now demand more from their small cars. The Chevrolet Spark pushes the trend even further by offering a bevy of standard and optional features on the car, while still keeping its core small-car values intact.
