You don't see many cars as small as the Chevrolet Spark on American roads and for good reason. It is more than 10 inches shorter and 4 inches narrower than the typical subcompact-and 30 inches smaller than its Sonic sedan sibling. While small can mean easier parking and tighter turning radius in crowded cities or on campus, in this case it also means a lot gets left out.
Cars of this ilk may appeal to frugal buyers, parents shopping for basic new wheels for their teens, or for city dwellers where parking is difficult. Although this second-generation Spark is much better than the one it replaced, unless you need something this tiny for navigating the urban alleys, several other inexpensive cars are quicker, quieter, roomier, and more sparing with fuel.
First off, the Spark isn't exactly a great deal for what you get. While the Spark's starting price might seem tempting, adding typical equipment like power windows and whatnot brings the price closer to better performing models.
Furthermore, the Spark's 33 mpg overall doesn't make up for the giant gap between it and those alternatives when it comes to room, performance, and an overall feel of substance. This tiny microcar actually provides no fuel economy advantage. For example, the Toyota Yaris iA gets 35 mpg overall and delivers so much more. Larger, competent rivals like the Mazda3 and even the Toyota Corolla can return 32 mpg with ease.
While this Spark is considerably more civilized than the previous generation, compared to the alternatives, it's tolerable only in small doses. Most pavement flaws enter the car in the form of hard, rubbery shots. The constant din in the tight cabin makes any errand that's longer than the closest convenience store a near-deafening experience.
You might expect such a tiny car to "spark" some driving fun. Initially, the Spark plays this part, feeling light on its feet and tackling corners with enthusiasm. But there's a disconnect between the swift turn-in response and the mute, overly light steering that results in the car feeling nervous. The Spark is clearly a better urban errand runner than highway cruiser; the somewhat darty steering makes it a nervous highway.
Don't misunderstand. We loved the way the Spark fits on the narrow country lanes surrounding the Consumer Reports test track, especially when oncoming traffic on blind corners can be anything from a dually pickup truck with a trailer to a "wide-load" sized tractor.
A quick spurt across a city intersection is no problem, but at 12 seconds from 0-60 mph, the Spark is slow. The shortness of power manifests itself with frequent forays into the upper range of the engine's rev band, where the screaming engine sounds strained and gritty. One consolation is that the continuously variable transmission avoids the typical CVT tendency toward rubber-band-like power delivery by impersonating a regular transmission's shifts.
Same goes for the interior, which certainly isn't plush but also isn't insultingly cheap. The driving position is awkward--a direct result of the non-telescoping steering wheel and not having much room to rest your left foot. At least the elevated driving position lets you sit tall-in-the-saddle, but the insubstantial seat discourages long rides.
Forget about the rear seat. Even for a tiny car, getting in the rear and actually sitting there requires Lilliputian anatomy. And it seats only two in the rear, compared to close competitors that accommodate a total of five. Just one cup holder resides between the two rear seats, so sharing is essential.
Controls are easy enough to use. All trims come with a touch-screen infotainment system that enables connectivity with Bluetooth pairing and steering wheel controls. Compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is a welcome feature, allowing easy access to some apps, including navigation, via the car's screen. A rear camera is standard.
Forward-collision warning is available on the top 2LT trim, but automatic emergency braking is absent -- a surprising omission for a newly designed car targeted at younger, less experienced drivers.
Overall, the Spark is a significantly better car than, say, the Mitsubishi Mirage, but that's faint praise. As a cheap runabout to park at the local train station, it may be just the thing. But as a first car for a college student or a downtown dweller, we'd sleep better at night if you opted for a more substantial car with a stronger suite of safety systems, even if it's second hand.