2013 Chevrolet Spark 2LT Review

Executtive Editor Bob Gritzinger:: avowedly, these minicars look thus utterly foreign in our world chock filled with massive trucks and SUVs. however against a scene of Smarts and therefore the like, i feel the 2013 Chevrolet Spark is my new favorite. Power is weak and therefore the engine is buzzy once beat, however the automobile darts around sort of a scooter, handles well, stays in its lane and appears dashing in its own method whereas doing it. however that might be our check car’s red paint job talking.

Interior controls ar comparatively straightforward, and therefore the automobile is well equipped for a basic transport-mobile, with a pleasant center information screen, seat heaters, steering wheel-mounted controls, etc. Outside, whereas it’s onerous to form these very little rigs appear as if something over a automobile with its backside cropped, this one contains a bound dynamic styling feel that runs from the pronounced and exposed front light pods all the high and across the roof rails to the rear edge of the hatchback. I like it.

Probably the foremost shocking part to American state was however the automobile feels roomier within than its footprint suggests. As a result, the automobile drives “bigger” than it looks, with a gentle feel that creates one feel virtually safe. Except, that is, once you have one amongst those massive SUV or pickup grilles bearing down on your backlight simply many feet off from your headrest.

Digital Editor Saint Stoy: have you ever ever gone to a bar or a club and complete you were simply a trifle (or a lot) too recent for the place? That’s however I felt behind the wheel of our 2013 Chevrolet Spark 2LT.

It’s not that this can be a foul automobile. It’s not even a heavy commuter device. After all, heated seats, XM radio, Bluetooth and a USB interface ar all tied at the side of a pleasant multifunction bit show -- not the sort of setting found in past gram economy specials just like the Geo underground or Chevette Scooter.

Driving a Spark is, well, it’s not lots of fun, a minimum of not in automatic-transmission pretext. however it’s not scary either, in contrast to the expertise in bound alternative minicars (Scion ratio, cough cough). The automobile is fairly fast, steering and brakes ar each sharp enough to whip around in traffic and therefore the stability at route speeds is great for such a little chunk of metal. Wind noise is additionally well-damped, that sadly means that the buzzy drone of the engine is even additional pronounced. I had to ascertain the specs to make sure the Spark wasn’t employing a CVT, since the initial launch produces a burst of revs followed by onward motion eventually catching up to the engine speed. It all works fine, however it simply doesn’t wreak sensible amusement.

The Spark’s driving dynamics ar virtually a moot point; I’ve ne'er been ready to get past the styling of those minicars. just like the sensible Fortwo, the Spark seems like a large nose on wheels hoovering its method down the road. I posit that it’s essentially not possible to not appear as if a jerk in an exceedingly automobile like this (and if you claim you don’t automobilee however you look in your car I’ll additionally posit you’re a liar).

Not amazingly, I got identical sensation walking off from the Spark that I had departure the said post-collegiate bar: it absolutely was a motivating expertise that I’m glad I had, however one I’ll be equally glad to avoid within the future.

Editor Wes Raynal: Of all the cars within the fleet obtainable last weekday, I really asked to pay the weekend within the Spark. I needed to undertake it. It’s cute as a button, drives regarding as i believed it'd, and although it’s small I found it usually snug to drive -- for brief stints. grand in any respect for zipping around city.

The little one.2-liter engine’s eighty four HP proven simply capable enough and therefore the car trans felt fairly well programmed to match the engine. I’d prefer to drive a manual version, which might in all probability be lots additional fun. Stating the obvious: It’s not a automobile, and out on the route the engine will get fairly buzzy, however I expected that. It’s not colorful -- it’s no mini -- however it’s fun in an exceedingly additional basic method. The steering is direct and precise, and therefore the ride is controlled and cozy. The in-dash mpg meter same I averaged thirty two mpg over a weekend that saw a decent mixture of town and route driving. grand in any respect.

The interior is regarding what you’d expect for a automobile of this price: that's to mention the materials ar basic, however the layout is sweet and there's simply a lot of headroom. I liked lots the interior’s body-colored accents -- i believed they looked cool. The seats ar flat and basic, but again, I expected that.

What wired American state most regarding driving it? The secondary controls (cruise, seat heaters, power window switches, etc.) aren’t lit up in the dark. That’s extremely my biggest criticism.

Again it’s a cute automobile that drove regarding however I expected it to. As a basic transportation tool, it’s simply fine.

Road Test Editor Jonathan Wong: I used to be a trifle afraid on my drive home from add this 2013 Chevrolet Spark 2LT. That’s once I learned that this automobile on bound grooved concrete at state highway speeds is flat-out chilling. On all alternative road surfaces it absolutely was fine, however on the concrete it felt shaky, inflicting American state to impede on a roughly 4-mile stretch. Once I came to a little of the road that was lined in blacktop, it absolutely was fine once more. perhaps it absolutely was simply however that portion of pavement was grooved, and therefore the heavier crosswinds in all probability didn’t facilitate

But this can be a microcar that’s higher suited to running around city. Roughly twenty five miles of my 33-mile commute is on the state highway, thus alittle town automobile isn’t ideal on behalf of me. Not with all the large SUVs impeding up the expressway.

As a town automobile, it’s serviceable enough. i might definitely take this over a wise Fortwo and descendant ratio for the additional flexibility of getting four facet doors and to not stick out quite the maximum amount from a styling position compared to the opposite 2.

The runty four-cylinder has to be revved onerous to urge going anyplace in an exceedingly swift manner, that isn’t helped by the four-speed automatic shell. And there’s lots of engine noise stepping into the cabin once you place your foot into it. i might prefer to drive this automobile with the quality five-speed manual transmission and save $925 within the method. I’m willing to bet that this Spark would be a trifle fun with the stick, however with the automated in our check automobile, it’s simply boring transportation.

I had a tough time obtaining snug within the automobile. The seat height appeared to be too high and it felt like i used to be reasonably sitting on prime of the automobile rather than in it. The central touchscreen that controls the radio functions isn’t responsive and extremely created American state miss sensible old style knobs and onerous buttons. The seats, as Raynal mentions, are flat.

Again, not the foremost exciting driver with steering that's fairly responsive, however offers very little weight and feedback. There’s body roll through curves with a suspension that damps out most impacts from bumps and potholes.

For the cash, though, there ar variety of alternative cars i might contemplate before the Spark. you'll be able to get a base Ford feast, Honda match or Kia city instead. It’s true that the Spark offers a lot of options during this little package, however i might be willing to present up heated seats, handwheel controls and therefore the touchscreen for a automobile that’s larger, could be a higher driver, and gets near the fuel economy that this Spark is rated at.

2013 Chevrolet Spark 2LT

Base Price: $16,720

As-Tested Price: $16,720

Drivetrain: one.2-liter I4; FWD, four-speed automatic

Output: eighty four HP @ half-dozen,400 rpm, eighty three lb-ft @ four,200 rpm

Curb Weight: a pair of,269 lb

Fuel Economy (EPA City/Highway/Combined): 28/37/31 mpg

AW discovered Fuel Economy: twenty six.9 mpg

Options: None

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