2022 Chevrolet Spark

Overview

A new car with a starting price below $15,000 might sound like paying to drive a penalty box, but the 2022 Chevy Spark puts that fear to bed. The worst things we can say about the subcompact hatchback is that its back seat is pitifully small and folding the rear seats can be a frustrating process. While cramped rear quarters is common in this class, the Hyundai Accent and the Kia Rio are slightly roomier than the Spark. Its interior certainly isn't spiffy, but it doesn't suffer from the iffy materials that mar alternatives from Mitsubishi. Plus, Chevy's content-rich infotainment system stands out as intuitive and easy to use. Every 2022 Spark has an engine that's anemic at highway speeds, but it works fine around town and in traffic where the car's nimbleness shines. For the best driving experience, we recommend the manual transmission that's available across all trims, which is unusual nowadays.

Where This Vehicle Ranks

#4 in Best Subcompact Cars for 2022

1

Hyundai Accent

STARTING AT: $17,740

SHOP Accent

2

Kia Rio

STARTING AT: $17,545

SHOP Rio

3

Nissan Versa

STARTING AT: $16,675

SHOP Versa

4

Chevrolet Spark

STARTING AT: $14,595

SHOP Spark

5

Mitsubishi Mirage G4

STARTING AT: $16,845

SHOP Mirage G4

6

Mitsubishi Mirage

STARTING AT: $15,975

SHOP Mirage

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What's New for 2022?

The 2022 Spark enters the new model year without any significant changes. Its calling card is still being one of the least expensive new cars on the market, undercutting the similarly inexpensive Mitsubishi Mirage by about $1500. Unfortunately, Chevy announced that the Spark will be discontinued after the 2022 model year, with production lasting through August.

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Pricing and Which One to Buy

While there is no Spark one could objectively say is "laden with content," the upcharge to the 1LT trim brings useful features, including satellite radio and keyless entry. We can't, however, recommend the $1100 continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). If you don't know how to drive a car with a manual transmission, here is the incentive to learn. The faux-off-road Activ trim isn't worth the cost. Keep it simple, as Chevy has done with regular Spark.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Every Spark has a feeble four-cylinder engine that drives the front wheels through either a five-speed manual or continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Thankfully, the gearless automatic manages power well without droning engine noise. While the version we tested was responsive at low speeds around town, be prepared to wait as it moseys up to higher speeds. This diminutive hatchback is definitely not designed for long road trips, but it's effective and quiet in the city. The Spark is easy to thread through slow-moving traffic, with quick lateral movements and stable motions. Its short wheelbase aids maneuverability in tight spaces without compromising ride quality. Still, the Chevy was bouncy on uneven surfaces, and the harshest bumps were barely isolated. However, rattles and road noise were more subdued than in rival economy cars. The Spark's steering felt direct and communicated the road surface to the driver's hand. It was also relaxed at highway speeds and made changing lanes easy without feeling twitchy. The firm brake pedal had strong responses that helped scrub speed quickly and consistently.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Despite its teensy size and teeny engine, the Spark doesn't earn fantastic fuel-economy ratings. In city driving, it's rated at 29 mpg with the manual transmission and 30 with the automatic. Highway estimates are 37 mpg on Activ models and 38 on the others. These figures are outdone by the Mitsubishi Mirage's rating of up to 36 mpg city and 43 highway. The automatic Spark LT we ran on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, returned 37 mpg. For more information about the Spark's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Spark avoids the shoddy interior quality that is common on cars this cheap. Although most plastics are hard, they fit together evenly and have attractive textures. Desirable features are mainly limited to leather trimmings and heated front seats. The driving position is upright like a crossover's, with a fold-down armrest that keeps things comfortable. The large front doors and raised seat height make climbing into the cockpit easy. Unfortunately, the narrow front seats have flimsy cushions and no lateral support. The back seat is undeniably cramped; the front seats must be slid forward to comfortably fit an adult. We fit three carry-on bags behind the Spark's back seat, which offers 11 cubic feet of cargo space. That increases to 27 cubes with the rear seat stowed, allowing it to swallow 15 bags total. However, this was a very clumsy transformation. It required moving the front seats forward, so the bottom cushions could flip up before the seatbacks could fold down. Even then, the cargo floor was nowhere near flat. Likewise, loading luggage involved lifting it up and over the rear bumper. Inside, the Spark has cubbies in the center console and a useful shelf above the glovebox, but there's only a plastic tray between the back seats.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Even the entry-level Spark has a standard 7.0-inch touchscreen with a Wi-Fi hotspot, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. The infotainment screen is primarily controlled by touch, but a useful rotary volume knob and redundant buttons are conveniently located. A pair of USB ports and a 12-volt outlet are situated below the center stack.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

While Chevy's tiny hatchback is available with some driver-assistance technology, the most notable options are reserved for the most expensive model. For more information about the Spark's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Available forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
• Available lane-departure warning
• Available rear parking sensors

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

The Spark's limited and powertrain warranties are unspectacular compared with the Mirage's 10 years or 100,000 miles. However, the Chevy is a much better car overall. It also includes five years or 60,000 miles of roadside assistance.

• Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance is covers one visit for the first year

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 4-door hatchback

PRICE AS TESTED: $18,355 (base price: $13,535)

ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, port fuel injection

Displacement: 85 cu in, 1398 cc
Power: 98 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque: 94 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm

TRANSMISSION: continuously variable automatic

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 93.9 in
Length: 143.1 in
Width: 62.8 in Height: 58.4 in
Passenger volume: 83 cu ft
Cargo volume: 11 cu ft
Curb weight: 2305 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 10.8 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 41.4 sec
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 11.4 sec
Top gear, 30-50 mph: 5.3 sec
Top gear, 50-70 mph: 7.7 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 18.2 sec @ 77 mph
Top speed (drag limited, C/D est): 105 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 177 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.82 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 31/41 mpg
C/D observed: 34 mpg

More Features and Specs