The Chevrolet Spark is a four-door hatchback that boasts city-friendly dimensions and Chevrolet’s available MyLink multimedia system. Slotting below the subcompact Sonic, which is more than a foot longer in hatchback form, the Spark competes with a handful of minicars in the U.S.: the Smart ForTwo, Scion iQ and Fiat 500.
An all-electric Spark EV is available in California and Oregon, but Chevrolet has not announced plans to sell the EV in other states.
(Skip to details on the: Spark EV) New for 2014 Now in its second model year, the Spark can have a continuously variable automatic transmission, which replaces a four-speed automatic as the car’s optional transmission. The new transmission is designed to offer better gas mileage, improved acceleration and less engine noise. All trim levels now have standard automatic headlights, and 2LT models add heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals. Exterior Highlights
144.7-inch overall length
15-inch alloy wheels
Body-colored door handles
Available fog lights
Available roof rails
Interior Highlights
Seats up to four
Standard cloth seats; simulated leather available
11.4 cubic feet of cargo room behind backseat; 31.2 cubic feet of maximum cargo space
Air conditioning
AM/FM stereo with MP3 jack, outside temperature display
Power windows
Available cruise control
Available power locks
Available steering-wheel audio and phone controls
Available MyLink multimedia system with MP3 jack and USB port
Available Apple Siri voice recognition integration with compatible iPhone
Under the Hood
84-horsepower, 1.2-liter four-cylinder engine
Engine runs on regular gas
Standard five-speed manual; optional CVT
Front-wheel drive
Safety Features
10 airbags
Antilock brakes
Electronic stability system
Six months of OnStar, which includes automatic crash notification, stolen vehicle assistance and roadside assistance
Spark EV The Spark EV is an all-electric version of Chevrolet’s minicar and the brand’s first purely battery-powered car. (Chevrolet’s Volt uses a gasoline engine that sustains charge once its electric range is depleted.) The car’s approximate range is 82 miles, and like other electric cars such as the Nissan Leaf and Ford Focus Electric, the Spark EV is dead once the battery is drained. It went on sale in limited numbers in Oregon and California in summer 2013, and Chevrolet hasn’t said whether it will be offered in other states.
Powered by an electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack
Charging time of about seven hours with a 240-volt source, 20 hours with a 120-volt outlet
Available DC quick charging is designed to replenish 80 percent of the battery in about 20 minutes
Digital instrument cluster
Range-extending elements include low-rolling-resistance tires, active shutters and a rear spoiler
