9/2/2023 0 Comments Chevy sparkThere's a sense with the Spark, both inside and out, that any hope of taking the market by storm was well and truly gone by the time GM decided to pull the plug after the 2022 model year. This one comes in the form of a 1.4-liter dual overhead cam, multiport fuel injected LV7 four-cylinder engine under the hood in US-spec models since 2016. Not the least because of the puny performance under the hood. But don't expect this to be very enjoyable as a weekend long-distance travel vehicle. Proceedings are improved somewhat by a competitive 11.3 cubic feet (320 liters) of cargo room with the rear seats up. It's certainly better than the flat rear bench found in the back of some contemporaries of the Spark. The seats were comfortable enough for what they were. Compared to the flagship smartphone quality glass inside some other cars on display this year, it's a wet noodle by comparison. Most satellite navigation and infotainment system functions are integrated into the seven-inch capacitive touch screen. However, we will give it props for the chunky and tactile HVAC control system. Once inside, there isn't much in the interior department of the 2022 Spark that would set it apart from the other vehicles in its segment. All jokes aside, the Spark in its fourth generation did at least look more dignified than some other small hatchbacks. Say what you will about GM quality, but their factory paint booths sure make for a stunning introduction at any motor show until buyers start to see rust bubbles rising to the surface far sooner than you would have expected. Was it worth sacrificing valuable real estate on a car condemned to the grave as the Spark is? Read on to find out.Īt this year's show, the particular Spark LT on display rocks an admittedly pretty wicked-looking Summit White paint job. these days with how popular crossover SUVs are.ĭespite an all but certain sunsetting of the Spark moniker being imminent, GM decided to use a couple of dozen square feet to roll out the last of the Sparks for one last hurrah. In fairness, it wasn't like the subcompact market is all that healthy in the U.S. However, there's not much else in this segment, and considering the Mitsubishi Mirage is similarly priced, the Chevy Spark gets a rating as the best of a bad bunch.Perennially less value for your money than other cars in its segment despite often being slightly nicer equipped, the Spark's final nail in the coffin wa s losing its status as the number one selling sub-compact in America in the third quarter of 2021. But for anyone looking for something more than just self-propelled transportation, the Spark falls short. ![]() It's not bad to drive, it looks cool, and the infotainment system is pretty good. Another drawback is the lack of advanced driver aids and the nonsensical decision to limit those that are available to the most expensive trim. The car's low curb weight helps, but the tin-can feeling never really leaves you, especially when the car hasn't been fully rated by any local crash-test agency. It's possibly a little too small to be anything more than a runabout, the CVT is frustratingly annoying and indecisive, and the engine is severely underpowered. It's ideal for student drivers and those residing in congested cities, but for pretty much anyone else in the USA, the Spark is outclassed by most of the competition. Thus, if you're going to do a lot of freeway stuff, it's worth going for a test drive in this little automobile to see if you can live with the intrusive noise.Ĭonsidering the Spark's pricing, it's not a bad car and does exactly what it's meant to. That is more down to the cost-saving, narrow, lightly insulated door panels and cabin than an overly harsh engine, but it's the only real complaint to note - it's also to be expected for a car that is more suited to city driving than high revs. ![]() However, at highway speeds, there's plenty of drone from the little motor. ![]() Overall, it's comfortable enough, smooth enough, and agile enough for the city. But what about ride quality? The suspension is comfortable and compliant enough, but because this is a small car with tiny tires, mid-corner bumps can unsettle it. The brakes are also full of feel and easy to modulate and stopping power is adequate for the weight of the car. ![]() The steering is light at low speeds - which, let's be honest, is always - but well-weighted, with surprisingly high levels of feedback and communication, making it great for parking and inspiring confidence on the freeway. What the Chevy Spark lacks in power and torque, it makes up for with low weight and a short wheelbase.
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