First look at the 2016 Chevrolet Spark

Text and photos by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

The Chevy Spark is a very interesting car designed for an emerging segment. Chevrolet seems to want to have cars available for people at every stage of their lives and the Spark is really aimed at the first-time car buyer who might otherwise buy a second hand car.

Chevrolet’s Spark is a neat new subcompact which brings many of the key features and technologies found in GM’s larger vehicles. The new mini-car was marketed and teased as a ‘mobile device’ and this is somewhat accurate since it does feature GM’s OnStar, a rear backup camera and onboard 4G-LTE connectivity plus Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability. 

Connectivity and the ability to interface with driver’s smartphone via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are seen as key features in this car which has the functionality available in its base mode which is being sold for $9,995.00 

Media members had a chance to try the Chevy Spark around Toronto and were given various tasks which mirror the realities of millennials buying their first vehicles which is the target market for the Chevy Spark.

First impressions for me were that there was ample space for me to fit my 6’1 frame in both the driver’s and front passenger seats. Pushing the seat back gave me more leg room than I was used to in a car of this size. Rear seating isn’t bad, although this is strictly a four-seater and ideal if the people sitting behind are smaller of stature or children.

Cargo space at the rear is quite limited, good for around a week of groceries, maybe a large duffel bag of laundry or maybe a golf bag. Of course, the rear seats can be pushed down to create more space if no one is seating behind. 

The base model Chevy Spark’s dashboard is Spartan and  spare but laid out in an intuitive manner. There are various cubbies and places for placing smartphones and small devices. Everything is framed around the 7-inch touchscreen which is really the centerpiece of this vehicle. Plugging in an iPhone instantly brings up Apple CarPlay and all that iPhone’s apps including Siri and Apple Maps for navigation.

 

The base model Spark LS has a five-speed standard transmission, no AC, 10 airbags, an ECOTEC 1.4L DOHC I-4 with 98 horsepower which is the same power train available on all three variants.

I found performance to be adequate for this size of car and had no problems getting up to speed in city driving and even highway conditions. The 1.4 litre engine is surprisingly silent and quite smooth, specially in the higher gears. 

One thing I did notice was some lag when accelerating up hills and inclines, but otherwise the car ran as expected. Interior noise was low even in highway driving and the Spark felt reassuringly stable and responsive weaving through various streets and service roads.

It may be small, but the 2016 Chevy Spark felt very rigid and well put together. It certainly looked and felt better appointed than the similarly priced Nissan Micra that Chevrolet brought along for comparison. 

All-in-all, I found the 2016 Chevy Spark to be a peppy drive with above average handling and responsive brakes. It does feel like an ideal vehicle for a first time car buyer who wants an economical ride, demands constant connectivity and likes the bold styling and looks of the Spark.

 

Connectivity options are quite astounding for such a tiny car. You can connect up to seven devices via its onboard hotspot, you can also use an app to control various aspects of the vehicle (varies on models). This includes sending maps to the navigation system beforehand, checking on gasoline, oil and tire pressure levels as well as remotely starting the car to warm it up during colder weather. 

If air-conditioning is a must-have, then you’re looking to spend around $15,000, which then opens you to a whole new range of competing vehicles in that price range.

Canadian Pricing for the Spark is as follows:

• •      LS – Starting at $ 9,995
• •      LS CVT – Starting at $13,895
• •      1LT – Starting at $14,195
• •      2LT– Starting at $18,195

Destination freight charge is $1,600.

The fuel consumption ratings for the Spark are:

Manual:  7.8  / 5.8 / 6.9 (city/hwy/comb)

CVT: 7.6 / 5.7 /6.7 (city/hwy/comb)

The Chevy Spark is a very interesting car designed for an emerging segment. Chevrolet seems to want to have cars available for people at every stage of their lives and the Spark is really aimed at the first-time car buyer who might otherwise buy a second hand car, or for city slickers who need affordable wheels to get to work or for short trips on the weekend.