2013 Chevrolet Spark: GM's Subcompact Gamble

The 2013 Chevrolet Spark would seem to be tailor-made to satisfy the needs of Canadian drivers looking for a cheap, fuel efficient hatchback to help them navigate urban traffic. Slotting in under the Chevrolet Sonic hatchback in both price and size, the Spark makes a play for customers turned off by the high price of the Fiat 500, or the two-passenger seating of the smart fortwo. Is it up to the challenge? We spent a week with GM's new mini-car to find out where our particular loyalties lay in this brand battle. It turns out that the answer to this question is more nuanced than one might think - and comes with a surprising conclusion that hits close to home for Chevrolet.

A Calculated Risk

Chevrolet is hitting the Canadian market hard with the 2013 Chevrolet Spark, which has been pegged as the city car of choice for those who dwell in major metropolises such as Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. Given that the car has been on sale in Europe for years, General Motors has already recouped a sizable chunk of its investment in the Spark platform, which means that the company can afford to gamble on the willingness of North Americans (the vehicle is sold in the U.S. as well) to accept an ultra-tiny hatchback.

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The Spark's $11,845 MSRP has been a major component of Chevy's advertising campaign for the car, and this is a very, very cheap price for a brand new vehicle in Canada. It’s important to understand, however, that for just under $12k buyers won’t getting niceties such as air conditioning - or really much of anything at all, other than power windows. The entry-level Spark LS doesn't even come with floor mats. Stepping up to the 1LT adds in most of the features that subcompact shoppers have come to expect, but the price jumps substantially to $15,195. The model we drove for a week was a fully kitted-out Spark 2LT with an automatic transmission, a vehicle that retails for $20,095 - which is a little bit less than double the Spark's base price.

Yes, it's possible to inflate the hatchback's price quite quickly, but it's important to understand that vehicles like the Scion iQ and the Fiat 500 are still more expensive when equipped with similar options. Chevrolet is even touting the Spark's advantages over used cars from a pricing and equipment perspective, although varied tastes make that argument a more difficult one to sustain.

A Small, But Pleasant Package

The 2013 Chevrolet Spark 2LT is the most attractive edition of the car, thanks to a few extra splashes of chrome and trim adjustments made to the vehicle's already handsome exterior. The Spark's casual good looks don't draw attention to its tiny size in the way that some of its subcompact competitors do, which was a wise decision on the part of Chevrolet.

What's it like inside the car? Sliding into the front seat reveals a simple gauge pod - similar to that of the Sonic - that is based around an over-sized speedometer. An LCD screen containing a tach, fuel mileage info, and odometer is attached to the right of the speedo binnacle. At the center of the vehicle's console is a major surprise given the price point of the Spark: the MyLink touchscreen interface, which offers a seven-inch LCD panel that can be used to access the vehicle's entertainment and communications systems. MyLink worked exceptionally well during our time with the car, and although the speakers that it was attached to were terrible for listening to music at anything above a whisper, we were impressed with such an inexpensive car's ability to offer a high tech link to our mobile devices.

Although the front positions in the Spark are comfortable enough, sitting in the rear - which only offers two additional positions - immediately starts a mental countdown focused on the end of whatever trip one might be on. Cargo space in the Spark is equally stingy unless the back seats are folded forward, which is simple enough to do. Our 2LT test car came with upgraded materials in the form of simulated leather seat covers and genuine leather on the steering wheel, and we were impressed with how GM was able to disguise the heavy use of plastics throughout the interior, which never felt cheap.

A Decent Driver

The 2013 Chevrolet Spark is outfitted with a 1.2-liter, four-cylinder engine that delivers an underwhelming 83 horsepower and 84 lb-ft of torque. Even though those numbers look dismal on paper, out on the street the Spark actually posed no real headaches from an acceleration perspective. This was true even with the ancient four-speed automatic transmission the vehicle we drove was saddled with. As an added bonus, unlike the Fiat 500 we weren't subjected to a constant aural assault from the Spark's engine, which is a tribute to GM's sound-proofing as the motor did have to work hard in order to keep up with traffic, especially when cruising on the highway.

The extra effort is reflected in the Spark's fuel economy rating of 7.1 l/100 km city and 5.2 l / 100 km highway (automatic transmission). If you are sitting there thinking to yourself that these numbers fall short of the larger, and more powerful Sonic (when equipped with its turbocharged engine), you are right. The Spark is frugal at the fuel pump, yes, but it's not uber-frugal, and doesn't quite live up to the expectations set by its tiny size.

As with most small, lightweight cars the Chevrolet Spark is willing to go around corners without complaint, and while it would be a huge stretch to call the car sporty it is definitely comfortable in a wide range of driving conditions. The Spark wouldn't be our choice for a cross-country trip, but as a commuter we have no real complaints. Some might point to the tall center of gravity and short wheelbase of the hatchback and voice concerns about its stability, but when driven within its limits the car feels confident on its four 15-inch rubber feet. Incidentally, the Spark packs a total of 10 airbags if you ever really do find yourself in trouble behind the wheel.

The Price Is Right, But About That Other Chevrolet Hatchback…

There's an elephant in the room whenever the Chevrolet Spark is discussed, and that is the Chevrolet Sonic hatchback. When comparing the price of base models, the Spark pulls ahead when it comes to value, but moving up the trim ladder sees the two vehicles drawing dangerously close in MSRP. We use the term 'dangerously' because the Sonic is clearly the better, more useful, and more efficient car in every respect.

GM disagrees with us on these last few points. The official party line is that the Sonic will appeal to those who are specifically looking for the smallest car they can find in order to fit their particular lifestyle - and that these same potential customers are uninterested in what the Sonic has to offer. We, on the other hand, aren't quite sure that a significant number of those buyers actually exist. While we are certain that many Spark shoppers will be attracted by its price, the Sonic sitting beside it in the showroom seems destined to distract an even larger percentage of Chevrolet fans. Our recommendation is to drive both before making your decision.