CHEVROLET SPARK HATCHBACK FULL REVIEW

Chevrolet Spark Hatchback full 9 point review

Performance

2 out of 5 stars

There are two engines to choose from, and both the 1.0- and 1.2-litre petrol-powered units have four cylinders, whereas some rivals make do with three. Neither is particularly strong, but they have just enough pep to keep up with city traffic and, as long as you're prepared to rev them hard, motorway driving isn't too challenging.
Ride & Handling

3 out of 5 stars

The Spark rides more comfortably than some city cars, with suspension that soaks up most bumps around town without fuss. It lurches around a bit at higher speed and through corners, but then so do many of the Spark's rivals. It's not a lot of fun, although it's perfectly competent.
Refinement

3 out of 5 stars

You need to work the Spark's engines hard to make decent progress and they're rather noisy when you do. Neither is overly boomy on the motorway, however, and although wind noise and road noise intrude, the Spark is no less refined than most of its rivals.

Buying & Owning

3 out of 5 stars

Both engines average 55.4mpg and emit 119g/km of CO2, but perhaps the biggest selling point is Chevrolet's Five Year Promise, which includes five years' warranty, servicing, roadside assistance and MoT test cover. Insurance premiums will cost peanuts, too. Opt for a model with decent kit and the Spark isn't as keenly priced as rivals such as the Hyundai i10, however. Resale values aren't anything special, either, but discounts should be available.
Quality & Reliability

3 out of 5 stars

Plenty of thought has gone into the Spark's cabin design, so it's a shame that there's a wealth of hard plastic around you and that some of the fixtures are rather lightweight. You can tell this is a car built to a price.
Safety & Security

4 out of 5 stars

Unlike some rivals, every Spark comes with front, side and curtain airbags. There are ISOFIX child seat mounting points for the outer rear seats, too. Top-spec cars have stability control as standard, but it's an option for the rest of the range. Cheaper versions miss out on central locking, which is a security feature most buyers expect.

Behind The Wheel

2 out of 5 stars

The Spark's dashboard is user-friendly and its seats provide decent support. All versions have driver's seat height adjustment, but the two cheapest trims have no steering wheel adjustment and on the others it moves up and down only. All-round visibility is good, thanks to the Spark's upright shape.
Space & Practicality

4 out of 5 stars

There aren't many city cars that will seat four six-footers in decent comfort but, thanks to generous head- and legroom, the Spark is one of them. The 170-litre boot won't hold many bags, but the rear seats fold to give a 568-litre space. You'll probably need to move the front seats forward before you can flip the rear bases up, however.
Equipment

2 out of 5 stars

Entry-level trim is basic, with wind-up front windows and no CD player or central locking. You get those on the + model, along with air-conditioning and a stereo with USB input socket. Upgrading to LS adds some cosmetic extras, but you need to move up to LS+ to gain alloy wheels and electric door mirrors. Top-spec LT cars have decent kit, but they're pricey.