You might not think that a car with the reputation of being the cheapest in America would be a good thing. For many, you would be absolutely right. However, the affordable Chevrolet Spark will be a truly missed model for others. But, even for those that will miss the cute little car, the reasons behind that emotion are not necessarily because of anything other than the price tag, because there are many reasons why the Spark is simply not worth it, as you will see in a few minutes.
When the last 2022 Chevrolet Spark finally rolled off sales lots, the "Cheapest New Car In America" title was awarded to the 2023 Nissan Versa, which will cost over $2,000 more. If you wanted to attempt to snag one of the last rock-bottom priced Sparks before Chevy sunsets the model, you are simply too late. Unless you enjoy the wrist-snapping motion of manual roll-down windows, there is no need to rush to your local dealer.
Fortunately, in a land where people always want something new and exciting, finding a like-new Chevy Spark at your local second-hand store is always possible. All you have to do is look if you are really stuck on having one. Before doing that, you may want to finish reading why the car that once used to be the cheapest in America is simply not worth the cost that it was then or now.
Updated May 3, 2023: EVs have paved the way for the people of the world to have high-performance cars that are cost-efficient to drive, do not harm the atmosphere, and still fit the entire family. This makes small fuel-efficient vehicles such as the Chevy Spark obsolete in the eyes of most of the world's automotive buyers, which makes it worthless in the eyes of carmakers. Let's review why the Spark is not worth the price tag it was set at and a few more that were not included the first time around.
The Chevy Spark Delivers Miniature Chevy Attitude
On the plus side, the styling of this subcompact hatchback is fun and appealing. Between Nitro Yellow, Mystic Blue, and Nightfall Gray - Chevy has whipped up some exciting color options. The interior is also well-designed, with a prominent center console and a little Chevy attitude. That's about where the fun stops.
Although subcompact cars can deliver bold driving experiences when adequately engineered, nobody will attempt any Italian jobs in this go-kart. Halogen projector headlamps, a backup camera, a rear spoiler, and an air-conditioning system are graciously standard on the Spark.
The Range Of The Spark Is The Same As The Range Of A Basic EV
In the interest of fuel efficiency, the oil pump on the Spark is designed to operate with a variable-flow system depending on how hard the engine is working. By matching the pump operation with the crankshaft's turning, oil flow only increases when engine RPMs increase. This results in the pump operating at a lower capacity to conserve fuel when higher performance is not needed.
Although similarly sized subcompacts produce better numbers in terms of efficiency, the 98-horsepower returns a respectable EPA-rated 33 combined MPG, giving the Spark a range of over 300 miles on a tank of gas, right around where the range of an average EV that does not put off any carbon emissions falls.
Lack Of Technology Is A Big Problem For The Chevy Spark
Even budget cars have decent infotainment screens these days. Chevy offers a 7.0-inch standard color touch screen on the Spark. Two USB ports provide additional connectivity on top of the Bluetooth system. The lack of cruise control on the base model Spark is a tough pill to swallow, even for extremely budget-minded drivers. Powered adjustable seats are also not offered on any Spark trim level.
This shouldn't feel like too much of a sacrifice unless you share a car or often switch drivers. Just set the seat where you like it and keep it there. The ACTIV and 2LT trims throw in heated seats in case the standard air-conditioning works too well.
What To Expect From The Chevrolet Spark
Regarding reliability, the newer model Chevrolet Sparks are not expected to have any significant issues beyond the average car. 2019 Sparks were recalled to remedy a possible "Airbags will not deploy" scenario. Only 12 examples were potentially affected by this issue, so if you're a generally unlucky person, avoid that model year. The biggest recall came from the 2013-2015 model year Sparks.
The secondary hood latch had the potential to rust, which could cause the hood to flip up while driving if the primary latch wasn't engaged. This could be a helpful feature if you don't want anyone to see you driving a Chevy Spark.
Subcompacts From The Past Show The Fate Of The Chevy Spark
What was the last great American subcompact car? The Chevrolet Vega and Ford Pinto were praised by reviewers when they were first introduced. However, they were soon plagued by quality and safety issues. Today the monikers are remembered primarily as punchlines.
The AMC Gremlin was one of the first American subcompact cars introduced in the 1970s to compete against smaller, fuel-efficient imports. The simple functionality appealed to buyers. American Motors Corporation built over 600,000 Gremlins up until 1978. Meanwhile, the flaming wreckage of the Ford Pinto was still burning in the distance.
The Back Seats Are Not Really Back Seats
In the subcompact class, you might not expect the back seats to be very big. Still, when a carmaker advertises it can hold up to four people, you expect it to hold four adults. On the other hand, the Chevy Spark is so tiny in the back that you would be lucky to fit two mid-sized children in the back.
Good luck getting even one full-sized adult in the back, let alone two. But then again, you can roll down the windows, have them hang out, and wave at the people in the other cars as you drive by.
Chevy Spark Has A Less Than Average Life Span
Classic cars from back in the day could be expected to run a couple hundred thousand miles before they had to be rebuilt or scrapped unless they were very well cared for. Today, with all the advances in engines and body components, it is common to see cars reach over 300,000 miles or more.
The average life span of an EV is higher than an ICE vehicle because it has fewer moving parts, which gives it a leg up from the start. Even so, the Chevy Spark only has a life expectancy of 150,000 miles, which is below the average of 200,000 to 300,000 miles of the average car today.
Highway Driving With The Chevy Spark Is Not Always A Good Idea
There is no doubt that the Chevy Spark is a decent enough car if it is used in town as a daily driver, but when it comes to highway driving, it needs to be parked. Not only does it take some time for the small 98 horsepower 1.4-liter to get up to highway speeds, but if there is any wind present.
It will whip your car around (it only weighs 2246 pounds) like a stuffed animal in the mouth of a playful puppy. If you have never seen what that looks like, take the time to look it up on YouTube since you will have the time when you park at the nearest Hotel as you wait for the wind to stop.
Lack Of Safety Features With Base Model Of Chevy Spark
When you approach the task of purchasing one of the cheapest cars on the market, you are not expecting to have all the bells and whistles that a BMW or Tesla Plaid would have, but you would think that safety features would be standard.
That is definitely not the case with the base-level Chevy Spark. Granted, you will have the backup camera as standard, but if you want anything else, you will have to pay extra for it, which defeats the purpose of buying a cheap car in the first place.
The Chevy Spark Walked So The Bolt Could Run
Although the Spark sold well in Chevrolet's lineup, General Motors may have followed Marie Kondo's tidying-up advice - if it doesn't spark joy, get rid of it. The Chevrolet Bolt is a worthy entry into the evolution of Chevrolet's subcompact category. It answers the call of being an entry-level, affordable EV.
Prices still have a long way to fall to make the Bolt truly a Spark replacement wallet-wise. However, when factoring in the cost of saved fuel and the nice number of standard features offered on the Bolt - no penny pinchers should shed a tear for the dearly departed Spark.