Chevrolet Spark (2010 – 2015) Review
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Chevrolet Spark (2010 – 2015) At A Glance
Enjoyable and easy to drive. Easy to get in and out of. Decent engines. Good rear space. Good ride quality.
Entry level models on small wheels don't look great. Not especially fun to drive.
The Spark replaces the Matiz - a particularly underwhelming car that was well past its best by the time its successor arrived. Thankfully the Spark is a much, much better car which manages to improve on its predecessor in every way that matters.
The styling is more up-to-date, with angular light clusters and neat, hidden door handles for the back doors – yes, it is a five-door car. The cabin is far more interesting than the old Matiz, too, with hardwearing, solid plastics where they’re needed and nicer glossy materials for looks.
The drive is fine, too, although it’s a stretch to call it anything more. The steering is nicely weighted, the gear change is adequately smooth and the handling is perfectly safe and sensible, although you wouldn’t take it over a twisting mountain pass or out on a racetrack at any speed unless you were a masochist.
It’s practical, with a tall cabin to give decent head room and more space in the back than you’d expect, given the tiny external dimensions. The boot is fine for a small weekly shop or a couple of suitcases, too, so there’s little to fault with the Spark as an everyday car.
Chevrolet offers the choice of two engines – a 1.2 and a 1.0-litre. Both have four cylinders but the 1.2-litre offers better acceleration and more in-gear torque. Both are reasonably economical, too – the smaller engine offers 55mpg compared to 57mpg for the 1.2. Neither offers groundbreaking emissions, though – both are over 110g/km.
Reviews for Chevrolet Spark (2010 – 2015)'s top 3 rivals
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Chevrolet Spark (2010 – 2015) handling and engines
- Engines range from 1.0 to 1.2
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 35–59 mpg
The little 1.0-litre engine produces 69PS and 93Nm of torque, which isn’t a lot. Nonetheless it’s a perfectly sweet little engine that settles down quietly at motorway speeds. It gives its best when pushed hard, owing to the fact peak torque and peak power arrive later in the rev range – but that’s not great for fuel economy. The 1.2-litre engine is similar in character to the 1.0-litre but has a bit more to give, making it a better choice for those who do more miles out of town and on A-roads.
Regardless of engine choice you get the same suspension set up, which is softer than the average modern small car – good news if you’re surrounded by potholes. There is a disadvantage and that’s a tendency to roll around when cornering at speed – but that ought to be no problem at all in and around town and would likely only pose issues to those who spend time on country lanes.
The major controls are all decent – steering isn’t too light or too heavy and the gear change is smooth enough. However it can be tricky, at least first, to balance the throttle and clutch nicely when pulling away, so you might find yourself stalling until you get used to it.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 55–57 mpg | 15.3–15.5 s | 118–119 g/km |
| 1.2 | 55–57 mpg | 12.1–12.7 s | 118–119 g/km |
Real MPG average for the Chevrolet Spark (2010 – 2015)
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
83%
Real MPG
35–59 mpg
MPGs submitted
81
Chevrolet Spark (2010 – 2015) interior
- Boot space is 170–568 litres
- Euro NCAP rating of four stars
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3595–3640 mm |
| Width | 1597 mm |
| Height | 1522–1551 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2375 mm |
Firstly, it has the best back seat access of any small car. Your body simply inserts itself without any unnecessary bending. Front seats are easy too. So that’s two benefits for retired people who are getting a bit stiff and whose friends are as well.
The back seat squabs yank over and the backrests fold flat, which is another advantage not shared by the likes of the Ford Fiesta. There are five proper three-point seatbelts, built into the seats, not the roof, making the back seat perfect for three small adults or children and the car rather more sensible for the school run than the usual Q7, XC90, Disco or X5. (It needs half the parking space.)
Sit in the driver’s seat and you’re confronted by a speedo flanked by a funky LED display showing engine revs, time of day, distance travelled and fuel left in the tank. That and the speedo both go up and down with the height-adjustable steering wheel, so you never lose sight of them. The rev counter isn't as easy to read at a glance as a traditional analogue clock, but it's not really a big issue.
Chevrolet Spark (2010 – 2015) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3595–3640 mm |
| Width | 1597 mm |
| Height | 1522–1551 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2375 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 864 kg |
| Boot Space | 170–568 L |
| Warranty | 3 years / 60000 miles |
| Servicing | 10000 miles |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £7,375–£11,215 |
| Insurance Groups | 1–10 |
| Road Tax Bands | C |
| Official MPG | 55.4–56.5 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | - |
| Child | - |
| Pedestrian | - |
| Overall | 4 |
On sale until June 2017
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.0 LS 5dr | £8,875 | 55.4 mpg | 15.3 s |
| 1.2 LT 5dr | £9,995 | 55.4 mpg | 12.7 s |
| 1.2 LTZ 5dr | £11,195 | 56.5 mpg | 12.2 s |
On sale until October 2015
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.0 LS 5dr | £8,895 | 56.5 mpg | 15.3 s |
| 1.0 LS A/C 5dr | £9,295 | 56.5 mpg | 15.3 s |
| 1.2 LT 5dr | £10,015 | 56.5 mpg | 12.7 s |
| 1.2 LTZ 5dr | £11,215 | 56.5 mpg | 12.7 s |
On sale until December 2012
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.0+ 5dr | £8,475 | 55.4 mpg | 15.5 s |
| 1.2 LS 5dr | £9,595 | 55.4 mpg | 12.1 s |
On sale until December 2011
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.0 5dr | £7,375 | 55.4 mpg | 15.5 s |
| 1.2 LS+ 5dr | £10,095 | 55.4 mpg | 12.1 s |
Model History
March 2009
Chevrolet Spark introduced
Small five-door hatchback replaces Matiz, launched at Geneva Motor Show March 2009. 1.0 and 1.2-litre petrol engines. Five-doors only. Distinctive, angular cabin that matches its bold exterior styling. Outstanding passenger space for the car's size, entertaining driving characteristics and value for money.
November 2009
Prices announced from £6,945 on-the-road. In UK showrooms from Spring 2010. Entry-level Spark will be offered with a 1.0-litre chain DOHC engine developing 68PS and a five-speed manual gearbox. Six airbags are standard.
Spark + trim, also available with the 1.0-litre engine have air conditioning, electric front windows and central locking, along with a USB compatible four-speaker stereo.
Spark LS, comes with a choice of the 1.0-litre or an 81PS 1.2-litre chain DOHC engine, and adds remote central locking, silver trim detailing, a sunglasses holder, 14-inch wheels, body-coloured door handles and mirrors, a chrome-effect grille surround, front fog lamps and a body-coloured rear spoiler.
Spark LS+ at £500 more gets alloy wheels, electric windows front and rear, a trip computer, heated electric door mirrors, roof bars and steering wheel audio controls.
Spark LT comes with 1.2-litre engine only and 15-inch alloys, climate control, interior detailing to match the exterior (depending on colour), an exterior body kit and a six-speaker stereo.
Prices at 17.5% VAT:
- Spark 1.0 £6,945
- Spark 1.0 +£8,145
- Spark 1.0 LS£8,445
- Spark 1.2 LS£8,795
- Spark 1.2 LS+£9,295
- Spark 1.2 LT£9,845
What to watch out for
Apparently bonnet catches of Chevrolet Sparks sold in Europe from 2009-2014 are prone to fail. Under certain conditions, corrosion may cause the secondary hood latch striker to stick in the open position. In case the primary latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly. The affected vehicles were manufactured with a secondary hood latch that may prematurely corrode at the latch pivot, causing the striker to get stuck out of position and preventing the striker from properly engaging the hood latch. GM is not aware of any crashes, injuries, or fatalities as a result of this condition.Customers will be notified in line with European legal requirements. Spark customers are advised to check the locking status of the hood prior to driving their vehicle. Contacts: Customers can visit Chevrolet’s Customer Care page to find the phone number of your country’s Chevrolet representatives. However, this is not on the UK VOSA recalls list: http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/searches/search.asp More here http://gmauthority.com/blog/2014/10/chevrolet-europe-announces-2009-20014-spark-recall/#ixzz3Qi9C8fih
