Chevrolet Spark 1.0+

Choose very carefully.

I had a Chevrolet Matiz for three years. Loved it, no problems. I bought a Spark 1.0+ (September 2011) because it is more roomy and offered plenty of space for me, I am 6’.1” tall. The seat in the Spark 1.0+ goes back too far for my size, and there is plenty of elbow room, lots of room to adjust for a good driving position. The test drive seemed fine. But, upon using the Spark 1.0+ problems ensued quickly.

I have experienced the most excruciating pain when driving the Spark. The first pain was in the neck and shoulders. Upon longer journeys, it feels as if the middle of my spine is twisting in two opposite directions. I have tried all combinations of seat positions, cushions, pillows, seat supports etc, all to no avail. I have examined alignment of the steering wheel, pedals, seat etc. All seems fine. The shape of the seat appears normal, but it does tend to throw the shoulders forward slightly. I drove a 130-mile journey recently and did not make it. My wife took over after 90 miles of motorway driving, which is perhaps the least pressure on my driving or sitting position. My wife also experienced some shoulder and neck discomfort on the long journey, and she is 4’11” tall. I worked as a driver for many years and I have driven just about every size and make of vehicle one can imagine, but I have never experienced pain such as that experienced in the Spark. Discomfort I have experienced, but such pain, never.

The built in sun visor strip in the top of the windscreen is actually quite dangerous for the taller driver. It is darkish blue, about 3-4 inches deep. At night it turns black and so the windscreen becomes like a wide screen TV. One has to bend down slightly to see where one is going. This may have been a factor in my pain, but I think it is only a slight one. In certain daylight conditions the strip it is far more visible and intrusive, something I did not pick up on during the test drive.

The performance of the car – is nowhere near that of the Matiz. I work in a very hilly area so I have had to use more accelerator power than usual to manage the hills, and so use more fuel. The Spark 1.0+ is very underpowered on hills, so one might wish to think of the 1.2 model. I drive 30 miles a day to work and encounter no serious traffic problems. I would call my fuel consumption a ‘combined’ figure therefore. I am a very careful driver and fuel economy is important to me. I have averaged 38 miles to the gallon, considerably poorer than the claimed figures. Driving at 60 miles an hour on the motorway did give more mpg, but I would say 50 miles to the gallon at best.

The hand brake is of interest. It has to be applied really well, and if not, I have experienced ‘rolling’. This is quite alarming as one may suspect, especially at traffic lights on an incline etc. My wife is unable to apply the handbrake to the level required. I have come across this comment before in relation to the Spark, but it is quite true in my case.

I have not driven the Spark in very hilly areas, and I do visit such areas as part of my walking hobby. To be honest, I would be concerned about the ability of the Spark 1.0+ to manage very large hills and inclines, and would feel some distrust about the handbrake when parking on them. It has to be said that I have not tried the car in these more extreme conditions however.

In regard to engine noise, it seems very quiet and acceptable on short journeys. On the motorway, there is some cabin noise, but no more so than a Matiz. I think it is all-relative, and I have driven with far worse cabin and road noise in what are considered more upmarket cars. The suspension seems fine and the car holds the road well. In all, it is far better than the Matiz, and certainly more comfortable than my wife’s Peugeot 107.

I actually like the look and design of the Spark 1.0+. It has a lot for the money, air conditioning, the usual places for storing things etc, a decent radio and sound system, with USB facility etc. The seats will fold down at the back to add more storage space. The one feature that you will miss is a clock. It is surprising just how much I used mine. You have to pay more for this and some other features. Look at the specs very carefully.

All in all, I think the Spark 1.0+ may be fine for short journeys, and for people 5’7’ in height or shorter. But overall, despite having had several Chevrolet cars over many years, and being totally happy with them all, I cannot recommend the Spark 1.0+ and would urge people to look very carefully at it, test drive it several times, include hills in the test, and be very careful about the decision to purchase one if you are a taller person. Look carefully at the Spark range. Try them out.

After one month, I have had to give up and sell the car. I am actually very upset and financially out of pocket. Most of all I am angry with myself for making such a colossal blunder.

As I say, you get a lot for your money, but overall this is not Chevrolet at its best. Look at alternatives in the size range. Think carefully. Be sure it is the car for you.

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