Test Drive – 2015 Chevy Spark

Test Drive - 2015 Chevy Spark Entry Price: $12,170

Price as Tested: $17,360

This week we’re test driving another mini-compact, namely the 2015 Chevy Spark. This “little Chevy that can” comes in a four-door hatchback design and takes direct aim at consumers looking for excellent fuel mileage, low cost and ease of driving in the city. Introduced in 2013, Spark is Chevy’s first sub-compact available in the U.S.

Riding on a “large for a mini” 93.5-inch wheelbase, Spark exceeds or is equal to the competition in safety (10 air bags), interior room, amenities and entry price. Although our tester arrived in top line LT2 Automatic trim (Base price $16,535), Test Drive feels the better values come in the lesser equipped Sparks, including the five-speed manual entry level LS for only $12,170, which is less than it cost in 2013 by $15. The mid-level version, dubbed LT1, starts at $14,040, while the manual LT2 is available starting at $15,440. Remember when you get to $14,500 you can get into a Chevy Sonic, or better yet a Chevy Cruze, where $17,745 parks one in your driveway.

Test Drive - 2015 Chevy SparkBuilt in South Korea, Spark is Chevy’s lowest cost car and nine inches shorter in wheelbase when compared to a Chevy Sonic. Spark, however, is built to do battle with the “min-car” heavyweights, including Fiat 500, Honda Fit, Ford Fiesta, Smart Car, Mazda2 and Mini Cooper. All of the competition is priced higher, some by thousands more.

All Chevy Sparks come powered by an Ecotec 84-horsepower 1.2-liter four-cylinder that delivers 83 lb. ft. of torque. Our automatic featured a CVT unit, which moves Spark with authority thanks to its light weight. If you select a five-speed manual, you’ll enjoy the standard hill hold feature along with a five-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty. Spark is also available as an EV (electric vehicle), starting at $26,820 and allowing 82 miles between electric charges.

As Spark’s design is to enhance fuel mileage and ease of driving, expect zero to 60 in about 12-seconds with the automatic, and less than 11 with the manual. Don’t fret, however, as once the RPM’s move into a more reasonable power range, Spark’s engine and overall light weight allow for acceptable merging.

Fuel mileage comes in at 32 and 38 for the manual while the CVT automatic reduces the number to 28 and 37. Both highway numbers are good, so be it the automatic or the manual, you go far when you fill up a Spark. New for ’15 is OnStar RemoteLink Key app which allows unlocking your car door from miles away.

Inside, Spark LT2’s cabin is functional and full of nice features. In addition to the base model’s air conditioning, 60/40 rear seats, all the powers, OnStar, XM Satellite and a six-speaker premium sound radio with USB/iPod is standard. There’s a fair amount of plastic instead of softer dash surfaces, but in all my years of driving cars no one ever complained that the dash was too hard, especially on low priced cars. Other LT2 standard features include Bluetooth, cruise, keyless entry, steering wheel controls, navigation, stabilitrack, traction control, ABS brakes, rear defrost and much more. Your Chevy dealer will walk you through all of each model’s features when you visit a showroom.

Outside, the four-door hatchback looks like a two-door as the rear door handles are integrated inside the door. The rear seats are surprisingly roomy and as for cargo, there’s 11.4 cu. ft. available behind the back seat. Fold down the rear seat and you’ve now got a roomy 31.2 cu. ft. to work with.

The length of the wheelbase and its 15-inch tires give Spark a nice exterior appearance. As for the ride, McPherson struts help absorb some of the highway irregularities although the ride is more harsh compared to larger vehicles.

An area of dislike is the radio touch controls instead of tuning knobs. Just as in 2013, the radio controls touch system is cumbersome at best. Our tester had no options, just an $825 delivery charge bringing the final tally to $17,360.

Important numbers include a wheelbase of 93.5 inches, 2,368 lb. curb weight, 9.2 gallon fuel tank and a 32.5 ft. turning circle.

Chevy’s Spark is waiting at dealer showrooms and is worthy of a test drive if you’re a city dweller and shopping this segment.

Likes: Lowest priced mini available, amenities, 10 airbags, warranty.

Dislikes: Wind noise, harsh ride, no radio control knobs.

(Greg Zyla is a syndicated auto columnist).