2013 Chevy Spark Review
Price: $6,500





+104
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Inexpensive without feeling cheap
- spacious interior
- available high-tech features.
Cons
- Slow acceleration
- rear seats a hassle to fold down.
What’s new
The 2013 Chevrolet Spark is an all-new model.
Edmunds says
The diminutive 2013 Chevrolet Spark is a solid choice for first-time buyers and city dwellers thanks to all-around economy, plentiful features and youthful spirit.
For sale near Des Moines, IA
105 listings
- $6,500good price$2,500 below market
- 45,560 miles
- 28 City / 37 Hwy MPG
- Sky Ford (99 mi away)
- Bluetooth
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- USB Inputs
- Alarm
- Trip Computer
Close
Located in Center Point, IA
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary Unavailable.
Features and Specs:
32 Combined MPG (28 City/37 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: KL8CD6S97DC511587
Stock: NU481
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 05-25-2025 - 79,082 miles
- 3 accidents, 3 owners, personal use only
- 28 City / 37 Hwy MPG
- Weber Auto Group (161 mi away)
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- Trip Computer
- Rear Bench Seats
- Stability Control
- Aux Audio Inputs
Close
Located in Silvis, IL
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
32 Combined MPG (28 City/37 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: KL8CB6S9XDC575712
Stock: 5705
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 06-14-2024
Vehicle overview
These days, more and more automakers are offering small, fuel-sipping cars that are affordable and ideal for urban use. General Motors has entered the game with the all-new 2013 Chevrolet Spark.
Built in South Korea, the new Chevy Spark is one of the least expensive cars on the market. It's also one of the smallest. The Spark is 14 inches shorter than the Chevrolet Sonic, the next smallest car in Chevy's lineup. And while the Spark might look peculiar with its relatively big body and small wheels, it packs enough personality and available features to fend off any perception as an econo-pod. As a fun palette of unconventional exterior colors suggests, the Spark is cheap but cheerful.
Inside its cabin, the Spark displays a simple, clean design with enough chic sculpting and color flourishes that help you overlook the hard plastic surfaces. And while the base model is somewhat spartan, it comes standard with power windows, air-conditioning and a radio. Higher trim levels offer additional electronics and convenience niceties, although they come at price points that are within striking distance of more desirable hatchbacks.
In price and personality, the 2013 Chevrolet Spark is one of the best subcompact choices. The base model costs far less than the Fiat 500 and Scion iQ, and the Spark's four-door body style adds a bit of extra practicality. It lacks the Fiat's style and the Scion's parking ease, however. We'd also suggest looking at more traditional hatchbacks, since the Ford Fiesta and Kia Rio are more substantial and appealing to drive. But the 2013 Chevrolet Spark is tops at the bottom line and refined enough to make you proud of your new ride.
Performance & mpg
Powering the 2013 Chevrolet Spark is a 1.2-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 84 horsepower and 83 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels through a standard five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic transmission.
Chevrolet estimates a Spark with a manual transmission will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 10.5 seconds. We tested an expectedly slower automatic version, which took 12.2 seconds. Compared to average subcompacts, the Spark trails them to 60 mph by 1-2 seconds. The EPA estimates fuel economy at 32 city/38 highway and 34 mpg combined for the manual and 28/37/32 mpg for the automatic.
Safety
Standard safety features on the 2013 Chevy Spark include four-wheel antilock brakes (front discs, rear drums), hill-hold assist, stability and traction control, front and rear side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and front-seat knee airbags. OnStar is also standard and includes automatic crash notification, on-demand roadside assistance, remote door unlocking, stolen vehicle assistance and turn-by-turn navigation.
In Edmunds brake testing, a Spark 2LT stopped from 60 mph in 123 feet, about an average distance for this class of car.
Driving
With only 84 hp -- less than many motorcycles -- it's clear that the 2013 Chevrolet Spark is not intended to excite or inspire. To its credit, there's adequate acceleration for merging onto freeways when the manual transmission is in place. The shift throws are unusually long in order to reduce effort, yet the well-spaced gates make for precise gearchanges. Given its expected fuel economy-minded programming (meaning early upshifts and reluctant downshifts), the automatic Spark can feel lazy unless you have a heavy foot. In fairness, though, the automatic's gearchanges are very smooth and it steps down fairly quickly provided you floor it.
On appearance alone, the Spark's somewhat tall body gives the impression of a European cargo van left too long in the clothes dryer. Thankfully, it doesn't drive like one, as it's fairly agile around corners given its economy car role. Although the Spark is far from a sport sedan, this small Chevy still manages to deliver well-mannered driving characteristics overall. Road and wind noise are noticeable, but no more intrusive than in other cars at this price point.
Interior
The 2013 Chevrolet Spark features a simple, modern interior accented by color-accented dash and door panels. Hard plastic surfaces are about what you'd expect in an affordable hatchback, but the Spark offers some well-textured elements that suggest otherwise. Sporty gauges add further visual interest, featuring both a traditional speedometer and a digital multifunction display.
The available MyLink touchscreen also adds to the Spark's modern vibe with sharp graphics and intuitive menus, although it's not without faults. The screen sometimes fails to register inputs and requires repeated taps, but it's far better than the MyFordTouch interface. The hollow, flat sound quality from either the base or MyLink audio systems leaves much to be desired.
The upright position of the front seats might foster the impression that you're sitting on the car rather than in it. The seats also lack any worthwhile lateral support, although most body types will find them comfortable enough for long stretches of time. The rear seats are better suited to smaller passengers, however, as low seat cushions and headrests will likely draw complaints from average-sized adults.
Behind the rear seats, 11.4 cubic feet of cargo can be crammed into the narrow space. Folding down the rear seats isn't a simple affair, as the seat cushions must be flipped forward and the headrests removed before plopping down the seatbacks. After doing so, however, a fairly flat cargo floor and a more accommodating 31.2 cubes are provided. For larger items, the 2LT trim provides a functional roof rack.
2013 Chevrolet Spark models
The 2013 Chevrolet Spark is a small, four-door hatchback offered in LS, 1LT and 2LT trims. Features from the upper trims are not available as options on supporting models.
Standard LS features include 15-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning, power windows, 60/40-split-folding rear seats, a height-adjustable driver seat, a tilt-only steering wheel, a trip computer, OnStar telematics and a four-speaker radio with an auxiliary audio jack.
Opting for the 1LT trim adds power-adjustable mirrors, cruise control, remote keyless entry, floor mats, the MyLink touchscreen interface, Bluetooth phone and streaming audio, steering-wheel-mounted audio and phone controls, a six-speaker audio system with USB/iPod integration, satellite radio and Internet radio from integrated smartphones.
The 2LT top trim adds foglights, roof rails, sporty front and rear fascia treatments, chrome exterior trim, faux leather upholstery, front heated seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

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Compare 2013 Chevrolet Spark trim levels
Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Iowa
$107/mo for Spark LS
Spark LS
vs
$157/mo
Avg. Compact Car
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
4 out of 5 stars4/5Excellent
#8 out of 27 among Subcompact Cars
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
$430/yr
vs. $416/yr
for Average Subcompact Car
for Average Subcompact Car
Frequency
0.68x/yr
vs. 1.22x/yr
for Average Subcompact Car
for Average Subcompact Car
Severity
10.9%
vs. 10.1%
for Average Subcompact Car
for Average Subcompact Car
powered by RepairPal
Chevrolet Spark Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
GOOD JOB CHEVY
4.88 out of 5 starspmitchell, 05/28/2013
2013 Chevrolet Spark LS 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 4cyl 4A)
We got this car as our 1998 Buick almost died. I saw it in the morning and my first take was TO SMALL.Came back . My son and his Fiancée had been trying the car earlier in the day and decided to get one. After seeing the bright green metallic Spark we decided to give it a try. Once you get in you have to get back out and take a look at what you just entered to make sure it was the same … car. I am 6'2" Both legs could almost stretch out straight. I left the car to then try the back seat with the front seat still in my driving position. My knees did not ever come close to hitting the back of the front seat
Mission Accomplished !!!
4.25 out of 5 starsiammilitaryman, 04/19/2013
2013 Chevrolet Spark 1LT 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 4cyl 4A)
In my mind Chevrolet has accomplished the mission it set out to complete with this car. There are always compromises and the Chevrolet team seems to have balance those well with this car.
First are looks inside and out --
There is no reason a car should be ugly or have non-functional design features and here the Spark is terrific-- I hear "cute" often until the person sits or rides in … car and then they go on about the surprising room and features that are in the car.
Second is performance, People that buy this car want good MPG and realize that it is not a sports car. The fact the it is pretty slow is "ok" because this car lives up to and surpasses MPG ratings the EPA gave it.
Excellent in town car
4.13 out of 5 starsdm3, 04/11/2013
2013 Chevrolet Spark LS 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 4cyl 4A)
Responsive well built car but gets blown around on highway and handles bumps poorly.
Engine and transmission work well to zip in and out of city traffic. Brakes very good as well. Interior well laid out with many nice touches. Electronics panel is very comprehensive and reasonably easy to use although the MyLink link to iPhone is very unreliable.
Great ride for the money
5 out of 5 starsCaroline Roberts, 04/06/2016
2013 Chevrolet Spark 2LT 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 4cyl 4A)
This car is perfect for a commuter ride in city or suburban environment. It's not a super powerful acceleration but it gets the job done. It's a fun car to drive, handles nimbly and parks ANYWHERE! If you want or demand a luxury car you will probably not love this, but it's far more packed with extras and comfort than any other small car I've driven (lifelong Toyota owner). * update - 1 … year in, still true. This car still impresses, has the best acceleration of any small car I've driven, I'm easily able to maneuver on the highway.
2013 Spark Highlights
LS
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $12,185 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 34 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $107/month |
Seating | 4 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 11.4 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Spark include:
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
- Post-collision safety system
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestAcceptable
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestGood
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
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