Looking for a high-tech, low-cost hatchback that's inexpensive, easy to maneuver and offers plenty of amenities and safety equipment? The 2017 Chevrolet Spark might be worth checking out. Here's a quick rundown of what we like, what we don't and the bottom line from the Edmunds editors.
Transcript
BRYN MACKINNON: I'm Bryn MacKinnon from Edmunds, and this is an Edmund's expert rundown of the 2017 Chevrolet Spark. Whether you're looking for your first car, or you're just looking for something small and agile to motor around town in, the 2017 Chevrolet Spark is worth a look. The Spark was just redesigned last year so there aren't any changes for 2017. Right up front, it's worth noting that the Spark is one of the slowest cars in its class. If you're looking for something peppy, this probably isn't the ride for you. Despite that lack of power, this is a pretty good subcompact car with some nice available tech and impressive fuel economy. The Spark is rated by the EPA at an impressive 41 miles per gallon on the highway. And if you're driving the Spark in a crowded city, the small exterior dimensions will definitely help you squeeze into tight parking spots. That size means it's tight on the inside though, with limited hip and shoulder room, both up front and in the back seat. Legroom and headroom in the back suffer too. So four adults will have a hard time squeezing in. The trunk isn't very large either, even by class standards. It should be enough for at least one or two suitcases, but for big road trips you might need to fall down one of the rear seats. Bottom line with the 2017 Spark is that you're looking at a low-cost hatchback with a few nice available tech amenities, but it's not that impressive out on the road. Rivals like the Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, and Ford Fiesta are worth checking out before you make your final choice. For more Edmunds' expert rundowns, click the link to subscribe.
The 2017 Chevrolet Spark is what used to be called an "urban runabout." It's small enough to squeeze through almost any hole in traffic, park practically anywhere, and it's available in bright colors so you can quickly find it in a crowded parking lot.
After a serious updating for 2016, the Spark comes into 2017 with only a light dusting of updates. Still, what returns includes plenty of technology including a rearview camera, a 4G-LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 7-inch touchscreen in the dash that can be fed information from your smartphone: The Spark offers both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
If you opt for the top-of-the-line Spark 2LT, the available options expand to include lane departure warning and forward collision alert systems — technology that's uncommon in cars of this price range.
There isn?t a lot of rear legroom or cargo capacity in the Spark, so families with kids may want to look at other subcompacts before settling on one. But it's tough to beat the Spark's keen pricing; particularly when equipment level is taken into account.
While many of the its competitors have been sportier in their abilities and attitude, Chevrolet is introducing a new "Spark Activ" (no "e") to add some zest to the mix. The Activ will get its own grille texture, a higher ride height, special 15-inch wheels, and several other trim pieces to give the tiny hatchback an SUV-like aura.
All Sparks are powered by a 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 98 horsepower. A five-speed manual transmission is standard while a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is the offered automatic. Both are front-wheel drive. While this small car moves well, it isn't quick.
The five-speed Spark is EPA-rated at 29 mpg in the city, 38 mpg on the highway and 33 mpg combined. Go for the CVT and the city rating rises to 30 mpg while the 38 mpg highway and 33 mpg combined stay the same. If you choose the new Activ model those numbers drop about 1 mpg.
It pays to be a smart shopper. So use Edmunds to research your choices and then get a great deal on a new subcompact. We're here to make your purchasing experience more satisfying.
2017 Chevrolet Spark Overview
The 2017 Chevrolet Spark is offered in the following submodels: Hatchback. Available styles include LS 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl CVT), 1LT 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl CVT), and LS 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl 5M). Spark models are available with a 0-liter gas engine, with output up to 0 hp, depending on engine type. The 2017 Spark comes with front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: continuously variable-speed automatic, 5-speed manual. The 2017 Spark comes with a 3 yr./ 36000 mi. basic warranty, a 5 yr./ 60000 mi. roadside warranty, and a 5 yr./ 60000 mi. powertrain warranty.
What should I pay for a new 2017 Chevrolet Spark?
2017 Chevrolet Spark 1LT 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl 5M)
The 2017 Chevrolet Spark 1LT 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl 5M) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $15700. The average price paid for a new 2017 Chevrolet Spark 1LT 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl 5M) is trending $1569 below the manufacturer's MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $1569 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $14131.
The average savings for the 2017 Chevrolet Spark 1LT 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl 5M) is 10% below the MSRP.
We are showing 1 1LT 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl 5M) 2017 Chevrolet Spark 1LT 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl 5M) vehicle(s) available in the Ashburn area.
2017 Chevrolet Spark LS 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl CVT)
The 2017 Chevrolet Spark LS 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl CVT) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $15400. The average price paid for a new 2017 Chevrolet Spark LS 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl CVT) is trending $1310 below the manufacturer's MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $1310 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $14090.
The average savings for the 2017 Chevrolet Spark LS 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl CVT) is 8.5% below the MSRP.
We are showing 1 LS 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl CVT) 2017 Chevrolet Spark LS 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl CVT) vehicle(s) available in the Ashburn area.
2017 Chevrolet Spark LS 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl CVT)
The 2017 Chevrolet Spark LS 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl CVT) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $14975. The average price paid for a new 2017 Chevrolet Spark LS 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl CVT) is trending $500 below the manufacturer's MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $500 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $14475.
The average savings for the 2017 Chevrolet Spark LS 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl CVT) is 3.3% below the MSRP.
We are showing 1 LS 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl CVT) 2017 Chevrolet Spark LS 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl CVT) vehicle(s) available in the Ashburn area.
Is the 2017 Chevrolet Spark a good car? Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 Chevrolet Spark and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 Spark featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process All of our reviews are written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
What do people think of the 2017 Chevrolet Spark? Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 Chevrolet Spark and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 Spark a 3.8 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2017 Spark.
Vehicle LS 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl CVT)
Review I am a simple kind of guy, and my goal with getting another vehicle was very simple ? get a new vehicle at a reasonably low price. Happily, the 2017 Spark is simple in all the ways I like ? I got the base LS model because I?m not a fan of power anything (power stuff breaks first). The only ?power? options I wanted and got on the Spark were power steering and an automatic transmission. The most common descriptor my friends use for the Spark is ?cute.? It?s quite a small vehicle, but it?s one I have no problem fitting my 5? 11?, 230-pound frame into. The seats, while not easy-chair material, are sufficiently comfortable. The Spark is good with mirrors and window space ? blind spots on either side of the car have been kept to a minimum. The rear-view mirror inside the cabin could be a little wider, but it?s adequate. And the rear window is wide enough to monitor tailgaters. Internal storage space, as has been widely written about, isn?t very much, but you can fold the rear seats down for additional space. It also has two rear doors which might be suitable for loading large items as well as associates. Much has also been written about the Spark?s 98-horsepower engine and that it takes 10 seconds to get to 60 mph. I have not found it to be a problem. I would not call it underpowered at all. If you?re an angry, pushy driver who loves to tailgate others, the Spark will exhaust your patience. But if you?re a judicious, considerate driver, the Spark?s acceleration won?t be an issue for you. I was a little surprised to find out the Spark has a 9.2-gallon tank ? the smallest in any vehicle I?ve ever owned, but that?s offset by its high-rated fuel mileage of 38mpg (highway) and up. If you do the math, that?s a cruising range of at least 340 miles. This is not a ?touring? car, but for 180- to 250-mile trips that I take on occasion, I?m confident the Spark can handle the pull. The deal clincher for me was under the hood ? the EcoTec engine, this one a 1.4-liter jobbie ? is the centerpiece of the Spark. I became a huge fan of EcoTec with my last car which lasted over 296,000 miles with that original engine. Unlike the Fiat 500, you can use 87 octane fuel with the Spark. Compared with what I?ve read about similar subcompacts, the Spark?s instrument panel and dash are welcomingly simple and very nicely designed. No screen is too ?busy?. If you have an Android or iPhone smartphone, you can plug either device into the USB jack and access music and certain mobile apps from those devices on the touch-screen display. The semi-digital dash on the base model is the carries a nice amount of information including mpg, miles to empty, and average speed. The 1LT and 2LT models are supposed to be even better on this point. The radio does NOT pick up HD channels (at least not in the base model), so get your premium stations thru your Bluetooth enabled smartphone and apps like Sirius XM or Pandora. The Spark includes several modern conveniences and safety features such as a rear backup camera and the MyChevy touch-screen control system with Bluetooth. You get a 3-month trial of OnStar remote monitoring and assistance free, too, as well as built-in 4G wi-fi service you can add on for as little as $10 a month (1 GB). Automatic lights, cup holders, and too many other features to include in this short review. The Spark is a good, simple little car that has in reviews been compared favorably in specific ways to the pricier Honda Fit, the trendy Fiat 500, the practical Nissan Versa, and the equally reliable Toyota Yaris. The Spark stands out, though, for its integrated OnStar service and onboard technology. If you?re in a precarious situation with savings or credit score, and you need basic transportation, you?ll like the Spark a lot. If you?re a road hog, or a gearhead, look elsewhere. The Spark is most certainly not a ride for hipsters (unless they?re driving it ironically). For its high fuel mileage, its maneuverability in tight parking spaces, its safety features, and its integrated smartphone technology, not to mention its low price relative to other vehicles in its class, the 2017 Spark earns its 5 stars overall. Just a few things keep it from being an absolutely perfect subcompact, but no one has made one of those yet! Take a test drive! You?ll love it!
2017 Chevrolet Spark inventory listings Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2017 Chevrolet Spark for sale near Ashburn VA. There are currently 77 new and 81 used and CPO 2017 Sparks listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as 10083 and mileage as low as 0. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the 2017 Chevrolet Spark. Then select Edmunds special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to 2305 on a new, used, or CPO 2017 Spark available from one of 2630 dealerships in your area.
How can Edmunds help? Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color
MPG
2017 chevrolet spark LS 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl CVT), continuously variable-speed automatic, regular unleaded 33 combined MPG 30 city MPG/38 highway MPG
Interior Colors: Jet Black cloth, Silver w/Silver Trim cloth, Jet Black w/Piano Black Trim cloth, Jet Black w/White Trim cloth, Jet Black w/Blue Trim cloth, Jet Black w/White Trim leatherette, Silver w/Blue Trim cloth, Jet Black w/Beige Trim cloth, Jet Black w/Blue Trim leatherette, Green w/Green Trim cloth, Red w/Red Trim leatherette, Light Titanium w/Silver Trim leatherette, Yellow w/Yellow Trim cloth
Popular Features: Aux Audio Inputs, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Post-collision safety system, Rear Bench Seats, Stability Control, Tire Pressure Warning, Trip Computer, Bluetooth, USB Inputs, Mobile Internet, Back-up camera, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, Alarm, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Heated seats, Sunroof/Moonroof, Keyless Entry/Start, Parking sensors, Lane Departure Warning
Engine/Mechanics: 4 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC, MANUAL
Fuel Types: regular unleaded
Drivetrains: front wheel drive
Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.
