Used 2017 Chevrolet Spark Hatchback Consumer Reviews
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It does what it does VERY well
BobEmb, 06/29/2017
updated 07/06/2022
2017 Chevrolet Spark LS 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl 5M)
46 of 47 people found this review helpful
I've owned the car over 7 months and love it. I was looking for a good mid-sized used car but kept checking on the new little cars. I found the deal on this for under $9000 and had to go for it. I especially liked the technology package, that will connect to my smart phone using all its functionality over the display. My only concern, after doing my research, was whether I would fit into it as I am 6'3 and over 300 lbs. With the seat all the way back, I was good. In particular, I found I had all the knee room I would need. I could take this on a long trip with no real trouble. The back seat is absolutely useless to me because I do not transport children and an adult would NEVER fit in. I removed the back seat cushions, folded the seat back down and have what I call a 'two seater wagon'. I've done a lot of transporting cargo and been surprised what it will carry. Performance is not sporty by any means, but it is always competent. Acceleration is adequate and never lacking, steering is what you would expect from a small car, transmission and clutch are fine, and the suspension handles what the road throws at it. I drive 4 miles to work and every couple of weeks go on weekend excursions, and have gotten 36.7 MPG over the past 5 months. The paint, fit, and finish is wonderful, and the styling is very nice. All these things I love about the car, but be aware of what it does NOT do. It does NOT have power seats, windows or mirrors, so get into the habit of cranking windows again. It does NOT have cruise control. It does not have remote control for the door locks but it does lock the doors automatically when driving and it will not allow you to unlock the car while the car is running - kind of odd. The hatch only opens with the key, no remote switch. With the back seat down, the floor is not flat but is low in the middle. These negatives are insignificant considering all the positives of the car. A note on the geopolitics of the car -- it is made in South Korea by what used to be Daewoo. I never expected to by a GM car after the bailout by taxpayers and I'm still not happy about supporting GM, but this car REALLY gets it done for me so I put politics behind me. I've owned this car for a year and everything I've said about the car is still true. Gas mileage is still outstanding and there have been zero problems. I really like it. Two years and 35k and the car still hums. No repairs, just standard maintenance. OK! its been what four years now? I still love the car and put about 75k with no break downs. I hit a fox on the interstate and it took out the front bumper, grill, radiator, and AC pump (Yes, a fox did all that). My commute is now 61 highway miles and I regularly get over 40 MPG over hilly terrain although I noticed that in cold weather I get 10% lower mileage. The car has performed outstandingly. No constant annoying rattles like cars this age develop, and everything still works fine. The AC is still very cold. I haven't been annoyed by the lack of power anything, and the Android Auto has been super. As far as a used car goes, it is worth far more to me than the price I could get for it 7/4/2021 So I'm still loving my car, the pandemic kept the miles down, I've only changed the oil and done regular upkeep. The engine is sounding a little throaty, and seems to have lost half a step of peppiness, which is not surprising at 89k miles. The paint still looks outstanding, the interior has held up well, I think that GM did a good thing, even as they were doing so many crazy things during their 2008 crash 5 year anniversary. Just turned 97k miles and it is still rock solid in every way. Driving on open highways 60 miles to and from work, I'm still getting 39.2 MPG. No mechanical issues, I got my share of dings and wear, but when I shine it up is looks new. I still wish I had Cruise Control and remote control door locks, but considering how perfectly it has been working. I'm pleased to take it everywhere I go! 7/6/22 Still loving my car, it is beginning to show signs of wear, which is to be expected for 111k miles. Finish is still fine except where my son backed into it. Mileage is 40.1 MPG on all highway, I'm starting to hear some squeaks coming from the engine, and the AC need service. Interior and gauges are fine, and Android Auto is doing what it does. Still believe that this has been a fine commuter vehicle with added value as a 'wagon'.
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Redneck buys Spark to drive 'til daughter turns 16
J Scott Flowers, 01/14/2017
2017 Chevrolet Spark 1LT 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl CVT)
58 of 60 people found this review helpful
Truly impressed so far. Have only put 2500 miles on it. It's by far the neatest car I've ever owned. Not saying a whole lot there. The last new car I bought was a 94 Olds Achieva. That was sporty back in those days. I'd say the Spark is funner to drive. Since then I've owned old pickup trucks and used cars, so the Spark is high tech to me. I drive once a month a 500 mile round trip and around town besides that. It seems to have a slight lull in accelaration as if pressing the gas takes a wee too long before it starts going. I've gotten used to it, and it's really not a problem. Acceleration is remarkably quick, and I have no problem on the interstate keeping up. Love the cruise control and use it in places I've never used cruise control before because it's so convenient. Get up to speed limit and move my thumb on the steering wheel, and let it go. Defogger and rear wiper are neat. My daughter thinks that's cool. Backup camera is cool, but beware that objects appear further away than they really are. Still use the mirrors to be sure. Visibility is great. Wifi is the cat's meow, and checking the car's location or unlocking it with my phone is awesome. So far, so good. I can afford it, and feel I have one of the nicest cars on the road, in spite of it looking like a puddle jumper.
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Great For High Mileage, Cool Tech, Tight Parking!
C. Tatum, 01/05/2017
2017 Chevrolet Spark LS 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl CVT)
89 of 94 people found this review helpful
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!
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Good Little Car - Real Cheap
Johnny, 09/06/2017
updated 03/14/2018
2017 Chevrolet Spark 1LT 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl CVT)
20 of 20 people found this review helpful
Given the immense supply in North American dealerships these cars should be a steal. After one year of ownership I've had zero problems reliability-wise. The front seats are good and can fit two big dudes no problem provided you stagger the seatbacks a little. Android Auto is fantastic. The CVT isn't. If you can drive manual or want to learn this would be a great car to do so, especially with the hill holder feature - the CVT is angry, doesn't like to rev, and will leave you motionless from a stop on steep hills unless you throw it into L. Don't be afraid to use the L mode on hills, up or down. Otherwise this car is very easy to park, good on gas, and painless to drive in traffic. It's actually kind of fun to throw into curves too. Just know that if you have tall people in the front seats no one is going to be sitting behind them. Also: the stock Kumho tires my car arrived with were bad in the snow, definitely get snow tires if you'll be dealing with serious winters. Another year in - no issues with the car whatsoever. Just one recall.
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4 door hardtop Miata
Bill, 03/28/2018
2017 Chevrolet Spark 1LT 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl CVT)
26 of 28 people found this review helpful
If you are only going to have one car in the family, the Spark probably isn’t for you. For me, cars are like tools. You can’t owe one screwdriver or one wrench and expect to get much done. My other cars are an F250 to tow my travel trailer and for heavy work around the house, my wife has a KIa Sorrento we use for family outings and the Spark takes me on my 90 mile round trip to work. After communiting in a diesel F250 for a year, it became apparent to me I could just buy another car with what I’d save on diesel fuel and maintenance. That math equation turned out to be spot on. I honestly don’t understand the complaints about power. The Spark has very close specs to a first generation Miata. It is around 2300 lbs and just under 100 horsepower. My commute is in Dallas traffic and I never have issues with acceleration. To put that into perspective, here is a little background on me. I raced 125 cc shifter karts for 20 years and I’ve owed some reasonably fast cars over the years, Supercharged Mustang, Mercedes C55 AMG and a few motorcycles, and the Spark accelerates just fine. It isn’t fast in a straight line but it certainly gets the job done. The street handling is on par with the NA and NB Miatas I have owned. I’m not taking it to the race track, so the handling limits of the Spark are far beyond what you’d ever need on the street. That being said, I have one reasonably decent speed right hander on my way home where I frequently find some unpleasant person in some high power car climbing up my rear. As I enter the corner I can give a slight throttle, lift turn in hard to the apex and hit the throttle and watch them disappear in the mirror. I can frequently see the car behind with fairly significant body roll under steering while they try to keep up. Spark too slow? I think not. I embarrass cars costing sometimes 10 times as much on a daily basis going around that corner. The Spark is a hard top Miata with 4 doors. I only wish to could find one with a manual transmission. The layout of the dash is very intuitive and the radio is fantastic. I don’t know how I lived before Apple Car Play. I pick up my two toddler sons on the way home and there is plenty of room for them. My older son named my red Spark “Rojo”. Luggage space is certainly limited but I have no issue fitting groceries in it. My mileage has slowly crept up from 35.5 to 37.1 in the 25,000 miles I’ve driven. It has only been back to the dealership once and that was for an airbag recall. I do my own maintenance and it is very easy to work on. I change the oil about every 7000 miles and rotate the tires every 5000. I think it is important to review cars for what they are supposed to be and not hold them to the wrong standard. As a commuter car or even just running around town, the Spark far exceeds any expectations I had. It isn’t a track day car, a luxury sedan, or whatever else you might want to compare it to. Yeah, the plastic is hard in the interior. I paid $13,500 for it with all sorts of dealer incentives. What did you expect? And frankly, who cares? I’m not sitting on the door panels or the dash. Are you too precious to be in the presence of some hard plastic? It’s small...duh. I don’t need some expert car reviewer to tell me that. My Spark is fun, well thought out, reliable and gets great gas mileage. If you need a second car or a third, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another....enough said... (except this.. Dear Chevrolet, how much would it have cost to put a dome light in the back of the car? It is seriously dark back there at night when I’m taking the kids out.)
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More than meets the eye.
Steve, 07/03/2018
updated 04/30/2019
2017 Chevrolet Spark LS 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl 5M)
24 of 26 people found this review helpful
I agree with another poster who compared the Spark to an early generation Miata. Consider the following: 1. Did you know the Spark is actually a European design? It has that European feel and no wonder - it is marketed in several European countries as an Opel “Karl”. 2. In Consumer Reports tests of around 250 cars in 2017, the Spark was rated either #6 or #7 in their accident avoidance (handling) tests. It matches the Corvette and the new Miata in this regard. It also has braking scores in the top 20% or so all cars tested. 3. Traction control can be completely shut off if you wish. 4. All the (0-60) acceleration tests you see are with the CVT trans which has a notable “bog” off the line. The 5 speed manual is at least a second quicker. 5. I can reach 50 mpg on the highway occasionally, and rarely if ever get below 40 mpg. My overall average (5 speed manual) is around 42mpg in mixed driving. Hybrid mileage without the hassles and complexity. Port injection - no D.I. I find the car similar to a 1st generation GTI in terms of weight and power-and it is also kicks to drive and eminently practical. It’s kind of a “hidden gem” of a vehicle and a great value for the dollar. It’s a fun to drive car and an exceptional economy car to boot. Update: I travel a very curvy backroad on the way to work. I frequently encounter people in high end cars (the road is near a wealthy area) and they always seem to be in a big hurry. So far, I have made one Mercedes coupe, one late model 911, and one late model (mk 7) GTI my peers in that they could not gain on me until the road straightened out. The poor guy in the GTI was literally using both lanes of the 2-lane road to keep up with me using just one lane, and the 911 just blasted by once the road straightened out, but hey, I did not hold him up through the corners! For what the car is, it is pretty amazing. It is really all the car you need unless you have a big family. I even think that it looks pretty good, the front end has a serious but not an angry look to it. Edmunds indicates that the manual transmission Spark is probably slower than the CVT. Absolutely not true! The manual is quite a bit quicker, all the tests are done with the CVT, so the car appears slower than it really is. The CVT has a noticeable "bog" off the line. The manual breaks the tires loose in first - even got a "bark" out the tires shifting up to 2nd. Most of the complaints I have heard of revolve around the CVT transmission. The Spark is manufactured and designed as a "clean sheet" design in S. Korea (not a bad thing) and is marketed as an Opel and Vauxhall in other countries. It is not, as I have previously stated, designed in Europe as an Opel. Just FYI. It may just be the smallest 4-door in the world, but it does not look like it and the large rear doors allow easy access. As you may determine, I really like mine!
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Pugnacious little runabout!
Tim, 02/18/2023
updated 02/22/2024
2017 Chevrolet Spark LS 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl CVT)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
Okay, you won't win any races or look like a sex symbol, but if you're a) cheap like me b) need something for in-town or a college student or beginning driver then c) you'll probably like this car. It makes 98 hp (9-gallon tank with roughly 300-mile range) and the CVT is a clumsy, sort of like a charming, dotty uncle wondering where he set his spectacles, but overall it delivers the goods. I drive to work every day in it, and, so far, rain or shine and recently heavy snow, it performed like a champ! The basic amenities are there with an emphasis on basic. The base model (LS) has hand-crank windows and manually adjusted mirrors (for you retro fanatics). There's a back seat for some reason, but it's not spacious and it doesn't quite fold flat for more cargo. You can probably fit four to six bag of groceries on the floor, seats, and cargo space. Even so, I just came back from skiing (alone) and I could fit my skis and poles on a diagonal over the back seat and across the passenger seat. You won't be able to move any big screen tvs, though. Still, if you like internet connectivity and a decent stereo plus a high quality backup camera, then this is your huckleberry! These features are much better than they were on my 2016 Mazda 3 i Sport. And, this car is coming down in price because they have been discontinued. You won't see much resale value, so why not drive it into the afterlife? There will be parts and people to work on them. It might be just the car you need! UPDATE: I've owned if for a year now and it's still going strong!
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Second Spark
Don Oxldey, 05/28/2018
2017 Chevrolet Spark 1LT 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl CVT)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
This my second Spark, my first was a new 2013 Manual Spark, no cruise control...traded it in last year on a new 2017 Automatic Spark with cruise control....Have been reading the mileage rating and I do better...run Mobil 1 and installed a K&N Airfilter, cruising on the highway at 65mph, I average 46mpg. Last month I drove from Laughlin NV to Columbia, SC and back, going over I used 52 gallons of gas, coming back I used 53.5 gallons because I decided to take a US Highway to avoid some traffic on I-40.
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happy camper
ed z, 08/31/2016
2017 Chevrolet Spark LS 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl 5M)
33 of 37 people found this review helpful
I'm retired 72 car is perfect for me i have plenty visibility driver passenger leg and head room great on gas milage handles and responses well 3yr bumper to bumper 2 free oil changes roadside assistance 5 yrs
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I LOVE CLYDE
Lexndres, 02/23/2017
updated 08/23/2017
2017 Chevrolet Spark LS 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl CVT)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
Update: I still stand by my original review. I still love it, its dependable. Still no adjustable sun visor but other than that just is a fantastic car Original review:Yes i have named my beloved Spark. Reminds me of a ghost from Pac-Man. Anyway I do love my car. Zippy little thing, great gas mileage. First car i have not regret buying. Only a couple of minor things I would suggest changing, moving the gas flap opener thingy back a couple of inches, a gasket around the gearshift (I have lost several credit cards down that little gap and they are gone forever) and the most important thing, an adjustable sunvisor. This is so small and doesnt move so it makes blocking the sun an real issue. BUT other than that I LOVE THIS CAR!
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