2013 Chevrolet Spark 2LT: (Review)

The 2013 Chevrolet Spark is equipped with a 16-valve, 1.2L four that develops 84 hp and 83 lb-ft of torque. Those numbers sound rather low these days, and they are; only the smart fortwo is less powerful -- and if you count EVs, so is the i-MiEV.With a 0-100 km/h time of 14.1 seconds, the Spark isn’t exactly rapid. However, it doesn’t feel that slow under normal driving; not once during the test did I complain or swear about the car’s lack of grunt, especially with the car’s mission as a city dweller.

Usually, minicars are cramped inside, but not the 2013 Chevrolet Spark. Despite rear-seat occupants rubbing their knees a little on the front seatbacks, four adults will sit comfortably. The i-MiEV is almost asroomy as the Spark, while the iQ and Fiat only sport two doors and a miniscule rear-seat area.

The cheeky Spark is so small you can park like a douchebag and still keep it between the lines of a normal parking space. In addition, its pip-squeak size is a clear advantage for parallel parking on crowded city streets. Despite rather fat A-pillars, outward visibility is pretty good.

You get 15” alloys; fog lamps; ten airbags; roof rails; power windows; A/C; heated front seats; leatherette upholstery; Bluetooth phone and streaming audio; a 6-speaker sound system with 7” touchscreen and a USB port; cruise control, and keyless entry. Still, 20 grand is a lot of dough for a minicar. Although that doesn’t seem to stop the Fiat 500 from selling like hotcakes.