Introduction

With low gas prices and the soaring popularity of compact crossovers, small cars don't get much love anymore. That doesn't mean they don't have a place in today's market, though. Tiny runabouts like the Chevrolet Spark remain the cheapest way into a new car and provide frugal, economical transportation that's perfect for urban dwellers. 

Nothing changes for 2021, but this may be the final year of production for the Spark. 

All Sparks use a 1.4-liter inline-4 that makes 98 horsepower. Buyers can choose between a 5-speed manual transmission or a CVT. Front-wheel drive is standard. 

The Spark's lack of power and diminutive size translates into good gas mileage: 29 mpg city, 38 highway, 33 combined mpg with the 5-speed manual and 30/38/33 mpg with the CVT. 

Despite its basement-level pricing, the Spark does offer a limited number of active-safety features, all limited to the top trim level. The $295 Chevy asks for low-speed automatic emergency braking and lane-departure warnings is as much of a bargain as the Spark itself. 

Crash-test results are limited. The NHTSA hasn't tested the Spark; the IIHS has only conducted its front and side crash tests, in which the Spark earned the top rating of 'Good.'?. 

Lineup

The cheapest Spark, the LS, costs just $14,395 after destination charges, making it one of the cheapest new cars available on the market. Its short list of standard features includes cloth upholstery, a 7.0-inch touchscreen, dual USB ports, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, four-speaker audio, and air conditioning. 

The 1LT retails for $16,295. Its additional features over the LS include power windows and locks, cruise control, heated mirrors, alloy wheels, and a six-speaker stereo. 

The $17,395 Activ is the sporty Spark. Its unique features include more aggressive exterior styling elements, synthetic leather upholstery, and heated seats. 

The most expensive Spark is the $17,795 2LT. It gets the upholstery and heated seats of the Activ along with keyless start and rear parking sensors. 

Walkaround

The Spark got a tasteful front-end redesign in 2019 that gave it better proportions and a downright snazzy appearance. Bolstering the Spark's case for style are its ten available colors, most of which are fun, jazzy hues that play up the cheap and cheerful nature of this small runabout. Who can't help but smile at a tiny car painted Toasted Marshmallow? The fact a car costing less than $15,000 can manage to look this good is a laudable accomplishment in our eyes. 

Interior

The Spark has a small footprint, and its cabin is trimmed in black plastic, though the two more expensive models get some metallic trim across the dash and upper front doors. 

Every Spark comes with a 7.0-inch color touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It isn't Chevy's latest infotainment software, but the interface works well and is fairly responsive and easy to use. Dual USB ports mounted below the screen allow for easy connectivity and charging. The Spark can also enable its own wi-fi hotspot. 

The Spark seats four. The front seats are nicely supportive, if a bit firm. The biggest issue with the rear seat is the meager 33 inches of legroom, though that shouldn't be a surprise considering the car only measures 143 inches long. Synthetic leather or cloth upholstery is available, but we prefer the cloth both for its visually interesting pattern and its sense of durability. 

Cargo space behind the rear seats is 11 cubic feet. The rear seats fold down in a two step process that requires flipping up the seat cushion before dropping the seatback. Once folded, the Spark has 27 cubic feet of cargo space. 

Driving Impression

Performance isn't the point of the 2021 Spark. Its 98-horsepower rating is adequate for around town, but freeway acceleration is slow, and its short wheelbase can mean a bumpy ride on bad pavement. 

It's much better navigating city streets, where its minuscule size and great outward vision make it easy to point and shoot down narrow alleys, parking garages, or tight gaps in traffic. The Spark's light and agile steering makes parallel parking a cinch and three-point turns a thing of the past. 

Summary

The 2021 Chevrolet Spark could have been merely phoned in, but it's a tidy and nimble city car. If you have $15,000 to spend and insist on a new car, the Spark should be on your short list. We'd get the 1LT and paint it Toasted Marshmallow.