Chevrolet Spark 1.0+ 5dr Car Review - February 2012

The 1.0+ has a 4-cylinder, 16-valve 995cc petrol engine. It is neither fast nor powerful, but for city performance, it does give satisfactory results. Expect to drive at a top speed of 96mph. Acceleration will not provide any thrills, as the car reaches 0-62mph in 15.5 seconds. The maximum power of 66 bhp comes at 6400 rpm. From these dimensions, it is clear that the Spark is not cut out for those who want to experience an adrenaline rush revving their cars.

You will enjoy a comfortable ride in the Spark nevertheless. With the exception of high-end city models, the Spark 1.0+ is more comfortable than most other city cars. It has enough power to put up with city traffic and will be slow on the motorway. It can still manage on the motorway, but you would have to rev it really hard.

The engine is noisy at high speeds, which you will have to put up with unless you plan to only drive in snail-moving traffic. On the motorway, you can hear lots of wind and road noise. A lot of city cars have the same problem so on this particular aspect you will not exactly be getting a raw deal.

Visibility is good from the driver’s end, thanks to the car’s raised driving position.

The Spark 1.0+ has great looks and fully polished exteriors. It is designed as a 5-door hatchback with 5 seats. It has smooth, sturdy lining and an appealing angular shape. The Hyundai i10 has nothing on it when it comes to appearance. However, the material used for the interior is a long way short of luxurious.

The 1.0+ is better equipped than its entry-level sister, the 1.0, but still lacks most features available in more premium models. It comes with standard power steering, central locking, air conditioning, driver airbags, passenger airbags, front side airbags, immobilizer, CD player and MP3 connectivity.

Being a small car, the Chevrolet Spark 1.0+ should have few problems. It is modestly built and the engineering is standard by all means. It does have the basic safety and security features: central locking, stability control, electric power steering, airbags, anti-lock brakes and child-seat mounting points. It scored a satisfactory 4-star in the Euro NCAP rating.

The driving position is good, and the seats can be fully adjusted for height. However, there is no steering wheel adjustment so you cannot adjust the steering wheel reach. The pedals are properly lined though and the dashboard is clear and easy to use. Once you get used to the cheap plastic, the seats are quite supportive.

The Spark 1.0+ is the best in its class in cabin space. The cabin is roomy and can sit up to four adults in comfort. There is ample legroom, headroom and enough space to hold a few bottles, cups and snacks. Five doors make it easy to get in and out of.

Only boot space is a total letdown. The Spark 1.0+ gives a meagre 170 litres, which can only fit a couple of bags. But at least the rear seats can be folded to provide additional space, up to 568 litres in this case. To get the seats back up, you will need to push the front seats forward so it’s a bit of an inconvenience, but only when you are in a rush.

It is one of the cheapest small cars you can get, at £8, 875 currently. Chevrolet gives 5 years’ full warranty, which should put your mind at peace. Do not expect much in resale value as competition for this class of cars remains stiff, especially from European car makers.

Fuel consumption will cause you little trouble. The car averages 55.4mpg and emits 119g/km. Under insurance group 3, the car’s insurance cost is pretty low too. It falls under road tax band C which costs only £30 annually.