Chevrolet Spark 1.2 LT 5dr Car Review - March 2012

REVIEW
List Price: £9,995
Tax Band: C
Insurance Group: 9
MPG: 56.5
CO2: 118
0-62 Mph: 12.7 secs
BHP: 80 BHP
Range: 435 miles
CarSite Verdict:  3/5
The Chevrolet Spark handles well and is not only an accomplished vehicle in and around town, but also delivers a decent enough ride on the motorway. It boasts very good fuel economy and low CO2 emissions. This equates to low road tax costs and infrequent trips to the petrol station.

PROS:  Good fuel economy, low emissions, good warranty.

CONS:  Equipment list could be larger, sluggish acceleration.

Behind the Wheel

The Chevrolet Spark drives best in and around urban areas, with sharp and responsive steering and minimal body roll around corners. However, it also provides a relatively accomplished experience along the motorway for its class.

Refinement is decent on the whole and the model smooths out most bumps and road imperfections without much difficulty. One negative aspect of the Spark's driving experience is that it simply isn't particularly exciting, with many rivals offering a lot more fun on the road.

102mph is the top speed that this Spark can reach, which is typical of a city car. It is slow off the mark as it takes 12.1 seconds to travel from 0mph to 62mph but this is expected as it is designed to be cost effective model. The car’s power output is weak at 80bhp, and the car's torque is equally small at 82 lb-ft.

Looks & Equipment

The Spark is a fairly smart vehicle with smooth lines and a generally neat exterior. It can be enhanced with metallic paint for an additional cost of £375.

Electric door mirrors and electric front windows are standard with this car, as is climate control. A CD player with MP3 connectivity is also included.

Rear parking sensors are available for £155.

Practicality, Safety & Reliability

The car's practicality is quite good for a city car. It can seat five occupants and has five-door access making it easily accessible for all occupants. The Spark’s boot space is not great when the rear seats are upright as there is just 170 litres, however when the rear seats are folded there is a more generous 568 litres.

Despite the absence of additional technological features to excite drivers, the car's safety has been well constructed. It is fitted with a driver airbag, passenger airbag as well as airbags in the front side area of the vehicle. In terms of security the model comes fitted with central locking but no alarm.

Chevrolet provide a five year warranty for up to 100,000 miles.

Value for Money

The Chevrolet Spark 1.2 LT 5dr will cost drivers £10,695. This is a typical price to pay for a new car that does not have an extensive range of technological and security features. This car is very fuel efficient, and will offer low running costs.

The Spark produces 119g/km of CO2 emissions, and performs on average at 55.4mpg, which will reward drivers massively when it comes to refuelling. Overall it represents decent value for money.

Chevrolet Spark 1.2 LT 5dr Car Review - by 
All Chevrolet Spark Reviews
Chevrolet Spark 1.0 5dr - March 2012
This version of the Chevrolet Spark is a decent city car which performs well in and around urban areas. It can also provide a competent motorway drive, although it has a fairly low top speed and ac...
Chevrolet Spark 1.0+ 5dr - February 2012
The Chevrolet Spark is marketed as a young person’s car, and those young at heart. It has an attractive build and comes in bright, bold colours. The price is appealing for such a small car. That sa...
Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LS 5dr - February 2012
The Spark’s looks are distinctive. For a city car, it is spacious and is cheap to run. However this car is certainly not on par with the technological advancements of its rival brands such as the ...
Chevrolet Spark 1.2 LS+ 5dr - February 2012
For those looking for budget motoring, excellent fuel economy and green credentials, the Chevrolet Spark 1.2 LS+ brings it all together in a nice package. Offering space enough to accommodate four ...
Chevrolet Spark 1.2 LT 5dr - March 2012
The Chevrolet Spark handles well and is not only an accomplished vehicle in and around town, but also delivers a decent enough ride on the motorway. It boasts very good fuel economy and low CO2 emi...
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City Cars Alternatives

You might want to read reviews for other City Cars that you can then compare to the Chevrolet Spark. Here are some popular Chevrolet Spark alternatives:

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