2022 Chevrolet Spark

The 2022 Spark enters the new model year without any significant changes. Its calling card is still being one of the least expensive new cars on the market, undercutting the similarly inexpensive Mitsubishi Mirage by about $1500. Unfortunately, Chevy announced that the Spark will be discontinued after the 2022 model year, with production lasting through August.

Engine

Every Spark has a feeble four-cylinder engine that drives the front wheels through either a five-speed manual or continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Thankfully, the gearless automatic manages power well without droning engine noise. While the version we tested was responsive at low speeds around town, be prepared to wait as it moseys up to higher speeds. This diminutive hatchback is definitely not designed for long road trips, but it's effective and quiet in the city. The Spark is easy to thread through slow-moving traffic, with quick lateral movements and stable motions. Its short wheelbase aids maneuverability in tight spaces without compromising ride quality. Still, the Chevy was bouncy on uneven surfaces, and the harshest bumps were barely isolated. However, rattles and road noise were more subdued than in rival economy cars.

Fuel

Despite its teensy size and teeny engine, the Spark doesn't earn fantastic fuel-economy ratings. In city driving, it's rated at 29 mpg with the manual transmission and 30 with the automatic. Highway estimates are 37 mpg on Activ models and 38 on the others. These figures are outdone by the Mitsubishi Mirage's rating of up to 36 mpg city and 43 highway. The automatic Spark LT we ran on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, returned 37 mpg.

Price

LS $14,595

1LT $16,495

ACTIV $17,595

2LT $17,995