Chevrolet's little friend enters 2015 with an air of anticipation, but no reported changes—yet. The rumor mill abounds with news about the next-generation Spark set for a worldwide debut next year, which includes our version even though it's only been here for 3 years now, but there's no official word on anything changing for 2015.
The Chevrolet Beat—as it is known overseas—is an aging model, however, having been around the block there since 2009. Sales here need no help whatsoever, as they're out-pacing company forecasts by as much as 35%, but Chevrolet is reportedly interested in syncing all of its markets at once. That said, all we know for sure at this point is that the style will get an update on a new chassis without any solid news on what engines might make it to U.S. markets, let alone features.
As it stands right now, the Spark's surprisingly substantial feel is one of its high points. For a budget subcompact hatchback, the Spark neither rides nor looks much like the "budget" part of its class. Year after year drivers comment on its fun yet predictable driving character, excellent fuel economy, easy-to-use interior technologies, remarkable passenger space and above-class accessibility with nary a complaint.
To be sure there are far more powerful engines in subcompacts these days, but the Spark differs in its ability to handle everything its engine can put out without any jerky surprises. Its little 1.2-liter 4-banger musters only 84 hp and 83 lb-ft of torque, but that's plenty to propel the Spark up 60 mph in a very class-competitive 10.5 seconds. You won't find another equally priced subcompact with similar performance, but spend a few grand more and you might get a second shaved off that time.
Front-wheel drive is obligatory, but that simplified drivetrain with its 5-speed manual transmission needs only 31 mpg city/39 highway for all that giddy-up, or 30/39 with the optional continuously variable transmission (CVT). Here again, you'll be hard-pressed to find similar figures for the same price, but none of those options would drive nearly as well as the Spark.
Offering room for 4 passengers and 11.4 cubic feet for cargo with all seats upright or 31.2 cubes otherwise, the Spark is almost as utilitarian as Honda's Fit, but the Spark's rear bench isn't quite as magical—flipping the cushions and removing the headrests still gets only a relatively flat cargo area. It's still better than the FIAT 500 in both rear elbow room and cargo capacity, but the FIAT's back seat might be easier to flatten.
Features in the base LS are both surprising and Spartan, including OnStar and a digital multifunction display by default, but little else. Expect to opt up to the 1LT for features like cruise control, power-adjustable mirrors, steering-wheel-mounted controls and a 6-speaker stereo with USB, iPod, satellite radio and Internet radio connectivity. The 2LT tops out the range with features like roof rails and heated front seats, but none of the trims can opt for anything—not features in other trims, and nothing extra either.
In purchasing a car from one of your vendors what paperwork should you ask for to ensure the car has been mechanically inspected? What recourse do you have if you encounter these issues?
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My daughter owns a 2015 spark. She just had the transmission replaced under factory warranty. The new transmission is acting up again. Is there an electronic issue causing this? Or is it A run of junk transmissions from Chevy.
Hi! Around 8 months ago, I noticed that when I would be about 45 minutes into a trip (highway speeds), my Spark's RPMs would suddenly jump (usually from about 2000 to 5000, without any prompting (foot at a consistent pressure on the gas pedal), it would make a squealing sort of sound and would slightly jerk. At first, it would only do it occasionally and once during a trip- making it seem almost as if it were a fluke. Over time, it started to do it multiple times in a row, usually 6-8, and, once done, would be smooth sailing for the rest of the ride. That said, during that little sprint of it, I had the feeling that it could almost lose power at any moment. I have brought it to the attention of my Chevy dealer (even providing them a video of the dash when it occurs)- I bought every warranty that I could, in the case that it needed repairs, but because the check engine light isn't on, they tell me that they can't figure out what is wrong with it, since the computer won't pick it up. Because it has been going on for so long, my getting closer and closer to my extended power train warranty running out- which will be absolutely terrible if it does run out and that was the issue. Over the course of the last week and a half, it has become even worse- beginning about twenty minutes into my drive. I have noticed that it seems to be occurring more and more as I am accelerating (it occurs so much during it that I'm barely able to get up to speed). It will level off for a minute or two, then, once again, do it almost non-stop. Has anyone ever experienced this? Or have any suggestions as to what may be occurring? Thanks so much!
My car is not starting. The car and lock symbol is on. What can I do
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Rear side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: jack · TuneIn internet radio · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 4
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 10.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 7.9 · Rear brakes: drum
Comfort Features
Armrests: drivers seat · Cargo area floor mat: rubber/vinyl · Floor Material: carpet
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Center console: second row · Cupholders: front · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Storage: in dash · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 4
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.75
Engine
Alternator: 100 amps · Battery: 375 CCA
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · License plate bracket: front · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: Halogen · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: manual folding · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 2
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: flip and fold · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.0
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Satellite communications: Turn-by-Turn Navigation · Wifi: hotspot
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: painted aluminum
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Rear wiper: with washer
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · USB auxiliary audio input · Stitcher internet radio · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 10.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 7.9 · Rear brakes: drum
Comfort Features
Armrests: drivers seat · Cargo area floor mat: rubber/vinyl · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Center console: second row · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: accessory hook · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 4
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.75
Engine
Alternator: 100 amps · Battery: 375 CCA
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome surround · License plate bracket: front · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: MyLink · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Headlights: Halogen · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: manual folding · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 2
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: flip and fold · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.0
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: OnStar · Wifi: hotspot
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: painted aluminum
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Rear wiper: with washer
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Pandora internet radio · Touch screen display radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 10.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 7.9 · Rear brakes: drum
Comfort Features
Armrests: drivers seat · Cargo area floor mat: rubber/vinyl · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Center console: second row · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: in dash · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 4
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.75
Engine
Alternator: 100 amps · Battery: 375 CCA
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome surround · License plate bracket: front · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Rocker panel color: body-color · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: MyLink · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low oil level
Lights
Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 2
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Roof rails: silver
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: flip and fold · Upholstery: leatherette
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.0
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: OnStar · Wifi: hotspot
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: painted aluminum
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Rear wiper: with washer