After a hefty redesign for 2016, which included a new, shorter chassis, a peppier powerplant, and updated technology, the second-generation Chevrolet Spark is slated to carry over pretty much unchanged for the 2017 model year. That being said, you can probably expect several new exterior colors and a reworked dashboard on the 2017 variant when it begins showing up in dealerships during the third quarter of this year.
Look for this 5-door 4-passenger subcompact hatchback to return in 3 trims: the base LS, the midlevel 1LT, and the top-shelf 2LT. All trims are offered only with front-wheel drive (FWD). The lower, sleeker stance resulting from the 2016 makeover leaves the Spark with even less rear-seat legroom and cargo area: even with the split-folding rear seatbacks down, the 2017 Spark offers a mere 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space. The good news is that the Spark's rear seats fold down flatter than in most rival hatchbacks in this class.
In 2016, Chevy announced that the Spark would be offered in a tough-guy BeatActive variant and a sedan version called the Essentia, but there has so far been no further word regarding either of these. It should also be noted that the all-electric Spark EV seems destined for deletion after the current versions are sold out.
As mentioned, there will be 5 new exterior color schemes on the 2017 Spark: Red Hot, Mosaic Black, Nightfall Gray, Brimstone, and Mint (late availability on those last two). Also new is a restyled dashboard configuration that incorporates trapezoidal air vents in place of the current round vents.
The 2017 Spark will pack the model's current 1.4-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) engine, which was up-powered for 2016 with an additional 14 ponies for a current total of 98 hp. A 5-speed manual transmission comes standard and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) optional, both managing a somewhat weak 94 lb-ft of torque. The silver lining to this tepid grunt factor is that you can probably bypass most gas stations, with mileage estimated at 30 mpg city/41 highway/34 combined using the manual, or 31/41/35 with the CVT.
While the 2017 Spark may not impress with its size, it does distinguish itself with a comparatively generous outfit of standard features. Look for such amenities as 15-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, a tilt-only steering wheel, manual air conditioning, and a rear-view camera to return from the current edition, while higher trims offer standard leatherette upholstery, heated front seats, full power accessories, roof rails, and rear parking sensors.
Where this tiny hatchback really shines, however, is in its technology features. All 2017 Spark trims are slated to include GM’s Bluetooth-integrated OnStar directions and connections feature and 4G LTE WiFi capability via a 7-inch touchscreen display. Higher trims will add standard smartphone apps (Android Auto, Apple CarPlay). Entertainment aboard each 2017 Spark is expected to include a CD/MP3 player interfaced with GM’s MyLink infotainment system. The entry-level LS is scheduled to return with 4 speakers, while the 1LT and 2LT will each boast 6 speakers and satellite radio.
Only the LT really offers any options beyond the transmission, and these options are limited to a power sunroof and some added safety technology.
In terms of safety, the 2017 Spark should feature standard 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head-protection airbags, daytime running lights, OnStar emergency telematics, and a post-collision safety system. Expect both LT editions to additionally sport standard front fog/driving lights and optional lane-keeping assistance and forward collision alert.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the current Spark 4 out of 5 stars for overall crashworthiness. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awards the current Spark its best score of Good in all tests other than the small-overlap frontal-offset, in which this subcompact hatchback gained a second-best score of Acceptable. This Acceptable rating actually makes the Spark one of only a few vehicles in its class to score so well in this recently instituted IIHS test category.
I have a 2017 Chevy Spark with low mileage - 21718 KM. Just had service done on it - winter tires put on, oil changed & rotors needed replacement. Biggest repair bill I've had for this car so far. I was told by the Service attendant that more work needs to be done in the Spring. Should I think about trading it in, in the Spring or keep it?
A few days ago I wanted to check my engine air filter to see if it needed changing. I took off both screws holding the housing together, but in the process dropped one and couldn't find it. I'm not sure if that's pertinent, but figured I'd mention it. Checked the filter and it was still fairly clean, so I put it back in and screwed down the one screw that was left. Now I'm noticing that the engine is louder when accelerating at higher speeds, starting around 40mph or so. When I accelerate fr that speed, I can hear it significantly louder coming from the side of the car where the air filter is. It almost sounds like what I remember my old cars sounding like when the exhaust pipe was starting to get rust holes in it. And I also get the feeling that I don't have as much power as before when trying to accelerate. It feels similar to when I have the AC on and trying to get going, or go from say 55mph to 65mph, it just revs up but takes forever to speed up. Any ideas what I should check, or what I should have my car shop look at? Oh, and I did but a replacement screw, though it wasn't as long as the original. But it does seem to be catching and holding on just fine. Thanks
I bought a 2017 Chevy Spark, I've had no problems until today. Its winter and it took me 10 minutes to get my Spark to start. Has anyone else had issues in winter time? I bought a new car so I wouldn't have issues getting to and from work etc.
I want to buy a car on your site but it still has a loan.
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 · Pandora internet radio · Touch screen display radio · Total Number of Speakers: 4
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 9.3 · 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: urethane
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Center console: second row · Cupholders: rear · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Storage: in dash · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 4
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.76
Engine
Alternator: 80 amps · Battery: 375 CCA
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: hidden exhaust · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · License plate bracket: front · Mirror color: black · 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
Connected in-car apps: driving performance · Infotainment: MyLink · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low washer fluid
Lights
Headlights: Halogen
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: manual · 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 · 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: split · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.6
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
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: Turn-by-Turn Navigation · Smart device app function: vehicle location · Wifi: hotspot
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · 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 · Rear side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · TuneIn 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: 9.3 · 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: urethane
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Center console: second row · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: in dash · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 4
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.91
Engine
Alternator: 80 amps · Battery: 375 CCA
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: hidden exhaust · 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
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: driving performance · Infotainment: MyLink · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low washer fluid
Lights
Headlights: Halogen
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 · 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: split · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.6
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
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: Turn-by-Turn Navigation · Smart device app function: vehicle location · Wifi: hotspot
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: intermittent
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 · Bluetooth 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: 9.3 · 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 · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 4
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.76
Engine
Alternator: 80 amps · Battery: 375 CCA
Exterior Features
Door handle color: black · Exhaust: hidden exhaust · Front bumper color: black · Grille color: chrome surround · License plate bracket: front · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: black · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: black · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Rocker panel color: black · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: driving performance · Infotainment: MyLink · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low battery
Lights
Headlights: Auto on/off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: manual · 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 · 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: split · Upholstery: leatherette
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.6
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
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: OnStar · Smart device app function: vehicle location · Wifi: hotspot
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · 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 · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · TuneIn 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: 9.3 · 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: 4 · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 1 · 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: 3.76
Engine
Alternator: 80 amps · Battery: 375 CCA
Exterior Features
Door handle color: chrome · Exhaust: hidden exhaust · 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: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: driving performance · Infotainment: Apply CarPlay ready · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Headlights: auto delay off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated · 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 · Parking sensors: rear · Pre-Collision Warning System: audible warning · 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: split · Upholstery: leatherette
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.6
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
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: Turn-by-Turn Navigation · Smart device app function: vehicle location · Wifi: hotspot
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: intermittent