Used 2018 Chevrolet Spark ACTIV for sale 

The 2018 Chevrolet Spark comes in 4 trim levels where the price range starts with $13,050 and goes up to $17,220 for the topmost trim. The base trim features cloth seats, a tilt steering column, a manual air conditioning system, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment display. Upgrade to 1LT trim and you will get fog lights, SiriusXM, and steering wheel-mounted control. Going further, ACTIV trim adds leatherette seats, leather-wrapped 3-spoke steering wheel, and Heated front seats. Reach the top tier 2LT trim and get an optional Driver Confidence Package for safety along with standard Rear Park Assist with audible warning. As for the engine block heater, it is given optional on all trims. 

We Recommend

You are not going to get any power boost throughout the 2018 Spark’s trim levels since the hatchback comes with only one engine option. We would recommend you to go for the basic trim itself since you get to add more comfort and features in and out of the car by opting for additional packages, which will be less expensive than stepping up to the trims to get the same amenities.

The 2018 Chevrolet Spark houses a 1.4-liter inline-4 gas engine. It is mated to 5-speed manual transmission as standard. However, a continuous variable transmission can be chosen for $1,100. This 1.4-liter engine churns out 98 hp and 94 lb-ft of torque and power gets transferred to front wheels. That said, the Spark can go from 0 to 60 mph in 11 seconds. 

Despite having a sluggish acceleration, the Spark is quick on its feet, easy to ride and control, and fun to drive around town. However, the cabin is not that quiet which makes the engine noise irritating. On the other hand, the brake performance of the Chevrolet Spark is not disappointing and the steering wheel has good feedback. 

The highest engine output is given from the 1.6-liter gas engine of the Nissan Versa Note which does the 0-60 mph 0.9 seconds faster than the Spark. The slowest of the bunch is a rival from the Mitsubishi which reaches 60 mph from a standstill in 12 seconds and a quarter-mile in 18.3 seconds. Lastly, the Toyota Yaris is just 0.1 slower as compared to the Nissan Versa Note. 

As per EPA estimates, the 2018 Chevrolet Spark with the CVT has a fuel economy of 30/38/33 mpg in the city, on the highway, and combined respectively. However, if the manual transmission is selected, the fuel efficiency will decline by one mpg in the city but will rise by one mpg on the highway. This indicates that the combined fuel economy remains the same irrespective of the transmission. 

The least thirsty hatchback in the segment is the Mitsubishi Mirage but its fuel has 1.9 gallons less fuel storage capacity as compared to the Toyota Yaris which has the highest fuel consumption on the highway. Further, the Nissan Versa Note has the second biggest fuel tank and is the second most fuel-efficient car in the competition. Lastly, the smallest fuel tank is given on the Chevrolet Spark. 

The Interior of the Spark is filled with a combination of hard plastic and some good quality materials. The front row is spacious enough but the same can’t be claimed for the rear row. The seats are stuck up and not very supportive. Hence, rear seats are much more comfortable for children rather than adults. Cloth upholstery is standard which can be replaced with Leatherette seats in higher trims. The 3-spoke steering wheel gets leather covering with a silver accent to spice things up on the higher trims. 

As for the adjustability, the driver seat has a 4-way manual setting while the passenger seat has a 2-way manual. The first two trims miss on heated front seats but they do get manual air conditioning, day and night rearview mirror, and manual tilt steering column. Rear window defogger, 40/60 rear seats, a power outlet, four cup holders, manual windows, are some other cabin features given on the base Spark. That said, base trim does not get steering wheel-mounted controls. 

The Chevrolet Spark not only has the most confined cabin but the number of the passenger can sit in is also one less than fellow rivals. Meanwhile, Nissan Versa Note claims the roomiest interior space title. In the second spot is the rival from Mitsubishi. As for the Yaris, its cabin space lies in between the Spark and the Mirage. That said, the smallest trunk belongs to the Spark. Highlights of interior features in the 2018 Chevrolet Spark:

• Cloth seats
• 40/60 split-folding rear seats
• Heated front seats
• Remote Keyless Entry
• Manual air conditioning
• Tilt steering column
• Rearview camera

How intuitive is the 2018 Chevrolet Spark’s infotainment unit?

In the information area, Chevrolet Spark does not disappoint. It offers a 7-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are given for smartphone integration. A 4-speaker sound system, Bluetooth, USB port, aux jack, and wifi are some standard features given on the Spark.

As you move up in the trim range, 2 speakers get added into the sound system and SiriusXM satellite radio is also given. Highlights of the infotainment features in the 2018 Chevrolet Spark are:

• 7-inch touchscreen information display
• Android Auto and Apple Carplay
• 4-speaker sound system
• SiriusXM satellite radio
• Bluetooth

The Chevrolet Spark is a fun hatchback that has a boxy appearance. However, it does have sharp body lines and smooth curves which run all over the body which makes it look more quirky. A chrome trick can be observed on the beltline and rear gate but it is only given on the 2LT trim. A black grille is given at the front which can have a chrome surround on higher trims.

Halogen headlights, rear spoiler, and daytime running lights are some standard exterior elements. On one hand, base trim gets sacked from fog lights and power heated side mirrors, on the other hand, ACTIV trim along with base trim gets left out from having a power sliding sunroof. The Spark rides on 15-inch steel which can be upgraded to 15-inch silver or gunmetal painted alloy wheels on further trims.

After comparing, the Versa Note is the biggest one while the Spark is the smallest one. As for the Yaris, it shares the same width as the Versa Note and the same height as the Mirage. If we look at the wheelbase, it’s obvious that the Versa Note will be leading this dimension which translates to a more generous interior while it's quite opposite for the Spark which has the shortest wheelbase. Highlights of the exterior features:

• 15-inch steel wheels
• Halogen headlights 
• Fog lights 
• Rear spoiler
• Keyless open and start
• Power sliding sunroof (optional)

The NHTSA has not conducted any crash tests on the 2018 Chevrolet Spark. However, the IIHS has given it ‘Good’ rating in two crash tests and a ‘Basic’ rating in the crash prevention test. In the safety features list hill start assist, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Engine immobilizer, and brake assist are given as standard. However, 1LT and beyond all trims also comes with cruise control and Unauthorized entry feature. A driver confidence package is given optional on the top tier trim and adds lane departure warning and forward collision alert. Highlights of the safety features include:

• Cruise control
• Rear Park Assist with audible warning
• Hill start assist
• Engine immobilizer
• Forward collision warning (optional)
• Lane departure warning (optional)

Chevrolet Spark vs Mitsubishi Mirage 

The Mitsubishi Mirage has a smaller engine as compared to Chevrolet Spark which results in low figures and slightly more slow acceleration on the Mitsubishi side.

However, Chverolet gets a clap back from Mitsubishi with better fuel efficiency and higher passenger volume. That said, the Spark is smaller in size but heavier than the Mirage. 

Chevrolet Spark vs Nissan Versa Note

The Nissan Versa Note has not only a bigger engine but a bigger exterior appearance as well. It is faster than the Sparks and also less thirsty.

In terms of interior space, the Versa Note has already beaten Spark and other opponents. Price wise, Chevrolet Spark is little easy on your pockets compared to Nissan Versa Note.

Chevrolet Spark vs Toyota Yaris

The Chevy Spark consumes less fuel on the highway as compared to Toyota Yaris but the Spark loses to the Toyota Yaris in terms of cargo capacity and interior space.

It also gets a huge blow because the Yaris is faster on its feet than the Spark. However, just like the Nissan Versa Note, the Toyota Yaris has a slightly higher price tag.

On the bright side, the 2018 Chevrolet Spark gets praise on the technology aspect, driving experience, and a good amount of features, it fails to leave a good impression when it comes to core aspects such as fuel economy, interior space, cargo capacity, and engine refinement where rivals have performed better. Therefore, it is true that the Spark is easier to park and fun to drive in the city because of its compact size but the Nissan Versa Note and the Mitsubishi Mirage are better choices.