2016 Chevrolet Spark LT Road Test and Review

2017 Chevrolet Spark profile in city ・ Photo by Chevrolet

The 2016 Chevrolet Spark LT has helped ignite good interest in the Bowtie brand’s city-car lineup, topping 30,000 in annual sales each year since 2013. The Spark is on track to continue that streak this year, too, thanks to a number of important upgrades over the 2015 model—namely, a new engine, the latest smartphone-integration technology, and some of the industry’s top driver-assistance measures. It’s a lot to pack into a small car, but that’s one of the key selling points for the 2016 Chevrolet Spark: Despite its relatively small dimensions and affordable MSRP, it still offers customers the kind of features found on bigger, more expensive cars. Indeed, it’s clearly the No. 1 mainstream car in the segment.

2016 Chevrolet Spark LT Review: Pricing

Okay, truth be told, the Spark is the only mainstream city car currently available, although the slightly larger 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage—from a company that skipped the 2016 model year for that entry—provides a possible alternative. The Chevy has a lower price; its MSRP of $12,660 undercuts the base-level Mirage by $275.

As for the 2016 Chevrolet Spark LT, this mid-range trim has its own small pricing advantages versus a comparable Mirage, bolstered by a starting sticker price of $14,685 with a 5-speed manual transmission; a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is available for an additional $1100. The Spark LT sports plenty of standard equipment with either transmission, including a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot.

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2016 Chevrolet Spark LT Review: Power, Performance and Fuel Efficiency

The 2016 Chevrolet Spark LT pulls off the ol’ powertrain triple play for the new model year, welcoming a new 4-cylinder engine that’s bigger, more powerful, and more fuel efficient than one in last year’s car. Among the most notable new numbers are for the Spark’s output, which rises 17 and 13 percent to 98 horsepower and 94 lb.-ft. of torque. The Mirage, meanwhile, makes do with a 3-cylinder engine limited to 78 horsepower and 74 lb.-ft. of torque.

At the same time, the Spark’s EPA fuel-economy ratings increase to 31 MPG city/41 MPG highway/35 MPG combined with a CVT, with owners of manual- transmission cars seeing EPA figures of 30/41/34.

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2016 Chevrolet Spark LT Review: Exterior Design and Lighting

Previous-generation Sparks had a somewhat awkward, “smooshed-in” appearance up front, but that’s gone from the 2016 Chevrolet Spark LT and friends. The new look is complemented by slightly lower and longer proportions, so that the overall effect is to make the Spark fit in much better with the rest of the Chevy lineup. For striking visual effects, three metallic exterior finishes also debut for the Spark roster: Toasted Marshmallow, a blue metallic Splash and Kalamata, named for a purplish olive native to Greece. Halogen headlights, daytime running lamps, and a rear spoiler are standard across the lineup, while the LT trims and above get standard foglights accented by detailed, chrome-ringed pockets. Also distinguishing the LT trim are its standard alloy wheels.  

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2016 Chevrolet Spark LT Review: Interior Design and Capacities

The cabin of the 2016 Chevrolet Spark LT has been updated to match its refreshed exterior, highlighted by a redesigned instrument panel that mixes circular gauges with an offset, rectangular vehicle information screen. Like a number of newer vehicles, the Spark further embraces the use of body-color plastic surfaces as an interior style cue, along with two-tone seating.

In terms of versatility, the Spark can hold its own even against larger hatchbacks. Consider: The Ford Fiesta hatch is more than 16 inches longer than the Spark, but the little Chevy has essentially the same front and rear headroom, and an impressive 5.8 extra inches of rear-seat legroom. There’s even more total cargo space—27.2 cubic feet overall—in the Spark.

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2016 Chevrolet Spark LT Review: Audio and Infotainment

For technology fans, this will likely be a favorite part of the 2016 Chevrolet Spark LT: The standard infotainment setup in the car is a Chevy MyLink system with a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, and, of course, a complimentary three-month/three-gigabyte data trial for GM’s 4G LTE mobile Wi-Fi service. GM’s OnStar also pitches in with a 6-month trial of the “Guidance Plan,” for such handy resources as turn-by-turn navigation.

The LT trim supplies the finishing touches here with steering-wheel-mounted controls for the audio system—paired with electronic cruise control—and a 3-month “All Access” subscription to SiriusXM Satellite Radio. There are two more audio speakers, too, for a total of six.

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2016 Chevrolet Spark LT: Available Equipment

Chevy has placed a strong emphasis on furnishing custom-style add-ons for its small cars, and that approach carries over to the 2016 Chevrolet Spark LT. For example, new for 2016 is a Solar Red Package that sees that shade used for interior trim, its rear spoiler, and a painted grille surround; additionaly, the car rides on model-specific aluminum wheels and has an available decal striping. Also enhancing the Solar Red cabin are Jet Black/Mirage premium cloth seats.

Nor is that the only new personalization option available this year for the Spark. Owners looking for added style can further choose fresh appearance cues like aluminum door-sill plates, more wheel designs, and a body-color exterior-accent package.

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2016 Chevrolet Spark LT Review: Safety Technology and Ratings

Chevy’s small hatchback hasn’t been rated by the NHTSA, and it hasn’t been fully tested by the IIHS, but it does have a robust number of occupant-protection features. For instance, the available Driver Confidence Package brings together lane-departure warning, a blind-spot alert, and forward-collision alert, together with optional rear parking assistance.

A rearview camera system and 10 airbags are standard—the Mitsubishi Mirage has only seven—and there are some noticeable safety and security services in the OnStar plan. Among them: stolen-vehicle recovery assistance, automatic vehicle diagnostics, and automatic crash notification of OnStar advisors who also are available for one-touch assistance in emergencies.

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2016 Chevrolet Spark LT Review: Available as an EV!

With EPA ratings north of 40 MPG, the 2016 Chevrolet Spark LT meets most drivers’ needs for fuel economy. But customers in certain markets also can amp up the car’s efficiency ratings with an all-electric powertrain. The Spark EV can travel up to 82 miles on a single charge, backed by EPA ratings that are better than the Nissan LEAF's and compatibility with DC fast-charging sources.

Otherwise, the Spark EV serves up many of the same advantages as the gas-powered version, including standard mobile Wi-Fi and surprisingly low pricing: The MSRP of the electric Spark is $25,995, yet Chevy indicates that it “could cost less than $15,000 after full federal and state tax credits and retail incentives.”

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2016 Chevrolet Spark LT Review: Final Thoughts

The 2016 Chevrolet Spark LT is a great showcase for how far the brand’s small-car portfolio has come in recent year. It has a variety of benefits missing from other mainstream entries—led by some of the industry’s favorite technologies—yet it does so in a small-car segment where other popular brands still fear to tread. Additionally, the overall Spark ownership experience should be significantly improved after the model's 2016 refreshing.

Shoppers also should keep in mind that, for maximum value, time is of the essence with the Spark: When the new 2017 model arrives later this year, its MSRP will be bumped up by $340 to an even $13K.

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