The Chevrolet Spark is a car that’s been in the market since 1998, developed as a replacement for the Tico. The original design for the Spark was done by Italdesign Giugiaro and was followed by a second-generation model in 2005 while the third-generation Spark was introduced in 2010. The Chevrolet Spark EV, an all-electric vehicle, was released to select markets in 2013. It is the first all-electric car from General Motors since 1999 when the EV1 was discontinued.

Pros

With a change in name (the Spark was known as the Matiz before), the Chevrolet Spark also welcomes changes to the vehicle that would help it make a better stand than its predecessor. For starters, the new Spark is bigger and now comes with 1.0- and 1.2-litre engine options which are more appropriate for city cars. It also has a real bargain price despite having capacities that can compete very well with superminis. And as standard for all Chevrolet vehicles, the Spark also comes with a five-year servicing and warranty package.

Since the Spark is a big city car, it is able to offer a lot of cabin room. There’s more than enough leg and head room for both front and rear passengers and boot space is decent at 170 litres. Fold down the rear seats though and boot space balloons to 568 litres.

A city car has to be able to deal with traffic well so working with a 1.0- or 1.2-litre engine will be a benefit. The Spark is not built for speed though and thus records a modest 12.4 seconds for going from 0 to 62mph. But while you won’t see a Spark racing anytime soon, the car is fitted with an excellent braking system that is tough yet easy to use. By stopping the vehicle from speeds of 70mph with less than 50m of road, the Spark’s brakes are better than what the class average could pull off.

Cons

The Chevrolet Spark claims to offer the convenience of a five-door while looking sporty like a three-door by integrating rear door handles into the vehicle’s C-pillars. Not many will be convinced of this feat. Additionally, effort at utilizing an integrated exhaust design is useless because the actual exhaust can actually be seen. It’s just smaller than what it used to be.

Most of the time, material choice within the cabin is acceptable. However, the inside of a Spark is not without flaws that are more of a nuisance than a quirk. There’s also the lack of an external handle for the boot so you have to use the key each time.

The Spark has a four-cylinder engine that is loud and coarse. Whatever refinement the car had is drowned out when the Spark starts being vocal. It could get so loud sometimes you’d wonder if you’re using a three-cylinder unit instead.

The Spark comes with a really attractive price but you’re better off steering clear of the entry-level so you don’t have to deal with the barest of equipment. You can always choose a better trim but for the money you’d be spending for an upgrade, you might as well choose another car which will justify what you’re spending better.

The Chevrolet Spark is GM Korea Company’s take on the urban mini hatchback segment since 1998. The Spark is marketed under a number of General Motors brands. Originally presented as the Daewoo Matiz, Spark is also known as the Chevrolet Lechi, Chevrolet Matiz, Pontiac G2 and FSO Matiz.

The first generation Spark, M100, was designed by Italdesign Giugiaro S.p.A and was based on a rejected Fiat Cinquecento concept. M100 sported a straight-three engine developed by Tickford. The model was redesigned into M150 by Daewoo’s Worthing Technical Centre in the UK in 2000. The M150 was subsequently marketed as the Daewoo Matiz II in South Korea and Japan and as the Baojun Lechi in China.

The second generation came out in 2005, and production lasted until 2009. The M200 had better fuel economy, a new platform, updated engines, and new interior features. An LPG variant was marketed in Italy as Matiz Eco Logic until 2010. Other regional editions came out in South Korea, Vietnam and India.

The latest generation, built from the 2007 Chevrolet Beat concept, was introduced to the public in the New York International Auto Show. An all-electric version, the Spark EV was later unveiled in 2011. Markets for the EV are slated to open in 2013.