Discover the Chevrolet Spark - Chevrolet Cars

The European-market Chevrolet Spark was offered with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine producing 68 hp and a 1.2-litre four-cylinder with 81 hp. Both engines paired with a five-speed manual gearbox, with the 1.0 also available with a four-speed automatic on later models. An LPG (Autogas) version was available in some markets, offering reduced fuel costs at the expense of boot space.

The Chevrolet Spark is one of the cheapest used cars available in Portugal, with prices starting from as low as EUR 2,000 for 2010-2012 models and reaching EUR 4,500 for well-equipped 2014-2015 examples. Low insurance costs and minimal annual road tax (IUC) make it extremely economical to own. The Spark appeals strongly to urban drivers and first-time car owners in Portuguese cities.

The Spark's compact dimensions (3.64 m long) make it ideal for navigating narrow streets and tight parking in Lisbon, Porto, and other Portuguese cities. Despite its small footprint, it seats four adults adequately for short urban journeys. The boot is limited at 170 litres (expandable to 568 litres with rear seats folded), which is sufficient for daily shopping but restrictive for longer trips.

Check the clutch cable for wear, as it can stretch and require frequent adjustment on the 1.0-litre model. The front suspension struts and anti-roll bar links are common wear items, particularly on vehicles driven over Portuguese cobblestone streets. Verify the timing chain condition on the 1.0 engine, as rattling at cold start can indicate tensioner wear requiring attention.

The 1.0-litre Spark achieves approximately 5.5-6.5 L/100km in mixed driving, which is competitive for a city car of its generation. Pure urban driving may increase consumption to 6.5-7.5 L/100km due to the engine's limited power requiring higher revs. The 1.2-litre is marginally less efficient in the city but offers better motorway fuel economy due to reduced engine strain at highway speeds.