Chevrolet Spark: driven
* Cheap and cheerful city car * Prices start at £6945 * Order it from December 11...
What is it?
A cheap and cheerful city car that replaces the Chevrolet Matiz. How cheap?
Prices start at £6945 and the top-spec model costs £9845.
What do you get for the money?
The entry-level Spark has a 67bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine. Standard kit is limited, but includes six airbags.
An extra £1200 buys the Spark+ version, which adds air-conditioning, electric front windows, central locking and a stereo with a USB socket.
The next step up is LS trim, which has extras including remote central locking and body-colour door handles and mirrors. This is the entry point for the 80bhp 1.2-litre petrol engine.
The top-spec 1.2 LT model has alloy wheels, four electric windows, heated electric door mirrors, and steering wheel-mounted stereo controls.
Why should I buy one?
Apart from the low cost, the Spark is a stylish little car, with a more aggressive look than some cutesy city cars.
It's also reasonably practical. Although the boot is small, there's loads of headroom inside and enough space for four adults to sit in comfort.
The Interior Is smartly designed, too, although the quality of the plastics doesn't let you forget that it's built to a budget.
What's it like to drive?
Not bad. The 1.0-litre engine needs to be worked hard to make decent progress, but it's not boomy and the Spark is reasonably refined on the motorway.
The ride is fairly easy-going and, although the Spark isn't particularly exciting to drive, there's nothing in the way it steers or handles that's likely to offend.
When can I buy one?
Order books open on December 11, with deliveries starting in spring 2010.
Is it worth a look?
If you like its looks, yes. It's well packaged and decent enough to drive, but choose your model carefully, because the cheapest trims don't get much kit and the top-spec versions aren't great value.
