Small Car? SPARK IS THERE FOR YOU! GO FOR IT!

A user review on Chevrolet Spark. Written by rajiv_parashar on 17 February, 2008

Starts at Rs. 3,13,878
Spark Details | On Road Price
rajiv_parashar's Ratings
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  • Overall
  • Looks
  • Performance
  • Space/Comfort
  • Fuel Economy
  • Value For Money
Version Reviewed : LT 1.0
Purchased As : Used
Familiarity :
Fuel Economy :
Good : Ride Quality, Suspension, Fuel Economy
Bad : Less Serivce Stations of G.M.

Full Review

This is my 2nd review on Spark, after a good enough use of Spark (Over 6800 kms.).

HOW I FEEL: The car is very good, in fact the best in the segment (better than Estilo, WagonR, Santro) in terms of looks and comfort. I have driven over 6800 kms. and I am very happy with my choice. As far as looks are concern Spark is the best in presently available cars (Looks: Purely Personal though!). It gives immense pleasure too while I drive the Spark. Even though it looks small, it has comfortable space for 4, and can fit 5 people without being too uncomfortable. For driver and and front seat, SPARK GIVES A FEEL OF CLASSY BIG CAR, Plastic quality is really very good and Its center mounted Speedometer looks great and usually found in high-end cars like NISSAN, Audi etc… Maruti is also using this center mounted speedometer in its upcoming car. So, if anyone will say that its uncomfortable, I will say No, Its Not!! It took only one day to get use to the speedometer and with this position everyone in the car can see on which speed car is running (Not very good for young boys.. mom can keep an eye on you.. how fast u r running boy!! lolz)

ENGINE: Spark has 1.0L engine which outputs 63bhp of power and 90 Nm of torque. Since SPARK's engine is well tested & successfully running everywhere in the world with different brands, It gives piece of mind. The engine is super silent & in idle position it produce Zero Vibration that is amazing to see. The car felt quite stable on high speed of over 130 kmph as I drove at that speed for sometime on Lucknow-Bareilly Highway. I feel at that speed SPARK is better than WAGON-R & SANTRO. SLOW SPEED... Well anyone can drive it on 3rd gear @20kmph only, No jerks, no noise... infact Even if you are driving it on 5th gear and reduce the speed to 20 kmph, car doesn't stop and u wont feel any kinda jerk. I tested it completely.

SUSPENSION: It has gas filled suspension, first in its class and I feel the difference between SPARK & WAGON-R & SANTRO (We've used both Santro & Wagon-r for quite a long time so I can compare them to Spark). In spak I feel that its suspension quality is much -much closer to big Cars, Sedans... Riding Quality???Riding quality surpasses Santro & Wagon-r. I haven't feeling any Sound while running on rough roads which I usually felt while I was driving wagon-r and also there is no vibration in Steering Wheel which anyone will felt in the steering wheel of Santro, though Santro is a bit zippy than Spark. But Suspension? Santro has a Very bad rear suspension.


MILEAGE: THE MOST FUEL EFFIECIENT CITY CAR!!!! thats what I can say, I am getting Minimum 15.55 now, (Before 1st service minimum mileage was 13.80kmpl) and Maximum 17.40 kmpl in Lucknow City (WITHOUT A.C. Coz its Winters). Depends on driving conditions but I would like to say THAT FROM WAGON-R & SANTRO I HAVEN'T GOT OVER 13kmpl A SINGLE TIME. So, as far as mileage is concern there is no comparision, I am getting over 15.5 all the time.


SPACE INSIDE: As I mentioned earlier it has very good space for 4 like santro and wagon-r but 5 can sit without being too uncomfortable. They have used inner space very well, small places here n there, for glasses, cigarette case, for bottles. The feel is there while driving Spark. Boot Space is small but I dont think it really matters most with city cars, almost same you will get in every car. I have bought LT (Top Model) and with Folding Seats option I carried luggage on rear seat too while we were only 3 on highway journey.

NEGATIVES: As far as my opinion is concern, I would say I got everything which one can expect from a small city car. Tubeless tyres and all and mainly the price which I paid, I am more than Satisfied with Spark.
The Paint of Front Door inner handle is not upto the mark coz its a bit off now, I made a complaint and they said come to service centre we will see and replace it, no problem sir, so I hope they will replace it.
Dealer Network is other issue with G.M. Since service network is limited it might be difficult for someone if he stuck in some village area. At this point Maruti wins all the way BUT I dont think one use City car often on highways. And I also heard that G.M is increasing its service network. Though G.M is having service centre in every known and famous city, so no problem for those who belongs to city which is having G.M. Service centre. Since I will use Spark very rarely for Highway Journey, this is not a problem for me.

SO, IN THE END I CAN SAY ITS A VERY GOOD CAR TO GO FOR, IF YOU DONT TRUST BLIENDLY ON MARUTI & HYUNDAI, JUST TAKE A TEST RIDE AND THEN TAKE YOUR DECISION, AM SURE ONCE YOU DRIVE THE CAR YOU WILL FEEL THE DIFFERENCE IF YOU HAVE DROVE SANTRO & WAGON-R EARLIER. IN ITS SEGMENT SPARK IS THE BEST CAR.

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Comments Latest 10 are shown

Kohila on 30 Jan, 2010 at 05:09 PM

why u want to change from non power steering to power steering because i plan to book non power steering. please reply me so that i can schedule my plan accordingly.

Mahesh Kukreti on 16 Dec, 2009 at 01:10 PM

How much cost i pay to convert non power steering to power steering in spark.I have 1 year old spark.(Mahesh Kukreti)

Prince Jeo on 25 Nov, 2009 at 10:25 PM

hey.. thanks for the review... i am also proud owner of spark.. 1 yr gone.. over 12000kms... still its new as if i bought last week.. drive for long drive.. u wont feel tired and also its comfortable as if u r driving luxury car.. i am getting 14 to 15kmpl in highways with AC in speed avg 120... and 11kmpl in city wit AC.. Bangalore

Schn_Bangera on 25 Nov, 2009 at 01:57 AM

yeh its a really nice car

Tinku on 18 Nov, 2009 at 05:40 PM

hey rajiv, nice review there. even i bought the little chevy bug recently :) my only concern is the hydraulic power steering. It seems quite rigid. How is your car's power steering holding up?

Avijeet Bose on 02 Jul, 2009 at 08:17 PM

Dear Rajiv, Thats a good and useful review I would say. Have also done a reasonable study of various cars on offer and Spark is the front-runner.LT with beige interiors is adorable. Booking mine on 8th. Regards

Rohit on 26 Jun, 2009 at 03:45 PM

Hi Rajiv I am planning to buy Indica Xeta. I suppose u also own xeta.Please suggest me. I am even considering spark LS.I planned to buy spark earlier but changed decesion due GM issue

Karthik on 16 Mar, 2009 at 04:49 PM

Thanks a lot Rajiv. In Coimbatore we dont have that bumper to bumper traffic. I am sure I 'll get 14+ based on your experince. Alto will just give 1 or 2 more... which doesnt matter. I have only one service station around 5 km from my home. That worries me. Is it safe to take the cashless service at Rs 10,000. Or, the cumulative expenses will be well below 10,000 in three years. Thanks again for your response.

Rajiv Parashar on 16 Mar, 2009 at 01:57 PM

Thanks for your kind words, this is just what I feel. As far as mileage is concern, Least I got 13.78 kmpl with 100% a.c. The best I got on highway 18.6 kmpl with 100%. I have covered over 23500 kms. till date without any problem, Regular service only and I am satisfied with the service centre though only one service centre in my city and that too is atleast 20kms away from my residence. Actually mileage depends on driver & driving conditions 14-15kmpl is common fig. with spark.

Karthik on 16 Mar, 2009 at 12:50 PM

Thank you Rajiv for your beautiful review. I am planning to buy a car this month and my choices are between Alto LXi and Spark PS/ LS in Coimbatore. Alto Lxi White - 2.92 on road Spark PS - 3.25 on road Spark LS - 3.545 on road I just want to know if Alto and Spark give the same mileage. I took a test drive. I felt the spark at its best and then the alto. I just wanted to know about the service support and mileage. Most say spak just gives 12 kmpl with ac in city.

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