In the GMI (Canada) Garage: 2013 Spark 1LT

[ne_one]

With nary a kind word for the diminutive yet sprightly fellow coming from the incorrigibly dour crowd at CR, the timing was perfect for the arrival of the 2013 Spark as this week's tester in the GMI Canada garage.

A clankety, bug-eyed Transformers reject with sub-optimal performance they say? Where is the love?!

Our model is a 1LT equipped with an 84 hp 1.25L four cylinder engine and a 4-speed automatic transmission. Exterior colour is Jalapeño metallic (not to be confused with metallic pee green) with matching cloth bucket seats.

Pricing with destination is $17,945 CDN.

Likes

• Observed mileage of 5.1L/100 km highway (46 mpg US) and 6.3L/100 km city (38 mpg US) will appeal to those prioritizing fuel economy.
• MyLink Touch is superb, offering a high resolution display, easy-to-use touch interface with tremendous pairing potential.
• Initial unsightliness of the design becomes quite endearing.
• It's a blast to drive.*

Dislikes

• Get-up-and-go between 1st and 2nd gear is a *wee* bit tardy.
• Premium small car features come at a premium price compared to other compact alternatives.
• Materials are culled from the frugal section of the parts bin.

Questions? Comments? We'll do our best to assist.



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*GMI encourages you to drive responsibly and avoid the temptation of hooning micro cars. However, if you have the means, we highly recommend it.

[BBDOS CV8]

With nary a kind word for the diminutive yet sprightly fellow coming from the incorrigibly dour crowd at CR, the timing was perfect for the arrival of the 2013 Spark as this week's tester in the GMI Canada garage.

A clankety, bug-eyed Transformers reject with sub-optimal performance they say? Where is the love?!

Our model is a 1LT equipped with an 84 hp 1.25L four cylinder engine and a 4-speed automatic transmission. Exterior colour is Jalapeño metallic (not to be confused with metallic pee green) with matching cloth bucket seats.

Pricing with destination is $17,945 CDN.

Likes

• Observed mileage of 5.1L/100 km highway (46 mpg US) and 6.3L/100 km city (38 mpg US) will appeal to those prioritizing fuel economy.
• MyLink Touch is superb, offering a high resolution display, easy-to-use touch interface with tremendous pairing potential.
• Initial unsightliness of the design becomes quite endearing.
• It's a blast to drive.*

Dislikes

• Get-up-and-go between 1st and 2nd gear is a *wee* bit tardy.
• Premium small car features come at a premium price compared to other compact alternatives.
• Materials are culled from the frugal section of the parts bin.

Questions? Comments? We'll do our best to assist.

---
*GMI encourages you to drive responsibly and avoid the temptation of hooning micro cars. However, if you have the means, we highly recommend it.

It's a pity you don't have a manual, which is not ball of fire, but a more-involving drive I suspect. I am getting to drive the imminent-release RHD Australian automatic version next Wednesday, along with three other new releases. But your mileage ties in with what I saw on a combined urban/outer urban jaunt eighteen months back. It succeeds in spades in achieving good economy, and for something so tiny, it has a large cabin and the wide-opening doors allow easy loading of surprising amounts of junk. Certainly a minor smash and not just with youngins.

And I agree, the little critter might look like an aphid cruisin' for a bruisin' with some pyrythrins, but it does have an endearing quality. And the looks definitely grow on you. My niece loves hers - fills it every three weeks from an eyedropper. And it's been faultless. And as she says, the inside may be eyewatering with the coloured inserts, but for the plugged-in gen is 'kewl'.

[F14CRAZY]

The headlights aren't big enough.

My girlfriend has a thing for Sparks and I'd get her one if I could since it seems they're turning out to be pretty good cars

[swagled]

My mother had a base first-generation Ford Escort with 85 HP and a stick in the 1980s. I used to think (at the time) it was more lively to drive than the Toyota Corolla that it replaced.

The Spark is fine for its class. We're just spoiled nowadays. It'll have enough power to get around, and pass slow traffic.

[bobojay]

Seen 2 of these now. One in black, 1LT, and one white one. Stopped and looked closely at the black one.

I will say, these cars are much better looking in person than in the pics. And the interior isn't as bad as some of the testers say it is.

[gdvalente]

One word - Ick.

[Evo69]

Not a car for me, not into small micro cars. But I do admit I would spring for the EV version of the aptly named Spark.

[rueben44]

Seen 2 of these now. One in black, 1LT, and one white one. Stopped and looked closely at the black one.

I will say, these cars are much better looking in person than in the pics. And the interior isn't as bad as some of the testers say it is.

Totally agree it does not look bad in person but I have only seen one on the road....and NO COMMERCIALS or ADS!
Funny I also would not buy one except I am thinking about the EV version also but it depends on price under 30K and they've got me.

[Elvisuperman]

I drove this car. If i'm comparing it to my Malibu or other larger cars, its not great. But if you keep it in context and take it for what it is... it does what it was made to do perfectly.

[BlueMontreal]

I'd like a few picture of it with some stuff in the trunk, if you can, just to have a better idea.

Tanks.

[ne_one]

I'd like a few picture of it with some stuff in the trunk, if you can, just to have a better idea.

Unfortunately, I didn't catch your message until after the Spark was returned.

With the rear seats folded down, there is about 31.2 cu. ft. of storage space. By comparison, the Sonic hatchback provides about 37 cubic feet of cargo room.

With such a high roofline, the Spark offers considerably more interior space then you might expect.