The Newer Chevrolet Car With Disappointing Power You Should Avoid Buying In 2025

When renting a car on a European vacation, securing something smaller than what is typical in the U.S. would be a virtue. Europe is full of narrow streets and alleyways, with tight parking spaces to match. In other words, the 2013 through 2022 Chevrolet Spark would be a perfect match. However, back at home, it's woefully cramped. Overlooking its tight cabin, the recently-demised Spark's biggest fault might actually be that it's severely underpowered. With cars such as Dodge's Challenger SRT Hellcat — also one of the most likely to be stolen — throwing down 717 supercharged horsepower, the most powerful Chevy Spark has just 98 horsepower. 

As to why car buyers would even consider the Chevy Spark — the price was hard to beat. In its final year of production (2022), the Spark sold for between $14,595 and $17,995 brand spanking new, depending on which trim level and options were selected. This is significant when you consider that for the entirety of 2022, the average price of a used car was over $27,000, according to Cox Automotive – never mind a brand new never-driven one. While the Spark is now discontinued, it's available dirt cheap on the used market. This begs the question: Should bargain hunters consider the Spark and it's anemic engine power?

It's worth mentioning that at a time when automakers are increasingly adopting three cylinder engines, the Spark still had a four cylinder under the hood. In spite of the 33% higher cylinder count over many of its contemporaries, the car still contained a rather pathetic engine. All Sparks were available with a five-speed manual transmission or an oft-maligned continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) as an $1,100 extra-cost option. 

Car and Driver tested a 2022 Spark, with the CVT, and the results were downright grim. Accelerating from zero to 60 mph took an agonizing 10.8 seconds, while the top speed was estimated to be 105 mph. While 105 mph is higher than the maximum speed limit of any state in the country, it's the time spent getting to that speed that's the problem. Accelerating from zero to 100 mph took no less than 41.4 seconds. 

For reference, the 2025 Nissan Versa S is currently the least expensive new car sold in the U.S., with a sticker price of $20,130 including an automatic transmission and destination fees. The Versa S has 122 horsepower and goes from zero to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds, per Car and Driver. That's comparable to the late Chevy Spark, but the Versa sprints from a stop to 100 mph in just 32.8 seconds — almost 9 seconds faster than the Spark.

Despite the engine, the Spark also offers good qualities for certain drivers. According to Kelley Blue Book, the average selling price for a typical first-year 2013 Chevy Spark in a private party sale (no dealerships involved) is just $3,839. If potential buyers opt for the very latest Spark available, 2022 models in average condition with average mileage are worth $10,245 in a private party transaction. If you're looking to sell your Spark, make sure to properly prepare your car in order to ensure you get your asking amount.

Reading between the lines, Spark model years in between those two extremes will also slot in between price-wise. That's relatively cheap for a newer used car in 2025, and reviewers aren't entirely negative toward the Spark either. Automotive journalists report that it's well built, solid, and that the interior materials don't appear to be as cheap as its price would seem to indicate. They also mention that it drives well in the city and is easy to park and maneuver, although some reviewers mention that the Spark might as well be a two-seater for as little room as the back seat affords.

However, this cheap, modern Chevrolet is universally panned for its flimsy highway power. Plus, there are strong recommendations to avoid the Spark if freeway commuting or semi-frequent road trips are a regular part of your driving routine. Fortunately, there are other good used car choices for road warriors, like the reliable Toyota Corolla, for example.