2013 Chevrolet Spark’s EPA Rating Not Up To the Mark, 32/38 MPG

General Motor’s hard work has resulted in creating the smallest Chevy ever released, the 2013 Chevrolet Spark. But the efforts put in by the automakers have not really got the expected results. The expectations were to hit a 40 mpg mark but it is coming to a combined EPA number of 34 mpg with estimates of 32 city miles per gallon and 38 highway miles per gallon. This mileage is achieved from a 1.2 liter engine with a five speed manual transmission. As far as the automatic version of the Spark is concerned, the estimates were 28 city miles per gallon and 37 highway miles per gallon.

When Spark was first revealed at the Geneva show in 2009, the Spark was expected to get a combined number of 47 mpg, although that may have been anticipating a European rating. With its small size and small engine which comes up to 1.2 liter, 85 hp, it definitely gives an impression of an efficient vehicle. Smart ForTwo, which is also similar sized, gets a combined EPA number of 36 mpg, whereas the Hyundai Accent gets 34 too. For a matter of fact, the Spark’s larger stablemates, the Cruze Eco and Sonic, can perform as well if it is suitably equipped. Both cars get a collective 33 mpg with the turbocharged 1.4 liter and manual six-speed transmission.

The Sonic has the capacity to even break the 40-mpg barrier in highway driving and the Cruze Eco can get even 42. The 2012 Scion IQ comes in with better city mileage, but poorer highway mileage at 36 and 37 respectively. The 2012 Fiat 500 gets up to 38 on the highways, however only does 30 miles per gallon in the city. It seems like smaller cars will have to choose from other features above and beyond mileage alone while choosing the best super mini convertible out. The Chevy Spark could be a good contender in terms of class as it is pretty fast in getting around.

http://www.nitrobahn.com/conceptz/a...parks-epa-rating-not-up-to-the-mark-3238-mpg/