The 2013 Chevrolet Spark has one thing its primary competitors don’t: two extra doors. While some buyers may prefer the styling of a Smart Fortwo, Fiat 500, or Scion iQ over the practicality of a larger car, others will likely make the one comparison Chevrolet probably wants to avoid: Spark versus Sonic. Go for a loaded 2013 Chevrolet Spark 2LT with a four-speed automatic transmission and the price falls to just under $17,000, just about the same price of a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic LS hatchback with a six-speed automatic transmission.
Before any local incentives, a base-model $16,690 2013 Chevrolet Sonic LS four-door hatchback with an automatic transmission includes remote keyless entry, 15-inch steel wheels, and far more power from a 1.8-liter I-4 than the Spark’s less-than-100-hp 1.2-liter unit provides. The Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system with a seven-inch touch screen is a $595 option on the Sonic LS hatchback.
Spend another $30 and Chevrolet will sell you a 2013 Spark 2LT automatic. The top-of-the-line entry-level car has heated leatherette front seats, special 15-inch alloy wheels, and the seven-inch touch screen with Chevrolet MyLink.
In a recent test of a manual-transmission Spark, we were mostly impressed: “Overall, the Spark feels much like a smaller, slower Sonic hatchback. Though the Spark handled the surface streets and highways well, it likely wouldn’t be as ideal on a road trip, especially one involving any elevation changes. Still the car is roomy enough for four adults with a smattering of cargo or two with a decent amount of carrying capacity.”
So if you were spending about $17,000 on a subcompact Chevrolet, would you consider a loaded Spark, a base-model Sonic hatchback, or something else? Be sure to visit our 2013 Chevrolet Spark First Test here.
Note: High-trim 2013 Chevrolet Sonic hatchback shown below alongside 2013 Chevrolet Spark.
Read more: Thread of the Day: Loaded 2013 Chevy Spark or Base 2013 Chevy Sonic Hatch? - WOT on Motor Trend
