[TDR]

Article by Jalopnik

Chevy Test Drive Event: Why the Spark is better than the Camaro

There's something wrong with Chevrolet's new lineup. The more expensive the cars get, the worse they become. I went to a Chevy Test drive event, and tested their entire lineup to find out why. Comprehensive Reviews after the break.

(Full Disclosure: Chevy wanted me to drive the new lineup so bad, they paid me $10 in a gift card, provided free sandwiches, donated $10 to a charity, and made me stand in the cold for ten minutes between rides)

From the Volt to the Cruze, I was amazed that the 'nicer' the car I was stepping into, the more it felt like a useless blob, or worse, a waste of money. But when I went down in price? Things got tighter, cleaner, better. Things made more sense, I felt like I was actually driving again. I'm not just talking about fuel efficiency or list prices, it's the chintzy interiors, unresponsive motors, terrible gauge placements, and lack of quality and value that kept showing up in all of their vehicles, the higher up the tier list I got.

Let's go for a ride and figure out how this could happen, on a car-by-car basis. Unfortunately, there were no 2014 models (so no Impala!) to test, and no manuals. By the time they got there, they were done filming for the day, so none of my drives got to be put on film. This is unfortunate, since I am sure that you all would love to see the Camaro ride, even if Chevrolet would not.

I'll start with the star of the show:

Chevy Spark 1LT
1.2l, LL0
84 HP @6400 RPM, 83 Ft/lbs @6400 RPM
2400lbs
MSRP: $13,785

 

[SparkFan]

But when I went down in price? Things got tighter, cleaner, better.

good sign cause all the new cheaper Chevy's are all like this, at least the smaller passenger vehicles. once the Camaro goes onto an alpha platform for it's next generation the Spark will no longer be "better" than it.

current camaro's just aren't refined enough, but the alpha platform Cadillac ATS is and a 3-series killer, so just imagine the Camaro using that same platform.

 

[10spokess]

I love the new Camaro's face but chevy is definitely going in the right direction!

 

[chevysub]

good sign cause all the new cheaper Chevy's are all like this, at least the smaller passenger vehicles. once the Camaro goes onto an alpha platform for it's next generation the Spark will no longer be "better" than it.

current camaro's just aren't refined enough, but the alpha platform Cadillac ATS is and a 3-series killer, so just imagine the Camaro using that same platform.

wasn't aware of that about time chevrolet is doing this to the camaro, it was always a big and heavy coupe that needed a big engine so it would be fun to drive. for the future smaller platforms are the way to go. weight kills everything (fuel economy, performance) and it's holding the current camaro back