2022 Chevrolet Spark Review

MotoPickers Rating: 6.7/10

Chevrolet’s 2022 Spark is a subcompact hatchback with a current resale value of around $11,680. This model originally started at $15,000 and marks the last year of the Spark’s production, which began in 1998.

While the 2022 Chevrolet Spark is one of the market’s most affordable cars, costing less than inexpensive models like Mitsubishi’s Mirage subcompact hatchback, vehicles at this price point will naturally have some downsides. Our review will help you determine whether these shortcomings overshadow the Spark’s perks.

Active rivals of the 2022 Chevrolet Spark include Kia’s Rio, Nissan’s Versa, and Hyudai’s Venue. Toyota’s Yaris and Honda’s Fit are 2022 Spark rivals that were discontinued after their 2020 production year. We’ll focus our rival comparisons on the 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage since this vehicle is arguably the 2022 Spark’s number-one competitor. Chevrolet didn’t implement any significant changes with the 2022 Spark besides some new paint choices, such as Crimson, Nitro Yellow, and Blue Glow.

Primary perks associated with the 2022 Spark are quality fuel economy, maneuverability, and the option to equip each model with a manual transmission option. At a glance, drawbacks include low highway passing capability and a lack of driver-assist options outside the peak trim level.

Keep reading to discover whether the 2022 Spark aligns with your driving needs and preferences.

Exterior spotlight

The 2022 Chevrolet Spark’s base LS trim contains 15” steel wheels with painted wheel covers. Moving into the LT trim gives you 15” silver-painted aluminum wheels or 15” black-painted machined-finish aluminum wheels with the 1LT with Spark Special Edition. One grade up is the Activ, which has 15” gunmetal silver-painted aluminum wheels, and the peak 2LT trim has silver-painted aluminum wheels.

Standard exterior features include:

• Daytime running lamps
• Headlamps – halogen projector with automatic on/off functionality
• Mirrors – manual-adjustable, manual-folding, black caps
• Rear aero spoiler
• Wipers: (front) variable-speed, intermittent/(rear) intermittent with washer

The 1LT trim contains LED daytime running lamps with signature lighting and heated/power-adjustable mirrors with body-color caps. This subcompact hatchback’s Activ trim has fog lamps, a roof-mounted/painted luggage rack, and black rocker molding trim pieces. Trim moldings on the peak 2LT grade are chrome along the beltline.

Exterior color choices consist of:

• Summit White
• Silver Ice
• Nightfall Gray
• Nitro Yellow
• Red Hot
• Crimson
• Cayenne Orange
• Mystic Blue
• Blue Glow
• Mosaic Black

Wheel sizes for the competing 2024 Mirage span from 14”-16”, giving this Mitsubishi a slight advantage. However, the Mirage offers eight exterior color choices compared to the 2022 Spark’s 10. While neither the 2022 Spark nor the 2024 Mirage are fast and powerful cars, those seeking a race/rally-inspired exterior might favor the 2024 Mirage with its RALLIART special edition, which features model-exclusive graphics and a White Diamond finish. The Spark special edition offers a black two-tone roof.

It’s worth noting that automatic on/off headlights are available within the 2024 Mirage instead of standard like the 2022 Spark. Still, the 2024 Mirage offers optional LED taillights, which its Spark counterpart doesn’t contain in any trim. The Mirage and Spark’s exteriors are relatively comparable, with the Mirage gaining a slight edge with its available RALLIART model and LED taillights.

Interior close-up

The base LS trim contains:

• Jet-black cloth upholstery
• Single-zone air conditioning
• A four-speaker system
• A four-way manually adjustable driver’s seat with an armrest

Mitsubishi didn’t add an armrest to their Mirage until the model’s 2024 production year. The rear manually-folding seats contain a 60/40 split-bench configuration but feel clumsy to adjust. This Chevrolet’s steering wheel expectedly contains a manually-adjustable steering wheel. Rear windows, unfortunately, contain a hand-cranked design. Graduating to the LT trim raises the number of speakers from four to six and adds power-programmable door locks with lockout protection and rear child door security.

Upholstery within this grade is jet black cloth with dark silver accent trim. The Activ enhances the 2022 Spark’s cabin with front sill blacks and jet black leatherette upholstery with dark silver accent stripe and accent trim. Opting for the peak 2LT trim gives you a driver display with monochromatic trim, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with silver accents, and jet black leatherette with dark silver accent stripe and accent trim upholstery.

Separate interior features within the 2022 Spark include:

• Black or chrome door handles
• An optional power sliding sunroof
• Carpeted or all-weather floor mats

Carpeted floor mats include a sporty jet black with racer stitching option. Chevrolet offers Spark drivers 11.1 cubic feet (cu. ft.) of storage space behind the second-row seat and 27.2 cu. ft. with the rear seats down. A cargo mat is available as an accessory. Chances are you’ll be folding the rear seats as often as possible, given the rear row’s lack of space.

Comparatively, rear cargo capacity within the 2024 Mirage hatchback measures 17.1 cubic feet (cu. ft.) and 47 cu. ft. with the rear seats down. The Mirage also contains a 6-way adjustable driver’s seat instead of the Spark’s 4-way version. Seating surface options include fabric and synthetic leather with stitching or fabric seating surfaces with red stitching. If you prioritize storage, the Mirage is a better option. However, those seeking an interior with a higher-quality feel will prefer Chevrolet’s Spark.

Power and performance

This subcompact Chevrolet’s most appealing performance trait is its fuel economy, which registers at 29-30 MPG in the city and 37-38 MPG on the highway. Second to fuel economy is the 2022 Spark’s nimble maneuverability, which proves helpful in closer-quarter driving scenarios like parking and city navigation. All 2022 Spark models contain a 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 98 horsepower and 94 lb.-ft. of torque.

A StabiliTrak System provides this Chevrolet with enhanced traction control and hill start assist, and the transmission is a five-speed continuously variable configuration. All 2022 Spark trims come in front-wheel drive (FWD), similar to the 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage. While neither the 2022 Spark nor the 2024 Mirage are ideal for highway passing, the Mirage has 20 fewer horsepower than its Chevrolet counterpart at 78. Torque is also lower in Mirage at 74 lb.-ft.

You’ll get 36 MPG in the city and 43 MPG on the highway with the Mirage, which is slightly better than the Spark, but we’d prefer the extra horsepower given each model’s poky performance. The 2024 Mirage contains a better turning radius than the 2022 Spark’s 16.9 cu. ft. at 15.1 cu. ft. This Mitsubishi also mirrors the Spark’s usage of hill start assist, MacPherson strut front suspension, and an active traction control system.

These two subcompact hatchbacks are relatively equivalent in their performance offerings, but the Mirage’s tighter turning radius and extra mileage aren’t enough for us to recommend it over the 2022 Spark in this category.

Tech overview

The 2022 Spark contains a 7” central infotainment touchscreen and a small 3.5” driver information display. While this driver information display is smaller, it contains segment formatting for easier readability. The two USB charging ports are illuminated, and you can use the central infotainment touchscreen for a reverse camera perspective.

Those opting for a 1LT trim instead of the base LS receive cruise control functionality, remote keyless entry, and a steering wheel with cruise and phone controls. All Spark models offer an available WiFi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility. This Chevrolet doesn’t contain much tech, but you’ll find that the competing 2022 Mitsubishi Mirage presents a similar situation.

The Mirage similarly contains Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a standard four-speaker configuration. However, the Mirage doesn’t offer six speakers in higher trims like this 2022 Chevrolet. The 2024 Mirage’s display matches the Spark at 22”, but you won’t find this screen within all trims. Neither model contains push button start within all grades, but the 2024 Mirage stands alone in its ability to receive wireless over-the-air software updates. The Mirage’s driver information display is smaller at 2.6”.

These competing hatchbacks run neck and neck in the tech category, but we’ll give the Spark the edge with its inclusion of central infotainment displays in all trims and a larger driver information display. Both models offer voice recognition control, but this feature isn’t standard across all grades, and Spark drivers have limited access to the feature via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Neither subcompact hatchback provides satisfactory charging connectivity options—even outside of wireless smartphone charging.

Evaluating the 2022 Spark’s safety features vs. the 2024 Mirage will give you a better sense of this Chevrolet’s tech capabilities.

Safety capabilities

The 2022 Chevrolet Spark’s most significant drawback regarding its safety is that driver-assist features are only available within the peak 2LT trim. Neither the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) nor the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) have rated the 2022 Spark’s passenger crash protection.

Safety feature analysis

Equipping the 2022 Spark 2LT with the Driver Confidence Package and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) gives you:

• Automatic emergency braking
• Forward collision alert
• Lane departure warning

Automatic emergency braking initiates when the system deems a collision with another car or obstacle unavoidable. Forward collision alert will warn you when there’s an impending likelihood of one of these crashes. Lane departure warning alerts you when you begin to drift from lane markings without an active turn signal. However, the lane departure warning doesn’t contain automatic steering assistance for recentering.

Rear park assist will warn you with audible and visual notifications if an obstacle is detected in your reverse driving path. All 2022 Spark trims except for the base LS contain a theft-deterrent system. This feature contains an alarm, an engine immobilizer, and visual indicators showing that the system is active.

Competition safety comparison

The 2024 Mirage has a crash protection rating of four out of five stars from the NHTSA. Mitsubishi’s Mirage has a frontal collision mitigation system designed to notice pedestrians and other vehicles. The Mirage also contains a coming home light. The coming home light remains on for a limited period after turning the car off, providing increased illumination in dim areas for increased convenience and security.

In addition to lane departure warning, the 2024 Mirage features RISE body frame construction, which contains crumple zones redirecting impact energies away from passengers and reinforcements in crucial body points. Both vehicles contain six airbags, and the Mirage also limits its driver-assist safety features to its peak trim.

Trim guide and owner considerations

Below is a list of average prices for each of the 2022 Chevrolet Spark’s four trims:

• LS – $12,500
• 1LT – $13,500
• Activ – $16,500
• 2LT – $16,800

By comparison, starting prices for 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage trims are:

• Mirage ES CVT – $16,695
• Mirage LE – $17,445
• Mirage BE (Black Edition) – $18,045
• Mirage SE – $18,895
• Mirage RALLIART – $18,895

While you can secure a 2022 Spark for less money on average than a 2024 Mirage, you’ll naturally have to settle for a lack of newness. However, the 2022 Spark held a starting base price of $14,545 upon its release. Regarding warranty coverage, the 2022 Spark’s limited warranty included three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first, and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Purchasers of a 2024 Mirage receive a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, whichever comes first, five years/unlimited miles of roadside assistance, and a two-year/30,000-mile limited maintenance plan covering oil and filter changes, cabin filter changes, and tire rotations. This warranty coverage goes above and beyond most of its competition. The 2022 Chevrolet Spark offers higher value in terms of purchase prices, but the 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage provides more thorough warranty coverage.

Final verdict

The 2024 Mirage is a formidable competitor to the 2022 Spark, but this Chevrolet receives our recommendation over its Mitsubishi counterpart. This recommendation stems from the Spark’s more premium-feeling interior, which doesn’t exclude a central infotainment display from its base grade, higher horsepower/torque, and higher purchasing value.

While we recommend the Spark over the Mirage, our 6.7/10 overall rating for this Chevrolet acknowledges its room for improvement in areas like standard safety features and connectivity. The Spark also offers fewer interior and exterior accessories than the Mirage.