2013 Chevrolet Spark
Mini cars, while still a niche market, they are proving their worth in a world of ever rising gas prices. And recent entries, like the Scion iQ and Fiat 500 are seeing some moderate success here in the states. Yet with no major domestic brand testing the waters, it’s hard to gauge their true potential. Well Chevrolet aims to change that with the all new Spark. So let’s see if it can spark the attention of American buyers.
The mini-car, those smaller than a subcompact, has never gained meaningful traction in America. Whether it’s a lack of power, aesthetic appeal, or versatility, buyers here expect style and substance for their hard-earned dollars. But, it only took a short time with the 2013 Chevrolet Spark, for us to conclude that there is plenty of both in this ultra-compact cruiser.
The hatchback Spark fits near the middle of its tiny, city-car class. With an overall length of 144.7 inches it’s about a half foot longer than the Fiat 500, yet dwarves the Scion iQ and Smart ForTwo. Covering so little ground makes it easy to park, although we thought its turning diameter would be smaller than 32.5 feet curb-to-curb.
Our top level Spark 2LT certainly scored style points with us. Its narrow, yet tall two-box shape is complete with trendy details like a chrome-trimmed low slung grille, and expressive headlights. Character lines sweep over standard 15 inch alloy wheels that are pushed to the corners. Rear door handles hidden in the C-pillars give the 5-door Spark the appearance of a sportier 3-door. The slightly-bulged tail end drops off quickly from our car’s hatch top spoiler. Big tail light clusters spill into the bumper, with a integrated chrome exhaust tip completing a look that adds more than a flicker of modern style to this city car.
Inside that flare becomes a flame, as its trendy motorcycle inspired cockpit really shines with a host of “can-do’s”, including plenty of long distance room for two up front, and enough to squeeze two consenting adults in the back. Rear leg room is tight but bearable.
Under the hatch there’s more seat-up luggage room than any other mini car. And, once you figure out how to fold the split seats down correctly…it even took us a while…Spark accommodates 31.2 cubic feet of cargo, also the most in its class.
2LT seat upholstery is two-toned leatherette, and feels comfortable enough. Door and dash get the hard plastic treatment with body color accents. There’s a no-nonsense approach to climate, and heated seats are available. The stripped down gauge cluster augments an analog speedometer with a digital tach and trip computer screen.
We found Chevy’s MyLink touch screen audio system impressively easy to use. Standard on all but the base car, MyLink allows the use of popular apps like Pandora through your smartphone. With more apps coming, visual Navigation maps come courtesy of Bring-Go for a one time fee of only $50. All models include spoken navigation through OnStar.
Under the tiny hood sits a tiny Ecotec 1.2-liter I4. Rated at a meager 84 horsepower and 83 lb-ft of torque, the emphasis for Spark is efficiency. And indeed, Government Fuel Economy ratings place our five speed manual Spark at 32 city and 38 highway, for a combined 34 mpg. The front drive four-speed automatic has a combined of 32. We actually beat the ratings at 39.8 mpg. An Energy Impact Score of 9.7 barrels of annual oil consumption is on par with mini-car rivals. As are annual CO2 emissions of a low 4.3 tons.
Not surprisingly, the Spark didn’t exactly light up our test track, and clocked a zero to sixty time of 11.3 seconds. The quarter mile came in at an “are we there yet?” 18.2 seconds, at 80 miles per hour. And that’s with the five speed manual.
Any shortcomings are easily forgiven with a base price of just $12,995. Even with all the niceties, like MyLink, sport trim, and heated seats, our 2LT Spark rang up to only $15,795.
So is the Spark going to set the car world ablaze? Well it’s hard to say… But at the very least, it shows a domestic brand is finally getting serious about very small cars. And we hope that’s one fire that doesn’t get snuffed out anytime soon.
Specifications
- Engine: Ecotec 1.2-liter I4
- Horsepower: 84
- Torque: 83 lb-ft.
- 0-60 mph: 11.3 seconds
- 1/4 mile: 18.2 seconds,@ 80 mph
- EPA: 32 mpg city/38 mpg highway
- Energy Impact: 9.7 barrels of oil/yr
- CO2 Emissions: 4.3 tons/yr
2024 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition
Hyundai Turns To The Dark Side To Create A Special Palisade
Hyundai turned the page on their lineup when they launched the three-row Palisade crossover utility 4 years ago. Still the same Hyundai value we loved, but with more luxury, and more room for growing families. Now for their next big hit, it looks like Hyundai is working on their night moves.
If you’ve been following the auto industry, you’ve probably noticed a darkness setting in. No, we’re not talking about EV mandates, we’re talking about the increasing number of manufacturers invoking darkness or using some reference to the color black to create special editions of their vehicles or note their highest trim level. Well, that’s what we have here with the 2024 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition, a way to take the range-topping Calligraphy trim to an even higher level of exclusivity.
Available in either Abyss Black or this Hyper White, the Night Edition applies a dark chrome treatment to the grille, rear bumper, and door moldings. There’s also glossy black trim for both the front and rear fascias, as well as the roof rails, while door handles are now body color. Finishing it off are 20-inch “black liquid” wheels and unique finishes for all logos including the HTRAC badge that signifies all-wheel drive, which is standard here in the Calligraphy Night Edition, optional on most lesser Palisades.
All-wheel drives get additional Snow and Tow driving modes, as well as the ability to lock in a 50/50 torque split. All Palisades share the same V6 engine, a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter unit which produces 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Nothing changes there, but it’s more than enough to move this big utility down the road with ease and pull 5,000 lbs. of trailer, aided by the standard eight-speed automatic transmission. In addition to steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, minimal buttons for controlling the transmission share space on a rising center console which also houses the touch sensitive climate controls. On top of the dash sits a 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation standard on all Palisades. A separate 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster resides in front of the driver on Limited trim and above.
As for the rest of the interior, Night Editions adds a unique blackout theme with some added dark aluminum trim and devilish 630 watts of Harmon Kardon premium audio. There are also some exclusive premium micro-suede materials on the seats, though most of our staff felt they didn’t seem quite as luxurious as the Nappa leather seats in the regular Calligraphy. Second row captain’s chairs here of course, plus a power folding third row that holds three Palisades come as both seven or right seaters with up to 16 cupholders! There’s also adequate room for adults in that third row, though seating comfort drastically improves moving forward. Cargo capacity remains a strong point for the Palisade, with 18.0 cubic-feet available behind the third row, 45.8 behind the second, and a max of 86.4 with all seatbacks folded.
At Mason Dixon Dragway, the Night Edition delivered a moderate dose of power, enough to battle a little wheel spin off the line leading to a steady jog to 60 of 7.6 seconds; about a half second slower than the last Palisade we tested. Gear changes happened smoothly, causing minor power flow pauses throughout the quarter-mile, completed in 15.8 seconds at a respectable 90 mph.
This big unibody bruiser is suspended with MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link independent setup in back. They provided a surprisingly nimble platform for shuffling through our handling course. There was a reasonable amount of feedback through the steering wheel, helping us stay on top of the slight understeer that we encountered. There was very soft pedal action in our panic braking runs, along with a reasonable amount of nosedive, but 102-foot stops from 60 rate great!
All Palisades come with a healthy complement of active safety features like Lane Keeping Assist and Highway Driving Assist, while Calligraphies add a more advanced Parking Collision Avoidance Assist system. With all-wheel drive, Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 19 City, 24 Highway, and 21 Combined.
Even with the Night Edition establishing a new high mark, it’s still priced less than many large three-row utilities at $55,245. That’s $3,500 over the standard Calligraphy, and about $17,000 more than the base SE Palisade.
So, when it comes to this 2024 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition, there’s no need to be afraid of the dark. The only thing lurking in the shadows here is more tremendous value, something that Hyundai has been bringing to light for years and years.
Specifications
As Tested
- Engine: 3.8-liter V6
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Horsepower: 291
- Torque: 262 lb-ft
- 0-60 mph: 7.6 seconds
- 1/4 Mile: 15.8 seconds at 90 mph
- Braking, 60-0 (avg): 102 feet
- EPA: 19 City | 24 Highway | 21 Combined