Chevrolet Spark EV 19 kWh

Overview

The 2017 Chevrolet Spark EV, in its 19 kWh guise, was a cracking little electric city car, though its production wrapped up this very year. Primarily offered in select US states, it was a zippy and surprisingly fun entry into EV ownership. Highlights for this particular trim include its punchy electric motor and compact dimensions, perfect for urbanites. While never officially sold new in Europe, meaning no official EU pricing, it represented an affordable EV option in its day, now found on the used market in its original sales regions.

What's New for 2017?

For 2017, the Spark EV was largely a carry-over model, marking its final year of production which originally began in 2015. No major mechanical or feature updates were introduced for this concluding year. The key "news" for the 2017 Spark EV was essentially its swansong, bowing out as Chevrolet shifted focus to newer EV models like the Bolt. It retained its peppy performance and practical, albeit small, electric powertrain from the previous model year, continuing to offer a spirited urban driving experience until the very end.

Design & Exterior

The Spark EV sports a cheeky, upright design, making it instantly recognizable as a compact city slicker. Its small footprint is defined by its dimensions: a length of 3721 mm, a width (sans mirrors) of 1626 mm, and a height of 1590 mm. For an EV, it has a fairly traditional grille design, albeit often with some blanked-off sections for aero. Standard alloy wheels give it a bit of flair. The 19 kWh battery version doesn't drastically alter the exterior, maintaining the Spark's quirky appeal for nipping through city streets.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside, the Spark EV is functional with a modern-for-its-time dash, though expect some hard plastics typical of its segment. It seats four, with front passengers enjoying reasonable space, while the rear is best for shorter trips. Cargo-wise, you get 273 litres in the boot, expanding to a useful 663 litres with the rear seats folded down. Alas, there’s no frunk for extra bits. Tech was a strong point, often featuring Chevrolet's MyLink infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen, usually including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard – a big win!

Performance & Driving Experience

Don't let its size fool you; the Spark EV is a proper little rocket! It'll dash from 0-100 km/h in a brisk 7.5 seconds, thanks to its front-wheel-drive PMSM electric motor churning out 105 kW and a whopping 444 Nm of torque – that’s serious shove for a city car! This makes it incredibly nippy around town. The ride is generally compliant, though its short wheelbase means it can get a bit bouncy on rougher tarmac. Regenerative braking helps claw back some energy, adding to the engaged driving feel.

Range, Battery & Charging

The Spark EV is fitted with an 18 kWh usable battery pack (19 kWh nominal). Green Cars Compare calculates its real-world range at around 125 km, with an efficiency of 6.94 km/kWh. For charging, the standard on-board AC charger is 3.3 kW, meaning a full top-up takes roughly 5.5-6 hours. For quicker boosts, it supports DC fast charging up to 50 kW via its CCS Type 1 port (common in North America), which can get you to 80% in about 30 minutes. European users would need an adapter for CCS Type 2 stations.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

As the Chevrolet Spark EV was primarily a North American market vehicle, official Euro NCAP safety ratings are unavailable, and its NHTSA rating is also not specified in available data. Standard safety kit included essentials like multiple airbags, anti-lock brakes (ABS), and electronic stability control. Advanced driver-assistance systems were quite limited given its age and market position, though a reversing camera was commonly fitted, which is a handy feature for a city car designed for tight parking spots.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

When new, the Spark EV would have come with a typical manufacturer warranty, likely around 3 years/60,000 km for the basic vehicle and a more extended warranty for the battery pack, commonly 8 years/160,000 km. Now that it's a discontinued model available only used, any remaining original warranty would depend on its age and mileage. EV maintenance is generally lower than petrol cars, focusing on tyres, brakes, and coolant, making for potentially affordable motoring if the battery remains healthy.