Chevrolet Spark 1.2 LS 5Dr (2015) Review

Introduction

Key takeaway: The Chevrolet Spark 1.2 LS is a credible sub-R90k city car if you’re willing to risk Chevrolet’s withdrawal from SA – but you’ll need a trustworthy indie mechanic on speed dial.

Should you buy a Chevrolet Spark in 2025? If you’re a student in Stellenbosch or a young professional in Braamfontein with a budget that stops at R90k, the answer’s yes – with a big caveat. This car comes from a brand that packed up and left South Africa in 2017. That one decision changes the game. Forget how the Spark stood up when new (it was decent for the cash). What matters now is whether it holds up after a decade, high mileage, and a shrinking dealer footprint. Let’s see where it stands.

Design & Exterior

The M300 Spark has aged better than most. Put it next to a similar-era Figo and the Chevy still looks cheekier, a bit more intent on standing out. Those vertical rear door handles in the C-pillar, tall glasshouse, and boxy stance – it’s a city car that owns its size, not trying to hide it.

Proportions and stance

At 3 640 mm long, 1 597 mm wide, and 1 522 mm tall, the Spark is properly tiny but unusually tall. That’s the trick: go up, not out. Parking is a breeze – I once tucked one into a Sea Point parallel bay that would scare most compact crossover drivers. There’s still headroom in the back for someone six feet plus.

What still works in 2025

• Big-eyed headlights and that upright shape still look playful, not tired.
• 15-inch alloys (on some LS examples) help it feel less bargain-basement than a base Figo.
• Colour-coded mirrors and handles on most LS models.
• Small footprint makes parking in central Jozi or Durban CBD easy.

But there’s a catch: that light, tall body gets bullied by crosswinds on highways. If you’re thinking of the odd N1 run from Joburg to Bloem, keep that in mind.

Cabin & Practicality

The Spark’s dashboard gets people talking. There’s a motorcycle-style pod on the steering column: big analogue speedo, digital tacho strip. It looks odd in pictures, but it grows on you after a week. Plastics are hard and dark, but the trim fits together well – no rattles in the ones I’ve driven, and at this price, that matters.

Space for people

This is where the Spark surprises. Four adults will fit- not for a long haul, but for a 40-minute commute with friends; it’s fine. Headroom is generous, front and rear. Seats are upright, not sculpted for sharp cornering – you’ll be sliding a bit around bends on Chapman’s Peak – but fine for city traffic.

Space for stuff

Here’s the compromise. Chevrolet Spark boot space is 170 litres with the seats up – two soft bags and a backpack, that’s your limit. The 60/40 split bench helps if you pack smart: drop one side for a flat-pack from Builders, still seat two in the back. Chevrolet Spark ground clearance is around 150 mm, which is enough for pavement parking. I wouldn’t take it down a rough dirt road near the Tankwa unless you plan your line.

Equipment in LS spec

• Aircon (standard – works well in sticky Pretoria summers).
• Electric windows up front.
• Power steering.
• Dual front airbags.
• Radio/CD with aux input (no Bluetooth on most 2012-2015 models).
• Central locking.

ABS isn’t guaranteed on every Spark. Check before you buy. For me, no ABS is a dealbreaker – walk away if it’s missing.

On the Road

Under the bonnet, you get a 1.2-litre, 16-valve petrol with 60 kW at 6 400 rpm and 108 Nm at 4 800. Five-speed manual, front-wheel drive. You won’t be winning races – and you have to work for every bit of pace.

Around town

City driving is easy. Light controls, tiny turning circle, great visibility. But every owner I’ve met mentions first gear. The clutch and throttle are touchy. I stalled it twice on a test drive before getting the hang of it. After a week, your left foot adapts.

On the open road

The Spark’s limits show up fast on the highway. 60 kW moving a tall body means you’ll need fourth or even third on hills. On the N1 at 120 km/h, the engine buzzes at 3 500 rpm in fifth. It’s loud. There’s no sixth gear, and you’ll miss it. Overtaking on a single-lane stretch? Plan carefully and be patient.

Ride and steering

The hydraulic steering is honest, direct – there’s a purity you don’t find in today’s electric setups. The ride is jittery on broken tar, which covers most secondary routes here. Speed bumps in Durban suburbs bounce the cabin. Not uncomfortable, just busy. Crosswinds on the N3 can shift it around – expect to make small corrections as you go.

Data & Comparison

Key specs at a glance

• Engine: 1.2-litre petrol, 4-cylinder, 16-valve
• Power: 60 kW at 6 400 rpm
• Torque: 108 Nm at 4 800 rpm
• Transmission: 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive
• Claimed fuel use: 5.4 L/100km
• Length / width / height: 3 640 / 1 597 / 1 522 mm
• Seats: 5 / Doors: 5
• Production: 2010-2015 (M300 generation)

Real-world economy

Chevrolet claimed 5.4 L/100km. Most owners see 6.0 to 6.3 L/100km in mixed driving – about 16 km per litre if you’re gentle. The 35-litre tank gives you a real 550 km between stops, which is strong for a budget hatch.

Five-year total cost of ownership

Add up the numbers, and you’re looking at a total of R362 300 over five years (fuel, insurance, maintenance, tyres). Sounds steep until you compare it to a Polo Vivo from the same years – those cost more, mainly for parts. On the used market, a neat 2014 or 2015 LS with less than 120 000 km goes for R75 000 to R95 000 in 2025.

How it stacks up against used-market rivals

The elephant: Chevrolet's SA exit

General Motors left South Africa in 2017. Isuzu took over the old Struandale plant in Port Elizabeth (where the Spark was assembled – a small bit of local history). For a used buyer, this means no more Chevrolet franchise workshops. You’ll need to rely on independent workshops, and you may wait longer for some parts. Service bits like filters, plugs, brake pads, and bushes are easy. But trim, sensors, or electronics can be a headache.

Reliability picture

After a decade, the Spark has held up well if you keep expectations real. 2012 Chevrolet Spark common problems are sticky thermostat, dodgy fuel-pump relay, and rear-brake squeal. For 2013, add weak power-window switches and a flimsy boot-release cable. None of these will leave you stranded, and most are cheap to fix at an indie. More importantly, you rarely see big engine or gearbox failures. That’s the point.

Service plan reality

When new, the Chevrolet Spark service plan for South Africa was an optional extra (about R6 600 for 3 years/60 000 km). On a car this old, it’s just history. Always check for a full service record – it’s worth at least R5 000 more, and for good reason.

Verdict

Honest answer: the Chevrolet Spark 1.2 LS 5Dr is a smart buy if you’re scraping the bottom of the safe, usable hatch barrel, have a reliable indie mechanic, and accept modest resale. Don’t bother if you’re on the highway daily, carry passengers and luggage often, or need dealer backup for peace of mind. In that case, a Polo Vivo or Picanto from a similar year is better value.

If you can wait three to six months, keep an eye out for fleet Picantos or Datsun Gos coming off lease – sometimes they’ll show up for Spark money, but with a newer year and easier parts supply.