The 2021 Chevrolet Spark is still the cheapest car in the United States, boasting a bargain-basement MSRP of $14,395 for a base LS trim level model with the five-speed manual transmission.
There’s only one vehicle that can compete with the 2021 Chevrolet Spark when it comes to overall value and affordability: the 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage. The Japanese automaker revealed the pricing for the updated Mirage this week, and GM will happy to see that while Mitsubishi can come close to matching the Spark’s impressive $14k base price, it still falls a bit short. The cheapest 2021 Mitsubsihi Mirage is the ES HB trim level with the standard five-speed manual transmission, which starts at $15,565 including destination. This price also includes the Mirage’s mandatory accessories, which include a $130 tonneau cover for hatchback models and $145 floor mats.
| Model | Transmission | MSRP | Other Fees | DFC | Total Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Spark LS | 5-speed manual | $13,400 | $0 | $995 | $14,395 |
| Chevrolet Spark LS | CV automatic | $14,500 | $0 | $995 | $15,495 |
| Mitsubishi Mirage ES HB | 5-speed manual | $14,295 | $275 | $995 | $15,565 |
| Nissan Versa S | 5-speed manual | $14,930 | $0 | $925 | $15,855 |
| Hyundai Accent SE | 6-speed manual | $15,395 | $0 | $995 | $16,390 |
| Mitsubishi Mirage G4 ES Sedan | 5-speed manual | $15,295 | $145 | $995 | $16,435 |
| Kia Rio LX Sedan | CV automatic | $15,850 | $0 | $965 | $16,815 |
| Mitsubishi Mirage ES HB | CV automatic | $15,595 | $275 | $995 | $16,865 |
| Hyundai Accent SE | CV automatic | $15,395 | $0 | $995 | $17,490 |
| Nissan Versa S | CV automatic | $16,600 | $0 | $925 | $17,525 |
| Mitsubishi Mirage G4 ES Sedan | CV automatic | $16,595 | $145 | $995 | $17,735 |
| Kia Rio S 5-Door | CV automatic | $16,790 | $0 | $965 | $17,755 |
2021 Mirage
Mitsubishi made some small changes to the Mirage for the 2021 model year. These revisions included new front and rear fascias, a new available seven-inch infotainment screen with available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and additional standard safety features including forward collision mitigation, lane departure warning and automatic high beams. The hatchback continues with the same engine as before:Â a naturally aspirated 1.3L three-cylinder producing 78 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 74 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm.
Not only is the 2021 Chevrolet Spark cheaper than the Mitsubishi Mirage, it is the superior vehicle on paper, too. For starters, it has a more powerful engine, with the standard naturally aspirated 1.4L LV7 four-cylinder producing 98 horsepower and 94 pound-feet of torque. The Spark also comes standard with a seven-inch display screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but Mirage customers have to pay extra to get an equivalent screen/operating system in the Japanese hatchback. The Spark also has ten airbags, whereas the Mirage only has seven.
General Motors is currently in the midst of shifting its focus from passenger cars like the Spark to crossovers, trucks and SUVs, as well as battery-electric offerings. For this reason, the Spark’s days may be numbered, so this ultra-affordable compact may not be around for much longer. Other affordable compacts, like the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris, were killed off in the U.S. after the 2020 model year.
The 2021 Chevrolet Spark is built at the GM Changwon Assembly plant in South Korea.
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Comments
This little car just dont know how to quit. Sales have been consistent for Chevrolet.
I can say with 100% certainty that the Spark is a great little car. Is it a Cadillac or Corvette? No and it doesn’t pretend to be. When I purchased my 2020 1LT Special Edition, I had some hesitation going from the 2018 Encore that I loved. But I can tell you that this Spark is way more impressive than I expected. First, the CVT (I personally hate them) is actually not bad. Much better than others I’ve driven. Second, don’t let the HP numbers fool you. This car is surprisingly quick off the line and if you keep the CVT in the right rpm range, it’s kind of fast for what it is. Third, it’s more quiet than I expected and lastly it rides better than I expected. Again, this is not a Cadillac or Corvette by any means. But for the price I paid ($13,324.00 before tax), you just can’t go wrong. To top it off, I’m getting about 40 mpg to/from work and can park this thing nearly anywhere.
Have the 2017 spark bought new.. coil spring when bad a few months in buying the car.
The dealership never checked the struts when they replaced the spring leaving my strut to blow out 1 year later.
I had squeaking nosies up into my struts was replaced. The strut got so bad that I was not able to stop my car do to the strut blow out.
I only had 45,000 miles on the car way to cheap of the car over 500 dollar repair at the dealership.
Your problem lies more with the dealer not so much the car. When things go wrong, the dealer is supposed to be competent enough to diagnose and fix the problem. Buy a Mitsu if you think it’s better.
@Crystal: This all sounds rather peculiar to me. First, the car would have been under a bumper to bumper full warranty after only a few months. If you purchased it new, then you had that full warranty. The spring, strut and all would have been covered up to 3 years or 36,000 miles. What was this dealer doing? Did they not use the warranty? Even when the strut blew a year later, it would have been under warranty and because you already had work done on it, that should have still covered it unless you put an insane amount of miles on the car.
Lastly, even at 45,000 miles, that car certainly would have been worth 8,000 or more. So to say it wasn’t worth doing a $500 repair is silly at best. Your story just doesn’t add up.
The spring and damper assembly is replaced as a whole unit.
Sounds like this owner has a tendency to drive up kerbs.
I borrowed and rallycrossed one of these, it was a blast and did quite well, beating other cars with twice or three times the power. A fun car.
I purchased a 2020 Activ model in June
I opted for the manual tranny so that I can tow behind my RV at just 2200#.
With Pleather & Heated Seats, leather wrapped wheel, power windows & locks, full screen display with SiriusXM…an unbelievable value at $13,888
Made in SoKorea with 99% Korea parts.
Drives better than Hyundai or Kia
I got 1 in 2019 traded my Silverado for it went from 80 dollars a week in gas to 16 dollars a week I love it I call it the clown car I got the 5 speed manual and its remarkably quick I love it plan on keeping it till I’m dead or the wheels fall off
Clown cars are all vehicles except General Motors products.
I liked the Spark and Mirage, when they just came out for just under $10k.
With 50% higher price, they’re really not worth it.
You’re basically paying the Mirage for it’s unbeatable ice mpg (great if you do <70mph), and the spark if you love showing off, an affordable and decent car for the money.
Too bad GM discontinued their 1.2l direct injection engine. That one could have been competitive to the Mirage.
@ProDigit: I don’t understand what you are saying. Now, I can’t speak for the Mirage, but the Spark is not 50% more money now. Maybe if you compared a base car (2013 or 2014 years) to a fully loaded 2020. But even then, it’s not what the car says on the sticker. It’s what they actually sell for. Example: My 2020 1LT Special Edition listed for just over $18,000. However, I paid just over $13,000. At that same time, had I purchased the base LS with manual, I could have gotten it for under $10,000.
I think Chevrolet should be ashamed of themselves for making this car. It is just trash. I hate it. I went from a Chrysler 300 S. To this piece of crap spark and I absolutely am embarrased to be seen in it. At least tint the windows so dark I cannot be seen. Smh and if I used to be a chevy over ford girl till this car.
Andrea Castillo: WTF? I’ve read some really ignorant comments on here before, but this one really takes the cake.
1. Did you test drive the car first?
2. Do you realize the HUGE difference between a 300S and a Spark?
3. Do you say it’s “trash” because of what? Issues? Problems? Or just that it’s not a 300S?
What you said is no different from someone saying that they went from a Mercedes Benz 300E to a Toyota Yaris and then calling the Yaris junk. Now, had your comment stated that you went from a Mirage (or similar sized/priced car) to the Spark and you feel the Spark is trash, at least that comment would have been grounded in some type of reality.
We all have opinions, but there needs to be some type of reality in those opinions.
She no doubt believes in “alternative truths” too.
Lol! I love the fact that I got your blood pressure up. I’ve accomplished my goal for the day! Do you know why the spark is the cheapest car? Maybe of all time. It’s because you get what you pay for. I got this car of course not because I wanted it but because of some financial issues ( covid-19). Everyone that has seen the car has literally laughed at it. My kids thought it was especially hillarious, until I mentioned to them that they would be driving it soon enough. The smiles faded and the thoughts I’m sure were “crap I do not want to drive that ugly little thing). This is strictly my opinion and there is no need to get so hot and bothered. I do have a question though. Would you pay for and drive this car?
Sounds like you should gone used luxury or get a new set of friends…
The more you sound off, the less credible you are. As Shakespeare said ” “The lady doth protest too much, methinks” . You have no credibility with your comments, and it is doubtful whether you even owned a Spark in the first place.
Andrea: Sadly, you are very mistaken if you feel you got our (my) blood pressure up. I have zero skin in this game and only come here (GMA) because I enjoy reading about all things cars and I do like GM personally. I also enjoy a good sparring on here now and then, but I mostly post on my down time at work. So no, you didn’t accomplish anything on that regard with me at least and it doesn’t sound like you accomplished that with anyone else here.
You are very correct in stating that “you get what you pay for”. That is true with cars, clothing, food, etc. But it’s also all relative. In other words, you can’t compare a “cheap” car (in terms of price) with a “premium” car and expect it to be fair. This is because when you pay a lot more for a car like the 300S, it’s for a reason and the car should be a lot nicer. With that said, the Spark is a very good car (in it’s class). And to answer your question, I did buy one and I do drive one. It’s very nice and was something I chose to buy.