The Car Guide’s 2020 Best Buys: Chevrolet Spark

Every year, The Car Guide publishes its Best Buys in nearly 30 different vehicle categories. Today we begin our review of the 2020 winners with a look at city cars, which are positioned below the sub-compact segment in terms of size and price.

The Chevrolet Spark, which is Canada’s most affordable new car (MSRP from $9,998), has somehow escaped GM’s axe to earn a 2020 Best Buy award in the city car segment.

The Spark is fairly well equipped, starting with desirable technologies like a seven-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus an available Wi-Fi hotspot. Some models even add automatic emergency braking for increased safety. Meanwhile, the 1.4-litre engine under the hood serves up 98 horsepower through a five-speed manual or continuously variable transmission.

Photo: William Clavey

In second place we find the Nissan Micra (MSRP from $10,488), which won the award last year but will not be returning after 2020. This fun-to-drive hatchback features a beautifully simple, 109-horsepower, 1.6-litre engine (paired with a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic), a fairly spacious interior and reasonable fuel economy.

The third step on the podium is once again occupied by the Mitsubishi Mirage (MSRP from $12,298). Obviously, its biggest strength is the reassuring five-year/100,000 km comprehensive warranty and 10-year/160,000 powertrain coverage. The Mirage G4 sedan was recently dropped, so Canadians are left with the five-door hatchback only. The great news is that the 2021 Mirage is coming with a number of exterior and interior changes.

The Car Guide’s 2020 Scores

  1. Chevrolet Spark – 76%
  2. Nissan Micra – 73%
  3. Mitsubishi Mirage – 64%
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