The Chevrolet Spark does 33.4 mpg combined (30.4 city, 38.1 highway), which works out to about $1,150 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1.2L 4-cyl does 34 mpg while 1.4L 4-cyl does 33.1 — a difference of $31 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Chevrolet Spark engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Chevrolet Spark ranges from 34 down to 33.1 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $31 a year across 2 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2L 4-cyl | 31 / 37.7 | 2013–2015 | $1,129 | |
| 1.4L 4-cyl | 30.1 / 38.3 | 2016–2022 | $1,160 |
What that actually costs
The Chevrolet Spark burns a gallon every 33.4 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 359 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.096 |
| Fuel per year | $1,150 |
| Fuel over five years | $5,750 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$344 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $1,880 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Chevrolet Spark gives up 7.7 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 38.1 out there against 30.4 in town, a 25% drop worth $255 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 30.4 mpg | $1,263 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 38.1 mpg | $1,008 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.7 mpg (25%) | Typical for its type |
How the Spark changed over the years
The Spark peaked in 2016 at 34 mpg (31 city, 40 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2022 at 33 — 1 mpg apart, or $35 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2022 car does 33. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 30 / 38 | 1 | $1,164 | |
| 2021 | 30 / 38 | 1 | $1,164 | |
| 2020 | 30 / 38 | 1 | $1,164 | |
| 2019 | 30 / 38 | 1 | $1,164 | |
| 2018 | 30 / 38 | 1 | $1,164 | |
| 2017 | 30 / 38 | 1 | $1,164 | |
| 2016 | 31 / 40 | 1 | $1,129 | |
| 2015 | 31 / 38 | 1 | $1,129 | |
| 2014 | 31 / 38 | 1 | $1,129 | |
| 2013 | 31 / 37 | 1 | $1,129 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 10 EPA ratings of the Chevrolet Spark — 2 engines across 2013–2022. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $1,880. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Chevrolet Spark get?
33.4 mpg combined on average — 30.4 in the city and 38.1 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2013–2022.
How much does a Chevrolet Spark cost in fuel per year?
About $1,150 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $5,750 over five years, or 0.096 dollars a mile.
Which Spark engine is the most economical?
The 1.2L 4-cyl at 34 mpg, against 33.1 for the 1.4L 4-cyl — a difference of about $31 a year.
Is the Spark good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world Spark figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Chevrolet Spark is $1,880 against the $1,150 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 34 and 33 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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