The Chevrolet Spark does 53.2 mpg combined (52.9 city, 54.5 highway), which works out to about $722 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: Electric does 119 mpg while 1.4L 4-cyl does 33.1 — a difference of $837 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Chevrolet Spark engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 128 / 109 | 2014–2016 | $323 | |
| 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
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.060 |
| Fuel per year | $722 |
| Fuel over five years | $3,610 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$790 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $1,596 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. 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 | 52.9 mpg | $726 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 54.5 mpg | $705 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +1.6 mpg (3%) | Narrow — equally happy either way |
How the Spark changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. 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 | 79.5 / 74.5 | 2 | $502 | |
| 2015 | 79.5 / 73.5 | 2 | $502 | |
| 2014 | 79.5 / 73.5 | 2 | $502 | |
| 2013 | 31 / 37 | 1 | $1,129 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Chevrolet Spark get?
53.2 mpg combined on average — 52.9 in the city and 54.5 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2013–2022.
How much does a Chevrolet Spark cost in fuel per year?
About $722 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $3,610 over five years, or 0.060 dollars a mile.
Which Spark engine is the most economical?
The Electric at 119 mpg, against 33.1 for the 1.4L 4-cyl — a difference of about $837 a year.
Is the Spark good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.