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2019 Chevy Spark gets a facelift, keeps Activ

Chevrolet's entry-level subcompact adds bright colors and new driver-assistance tech.

Steven Ewing Former managing editor
Steven Ewing spent his childhood reading car magazines, making his career as an automotive journalist an absolute dream job. After getting his foot in the door at Automobile while he was still a teenager, Ewing found homes on the mastheads at Winding Road magazine, Autoblog and Motor1.com before joining the CNET team in 2018. He has also served on the World Car Awards jury. Ewing grew up ingrained in the car culture of Detroit -- the Motor City -- before eventually moving to Los Angeles. In his free time, Ewing loves to cook, binge trash TV and play the drums.
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2019 Chevy Spark
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2019 Chevy Spark

The Spark's front end has a whole lot more chrome than before.

 Chevrolet

Some folks are just looking for cheap, honest transportation, and for them, Chevy offers the super-inexpensive Spark hatchback. It gets you into a brand-new car for just over $13,000, and for a lot of buyers, that's just dandy.

For 2019, the Spark gets an updated front fascia, with optional LED running lights and projector-beam headlamps. New dual-element taillamps update the hatch's rump, and like before, the Spark is available with a bunch of funky colors. In fact, the diminutive Spark boasts one of the most expressive color palettes in the entire Chevy product range.

The other big update for the 2019 Spark is the inclusion of low-speed forward automatic braking, part of the available Driver Confidence Package. This pack also includes forward-collision alert and lane-departure warning.

All Sparks are powered by a 1.4-liter I4 engine, mated to either a continuously variable transmission or manual gearbox. Chevy will keep the Spark Activ in the lineup for 2019, as well, with its tiny-tough appearance and 10-millimeter-higher ride height. (It's kinda cool, right?) Look for the full Spark range to hit dealers later this year.