I drive a 2020 Spark LS, and my parents are always pointing out how tiny it looks next to other cars, especially big SUVs and trucks. They keep saying it makes them nervous about how safe it’d be in an accident. I’m curious if anyone has experience with the safety of this car… is it really as unsafe as it looks?
Leif said:
There’s been a few stories here where folks walked away from some pretty bad crashes in their Sparks. I got rear-ended once and just had some minor bumper damage. The car’s small, but it holds up!
I shared my accident experience here before… we rolled a few times and still made it out okay. Link if anyone’s curious: https://www.reddit.com/r/chevyspark/s/v5pgV2HEAU
The Spark meets North American safety standards, which are some of the strictest globally. If it’s sold here, it’s considered safe enough for the road.
I did some research and yeah, the Spark had to pass all required crash tests before going on sale. I know it looks small next to big trucks, but I don’t feel any less safe in it than in other cars.
From what I know, the Spark has airbags and crumple zones, which really help in crashes. When I was shopping around, the salesperson told me she got T-boned in a Spark and still walked away.
Yeah, it’s safe for its size, but remember that it’s still a lot lighter than most other cars. In a crash with a bigger vehicle, it’s at a disadvantage, which is why smaller cars like these don’t fare as well in fatality stats.
I saw a wreck once where a Spark was almost split in half, but the driver still walked out. It’s surprising how well these small cars can protect you.
It’s not just about size. Smaller cars are more nimble, which helps avoid accidents in the first place. But yeah, in a high-speed head-on collision, bigger vehicles definitely have an edge.
Foster said:
It’s not just about size. Smaller cars are more nimble, which helps avoid accidents in the first place. But yeah, in a high-speed head-on collision, bigger vehicles definitely have an edge.
Absolutely! I love how easy it is to maneuver my Spark. I’ve avoided accidents thanks to how quickly I can stop and swerve if needed.
Larkin said:
Why do so many Sparks seem to get into accidents? I swear, every time I check, someone else’s Spark is wrecked.
I think you’re just seeing more posts about Sparks here. Honestly, I see accidents daily but rarely a Spark involved. Might just seem like a lot since we’re in this group.