Compare the2021 Chevrolet SparkVS 2020 Fiat 500L

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Chevrolet Spark are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Fiat 500L doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Spark LT Auto offers optional Low Speed Forward Automatic Braking, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The 500L doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

The Spark LT Auto’s optional lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. The 500L doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The Spark has standard OnStar®, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions, remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The 500L doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Spark and the 500L have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front-wheel drive, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available rear parking sensors.

Chevrolet’s powertrain warranty covers the Spark 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Fiat covers the 500L. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the 500L ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The Spark’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the 500L’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 8 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Fiat dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Spark’s warranty.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Spark’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the 500L’s camshaft. If the 500L’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Spark’s reliability 37 points higher than the 500L.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2019 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Fiat vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 134 more problems per 100 vehicles, Fiat is ranked 31st.

On the EPA test cycle the Spark CVT gets better fuel mileage than the 500L (30 city/38 hwy vs. 22 city/30 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chevrolet Spark uses regular unleaded gasoline. The 500L requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Chevrolet Spark higher (5 out of 10) than the Fiat 500L (3). This means the Spark produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the 500L every 15,000 miles.

The Spark offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and fuel economy. The 500L doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The Spark offers an optional continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The 500L doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Chevrolet Spark may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 950 to 1000 pounds less than the Fiat 500L.

The Spark is 1 foot, 11.9 inches shorter than the 500L, making the Spark easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Spark is 7.4 inches narrower than the 500L, making the Spark easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The Spark Manual can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Spark can be unhitched and driven around locally. The 500L can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Passive Entry with Keyless Start optional on the Spark LT allows you to unlock the driver’s door and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Fiat 500L doesn’t offer an advanced key system.

The Spark has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and fuel theft. The 500L doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Spark has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The 500L doesn’t offer automatic headlights.

The Spark will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Spark will retain 40.19% to 43.14% of its original price after five years, while the 500L only retains 35.47% to 39.94%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Spark will be $10618 to $13274 less than for the Fiat 500L.

The Chevrolet Spark outsold the Fiat 500L by almost 41 to one during 2019.