Compare the2021 Chevrolet SparkVS 2020 Hyundai Elantra GT

Both the Spark and the Elantra GT have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front-wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems and rear parking sensors.

There are almost 4 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Spark’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 10th.

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 Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 9 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 8th.

On the EPA test cycle the Spark CVT gets better fuel mileage than the Elantra GT with its standard engine (30 city/38 hwy vs. 25 city/32 hwy).

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 Elantra GT doesn’t offer a CVT.

To help the driver achieve optimum performance and fuel economy, the Spark has a standard up-shift light to indicate when to shift based on power needs and conditions. The Elantra GT doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

For better maneuverability, the Spark’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Elantra GT’s (33.8 feet vs. 34.8 feet).

The Chevrolet Spark may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 700 to 750 pounds less than the Hyundai Elantra GT.

The Spark is 2 feet, 3.8 inches shorter than the Elantra GT, making the Spark easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Spark is 7.9 inches narrower than the Elantra GT, 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 Elantra GT can’t be towed flat on the ground.

An Oil Life Monitor is standard on the Spark to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Hyundai doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Elantra GT.

The power windows available on both the Spark and the Elantra GT have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Spark is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Elantra GT prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Spark LT/ACTIV’s available driver’s power window opens or closes with one touch of the window control, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths. The Elantra GT’s standard driver’s power window switch has to be held the entire time to close it fully.

Insurance will cost less for the Spark owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Spark will cost $160 less than the Elantra GT over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Spark will be $6462 to $7147 less than for the Hyundai Elantra GT.