Compare the2022 Chevrolet SparkVS 2022 Nissan Versa

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 Versa doesn’t offer a GPS response system, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

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

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

There are almost 3 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Nissan dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Spark’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Spark second among city cars in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The Versa isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in long-term dependability. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Nissan is rated below average.

On the EPA test cycle the Spark gets better mileage than the Versa:

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 Versa doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

The Spark’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Versa S’ standard 65 series tires.

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

The Chevrolet Spark may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 400 pounds less than the Nissan Versa.

The Spark is 2 feet, 9.9 inches shorter than the Versa, making the Spark easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Spark is 5.7 inches narrower than the Versa, making the Spark easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The Spark has .7 inches more rear headroom and 2 inches more rear legroom than the Versa.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Spark’s hatch uses gas strut supported hinges that don’t intrude into the cargo area. The Versa’s useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

The Spark’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Versa S Manual doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

The power windows available on both the Spark and the Versa 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 Versa 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 Versa’s power windows’ switch has to be held the entire time to close it fully.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Spark has a standard rear wiper. The Versa doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Spark is less expensive to operate than the Versa because it costs $55 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the Spark than the Versa, including $144 less for a starter, $127 less for fuel injection, $86 less for a fuel pump and $15 less for front struts.