The retro-styled Chevy Spark is way cooler than the one we got in the US
Sadly, the Chevy Spark hatchback came and went in the United States. Here, it only barely even went electric between 2013 and 2016— a miss from both Chevy’s engineering and marketing departments, if you ask us. Regardless, even the regular Spark was far from virtueless. After all, it was one of the least expensive new cars on the market at the time it was sold, roughly from 2012 until 2022. In the meantime, Chevrolet has brought a myriad of different Sparks to different regions in the world, and the latest is a boxy electric SUV that we think would be a huge hit in the US market.
2026 Chevrolet Spark Chevrolet Brazil
The little SUV promises all-electric power, but that’s hardly where the appeal really lies
It’s about time. The Spark nameplate practically sold electrification on its own, but Chevy only moved around 7,300 units during its short, electrified stint. Later this year, the Chevy Spark Activ will be introduced in Brazil as the first of five model launches the automaker has in store this year, with a new electric drivetrain and styling that makes boxy rivals like the Bronco blush. Why Brazil? It’s the largest automotive market in Latin America. That said, the cool new Spark will show up in larger South America, Africa, and the Middle East, too.
2026 Chevrolet Spark in Canary Yellow Chevrolet Brazil
GM’s press release on the SUV says the Spark will debut with a variety of “vibrant and authentic colors,” which is completely true. Fun colors like Canary Yellow and Atlantic Blue join a more subdued palette of choices like Redeemer Gray. Sadly, we don’t have much info on its specs, but the vehicle the Spark is based on is about twenty inches shorter than a Bronco Sport — tiny, around the length of a Miata. It also achieves between 187 and 300 miles of range on a full charge, depending on the battery pack you opt for. It’s also most of the reason why US ports will not see any Chevy Spark SUVs.
You won’t see the Chevy Spark Activ EV coming Stateside — likely, ever
The Spark Activ SUV is almost directly copied and pasted from an existing SUV. That itself isn’t a big problem — who could stay mad at a face like that? The bigger issue is that the SUV is based on the Baojun Yep Plus, which is sold via a joint venture in China dubbed SAIC-GM-Wuling. Fun fact: the original Baojun Yep only had two doors, which would’ve made it a fun and interesting competitor for the much-hyped Slate SUV. However, ultimately, it means that US buyers will never get a chance to own one of these cool little SUVs.
GM China/Baojun/Wuling
Final thoughts
Even if, somehow, the Spark Activ SUV managed to make its way to the US, its tiny dimensions would likely alienate US buyers. The little EV is a full twenty inches shorter than the Bronco Sport. Fully intended as a city car, the Chevy Spark SUV simply wouldn’t get much traction in the US. We still wish it would come our way; maybe we’ll get something a bit more America-sized with similar styling in the future.
