When the Chevrolet Spark is unveiled at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show this week, we’ll see the official debut of a car that has been a long time coming. This mini vehicle, a direct competitor of the Smart ForTwo, Fiat 500 and Scion iQ, is coming to America next year as a 2013 model. Powered by an inline-four cylinder engine, the Spark will slot below the subcompact Sonic, but can be identified as much by its colorful exterior as it will by its diminutive size.

Affordable City Car

Chevrolet has two groups of people in mind for the Spark: those who are attracted to a city car and would find its size just right and young drivers who want an affordable, entry-level car. As of this writing the price hasn’t been announced, but the cost should be well below the $14,500 Chevrolet gets for a base Sonic.

“Spark is for buyers who want much more than a ‘cute’ small car – they want a car that can be personalized, is dynamic and fashionable, and delivers a lot of value for the money,” said Chris Perry, vice president, global Chevrolet marketing and strategy. “Spark’s vibrant exterior and interior colors make a fashion statement, but it is also affordable, safe, maneuverable and very fuel-efficient.”

The Chevy Spark has been on sale overseas for several years including in Europe, Asia and Australia. It can also be found in the Americas including Mexico.

Chevy Designs

This model features Chevrolet’s trademark grille, disproportionately large headlamps, chrome brightwork and rear doors that are integrated in the rear pillar area. This is a four-door with a two-door look, a tiny car offering big 15-inch wheels, an 85-horsepower engine and an optional four-speed automatic transmission.

The color schemes are attention grabbers as are the names assigned to identify each one: Salsa, Jalapeno, Denim, Lemonade and Techno Pink, as well traditional hues such as Grey Area, Black Granite, Silver Ice and Summit White.

Cabin Amenities

Inside, the Spark offers a Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system, featured on 1LT and 2LT Spark models, and providing a seven-inch color touch screen. With this technology, Spark owners will be able to bring their personalized music libraries into the vehicle and use their smart phones and Bluetooth connectivity to access both Pandora and Stitcher Internet radio and navigation.

Only when the Spark is stopped will owners have the ability to project video or their personal photo albums onto the screen. Optionally, SiriusXM radio will be available on upmarket models.

“This level of infotainment and connectivity was unheard of in this segment, until now,” said Perry. “We know Spark buyers do not want to give up personalization just because they drive a smaller car.”

Interior Design

Power windows and climate control are standard with the Spark which features a color coordinated interior, a motorcycle inspired gauge cluster and ambient lighting. Heated seating surfaces and a leather-wrapped steering wheel will be offered with the top of the line model.

Photos: General Motors

See Also — Youth Appeal: 2012 Chevrolet Sonic

One of Chevrolet's best selling cars is its subcompact Cobalt. The Cobalt XFE model offers best in class fuel savings.

For students needing a car while on campus, your choices abound. From a well used family vehicle to a late model used car, the used-car market for buyers remains strong. However, thanks to the demand for smaller cars, the compact market is overpriced. Clearly, paying $5000 for a seven year old Dodge Neon is a bit much, especially one with more than 80,000 miles on the odometer.

On the other hand, the new car market is in tatters due to the tough economy and the almost overnight shift in consumer tastes from V8 powered vehicles to almost anything with four cylinders. While the demand for smaller cars is up sharply, prices are generally not, making the purchase of a new set of wheels an excellent option for some college students.

The 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE

When shopping for a new car, many students look at entry level models, knowing that these are the types of cars which they can afford and are usually the most fuel efficient. The under $15K price tag of various Scion, Ford, Honda, Toyota, Kia, Hyundai, and Chevy models makes this segment interesting, one filled with a variety of cars — some rather stripped, others fairly well equipped.

Leading the way in fuel economy in this category is the Smart Fortwo, a two seater mini minicar that gets 40 mpg on the highway. Unfortunately, the $11,750 Smart can barely hold enough gear to transport students with all of their stuff from home to college and back again. Slightly larger, and seating at least four passengers are the Hyundai Elantra, Ford Focus, Nissan Sentra, and the Chevy Cobalt to name a few. Speaking about the latter, the Cobalt XFE retails at $15,070 before incentives are included and for 2009 the model will get 26 mpg city and an excellent 37 mpg on the highway.

Your Fuel Efficient Cobalt

The Cobalt’s fuel efficiency is its strong point, thanks to low resistance tires, special gearing, and computer tweaking which, together, helps to squeeze out an extra 3 mpg highway miles for the XFE (Xtra Fuel Economy). With a cloth interior, standard air conditioning and AM/FM radio with CD player and MP3, and with a 2.2L I4 powered engine, the Cobalt comes with many of the features drivers crave. Mated to a five-speed manual transmission, the best fuel numbers are achieved with this combination.

All Cobalts meet required safety conditions including dual frontal airbags and a “good” rating for front impact. Side airbags, antilock brakes, and stability control are also available on select models. Quality for the Cobalt is average, bettered by more established models such as the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. GM says that they sell 200,000 Cobalts annually, making it the second most popular car in the entire GM fleet.

Shop For Incentives

Buyers looking for a good deal on a Cobalt may want to consider end of the model year specials for the 2008 Cobalt. Achieving 36 mpg on the highway, the 2008 Cobalt XFE could offer the best value when incentives are taken. Consider taking the rebate and finding your own automotive financing in order to save money.

Some colleges forbid or actively discourage students from having cars on campus, while others are tolerant and understand the needs of their future alumni. Check with your insurer before buying any car to learn what costs you’ll have to pay to keep your car at school.

Many basic cars come packaged with the bare minimums included — air-conditioning is extra, a manual transmission is standard, and most of the other creature comforts are included with special convenience packages that can add several thousands of dollars to the the base price. The Aveo5 is no different from these types of vehicles, but this five-passenger hatchback does offer Chevrolet’s 5 year/100,000 mile limited warranty, an economical 1.6L I4 engine, AM/FM radio with dual front and rear coaxial speakers, side impact air bags, 60/40 folding split seats, and more. Not a lot of amenities, but for an extra $1700 you can get air-conditioning and carpeted floor mats included.

Rear passengers in some small cars are usually considered an afterthought by designers. With the Aveo, rear seating is sufficient with theatre-seating standard — this means that rear passengers get a commanding view of the road instead of having to peer at the back of the person’s head sitting in front of them. The back seats do fold down, creating a surprisingly large amount of cargo space to haul favorite dorm items including music system, folding bed, a small chest of drawers, and boxes filled with household items.

A slightly larger model, the Aveo LT sedan, retails for just under $13,000 and comes standard-equipped with air conditioning. For drivers wanting a private storage area, the trunk is ideal with additional storage space available by folding down the rear seats. Like the hatchback, the sedan can also carry as many as five people.

Fuel economy is 24 city, 34 highway which is considered good with the tighter emissions requirements now in place. With an all new 2009 model due out this summer, buyers should be able to negotiate a lower price on the car. As of this writing, Chevrolet is offering $500 cash back on the Aveo or 4.9% financing. Consider taking the cash and financing on your own for the best savings.

Comparable cars in the Aveo’s class include the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, and the Hyundai Accent.

Photo copyright/courtesy of General Motors. Pictured: 2008 Chevrolet Aveo LT sedan.