Does the Chevy Spark have a CVT transmission?
The Chevy Spark does not use a CVT (continuously variable transmission). In its US-market lineup, it has been offered with a conventional 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic, and there has been no CVT option. The model has shifted in and out of production in the United States, but the transmission approach has consistently favored traditional gears rather than a continuously variable setup.
What transmissions has the Spark used?
To understand the Spark’s gearbox history, note that Chevrolet’s entry-level hatchback relied on familiar, traditional transmissions rather than a CVT.
- 5-speed manual transmission on base and several trim levels during many model years.
- 4-speed automatic transmission on models equipped with an automatic option.
- Automated manual or semi-automatic configurations were available in some markets, but these were not true CVTs.
In all of its configurations, the Spark did not offer a continuously variable transmission. This choice aligned with GM’s subcompact strategy, prioritizing simplicity and cost-effectiveness over CVT-driven efficiency gains.
Current status and regional notes
Regional specifications vary, but in the United States, Chevrolet stopped selling the Spark after its waveform of production concluded in the early 2020s, and none of the US-market trims included a CVT. In other regions where the Spark remained available for longer, the transmission options likewise centered on manual transmissions and conventional automatics rather than CVTs.
Why CVTs haven’t been part of the Spark lineup
CVTs add cost and maintenance considerations that haven’t aligned with the Spark’s target position as an affordable, city-friendly car. The Spark’s lifecycle emphasized reliable, simple drivetrain options over the efficiency gains typically associated with CVTs.
Summary
The Chevy Spark does not offer a CVT transmission in its current or recent production runs. Transmission choices have consistently included a 5-speed manual or a traditional 4-speed automatic, with no CVT option in the Spark’s US-market history or in most of its international configurations. The model’s presence in the market has waned in recent years, but the gearbox approach remains rooted in conventional gearboxes rather than CVTs.
