There are many different vehicles out there wearing the Chevrolet logo, most of them surprisingly affordable. Chevy has affordable options for every possible iteration of vehicle they manufacture: sedans, SUVs, and trucks. So, when you are checking out your local Chevy dealer while shopping on a budget, you will still have plenty of options. Some of the most popular and most affordable Chevys include the 2021 Chevy Spark, 2021 Chevy Trailblazer, and 2021 Chevy Colorado. This trio are some of the best and most well-known to wear the Chevy brand.
The most expensive of the trio is the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado, a pickup truck priced at $25,200. The Chevy Spark, a hatchback sedan, is the cheapest, priced at $13,400, and the Trailblazer falls in the middle at a comfortable $19,000. Other Chevy models fall under the $30,000 mark, but these three are the cheapest of each vehicle type available. Even at these low starting prices, the different vehicles have many options for buyers to choose between, with many trim levels or packages to choose from. This ensures that anyone browsing Chevy’s lineup can find something to meet their needs at a price they can afford.
Capabilities: Not Hindered by Price
The Spark, Trailblazer, and Colorado operate fantastically, despite their low price points. They are all designed with good quality and high capability. Each one offers between four and five seats, with a second row available in all. In addition to this, these models all offer excellent fuel economy ratings. In the Spark and Trailblazer, you can expect to get an average of roughly 28-33 miles per gallon combined. The Colorado offers a range of about 19-23 miles per gallon combined, which is less than the smaller hatchback and SUV but still exceptional for a truck.
These vehicles may not be the most powerful on the market, but they are all made with affordability and safety in mind. Every buyer seeking a bargain will be happy with any of Chevy’s lineup, best represented by the Spark, Trailblazer, and Colorado. The Chevy Spark has a 1.4 liter four-cylinder engine with a continuously variable automatic transmission or a five-speed manual. A short wheelbase aids maneuverability and makes the vehicle easy to thread through slow-moving traffic and busy city streets. Rattles and road noise are both reported to be very low in the Spark, and the potential of up to 27.2 cu.ft. of space makes this small hatchback desirable to urban drivers.
The Chevy Trailblazer is the most affordable option if you want an SUV. This small crossover SUV has two different turbocharged three-cylinder engines to choose from. They include a 1.2 liter that produces 137 horsepower and a 1.3 liter that produces 155 horsepower. The smaller engine comes with a continuously variable automatic transmission and is front-wheel drive only. The larger engine has all-wheel drive as an option and comes with either a continuously variable automatic transmission or a nine-speed automatic transmission.
The Chevy Colorado offers the most engine options of the three, which makes sense since it is Chevy’s smallest truck. The base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that comes with a six-speed automatic transmission. The next step up is a 3.6 liter V-6 with an eight-speed automatic. The last is the diesel, a 2.8-liter turbo four-cylinder.
The base engine has an EPA estimated fuel efficiency of 19 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway with rear-wheel drive. The V6 with rear-wheel drive gets 18 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway. However, if you want the best fuel economy this truck has to offer, then you need to get the diesel engine because it gets an impressive 20 miles per gallon in the city and 30 miles per gallon on the highway with rear-wheel drive. Four-wheel drive is available for all of these engine options, though you will see fuel economy drop slightly if you choose that option.
Interior Comfort and Style
These affordable Chevy vehicles are designed to be comfortable and spacious, particularly in the front seats. Some have slightly smaller back seats, but none are so small that they can’t be functional. Flexible cargo space is a feature for all three, with many including fold-down second rows for more space. The infotainment systems feature touch screens that measure at least seven inches. Automatic climate control is also standard for all three. Though they have many similarities, there are also distinct differences between the trio that give a clear separation.
The Spark has an interior crafted of hard plastic, with everything fitting together in a very neat way. While the hard plastics can be a distinct downside in some vehicles, it is attractively textured and well put together in the Spark. Upgraded features are limited to heated front seats and leather trim. A fold-down armrest is included for both front seats. Large front doors and a raised seat height make the Spark comfortable and easy to board. There are cubbies in the center console and a shelf mounted above the glovebox. This is in addition to the 11.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seats that increases to 27.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.
The Chevy Trailblazer has a spacious cabin with colored trim pieces and chrome embellishments included in upper trim levels for a more sophisticated look. The rear seats in this small SUV offer a 60/40 split for cargo loading, and the front passenger seat also folds down, allowing the Trailblazer to carry items up to 8.5 feet in length. The second row up cargo space is 25.3 cubic feet; the second row folded down brings the available cargo space to 54.4 cubic feet.
The Chevy Silverado has a spacious cockpit, similar to full-sized pickups, despite the Silverado only marketed as being midsized. The short bed offers 41.3 cubic feet of bed volume, while the long bed offers 49.9 cubic square feet. Offering between two and five seats, depending on cab options, the Chevy Colorado has a deep center console bin and an optional massive compartment under the rear seats of the crew cab. Though this truck is smaller than a full-size model, it still offers plenty of space for hauling cargo and maneuvering around a job site.
Affordable Quality All-Around
Chevrolet is well known for its affordable vehicles, all of them well made and designed to meet buyer needs as much as possible. The wide variety of vehicle types ensures that any buyer can find exactly what they need under the bow tie symbol of the Chevy brand. The engines, whether powerful or peppy, are always paired with appropriate transmissions to give each vehicle class appropriate gas mileage. The low price combined with the excellent capabilities of these vehicles makes them ideal for those who are shopping on a tighter budget.
All of these vehicles offer proof of Chevrolet’s high standards in manufacturing and strong quality control that has only increased over the years. Their designs are all streamlined and intended to keep gas mileage low while maximizing storage space. These vehicles are incredibly affordable while able to stand up to their competitors in every safety test. Anyone who wants a strong amount of options to consider for any style or type of vehicle would do well to look into Chevy’s diverse lineup.
