A tiny car to slot beneath the Chevrolet Sonic, the upcoming Spark aims at city dwellers and young buyers on a budget.

It is powered by a 1.2-liter four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing and an estimated 85-hp. It will come standard with a five-speed manual transmission, with a four-speed automatic being optional.

The wheelbase is a little over 93 inches and the car measures 143 inches in length, making it notably smaller than the Honda Fit (with its 98-inch wheelbase and 162-inch length). Although narrow, think of it as a roomy alternative to a Fiat 500 or Scion iQ. The cabin is best described as cheap and cheerful, aided by body-color accents. The 1LT and 2LT models include Chevrolet's MyLink infotainment system with a large seven-inch touchscreen. The system features Bluetooth and is compatible with Pandora and Stitcher Internet radio.

Cargo space is enhanced by the 60/40-split rear seats and a variety of interior storage compartments. Roof rails will be optional.

With such a small car, safety is a natural concern. The Spark features include 10 air bags, antilock brakes, and electronic stability control, plus OnStar.

Fuel economy has not yet been announced.

We’ll buy one mid year, after it goes on sale, to see how this diminutive hatchback measures up.