The Spark is not a "low-cost" car because its price is quite far from the ultra-low models that are coming to market.

If you don't care about handling or power, the Spark delivers something much closer to a "real car" experience than the more conventional entries in the class. While I haven't driven this car back to back with a Mirage, it's my belief that the Spark is simply superior as a real-world operational proposition. There's more room, a better driving position, and enough NVH control to make it livable.