A whole herd of intriguing small cars is on the horizon.

2012 Chevy Spark

On sale: Early 2012

Need a new car, but subcompacts like the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit are just too gargantuan? Then maybe you should wait for the 2012 Chevrolet Spark. Designed to slot in under the Chevy Aveo, the Spark will seat four, five in a pinch, and be able to carry a couple of bags of groceries in the cargo area. It's not big, but let's face it, small is the new big, especially with gas prices going up and the economy staggering back to life. The Spark's main rival may turn out to be the even more diminutive Smart ForTwo, against which the little Chevy has a huge advantage: a back seat. Besides, the Spark actually looks kind of neat, especially in the iridescent green we see in press photos. Prices aren't announced, but we're guessing they, too, will slide in under the Aveo.