Chevrolet Sonic

[giant_mtb]

I've never seen it there before in any car. It seems unusual?

3rd-gen Explorers have their 12V sockets in basically that spot, too.  (Just one example off the top of my head 'cause we have an '02)  I think it's more convenient than it is odd.  Easier to get to then in some random, narrow nook or in the passenger-side footwell.

[omicron]

It looks like an angry insect. I think I like that.

[TBR]

Don't like the grill. Otherwise looks good.

[ChrisV]

I usually don't say this but I really like the sedan over the hatch.

The sedan looks like a small, scrappier Evo.

Yeah, it's one of the few tiny modern sedans that is actually reasonably proporional, and I LOVE the front. An aggressive bulldog kind of a look. And the interior looks worlds better than the car it replaces.

[68_427]

In the subcompact market, things like standard aluminum wheels are big news. Guess what? The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic has standard aluminum wheels. Honestly, we really like that. But in bigger news, Chevy?s forthcoming econobox is actually fun to drive. This is an about-face compared to the outgoing Aveo, which traded exclusively on its bargain-basement price. The Sonic, on sale this fall, seeks to recruit buyers with quality, features, and?to borrow a phrase overused by German car companies?driving pleasure.

A brief disclaimer: Our driving exposure was limited to preproduction prototypes in one configuration (1.4-liter turbo, manual transmission, five-door), on an improvised circuit at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, Indiana. In other words, we won?t be able to give you a definitive review until we get more time in a finished production car. But so far the worst thing about Chevy?s new subcompact is the Sonic name. There isn?t much wrong with the actual word, but so many other items in popular culture (fast-food drive-ins, video-game hedgehogs, Seattle?s former basketball team) come more readily to mind than ?affordable American car.?

Plenty to Like

Aside from that, there is much to like about the Sonic, most notably the turbocharged 1.4-liter engine we sampled. Shared with the Cruze, the turbo four makes 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque, 18 hp and 26 lb-ft more than the Ford Fiesta, a clear rival. And, when paired with a six-speed manual, Chevrolet promises a 40-mpg highway fuel-economy rating for the Sonic turbo. The other engine option (also sourced from the Cruze) is a naturally aspirated 1.8-liter making the same 138 hp but with a reduced torque figure of 125 lb-ft. The Sonic has slightly different gearing and weighs about 400 pounds less than the Cruze, so we expect better acceleration and fuel economy across the board. (In a recent comparison test, an automatic-equipped 1.4T Cruze posted an 8.0-second 0-to-60-mph run.)


The Sonic?s turbo pulls well above 3000 rpm; there is noticeable lag at lower engine speeds despite a low torque peak of 1850 rpm. Still, it?s a strong, smooth engine. This is not the second coming of the Volkswagen GTI, but the Sonic turbo injects some serious fun in a segment that usually puts performance on the back-burner. Chevrolet had a Honda Fit and Ford Fiesta on hand for comparison, and the Sonic held up well. In terms of lap time, all of the drivers present went almost two seconds quicker in the Sonic than the next-fastest Fit, but some of that is surely due to superior acceleration at higher speeds. The Honda, which is geared shorter, feels better at low engine speeds. And the Ford offers less body roll. But the Sonic looks like it will acquit itself nicely against the Fit and Fiesta, as well as the Mazda 2. The Chevy?s steering is light and reacts quickly on turn-in. Handling eventually gives way to understeer (the Honda can be tossed around more), but up to the limit the Sonic is responsive and behaves predictably even under trail braking. We?d like a little more feel in the shift lever, but it?s acceptable for this price point.

Should be Practical and Affordable

The Sonic is an economy car, which means sacrifices in creature comforts. The rear seats don?t have an armrest or cup holders, but they are acceptably habitable even behind a six-plus-footer in driving position. Both Sonic sedan and hatchback share the same 99.4-inch wheelbase. The four-door, at 173.1 inches, is 14.1 inches longer than the hatch but loses in the space race with 14 cubic feet of trunk space to the hatch?s 19. The hatch also has slightly better rear-seat headroom. The cargo area in the five-door, while not as spacious or ingenious as the Honda Fit?s, has a removable false floor that creates a level surface when the seats are folded. There also is a slot for the cargo cover to slide into behind the rear seats.

Chevrolet won?t divulge Sonic pricing until the fall on-sale date gets closer, only hinting that it will be competitive in the segment. We take to that to mean a starting price of around $14,000 and, as is the case with Fiesta and Fit, loftier trim models (including the turbo) that run as high as $19,000. Also like the Fiesta, we?re guessing the Sonic hatch will command a premium for its more attractive looks, although we have to say that the Sonic sedan manages to look something less than dumpy?a huge achievement in this segment. Even in base LS trim, the Sonic comes with the aforementioned wheels, plus air conditioning, power locks, keyless entry, stability control, and an impressive 10 air bags.

We?re not quite ready to break out the ?super? prefix for the Sonic, but it does appear to mark the return of the American small car, and not just in name. As part of GM?s restructuring, the Sonic will be assembled in Lake Orion, Michigan. The good news for Chevy, however, is that the Sonic appeals on its merits as a car and not as a piece of flag-waving patriotism.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/11q2/2012_chevrolet_sonic-first_drive_review

Sounds pretty promising.

[S204STi]

Looks nice, apparently drives nice... looks like Chevy might be on the right track here.

The motorcycle-inspired instrument binnacle is a tad tacky-looking, IMO.

[2o6]

I think it will be awesome.

[nickdrinkwater]

The wheels look massive.  18''s?

[Madman]

Sounds pretty good!  I agree with Michael Austin's opinion about the Sonic name, however.  It does sound a bit silly.  Did the Aveo name really have such a big stain on it that Chevy needed to dump it altogether?  I don't think the Aveo was a bad car, as such.  Just an unremarkable one which sold on price and little else.

I don't see Hyundai ditching the Accent name or Kia getting rid of the Rio moniker and both those cars have similar bargain-bin reputations.  GM will now have to work even harder to establish a new name in the marketplace and runs the risk of alienating existing Aveo owners.

[Secret Chimp]

GM is really overdoing this angry headlights thing.

[sportyaccordy]

I like it. Name is silly but a 2600lb car w/a turbocharged engine and a manual transmission is pretty much OK with me no matter what. And it's cheap??? No brainer man. Really glad manufacturers are finally beginning to take small cars seriously.

[Laconian]

How all-new is the car? I was under the impression that it was just a refresh of the Aveo.

That C&D article is so brimming with praise that I can't help but suspect it was done to protect the advertising budget.

[Secret Chimp]

In the subcompact market, things like standard aluminum wheels are big news. Guess what? The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic has standard aluminum wheels. Honestly, we really like that.

Now that's a lead!

[sportyaccordy]

How all-new is the car? I was under the impression that it was just a refresh of the Aveo.

That C&D article is so brimming with praise that I can't help but suspect it was done to protect the advertising budget.

Hey they dumped on some things. The fact that its so light  and still has turbo lag is pretty significant.

[the Teuton]

I hate to say it, but there were two open Sonics at the Cleveland Auto Show...and I sat in one...and it didn't suck.

[68_427]

How all-new is the car? I was under the impression that it was just a refresh of the Aveo.

That C&D article is so brimming with praise that I can't help but suspect it was done to protect the advertising budget.

I think you'd be hard pressed to find anything the same between the two.  Think Cobalt -> Cruze, only the Sonic is supposedly "sporty" compared to the relative blandness of the Cruze.

[68_427]

GM is really overdoing this angry headlights thing.

I'll take angry headlights over headlights that extend almost to the windshield like many other small cars.

[2o6]

How all-new is the car? I was under the impression that it was just a refresh of the Aveo.

That C&D article is so brimming with praise that I can't help but suspect it was done to protect the advertising budget.

You're dead wrong.


The Sonic/Aveo is the GM Gamma platform. The old Aveo is the Daewoo Kalos underneath (riding on a GMDAT platform). I mean, look at the physical proportions of the car, the stance, wheelbase and proportions are much sexier and better looking than the Aveo.


The new GM gamma platform will underpin the next Opel Corsa and other GM B-cars (IIRC the new Opel Meriva uses it). The old GM Gamma was developed with Fiat (and GM DAT had a hand in it, too) and underpins the current Opel Corsa and all of the Fiat B-segment cars (Not including Panda/Ka and 500).

I hate to say it, but there were two open Sonics at the Cleveland Auto Show...and I sat in one...and it didn't suck.

I think it's a great car.


Take off the blinders, the Sonic looks to ace everything (on paper, at least).

[Secret Chimp]

Oh it's another German-market platform brought here for Muricuns, I should've known.

[2o6]

Oh it's another German-market platform brought here for Muricuns, I should've known.

That's flat out wrong.

[Madman]

I've also heard the smaller Chevrolet Spark was also coming to America.  Any word of when and/or if this is happening?

[2o6]

I've also heard the smaller Chevrolet Spark was also coming to America.  Any word of when and/or if this is happening?

GM said it would, but I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't.



The Aveo moves upscale, and the Spark would likely take over to be the value leader. But the 1.2L in the spark would need to get at least 45MPG to IMO gain any traction.

[Schadenfreude]

the sedan looks like a junior Lancer; makes me want there to be an AWD turbo SS version.

The platform can support AWD if necessary, and in terms of a turbo engine..one of the one's GM has will fit, and it's not the one you think 

[2o6]

The platform can support AWD if necessary, and in terms of a turbo engine..one of the one's GM has will fit, and it's not the one you think 

1.6T?

[Schadenfreude]

1.6T?

Nope...larger. The Cruze can take the same size engine too (but it's not offered).  

How many people would like the Regal's 2.0T in a Cruze? Or a slightly detuned version in a Sonic?

[2o6]

Nope...larger. The Cruze can take the same size engine too (but it's not offered). 

LNF?

[Schadenfreude]

LNF?

See edit above.

[the Teuton]

What I want to know is that since WRC has gone to subcompacts with 1.6 liter engines, will the Sonic compete with the big guys?

[the Teuton]

Nope...larger. The Cruze can take the same size engine too (but it's not offered). 

How many people would like the Regal's 2.0T in a Cruze? Or a slightly detuned version in a Sonic?

I would hope so. The Cruze SS needs to make a comeback after the killer Cobalt left.

[2o6]

I WOULD.


Detuned? Is 220 HP too much for the chassis? Polo GTI is at 200HP....

Nope...larger. The Cruze can take the same size engine too (but it's not offered).  

How many people would like the Regal's 2.0T in a Cruze? Or a slightly detuned version in a Sonic?

Since you work for GM, why did we get the 1.8L? The motor choices stomp all over the Cruze's toes. Also, the fuel economy.....why is it LESS than the Cruze's?