Overview

What's New for 2018

Chevrolet offers the Sonic in four trim levels: LS, LT, LTZ and RS. Each trim level is available in both sedan and hatchback form, except for the RS that’s only available as a hatchback. LS models come with standard equipment that includes 15-inch steel wheels, automatic headlights, power locks, blindspot mirror, air conditioning, keyless entry, OnStar emergency services, height-adjustable driver’s seat, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth connectivity, trip computer, steering wheel-mounted controls and a sound system with four speakers. LT models add to the standard features with 15-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, nicer cloth upholstery, power windows, power and heated side mirrors, remote ignition and a sound system with satellite radio and a USB port. Hatchback models also receive a rear cargo shelf. 16-inch alloy wheels and foglights are optional. LTZ models come with everything on the LT plus 17-inch alloy wheels, chrome trim on the exterior, foglights, heated front seats, leatherette upholstery, Chevrolet’s MyLink smartphone integrated system, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a navigation system app. Hatchback RS models come with everything found on the LTZ and adds four-wheel disc brakes, a turbocharged engine, sport-tuned suspension, unique wheels, leather and faux-suede upholstery and a sport steering wheel. A Sonic comes with a factory invoice of about $15,000 for an LS model and an MSRP of about $15,300. The LT trim level adds about $2,000 to the vehicle’s MSRP while the LTZ adds another $1,600. The RS has an MSRP of about $2,000 more. And as a member you can expect to receive an upfront price without hidden fees that also includes savings. Your car shopping experience at your Certified Dealer will also be hassle-free.

The standard engine on the Sonic is a 1.8-liter four cylinder that puts out 138 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque. The standard transmission is a five-speed manual but a six-speed automatic is available as an option. The EPA estimates fuel economy at 25 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. An optional engine on the LT and LTZ trim levels, or the standard engine on the RS, is a 1.4-liter four cylinder turbocharged block that puts out 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. The standard transmission option is a six-speed manual with a six-speed automatic optional. Even though it’s more powerful, fuel mileage estimates come in higher at 27 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway.

The interior of the Chevrolet Sonic contains plenty of grey hard plastic that covers all of the hard surfaces. Fit and finish is acceptable for a budget subcompact car. The control layout is pretty simple and easy to learn, meaning drivers won’t have to take their eyes off the road to adjust different settings. What’s really unique about the Sonic’s interior design is the gauge cluster. As Chevrolet describes it, the cluster’s design is inspired by motorcycle gauges. A large tachometer sits on the left of the cluster, while a rectangular digital display shows the driver information like speed, fuel level, fuel mileage info and any warnings. For a subcompact, the Sonic provides quite a bit of interior space. Drivers and passengers standing over six feet tall will be surprised to find out they fit quite comfortably anywhere except in the center rear seat. The sedan’s trunk comes with 14 cubic feet of storage space, which is quite a lot for a tiny car. Hatchback versions of the car come with 19 cubic feet, which expands to 30.9 cubic feet once the second row is folded flat. The MyLink system comes with a touchscreen mounted at the top of the center stack. The system integrates with the owner’s smartphone, allowing phone apps like Pandora to stream music through the sound system and for navigation to be controlled by the phone. Owners can even customize the control layouts on the touchscreen, a nice touch that makes the system that much easier to use.