Chevrolet Sonic - Vehicle Overview

The Chevrolet Sonic was made to be on the move. You can see it in the dynamic lines and aggressive, ready-to-pounce stance. Or feel it with the available ECOTEC® 1.4L turbocharged engine with 6-speed manual transmission, the only turbocharged engine in its class.

Exterior

The Sonic's aggressive looks are a departure from the normal bubbly, cute look of many subcompacts. Chevrolet says it took design inspiration for the headlights from the motorcycle world. The Sonic's hunkered-down and raked stance adds to its aggressive looks. There isn't much of a gap between the tire and fender, a characteristic possibly the result of Corvette engineers who tuned the ride and handling.

Some of the more interesting features include hidden rear door handles on hatchback models and a matte-black-painted front grille for all Sonics.

Interior

Like the outside, the inside takes inspiration from motorcycles, Chevrolet says. The instrument cluster is one of the more identifiable products of that approach, attaching a floating digital LCD readout to an analog speedometer.

Sure, Sonic has an edge, but it's made for comfort too. Every seat in Sonic was designed to give you and your passengers the best ride possible. Go for the LTZ and you get perforated leatherette heated front seats. And rest assured, Sonic has your back with OnStar® Turn-by-Turn Navigation5, standard for the first six months. With the press of a button you'll be connected with a friendly OnStar® representative ready to help get you where you're going. So buckle up and get ready to go.

That hatchback is good for more than just a sporty look. Sonic offers flexible cargo space with 19 cubic feet and up to 30.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down9. With its 60/40 split folding rear seats you'll be able to find a configuration that's just right. Sonic even gives you unique storage solutions for everything you want to keep within reach including upper and lower glove boxes. Bringing a water bottle with you? There are holders incorporated right into the front doors. Have a tendency to misplace your parking stubs? Not anymore with the specialized holder right in the dash. There's a smart way to make use of space, and the Sonic Hatchback is brilliant.

Under the Hood

Like the Chevrolet Cruze, the Sonic comes with a base 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and an available turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder. The turbocharged engine makes 138 horsepower. Available transmissions for the 1.8-liter include a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The 1.4-liter is available with a six-speed manual transmission.

Safety

Standard safety equipment includes 10 standard air bags, antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, and OnStar with Automatic Crash Response. As required by federal law, the Sonic includes standard electronic stability system and antilock brakes, features that were optional on the Aveo.