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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2012 Chevrolet Sonic

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic

Overview

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2012 Chevrolet Sonic Review

By Jason Allan

KBB Expert Rating: 7.9

Some buyers will be drawn to the all-new 2012 Chevrolet Sonic because it's the only subcompact built in the U.S. Far more will be won over by the fact that it's the most well-rounded driver in the segment. As the bow-tie brand's newest answer to subcompact sedans and 5-door hatchbacks like the Honda Fit and Ford Fiesta, the Chevy Sonic comes into the world facing stiff competition. And if you're looking for standout styling or go-git-'em driving feel, you can indeed do better than the Sonic. But if you like the idea of an entry-level subcompact that drives more like a comfortable compact car, consider the Sonic an early favorite in your quest for affordable and efficient wheels.

You'll Like This Car If...

In sedan or 5-door hatchback configuration, the 2012 Chevy Sonic is the quietest and most composed subcompact car you can buy. Combined with more conventional styling than some of its key competitors, the Sonic is destined to become a mass-market favorite.

You May Not Like This Car If...

The 2012 Chevy Sonic isn't the smallest car in the category, but it's not as accommodating or flexible as the 2012 Honda Fit. Nor is the interior as polished as the 2012 Hyundai Accent's. And while it proves impressively athletic when pushed, it doesn't encourage that sort of behavior as much as the 2012 Ford Fiesta.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

7.9
Driving Dynamics

7.8
Comfort & Convenience

7.5
Design: Interior & Exterior

7.5
Value

7.2
Safety

10.0

How It Ranks

#7

out of 8

MPG

#5

out of 8

Horsepower

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Consumer Rating

8.8 out of 10

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consumer ratings

What's Significant About This Car?

The Chevy Aveo had grown so uncompetitive and unloved enough that when it came time for a new generation, Chevy changed everything including the name. With the arrival of the radically improved 2012 Chevy Sonic, the short list of subcompact cars worth considering is now one car longer.

Driving the Sonic

2012 Chevrolet Sonic Front angle view photo

Driving Impressions Around town and on the highway, the 2012 Chevy Sonic sets a new standard for subcompact driving refinement. The category as a whole has gotten less skittish and less buzzy...

in recent years, but the new Sonic ups the ante considerably and drives like a bigger, pricier car than any of its competitors. It's not perfect, though. The up-level turbocharged engine available on LT and LZ models offers excellent fuel economy but suffers from the same quirky power delivery that hurt the Sonic's Chevy Cruze big brother in our most recent compact sedan comparison test. And until spring 2012, the turbocharged engine is only available with a 6-speed manual transmission – a combination that magnifies the engine's idiosyncrasies. Fortunately, the base-level 1.8-liter engine costs less, is available with the 6-speed automatic transmission right out of the gate, and delivers – in some ways – a better driving experience. It may be down on power, refinement and efficiency compared to the turbo option, but it's still one of the category's most powerful engines. One of the front-wheel-drive Sonic's best tricks is how it manages to deliver both segment-leading highway manners with impressive road-holding abilities. It's not stretching the leash to charge a canyon road, but you might be impressed by the grip and stability it delivers if that's what you want to do. We were.

Favorite Features

Digital Speedometer
We like traditional tachometers – the needle helps you time shifts and more quickly conveys the relative speed of the engine - but when it comes to tracking vehicle speed, two digits is better.

Bluetooth Audio
If your phone and digital music player are one, and you take more short trips than long drives, you'll appreciate the ability to play your music without having to constantly plug and unplug your phone.

2012 Chevrolet Sonic Details

2012 Chevrolet Sonic Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

Like the outside, the inside of the 2012 Chevy Sonic is a mix of conservative design with a touch of 2-wheeler inspiration manifested in the form of a compact gauge cluster with a digital speedometer. Like many of the newer subcompact cars, a key highlight of the Sonic interior is simply the dearth of weak spots common to the category's cabins only a few years ago. Worth noting are that the cupholders are good but awkwardly placed too rearward between the front seats, the backseat is one of the category's roomiest, and the 2-glovebox layout is especially nice for those who use a dedicated digital music player (the USB port is located in the smaller top box).

Exterior

The motorcycle-inspired headlights notwithstanding, the 2012 Chevy Sonic is among the more traditionally styled subcompact cars in the segment. While it won't generate as much excitement as the crisper styling of the Ford Fiesta or Hyundai Accent, the flip side is that it won't push as many people away. One fun detail to check out: On the 5-door hatchback model, Chevy's designers "hid" the rear door handle in the black area of the C-pillar, in an effort to give the car a little bit of a 2-door look at first glance. Also, we love that even the base Chevy Sonic includes alloy wheels, as opposed to the covered steel wheels more common on base trims in the category.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

In sedan or 5-door hatchback form, a 2012 Chevy Sonic LS includes a 1.8-liter engine, 5-speed manual transmission, 15-inch aluminum wheels, air conditioning, 4-speaker AM/FM/Aux sound system and OnStar with a 6-month subscription that includes convenient turn-by-turn navigation. You might notice power windows and mirrors are missing from the list - Chevy's omission, not ours (but not unusual for base-level subcompacts). A full range of standard safety equipment includes 10 airbags.

Optional Equipment

A fully loaded 2012 Chevy Sonic includes the 1.4-liter turbocharged engine matched with a 6-speed manual transmission (a 6-speed automatic is coming for spring 2012), leatherette seats, heated front seats, moonroof, cruise control, AM/FM/CD/MP3/USB/Aux/Bluetooth audio 6-speaker sound system, steering-wheel audio/phone controls and 17-inch wheels.

Under the Hood

The bad news is that the more powerful, more fuel-efficient turbocharged engine won't be available with an automatic transmission until spring 2012. The good news is that the base 1.8-liter engine is a viable option with more linear power delivery. In fact, the pricier turbocharged engine's key strength isn't the added torque but the 5-mpg advantage in highway fuel economy. We haven't yet tested the 5-speed manual, but we were impressed by both the 6-speed automatic and 6-speed manual transmissions.

1.8-liter in-line 4-cylinder
138 horsepower @ 6,300 rpm
125 lb-ft of torque @ 3,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 26/35 (5-speed manual), 25/35 (6-speed automatic)

1.4-liter turbocharged in-line 4-cylinder
138 horsepower @ 4,900 rpm
148 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 29/40 (6-speed manual only until spring 2012)

Pricing Notes

A 2012 Chevy Sonic Sedan LS starts at a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $14,495 including destination. The Sonic 5-door commands an additional $900 – but nets a rear-window wiper – with a starting sticker of $15,395. Loaded, a 2012 Sonic can top $20,000. Overall, the Sonic is priced in line with its key competitors on a feature-to-feature basis. Before heading down to your Chevy dealer, be sure to check our Fair Purchase Price, which reflects what others are currently paying. As for resale value, we expect the 2012 Chevy Sonic to perform better than its Aveo predecessor, but not as well as some of its more proven subcompact competitors.

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2012 Chevrolet Sonic Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.8

Out of 10

Based on 62 Ratings for the 2012 - 2014 models.

Review this car

Value

8.8/10

Quality

8.6/10
Reliability

9.1/10

Performance

8.6/10
Comfort

8.5/10

Styling

8.9/10

Great car.

By moldman (NY) on Thursday, July 04, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 13,500

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "fun to drive, great mpg, versatile (hatchback)"

Cons: "Radio a tad weak but works well."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Many say their mileage is not as claimed however I routinely get 41 mpg or more on the highway running at 70 mph. My car is a tad over a year old and the mileage continues to get better. I have not had any problems whatsoever so the quality is fantastic. The 1.4 L turbo is the engine to get (which I have) it has more power and is the mpg winner of the two. The car is very quite inside, I didn't expect that. I think Chevy hit one out of the park with the Sonic. I would highly recommend this car."

7 people out of 7 found this review helpful

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I am a believer

By The_Acos (NC) on Thursday, May 16, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 4,500

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "All around great car for the city."

Cons: "Needs bigger armrest."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This is my second Sonic. My first was the 2012 LT Inferno Orange hatchback. I was plesantly surprised when it got exactally what the window sticker said on MPG. THAT is very rare. Since then I have traded it in and upgraded to a Black Granite Metallic LTZ hatchback with the 1.4L turbo and automatic transmission. With the 17" black rims, the car has a very sporty look. But, it doesn't only look like fun, it is fun. The handling is precise and responsive. Enough so that I'm certain at least twice this vehicle's responsiveness has helped me avoid an accident. The interior with the connectivity and features makes this a car that I have no problem being in for a long trip or a simple commute. With OnStar, MyLink, BringGo Nav, TunedIn radio, Pandora, Sticher, XM Radio, USB hook up, sunroof, heated seats, leatherette, and so forth and so on . . .I'm never bored in this car! For city driving and parking in tight spaces, fuel economy, modern day connectivity, this Sonic is perfect. My only critisism would be that the armrest could be a little more substantial. However; I hardly use it any way. If you are looking for a subcompact urban car that is not afraid of the highway, this is your choice."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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Great Hatchback!!

By kc (IL) on Tuesday, April 23, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 300

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "very smooth ride/ Great MPG / MyLink Radio"

Cons: "No CD player with Touchscreen Radio"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This is my first new car and I have to say I love it! I have the orange LT hatchback 1.8 engine with automatic trans. So far, it’s getting 29.6 mpg in town. I really like the touchscreen radio with XM and the OnStar is great too. It’s a blast to drive around town and the freeway. When going 70 on the freeway it doesn’t feel like you are driving that fast. It’s extremely quiet and it accelerates very quickly compared to the other cars in this class. The interior is very stylish and handy. There are little pockets everywhere to put your stuff. Also, the back seats aren’t as cramped as someone might think in such a small car. Overall, this is a great little car!"

6 people out of 6 found this review helpful

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Best sub-compact car

By Jon (PA) on Sunday, April 21, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 3,500

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Built solid, good gas milage, & driving dynamics."

Cons: "none"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Chevy stepped it up a notch in the small car market. I own both a Sonic and Cruze, both drive like bigger cars. The sonic is a solid built sub-compact with good gas mileage. The driving dynamics are that of bigger compact cars. The Chevy sonic is the only sub-compact to be built in the USA. In the Sonics first year to market it out sold every sub-compact in the US. Love my Chevy's!"

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Stylish, fun to drive, good gas mileage!

By Whitey (MO) on Monday, April 15, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 32,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 7/10

Pros: "Stylish, good gas mileage, easy to load"

Cons: "No armrest for passenger"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I've owned my Sonic since it was brand new. It now has over 32,000 miles on it. I love it just as much now as when I first bought it. Its a small car, and I don't expect more out of it than would be appropriate for this class of car. The car gets the best gas mileage at 55 mph; I can get 41-43 mph driving 55. Driving 70-77, I drop down into the mid 30s. I don't drive enough just in town to tell you what it gets in town alone. Its peppy. The transmission does take some getting used to. It is a little hard shifting. Compared to some small cars I've had before, where you had to get out and push them up hills, this car is in a class by itself. A trip through some good hills up and down last weekend, and had no problems keeping up and passing other cars. Love my car. Will buy another one."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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Very nice car.

By Josh (WI) on Wednesday, April 03, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 2,200

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Great mpg and roomy"

Cons: "No trunk release and arm rest for passenger."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I bought for gas mileage and has been excellent. I have the turbo 1.4 with an automatic and have gotten 31 mpg on a tank of fuel. Biggest complaint is no trunk release inside car. The automatic also seems to down shift hard/early, no problems yet, but i think it does this to keep the turbo from having lag. Great car for the price."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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