why ads?

Popular at KBB.com

The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2013 Chevrolet Sonic

Please enter a valid mileage

View all 48 photos

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

Overview

Get Your Fair Purchase Price See actual transaction prices, explore total cost to own, projected resale value and more. See what you should pay

Buy used | Trade-in/Sell

2013 Chevrolet Sonic Review

By KBB.com Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 7.8

Built in the USA, the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic is the second-smallest car to wear the bow-tie badge (the new Spark is officially the smallest), but its abilities are far from diminutive. Competing against Ford's Fiesta and Honda's Fit, among others, the Sonic delivers fuel economy that's equal to or better than its rivals and driving dynamics that range from comfortable and nimble (LT trim) to downright sporty (new RS). Offered as a 5-door hatchback or 4-door sedan, the Sonic is no ordinary small car. It offers loads of features unexpected at this price range, such as streaming Bluetooth audio and the MyLink infotainment system that allows for control of cell phone-enabled apps.

You'll Like This Car If...

In sedan or 5-door hatchback configuration, the 2013 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 2013 Chevy Sonic isn't the smallest car in the category, but it's not as accommodating or flexible as the 2013 Honda Fit. Nor is the interior as polished as that of the 2013 Hyundai Accent.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

7.8
Driving Dynamics

7.7
Comfort & Convenience

7.4
Design: Interior & Exterior

7.4
Value

7.1
Safety

9.9

How It Ranks

#6

out of 6

MPG

#2

out of 6

Horsepower

View all rankings

Consumer Rating

8.8 out of 10

View all
consumer ratings

2013 Chevrolet Sonic Low/wide front photo

What's New for 2013

The big news for the 2013 Chevy Sonic is the addition of the sporty RS that includes a stiffer suspension, leather seats and unique 17-inch wheels. There's a simplified version of the MyLink infotainment system and all Sonics gain integral blind-spot side mirrors. The LT trim adds cruise control, a USB port, second auxiliary input, steering-wheel audio controls and Bluetooth streaming audio.

Driving the Sonic

2013 Chevrolet Sonic Front angle view photo

Driving Impressions Around town and on the highway, the 2013 Chevy Sonic sets a new standard for subcompact driving refinement. As a whole, the offerings in this category have become less skittish...

and less buzzy in recent years, but Chevrolet's Sonic for 2013 drives like a bigger, pricier car than any of its competitors. It's not perfect, though. The up-level turbocharged engine available on LT, RS and LTZ models offers excellent fuel economy but suffers from somewhat quirky power delivery. Fortunately, the base-level 1.8-liter engine costs less, is available with either a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission, and delivers - in some ways - a better driving experience. 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. And, if you decide to charge a canyon road, you might be impressed by the grip and stability it delivers.

Favorite Features

MYLINK INFOTAINMENT
With MyLink, customers can use their smartphones to enable music from popular apps such as Pandora and Stitcher. Later in the model year a navigation app will be added to the mix.

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.

2013 Chevrolet Sonic Details

2013 Chevrolet Sonic Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

Inside the 2013 Chevy Sonic is a mix of conservative design with a touch of motorcycle inspiration 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 cup holders 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 Chevrolet's 2013 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, with the exception of the base LS trim, all models include alloy wheels.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

In sedan or 5-door hatchback form, a 2013 Chevy Sonic LS includes a 1.8-liter engine, 5-speed manual transmission, air conditioning, Bluetooth, steering wheel audio controls, 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 of standard equipment, but that's not unusual for base-level subcompacts. A full range of standard safety equipment includes 10 airbags.

Optional Equipment

A fully-loaded 2013 Chevy Sonic includes the 1.4-liter turbocharged engine matched with a 6-speed manual transmission or 6-speed automatic, leatherette seats, heated front seats, moonroof, cruise control and 17-inch wheels. Chevrolet's MyLink infotainment is available on LS and LT and standard on LTZ and RS. A premium 6-speaker audio system is offered on LS and standard on all others, while the LTZ with the automatic transmission comes with standard remote start. The RS trim adds leather seating, four-wheel disc brakes, performance suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels and a sport steering wheel.

Under the Hood

The bad news is that the more powerful, more fuel-efficient turbocharged engine isn't available on every trim. 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 inline-4 (LS, LT, LTZ)
138 horsepower @ 6,300 rpm
125 lb-ft of torque @ 3,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 26/35 mpg (5-speed manual), 25/35 mpg (6-speed automatic)

1.4-liter turbocharged inline-4 (Optional on LT and LTZ, standard on RS)
138 horsepower @ 4,900 rpm
148 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500 rpm (manual)/1,850 rpm (automatic)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 29/40 mpg (6-speed manual), 27/37 mpg (6-speed automatic)

Pricing Notes

A 2013 Chevy Sonic LS sedan starts at a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of just under $15,000 including destination. The lowest-priced Sonic 5-door is in the step-up LT trim level, with its additional features, at just over $17,000. Loaded, a 2013 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 2013 Chevy Sonic to perform better than its Aveo predecessor, but not as well as some of its more proven subcompact competitors.

To find out what consumers are really paying for this vehicle, first select a style to see the Fair Purchase Price| Calculate payments for this vehicle

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Chevrolet Sonic vehicles for sale near you.

Get Your Fair Purchase Price See actual transaction prices, explore total cost to own, projected resale value and more.

See what you should pay

Buy used | Trade-in/Sell

2013 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

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

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."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

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

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

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!"

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

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

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

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

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

See all 62 reviews