| Model year | 2012 |
| Make | Chevrolet |
| Model | Sonic |
| Style | LTZ |
| Base MSRP | $17,235 |
| Options on test vehicle | Ecotec Turbo 1.4-Liter Four-Cylinder Engine ($700 -- includes six-speed manual transmission and 3.65 final drive). |
| As-tested MSRP | $17,935 (plus $760 destination) |
| Drive type | Transverse, Front-engine, Front-wheel Drive |
| Engine type | Turbocharged, port-injected inline-4, gasoline |
| Displacement (cc/cu-in) | 1,364/83.2 |
| Block/head material | Cast iron/cast aluminum |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, variable intake + exhaust valve timing |
| Compression ratio (x:1) | 9.5 |
| Redline (rpm) | 6,500 |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm) | 138 @ 4,900 |
| Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) | 148 @ 2,500 |
| Fuel type | 87 octane recommended |
| Transmission type | Six-speed manual |
| Transmission and axle ratios (x:1) | I = 3.82, II = 2.05, III = 1.30, IV = 0.96, V = 0.74, VII = 0.61, R = 3.54, FD = 3.65 |
| Suspension, front | Independent MacPherson struts, coil springs, twin-tube dampers, stabilizer bar |
| Suspension, rear | Semi-independent twist beam-axle, coil springs, twin-tube dampers, integrated stabilizer bar |
| Steering type | Electric-assist, speed-proportional, rack-and-pinion power steering |
| Steering ratio (x:1) | 14.0 |
| Tire brand | Hankook |
| Tire model | Optimo H428 |
| Tire type | All-season |
| Tire size, front | P205/50R17 88H |
| Tire size, rear | P205/50R17 88H |
| Wheel size | 17-by-6.5 inches front and rear |
| Wheel material | Cast-aluminum alloy |
| Brakes, front | 10.8-inch one-piece ventilated cast-iron disc with single-piston sliding caliper |
| Brakes, rear | 9-inch drum |
| Acceleration, 0-30 mph (sec.) | 3.0 |
| 0-45 mph (sec.) | 5.7 |
| 0-60 mph (sec.) | 8.8 |
| 0-75 mph (sec.) | 13.4 |
| 1/4-mile (sec. @ mph) | 16.5 @ 84.2 |
| 0-60 with 1 foot of rollout (sec.) | 8.5 |
| Braking, 30-0 mph (ft.) | 31 |
| 60-0 mph (ft.) | 123 |
| Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) | 66.1 |
| Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) | 0.84 |
| Sound level @ idle (dB) | 44.0 |
| @ Full throttle (dB) | 75.9 |
| @ 70 mph cruise (dB) | 67.5 |
| Acceleration comments | What's the point of all this turbocharged torque if it's not available from a stop? Tried to launch (traction control off) at 3,500 rpm, but electronics pull revs down. Squeezed throttle almost to the floor and got just 4,000 rpm. Let the clutch out quickly, but obvious torque-reduction measure(s) cause the car to bog, bog, bog no matter what I tried. Slip the clutch; bog. Get clutch out ASAP and go to WOT; bog. Infuriating. Must have a fragile drivetrain to be so heavily protected by software. Finally, there's some sort of shift-shock reduction happening between upshifts that encourages slow, smooth shifts and otherwise punishes by taking throttle away, then returning it -- long delay. So disappointing overall because of all the potential, but that's why we test on track -- to find limitations. |
| Braking rating | Average |
| Braking comments | Completely normal, adequate brakes without a hint of fade in distance or pedal feel. Like the Mazda 2 (tested the same day), it also jacks the rear up, then "falls" back to level after I release the brake. |
| Handling rating | Good/Average |
| Handling comments | Skid pad: Plenty of grip, but with so little off-throttle engine braking, it's less responsive to steering with the throttle. Mild understeer at the limit is met with throttle closure first, then brake check (that remains on for much longer than it should). Heavy-handed ESC. Steering weight is appropriate and offers some sense of pending understeer. Slalom: The suspension was apparently tuned to have an aptitude for predictable oversteer in a single corner/event... not for six quick transitions. By the 3-4 cone mark, the rear of the car is feeling like a caboose that's close to coming off the rails. A perfect run, catching the rear with opposite lock at each and every cone might be possible, but the sun might go down first. ESC is heavy-handed and long-lingering. I do like the steering. |
| Elevation (ft.) | 1,121 |
| Temperature (°F) | 82.2 |
| Relative humidity (%) | 24.1 |
| Wind (mph, direction) | 24.1 |
| EPA fuel economy (mpg) | 29 city/40 highway/33 combined |
| Edmunds observed (mpg) | 29.3 |
| Fuel tank capacity (U.S. gal.) | 12.2 |
| Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.) | 2,743 |
| Curb weight, as tested (lbs.) | 2,775 |
| Weight distribution, as tested, f/r (%) | 62.9/37.1 |
| Length (in.) | 159.0 |
| Width (in.) | 68.3 |
| Height (in.) | 59.7 |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 99.4 |
| Track, front (in.) | 59.4 |
| Track, rear (in.) | 59.4 |
| Turning circle (ft.) | 36.1 |
| Legroom, front (in.) | 41.8 |
| Legroom, rear (in.) | 34.6 |
| Headroom, front (in.) | 38.7 |
| Headroom, rear (in.) | 38.1 |
| Shoulder room, front (in.) | 53.4 |
| Shoulder room, rear (in.) | 53.0 |
| Seating capacity | 5 |
| Cargo volume (cu-ft) | 19.0 |
| Max. cargo volume, seats folded (cu-ft) | 30.7 |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain | 5 years/100,000 miles |
| Corrosion | 6 years/100,000 miles |
| Roadside assistance | 5 years/100,000 miles |
| Free scheduled maintenance | Not available |
| Front airbags | Standard |
| Side airbags | Standard |
| Head airbags | Standard |
| Knee airbags | Not available |
| Antilock brakes | Four-wheel ABS |
| Electronic brake enhancements | Emergency braking assist |
| Traction control | Standard |
| Stability control | Standard |
| Rollover protection | Being researched |
| Tire-pressure monitoring system | Standard |
| Emergency assistance system | Being researched |
| NHTSA crash test, driver | 5 stars |
| NHTSA crash test, passenger | 5 stars |
| NHTSA crash test, side front | 5 stars |
| NHTSA crash test, side rear | 5 stars |
| NHTSA rollover resistance | 4 stars |
| IIHS offset | Good |
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