Used 2013 Chevrolet Sonic Hatchback Consumer Reviews
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110,000 miles and going strong
Joe, 01/23/2018
updated 01/26/2021
2013 Chevrolet Sonic LTZ 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl 6A)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
We bought the sonic LTZ in early 2014. Since then the only thing it went in the shop for was a minor coolant leak at the thermostat housing.(covered under warranty of course) We have had one other problem and that was with the OEM battery. All new car batteries are of low quality. This one was no different, it developed a bad cell at around 32,000 miles. It was rated a 3 year battery and became problematic at the middle of the second year. But that's it! No problems since, not even a flat tire. The ride is surprisingly comfortable. All our compact cars were always a compromise in ride vs MPG. The Sonic is the only exception so far. The mpg is not as good as I would like. However the power delivered is great, and there is the trade off I guess. Overall one of the best car purchases we have made in a long while and are happy to have an American brand finally deliver what we expect. Update: After passing 125,000 I have only one issue that really shouldn't have been. The aluminum oil pan drain plug threads came apart. There was only one time that the oil was changed by a shop. I have done all the other changes using a torque meter set to 14nm. Even if the shop over torqued those threads it should have never came apart that easily. Replacement is rather costly and made much harder by lack of a gasket system rather than silicone bead. This problem is eliminated by aftermarket replacement pans as they add a steel insert into the pan and eliminate the stainless thread insert. Should have been done this way in the first place. Other than a battery replacement and now a timing belt maintenance replacement I haven't had any problems. I will be doing these repairs myself saving hundreds of dollars. This car has been a very good purchase. Still getting 35 on the highway and 27 or so mixed driving. 135000...the biggest thing is the oil pan ..the plug and the pans threads in the pan ..strips when mech use air tools to tighten the plug...14nm to tightening only!
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Great, great choice for a small car
mcland, 05/29/2014
2013 Chevrolet Sonic LTZ 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl 6A)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
Have LTZ with the 1.4 Turbo. Great engine, feels strong and pulls well. Combined gas mileage so far is above 30 MPG in mostly city driving. Composed ride, car sticks to the road in turns. The car feels very solid, a pleasure to drive. Visibility is great. The media system works well, the phone operation, the media applications and the radio itself. Large screen provides a lot of information in a friendly and clear manner. Remote Link with OnStar allows you to start the engine from far, far away, all done via satellite. Tried to use the turn by turn directions via OnStar and it did work very well too, you can download your route via smartphone. Overall happy with the car.
Avoid or pay the price
Patty, 10/28/2019
2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
12 of 13 people found this review helpful
I bought my Sonic new with a whopping 32 miles on it. Before I hit 40k I had already had to do a CV joint, sway bar, radiator fan, and a shock came loose. Then the coolant system leaks started, and my AC compressor and condenser died before 60k miles. I hit 85k miles, and my Sonic is once again in the shop for another coolant issue. The radiator hose burst. The transmission system is finicky as all get out. If you let your foot off the gas the car immediately acts like it saw a cop. It shifts between gears hard. I bought this car because it was cheaper on gas, but it's been a pain in repairs. It's not worth it. Not unless your end goal is to have your mechanics love you.
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1st chevy, never again
Jane , 05/23/2019
2013 Chevrolet Sonic LT 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
16 of 18 people found this review helpful
I bought a 2013 chevy sonic,paid it off in 5 years ending last January. It has 40,000 miles. After I paid it off, roughly around 33,000 35,000 miles, costly repairs and problems started kicking in. Actually I had problems before I paid it off but after the meager 36,000 mile mark. Problems are: battery died, power window drivers side stopped working, various electrical issues causing lights to go off that mechanics can't figure out, ac went out, gear shift button sticks to the point I can't put it into gear. The gear shift has many complaints and this should be a recall but chevy is too cheap to make it such. Given I'll be plunking out $600 for that because allegedly chevy mechanics can't order the button they need the whole gear shift. So... Chevy sells a product that starts falling apart after a 36,000 3 year warranty. They don't have the skill or scruples to create a car that lasts. Then they have dealerships filled with people who charge godless prices to repair things about their vehicle that other mechanics can't diagnose. They don't perform recalls in a timely manner, if much at all. Since the warranty has expired I've spent 2500+ in non standard maintenance repairs for fickle stuff that shouldn't go bad on a vehicle at the 35000 to 40000 mileage mark. I will absolutely never buy another chevy and will tell as many as I can about this. I will report with the BBB and any other relevant places. I wish to God I had gone to Kia that day. But you live and learn. Too bad chevy doesn't learn form customer reviews to improve they whole dysfunctional business they run.
LTZ Turbo review
jchagtdi, 01/22/2013
2013 Chevrolet Sonic LTZ 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
I own a 2013 Sonic LTZ turbo with manual transmission. This is the quietest, most solid feeling, most fun to drive, and best equipped car you can buy at this price point. Turbo motor provides great acceleration with excellent fuel economy. Cabin is extremely comfortable and spacious for a subcompact, even with the sunroof, and cabin materials look richer than they actually are. MyLInk stereo offers a LOT, but there are no knobs, You must take your eyes off the road to adjust volume or FM tuner.
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