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Used 2015 Chevrolet Sonic Consumer Reviews

3.4 out of 5 stars
31 reviews

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2 out of 5 stars

Zippy The Turbo Sonic from Anacortes WA.

Yours Truly, 05/29/2016
updated 05/31/2018
2015 Chevrolet Sonic LTZ 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful

I researched fun to drive hatch back cars for months. I HIGHLY considered a VW Golf or GTI. I thought for sure, I had to have a stick shift to have any joy. Then I read the reviews of The Sonic which mentioned it was fun to drive. They were not kidding. It is a blast! The cheaper trim interior was not for me. I bought a used LTZ. It has heated seats, remote start, blue tooth, and of course lots of air bags. This is a little thing, but the right arm rest, I really dig. You will notice the attractive motorcycle inspired lamps and touches. I don't feel like I am sitting too low, but still fell like I am getting a driving experience with the road. I do not generally accelerate fast and average 34.1 mg on normal roads, hills, and state high way. My only gripe is the touch screen my link. Yes, I listen to loud music and it sounds good, but I need an actual volume dial not some screen to touch. I want to turn up the dial (I am over 40 might have something to do with it)! I bought a used 2015 with less than 15000 miles and saved on bundle the depreciation. So every time I see that GTI go buy, I think about the money I am saving and the fun I am not missing out on. 5/30/2018 update The water pump went out.. Also, a crack was found in the engine head. The controls on the steering wheel stopped working with the radio. They told me I would have to pay to run tests on the controls, but I reasoned with them that since the car is having the above mentioned defects, that the should do it for free. They agreed. I’ve owned and still own Hyundai’s. You are better of with a Hyundai!

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
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2 out of 5 stars

Was fine at first....

Christy , 06/17/2020
2015 Chevrolet Sonic LTZ 4dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful

This car was used for my local commute in Colorado. The odometer just stopped working one day. I drove it from there to Virginia and it’s been nothing but problems since I’ve arrived. It immediately began leaking coolant- repaired it..2 weeks later the overheating symbol came on... then 1 week later, the car decided to shake violently While I was waiting at a stoplight. Once you hit 70k miles on this vehicle- it seems to fall apart all at once.

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1 out of 5 stars

Worst car I have ever encountered

Andrew W., 08/16/2021
2015 Chevrolet Sonic LT 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl 6A)
10 of 12 people found this review helpful

I really do not understand how such a simple car can be so awful. I bought this car private party with 86000 miles and everything looked fine. NO codes, no pending codes, the only clues that anything is wrong was low coolant. I drove the car drove well. The car is so simple I didn't really research it. That is my biggest regret because the next week later the car fell apart. The first time the CEL came on it threw code P0599. Ah okay, the thermostat is bad that explains the coolant loss. No big deal, 300 for a new thermostat. Car drives ok for just 3 days. CEL comes on AGAIN... Ok maybe it the wiring or something, but now it has thrown a P0011 code. This code could be something simple or something awful. So I replaced both VVT oil solenoids. Car was okay for a week. then the CEL comes on again. P0011 again. Now I'm worried. I change the oil and found the guy before used the wrong filer and wrong weight. I cange it and the car is okay for a week. I start reading the maintenance schedule on this thing and that was the moment I realized this thing has a friggen timing belt that has to be replaced at 97000 miles. Okay, no big deal I still have 10k miles, I'll do it next year. Well the car starts making noises from the belts, it's obviously a pully so I assume it's the water pump. So I order the stuff for the timing belt since you do them together. but when I get the belt off its the alternator pulley. So I do the timing belt kit the water pump and the alternator. Now I should have tested the battery but the next night it left me stranded luckily I walked a mile to auto zone and the Auto zone dude was cool enough to drive me there and install it and take the core. The car behaves for a week so I decide to another 90000 miles maintenance item to change out the fluid. I start going through the forums on these cars and I' m shocked at what I see. I was so deflated and disappointed as I scrolled endlessly looking at crazy problems at low mileage. Engines have been replaced twice at low mileage, tons of cooling issues. Several thermostat replacements, constant over heating, head gaskets, transmissions. I took it to a mechanic and had him do a bunch of tests they all come back good, compression, combustibles in the coolant check, oil analysis. Nothing out of the ordinary. So we go another week and the car is doing better, it's smoother, then all of a sudden I'm at a light and the car starts stumbling so I turn up the AC and it gets worse. Then I turn the AC off the lumpy idle and misfiring goes away, I don't have a CEL so it can only be one thing.... The expensive AC compressor..... 300 dollars again. So now I'm at 300 (500 for a shop to do it) for the Thermostat, $200 (300 for a shop to do it) for the VVT oil sensors, 350 (900 for a shop to do it) for the GATES belt and water pump kit, 200 (450 for a shop to do it) for the alternator. 200 for a new battery. So 1100 if you DIY and over 2500 for a shop to fix and now there is another expensive component going out. I had a suspicion that this may be a high mileage junk yard engine but no, it's the original powertrain. I have never seen a car fall apart like this at 90k miles. STAY FAR AWAY FROM THIS CAR. DON'T EVEN TAKE A FREE ONE.

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
2 out of 5 stars
Comfort
1 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
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1 out of 5 stars

Fun And Unreliable

Zach Frieben, 01/05/2021
2015 Chevrolet Sonic LT 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 6A)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful

I had a 2015 Chevy Sonic for just under a year. It was my second car. I drive over 40,000 miles a year, so I wanted something cheap and with better gas mileage than my Buick. Got a good price on mine with just over 11,000 miles on. It was very fun to drive with its quick turning, and I loved going to the gas pump because of how cheap it was to fill up. Within a week the thermostat went out. Covered by bumper-to-bumper warranty. No problems for awhile after that. Then I had to get a purge valve replaced and a new gas pedal due to a failing sensor within a short amount of time. Later on I was with a friend when it was cold out, and my heat wouldn't come on. I'd fidget with the car and it wouldn't come back on, then out of nowhere it'd turn back on. Got the blower motor replaced, still only worked when it wanted to though. Took it back to the shop, couldn't find any further problems. Then after this I was nearly stranded at a friend's house I was house sitting at because the car wouldn't start. When it finally did start after 28 attempts, I took it straight to the mechanic and dropped it off. Got the starter replaced, still acted funny when trying to start it sometimes. I've never seen a car that's air only worked when it wanted to, or sometimes would struggle to start even with a brand new started that only had a little over 40,000 miles on it. I shortly got rid of the car after the starter was replaced. I now have a 2018 Chevy Impala that I've had for over a year and hasn't been in the shop yet!

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

Sonic the Hedgehog

Steve, 07/30/2018
updated 08/10/2020
2015 Chevrolet Sonic LT 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful

My girl and I bought this car in September of 2017 a used car that was a 24 month lease before us. We got lucky it was a lease from a large corporation that took great care of it. About 1 year of driving and no complaints at all, just love this car. UPDATE 02-07-2019 The car is still running perfect no complaints at all, This was a excellent purchase. Steve UPDATE 08-08-2019 Only one small hiccup so far, The purge valve after filling the tank with gas was stuck, seems to be a common problem with this car, Replaced Purge Vale, cleared the code, car is running perfect, Solution ,do not fill the gas tank full, very easy thing to do. Excellent Auto!!!

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
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