Chevy’s 2012 Sonic is small but mighty

BY JEFF TAYLOR For Sun-Times Media January 27, 2012 2:04PM

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2012 Chevrolet Sonic hatchback

2012 CHEVROLET SONIC 2LS

ENGINE: 139-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder

TRANSMISSION: six-speed automatic

DRIVETRAIN: front-wheel drive

FUEL ECONOMY: 25 city/35 highway

BASE PRICE: $13,735

AS TESTED: not available

WEBSITE: chevrolet.com

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Updated: January 30, 2012 10:07AM



If you think great things come in small packages, nowhere is this thought more appropriate than with the new wave of subcompact cars like Chevrolet’s 2012 Sonic.

Chevrolet has pulled off a great feat of cramming its smallest domestic car with a large amount of technology and features. The primary goal of the Sonic is to provide decent gas mileage numbers using a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine to achieve 26 city/35 highway with a six-speed manual and 25 city/35 highway with the automatic.

The five-door model, with a 1.4-liter engine and six-speed manual, returns better numbers of 29 city/40 highway. The 2012 Sonic also has several features unique for a car that starts at less than $15,000.

The Sonic completely outclasses the Chevy Aveo in every definable category, but the biggest differences are ride, safety and interior quality.

Both Sonic models have the tried-and-true MacPherson strut front suspension using coil springs, stabilizer bar and a semi-independent torsion beam axle-mount compound link-type rear suspension. In testing this front-wheel-drive car, I found it to be sure-footed and stable over all but the roughest pavement where the rear tended to dance a little.

I’m still not a fan of electric power steering but the Sonic has a wear compensator that continually adjusts the system interaction with the steering gear to ensure precise steering action over the life of the system. I did get some road feedback and the system was quick to react.

Chevrolet went to work on the body to make it one of the stiffest in the segment. This pays big benefits by allowing engineers to “dial in” ride and handling better than some of Sonic’s competitors. Sonic has a unique “flat top frame” cradle to deliver optimal stiffness in the front chassis portion. The rear axle is a straight axle without contour for packaging restraints and reduced noise, vibration and harshness.

A 16-inch wheel on a compact Chevrolet used to be rare, but today the subcompact Sonic has an available 17-inch wheel and sport tire option; 15-inch wheels/tires are standard. The Sonic targets those on budgets, so it comes with power-assisted front disc and rear drum brakes but they are bolstered by a four-channel antilock braking system.

The Sonic’s four-sensor system — one at each wheel — incorporates electronic brake force distribution, which balances braking performance based on factors such as road conditions and the weight of passengers and/or cargo.

Chevrolet set up the Sonic to handle better than you expect, and while small cars come with big safety concerns Chevrolet has addressed those as well. The Sonic features 10 standard air bags, including side curtain air bags, which provide head protection for outboard passengers in the event of a side-impact or rollover crash. General Motors’ StabiliTrak electronic stability control system helps reduce the risk of rollover crashes by keeping the vehicle in the driver’s intended path by applying throttle, braking or a combination of both. The strong body structure absorbs crash energy and provides a protective “safety cage” around occupants. More than 60 percent of the body structure is composed of advanced steel compounds.

The 2012 Sonic’s cabin complements the motorcycle-inspired exterior with a detailed instrument cluster featuring a large, round analog tachometer set within an asymmetrical LCD readout with a large digital speedometer display. This compact display pod features an analog tachometer flanking a bright digital display readout. This is a fresh look but not disconnected like some of the center dash readouts and other designs used by some manufacturers.

In a car of this class simplicity is the key as are sprinkles of technology. Having climate and audio controls in close proximity is something new for GM. The interior design is new, high quality and completely in tune for the target market. I really liked the stacked glove box; it is a handy place for the auxiliary stereo jack and the USB port for the all-important connection of a digital music player.

In storage/passenger areas, the “big things in small packages” theme applies as the sedan models feature a huge 14 cubic feet of cargo space, which equals or betters some midsize sedans. The five-doors max out at 30.7 cubic feet of space. The rear seats are stylish and comfortable for short trips but legroom is in short supply for 6-footers. The rear seat backs are split and fold flush with the cargo floor and cover an under-floor storage area.

So if you’re in the market for a small, economical, versatile and contemporary vehicle, the subcompact class has many good choices. GM has really produced a competitive and desirable subcompact entry in the 2012 Sonic.

Check out Chevrolet Sonic at Libertyville Chevy.

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