2012 Chevrolet Sonic Review and Prices

Styling: The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic breathes some life into the small-car styling formula with an aggressive-looking front end featuring a double-tier grille and motorcycle-inspired quad headlamps. The Sonic sedan has a gracefully arched roof, the hatchback a squared-off tail and rear door handles hidden in the rear roof pillars. Both body styles share a well-made and smartly laid-out interior. It’s highlighted by a main-instrument binnacle incorporating digital and analog gauges – another motorcycle-inspired touch.

Size-wise, the 2012 Chevy Sonic straddles the middle of the subcompact-car spectrum; it has almost exactly the same exterior dimensions as the Ford Fiesta sedan and hatchback, for example. Sonics are also competitive for interior space, with above-average headroom front and back. Front seating is adult-friendly. But rear-seat knee space is prohibitive unless front occupants agree to slide their seats at least halfway forward. And narrow rear doorways frustrate exits.

Stem to stern, the Sonic sedan is 14 inches longer than the Sonic hatchback. The hatchback, however, has 19 cubic feet of cargo volume behind its rear seat and 30.7 with the rear seatback folded; the sedan has a 14-cubic-foot trunk. All those cargo volumes are slightly above the class average. Standard on both body styles are 60/40 split rear seatbacks that fold virtually flat and have the sturdy backing and heavy-duty latches associated with more expensive European cars.

Both the 2012 Sonic sedan and hatchback have a three-model lineup consisting of base LS, midline LT, and top-tier LTZ trim. Chevy subdivides each into “1” and “2” trim levels, such as 1LS, 2LT, and for the LTZ, 1LZ and 2LZ. Sonic LS models have less exterior chrome trim, but visual distinctions between the various versions are relatively minor.

Alloy wheels are standard on all, with LS and LT models getting 15-inch-diameter rims and LTZs getting 17s; 16s are optional on LTs. Fog lamps are standard on LTZs and optional on LTs. Inside, LS and LT models have cloth upholstery. LTZs have perforated imitation leather and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Mechanical: The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic turns to the larger Chevy Cruze for both its engines, a move that saves development costs and imbues the smaller car with a bit of brio welcome in this budget class. Otherwise, the 2012 Sonic is conventional for the category, with front wheel drive, a torsion-beam rear axle, front-disc and rear-drum brakes with antilock and antiskid control, and electric power steering.

Standard on all 2012 Sonics is a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 138 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque. Optional on LT and LTZ models is a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder with 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque (think of torque as the propellant behind acceleration, horsepower as the energy behind momentum). Either engine puts Sonic among the most powerful cars in its competitive set. Neither creates a hot rod, but acceleration is more than adequate for the car’s role. 

Chevy’s initial distribution of transmission choices is a little out of the ordinary. Sonic 1LT, 1LS, and 1LZ models come only with a five-speed manual transmission. The 2LT, 2LS, and 2LZ models come only with a six-speed automatic transmission. And the debut batch of Sonics equipped with the turbocharged engine come only with a six-speed manual transmission, narrowing their appeal. Reports say Chevy will make turbocharged Sonics available with the six-speed automatic transmission starting in spring 2012.   

Aside from some unpleasant susceptibility to wander in gusty crosswinds, Sonic feels confident on the highway, with roadholding and stability reminiscent of a larger car. Indeed, Sonics weigh some 200-300 pounds more than their principal subcompact sedan and hatchback rivals. Handling is alert and predictable and steering response is impressively direct.

Wind rush and road roar can intrude, and both engines sound gruff under full throttle, but noise levels are no more prominent than in direct rivals. Sonics absorb most bumps without jarring, but a combination of the short, subcompact-typical 99.4-inch wheelbase (distance between front and rear axles) and the relatively taut suspension can turn the ride choppy on scalloped or wavy pavement.

Features: The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic doesn’t go overboard with tech gizmos but gives the subcompact buyer most of the expected features and, importantly, houses them in a cabin with a lively design that doesn’t sacrifice function. Just as rewarding and a departure from past domestic-built small cars are Sonic’s solid-feeling controls, quality plastics, and strategically chosen padded surfaces.

Standard features on every 2012 Chevy Sonic include air conditioning, variable intermittent windshield wipers, automatic off-on headlamps, outside temperature gauge, antitheft alarm, and tinted glass. Also included are remote keyless entry, a height-adjustable driver’s seat with fold-down armrest, a tilt-and-telescope steering wheel, and power door locks.

Power windows with driver’s express up and down are standard on LT and LTZ models; LS models come only with manual windows. Cruise control is standard on Sonic LTZs and optional on LTs.  LS models have manual-adjusting outside mirrors; in a nice perk for this price range, LT and LTZ Sonics have heated power mirrors as standard.

All 2012 Sonics come with 10 airbags including front and rear torso-protecting side airbags and head-protecting curtain side airbags for all outboard seating positions.

LS models get a basic four-speaker AM/FM audio system with an auxiliary jack. Optional on LS models and standard on LT Sonics is a six-speaker system with a CD player. Standard on LTZ models and optional on LTs is a six-speaker system with a USB iPod interface and Bluetooth hands-free connectivity for phone and audio streaming.

XM satellite radio is optional on LS models and standard on other Sonics and includes three months’ free service. Steering-wheel-mounted controls for audio and Bluetooth systems are standard on LTZ models and included on LT models equipped with the optional audio upgrade.

All 2012 Sonics also are equipped with GM’s OnStar assistance software with complimentary six months’ basic service. This consists of turn-by-turn directions delivered via the audio system and stolen-vehicle assistance to help police track a purloined vehicle. OnStar uses GPS and cellular phone technology to automatically call for help in the event of crash.

Among other notable features, remote vehicle start is standard on Sonic 2LZ and optional on 2LT models. Heated front seats are limited to the LTZ models, where they’re standard. A power sunroof option is exclusive to LTZ models.