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Those looking for a subcompact that offers a nice blend of safety, comfort and features will find a lot to like in the Chevrolet Sonic. It provides steady handling, respectable ride comfort and advanced safety features. Available as either a sedan or hatchback, and with plenty of feature upgrades, the Sonic can be fairly easily dialed-in to match a wide range of priorities without breaking the bank.
What's New for 2016
Changes to the 2016 Sonic are relatively minor. MyLink infotainment system will now come standard on the LT, an automatic transmission will come standard on the LTZ, and new exterior colors will be offered. OnStar with 4G LTE connectivity and Wi-Fi Hotspot will also come standard, however, OnStar will be subscription-based with Chevrolet offering a six-month trial subscription at no extra cost.
Choosing Your Chevrolet Sonic
All Sonic trim levels are available as either a sedan or four-door hatchback. From there, the base LS and LT models come with a standard Ecotec 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that can be paired with either a five-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic. It generates a respectable 138 horsepower, 125 pound-feet of torque and an estimated 26 mpg city/35 mpg highway (manual), or 25/35 mpg (automatic).
Optional on the LT and standard on the LTZ and RS is a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder rated at 138 horsepower and 148 pound feet of torque. It delivers an estimated 29/40 mpg when matched with the six-speed manual or 27/37 mpg when automatic.
The Sonic covers quite a bit of market territory across four trim levels:
LS
The base LS comes equipped with 15-inch wheels, remote keyless entry, OnStar 4G LTE with Wi-Fi hotspot, an AM/FM audio system, Bluetooth compatibility, steering wheel controls, air conditioning, 10 air bags and the StabiliTrak stability control system. Available options focus on exterior trim and colors.
LT
Moving to the LT builds on the LS with a premium 6-speaker CD/MP3 audio system, SiriusXM, remote starter system, cruise control, power windows, and daytime running lights. Available packages include the Fun and Sun package, which bundles an upgrade to the 1.4-liter turbo engine along with 16-inch tires and a power sunroof for $1,550. An optional Advanced Safety Package adds forward collision alert and lane departure warning for $395. Also available is a Dragon Green promotional package that bundles metallic green paint with 16-inch wheels, foglamps and a power sunroof for $1,620.
LTZ
The LTZ starts with the 1.4-liter turbo engine standard, and builds on the LT with MyLink radio, leatherette interior, heated front seats, 17-inch wheels, fog lamps, and halogen headlights. The Advanced Safety Package continues as an option, and a power sunroof and rear spoiler are available as individual add-ons.
RS
Building on the LTZ, the RS includes four-wheel disc brakes, leather seats, a sport-tuned suspension, a sport steering wheel, and sportier exterior trim.
The RS stands out in this class as it delivers a ride that is surprisingly zippy and fun. If that’s a priority for you, it should definitely be a consideration. However, if your priority is the most bang for your buck, we still find the LT to offer the best overall value.
Get your price on a Chevrolet Sonic »
