As the entry-level General Motors brand in the United States, Chevrolet probably has the most uphill fight of all of the General’s divisions. Every mainstream car flashing the gold bowtie competes in the most hotly contested segments of the automotive marketplace. In an amazing case of “zero to hero,” Chevrolet has gone from offering the back-of-the-pack Aveo, to selling the head-of-the-class Sonic. It’s hard to believe this car comes from the same company that offered all those previous small cars, including the until-recently sold Aveo. Where the Aveo felt unsubstantial, the Sonic is remarkably solid. Where the Aveo’s powertrain was uninspired, the Sonic’s turbocharged engine is eager. To cap it off, the Sonic now gets 7% better city fuel economy, and 14% better highway fuel economy, all with optional turbo power. Unlike the Aveo, the Sonic is actually built here in the U.S., too (Aveo was made in South Korea).
The interior of the Chevrolet Sonic LTZ is
sporty, attractive, and comfortable. Supportive heated seats offer good bolstering and a comfortable driving position. The steering wheel feels good in the hands and features a host of easy-to-use buttons for Bluetooth, cruise, and audio control. The Sonic’s back seat is surprisingly roomy. From the outside, it looks like it might be a tight fit, but it’s quite spacious and comfortable. Size wise, the rear cargo area is up to snuff, and the rear seats fold down if you want to stow cargo instead of passengers.
Chevrolet Sonic LTZ was powered by the 1.4-liter turbocharged and intercooled DOHC Ecotec four-cylinder making 138 hp and 148 ft./lbs. of torque. (It’s the same engine found in the larger, heavier Chevrolet Cruze.) like a litlle class luxury car. It is equipped with a six-speed manual transmission—the only transmission available with the turbo engine. This is a gem of a powerplant. It has a very usable amount of low-end power, making it a hoot to drive. Power runs out in the upper RPMs, however, but there’s not much need to rev to the stratosphere with this engine. Chevrolet claims 0-60 in the low eight-second range, and that’s good for this class.
