2019 Chevrolet Sonic Expert Review
Reviewed by Alex Leanse
The Chevrolet Sonic is a subcompact sedan and four-door hatchback that debuted for the 2012 model year to replace the Aveo. The Sonic has fun-to-drive reflexes, 10 standard airbags, and a decent-sized cargo capacity.
For 2019, the 1.4-liter turbocharged I-4 engine, previously optional, becomes standard equipment on all models.
What's New
- 4-liter turbo-four engine now standard on all models
- New hatchback exterior color option
What We Think
Although features and conveniences are basic, the Chevrolet Sonic's fun-to-drive character gives it appeal.
The turbocharged engine feels peppy, even if the acceleration it delivers isn't very impressive. Handling is engaging thanks to the steering's nice weighting and good feedback. Ride quality and comfort are impressive given the price point, and the cabin remains relatively quiet at speed.
Hard plastic abounds in the cabin, but that's to be expected from a vehicle at this price point. The Sonic is getting a bit old, and newer competitor offer more in technology, fuel economy, and driver-assist features. But the Sonic remains worth consideration thanks to its agile reflexes. It's also one of the few small cars still built by an American brand.
Performance and Fuel Economy
For 2019, all Sonic hatchback and sedan models are powered by a 1.4-liter turbo-four engine making 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. The engine is connected to a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, and drives the front wheels. In MotorTrend testing, a Sonic with the six-speed manual accelerated from 0-60 mph in 8.1 seconds. The EPA rates fuel economy for the hatchback and sedan at 26/34 mpg city/highway with the automatic transmission. With the manual transmission, the hatchback is rated at 26/35 mpg, and the sedan comes in at 27/38 mpg. If you're looking for fuel efficiency and a long driving range between fill-ups, other options might work better.
Safety
The NHTSA gives the Sonic a five-star (out of five) overall safety rating for both body styles. That rating factors a four-star rollover score with five-star front and side crash scores. From the IIHS, the Sonic earns top Good scores in all crashworthiness evaluations. The car's optional front-crash prevention system earns the lowest score of Basic, as it includes forward collision warning but not automatic emergency braking.
All Sonic models come with 10 airbags. Driver-assist and active safety features like lane-departure warning, forward collision alert, and rear parking sensors are optional.
Utility (Cargo Space and Interior Room)
The Sonic sedan's trunk has 14.9 cubic feet of cargo space, but standard 60/40 split folding second row seats allow larger items to fit inside. The hatchback model has 19.0 cubic feet of capacity behind its second row or up to 47.7 cubic feet with the second row folded down.
In the Sonic sedan, front-row headroom is 38.7 inches, compared to 38.2 inches in the Toyota Yaris sedan. Second-row headroom is 37.8 inches in the Sonic, and 36.8 inches in the Yaris. Front-row legroom is 41.8 inches in the Chevrolet, just less than 41.9 inches in the Toyota. The Sonic's second-row legroom of 34.6 inches is just more than the Yaris' 34.4 inches.
The hatchback models of the Sonic and Yaris have identical front-row measurements, and second-row legroom, to the sedans. In the Sonic's second row, headroom expands slightly to 38.1 inches, ahead of 37.2 in the Yaris.
Technology
The Sonic is equipped with a 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen loaded with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A black-and-white information display is mounted in the gauge cluster. Two USB ports and an auxiliary input jack are standard. A four-speaker audio system is standard, and higher trims get a six-speaker setup.
Trim Levels
2019 Chevrolet Sonic LS Sedan
- Exterior: 15-inch steel wheels with covers, manually adjustable side mirrors, black plastic trim, tinted windows
- Interior: Cloth seating upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, four-speaker audio system
- Convenience: Power door locks, automatic on/off headlights
2019 Chevrolet Sonic LT Sedan
- Exterior: 15-inch alloy wheels, heated power-adjustable side mirrors, chrome window line trim
- Interior: Deluxe cloth seating upholstery, silver trim details, six-speaker audio system
- Convenience: Power windows, cruise control
2019 Chevrolet Sonic LT Hatchback
- Exterior: 16-inch alloy wheels, RS sport styling, front fog lamps, black Chevrolet emblems
- Interior: Contrast-stitched leather-wrapped steering wheel, gloss black trim details, floormats
- Convenience: Remote engine start, adjustable cargo floor shelf
2019 Chevrolet Sonic Premier Sedan
- Exterior: 17-inch black-painted alloy wheels
- Interior: Perforated leatherette seating upholstery, heated power-adjustable front seats, heated steering wheel, leather-wrapped shift knob, enhanced gauge cluster information display
- Convenience: Keyless entry, remote engine start
2019 Chevrolet Sonic Premier Hatchback
- Exterior: 17-inch alloy wheels
- Interior: Leatherette/faux suede seating surfaces, heated power-adjustable front seats, leather-wrapped shift knob, enhanced gauge cluster information display
- Convenience: Keyless entry, remote engine start
