The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Turbo

Finally a small car from Chevy that will erase the bad memories of Vega, Sprint Metro and Aveo.

A small car, and now we can proudly say a good car from Chevrolet.

This car is 77 percent stiffer than the Aveo it replaces. That’s good news for the Sonic, and another reason why the Aveo was such an awful car. It was a modern day rattletrap. The Chevrolet Sonic is a little heavier than it should be, but as they say, it carries the extra pounds well.

The ride is stiff, but not jarring, and I like that. The steering is super quick, which will take some people a little getting used to, especially in a small Chevy.

The turbo makes 138 horsepower, which will take you from zero to 60, in about 8 seconds. The big news is 29 city 40 highways. I averaged a decent 32 miles per gallon during my week with the Sonic. There’s an RS version too with nice looking 17-inch wheels, sport exhaust and some body tweaks.

Chevy has upped production of the Sonic to keep up with demand.

Hats off the bow tie for finally making an exceptional small car. The Chevrolet Sonic for 2012.

Specs

Tires and Wheels

Painted alloy wheels

17 in. wheels

Steel spare wheel

P205/50R17 88H tires

All season tires

Inside mounted spare tire

Temporary spare tire

Roof and Glass

Variable intermittent wipers

Rear defogger

Measurements

Width: 68.3 in.

Height: 59.7 in.

Length: 173.1 in.

Front track: 59.4 in.

Rear track: 59.4 in.

Wheel base: 99.4 in.

Cargo capacity, all seats in place: 14.9 cu.ft.

EPA interior volume: 105 cu.ft.

Exterior Options

Power Glass Sunroof

Front License Plate Bracket,

Mechanical

Engine & Performance

Base engine size: 1.8 L

Cam type: Double overhead cam (DOHC)

Cylinders: inline 4

Valves: 16

Valve timing: Variable

Torque: 125 ft-lbs. @ 3800 rpm

Horsepower: 138 hp @ 6300 rpm

Turning circle: 36.1 ft.

Base engine type: gas

DriveTrain

Drive type: front wheel drive

Transmission: 5-speed manual

Suspension

MacPherson strut front suspension

Torsion beam rear suspension

Front independent suspension

Stabilizer bar stabilizer bar

Fuel

Fuel type: gas

Fuel type: regular unleaded

Fuel tank capacity: 12.2 gal.

Range in miles (cty/hwy): 317.2/427.0 mi.

EPA mileage est. (cty/hwy): 26/40 mpg

Mechanical Options

Oil Pan Heater

ECOTEC Turbo 1.4L 4-Cylinder Engine

Safety

Safety & Security

4-wheel ABS

Front and rear head airbags

Dual front and dual rear side-mounted airbags

Child seat anchors

Remote anti-theft alarm system

Emergency braking assist

Ventilated front disc / rear drum brakes

Rear door child safety locks

Daytime running lights

Engine immobilizer

Front fog/driving lights

Auto delay off headlamps

Dusk sensing headlamps

2 front headrests

2 rear headrests

Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation

Rear center 3-point belt

Front seatbelt pretensioners

Stability control

Traction control

Electronic brakeforce distribution

Emergency interior trunk release

Front height adjustable headrests

Rear height adjustable headrests

Post-collision safety system

Tire pressure monitoring

Warranty

Basic: 3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Drivetrain: 5 yr./ 100000 mi.

Roadside: 5 yr./ 100000 mi.

Rust: 6 yr./ 100000 mi.