The Most Satisfying Great American Cars: Chevrolet Sonic
For an American car to rank as the top rated economy car says a lot about how far the U.S. automotive industry has come in the last 20 years. Until the Sonic came along, four-cylinder gas sippers from Asia and Europe routinely dominated the economy segment. While designed in Korea, the Sonic is being manufactured on American soil in Orion Township, Michigan.
The Chevrolet Sonic wins over its buyers with high style, solid efficiency and an easy to handle price. Reflective of a sport bike, the interior design energizes its occupants with a youthful sense of exuberance.
Offered in both sedan and hatchback formats, the best-rated economy car also offers a choice of engines. A 1.8-liter, 138-horsepower inline four is the base powerplant, delivering 125 ft-lbs of torque. A turbocharged 1.4-liter inline four with the potential for 148 ft-lbs of torque is the enthusiast’s choice, but it also delivers outstanding fuel economy—29 MPG in the city and 40 on the highway.