2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS Road Test and Review: Design
What’s New:
- Restyled bumpers
- Sport-design grille
- Black mirror caps
- Rocker panel moldings
- Revised rear spoiler
- Polished exhaust outlet
- 17-inch 5-spoke Midnight Silver wheels
- Unique Jet Black interior
- Flat-bottom sport steering wheel
- Aluminum pedals
The Chevy Sonic 5-door is a stylish and attractive vehicle in a class historically devoid of style or appeal. Staggered headlights scowl from either side of an oversized grille equipped with an unabashedly large Chevy bow-tie badge. Key character lines sweep rearward to a tidy tail with vertically stacked round taillights that mimic the relationship of the horizontally arranged headlights, the rear door handles are deftly integrated into the trailing edge of the rear window frames, and the rear wheels are pushed out to the corners.
Starting with this basis, the Sonic RS adds just the right amount of visual aggression. Modifications include a redesigned front bumper with different fog lights, a honeycomb grille insert that matches the rear diffuser panel, 5-spoke Midnight Silver aluminum wheels, black mirror caps, a new rear bumper, and a polished exhaust outlet. Chevy offers Summit White, Cyber Gray, Victory Red, and Black Granite paint colors for the Sonic RS.
Inside, materials are exactly as might be expected of a $20,000 sub-compact car, but the hard plastic surfaces are textured to complement one another and colored to please the eye. The quality of the steering wheel, leather upholstery with suede inserts, and thick floor mats with red piping exceeds expectations at this price point, and the unexpected rubber inserts for some of the Sonic’s storage areas are a pleasant surprise. I should also point out the level of refinement with which the vents operate, which is exceptional for such an inexpensive vehicle.