2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS Road Test and Review: Safety and Ratings
What’s New:
- No safety-related changes to announce
Here’s a fun fact about the 2013 Chevy Sonic: it has 10 standard airbags. That’s impressive, and definitely contributes to the car’s excellent crash-test protection ratings.
If any of those airbags deploys during the first six months of ownership, the complimentary OnStar Directions & Connections service springs into action, putting a live operator in touch with the Sonic’s occupants to check on them. Even if nobody inside the Sonic can respond, the operator can send emergency personnel to the Sonic’s exact location to help speed rescue. After the free trial period, Directions & Connections service incurs a monthly charge.
Additionally, the Sonic RS is equipped with 4-wheel-disc anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, traction control, stability control, and hill start assist. The hill start assist system came in handy at Casa de Wardlaw, which has a driveway incline.
2013 Chevrolet Sonic Crash-Test Ratings:
According to the NHTSA, the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic receives an overall crash-test rating of 5 stars out of a possible 5 stars. Except for resistance to rollover, for which it gets a 4-star rating, the Sonic achieved the top rating in every one of the NHTSA’s frontal- and side-impact assessments.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) calls the 2013 Chevy Sonic a “Top Safety Pick” for it’s top rated performance in frontal-, side-, and rear-impact tests and in the roof crush strength test.
It is also worth keeping in mind that a Chevy Sonic RS weighs 2,811 pounds, making it one of the heavier vehicles in its class, and more crash compatible with larger vehicles.