10 Things You Need To Know About the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic

The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is an important statement from the domestic automaker in the subcompact segment. No longer content to watch Japanese and Korean car companies dominate the entry-level car market, Chevrolet has introduced the Sonic as a high quality, affordable and fuel efficient alternative. Much more competent in almost every single area when compared to the Chevrolet Aveo that preceded it, the Chevrolet Sonic is worthy of a test drive by new car shoppers interested in an inexpensive ride that is a cut above any small car previously offered by the brand.

Let’s take a look at 10 things you need to know about the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic.

01. The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Features a Choice of Four-Cylinder Engines

The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is offered with one of two four-cylinder engine choices. The Sonic’s base motor is a 1.8-liter unit that delivers 136 horsepower and 125 lb-ft of torque. A more exciting option comes in the form of a 1.4-liter, turbocharged mill that produces the same pony count but grinds out a total 148 lb-ft of torque, giving it more potent acceleration without introducing a larger, heavier and less efficient engine. Each of these motors are shared with the larger Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan, and when combined with the lighter platform offered by the Sonic they provide a more lively driving experience than is delivered by the pricier vehicle

02. The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Provides Two Transmission Options

2012 Chevrolet Sonic buyers who choose to stick with the standard 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine are able to select either a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission, with the autobox representing an extra cost option. The turbocharged, 1.4-liter four-cylinder features a standard six-speed manual, a gearbox that has seen its ratios specially configured in order to take advantage of the motor’s unique powerband that offers maximum torque across a wide range of RPMs. An 8.2 second run to 60 miles per hour (from a standing start) is the end result of the pairing between the manual gearbox and the turbocharged engine.

03. The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Offers the Brand’s Best Non-Hybrid Fuel Economy

It’s difficult to find a version of the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic that doesn’t deliver excellent fuel economy. The EPA has rated the 1.8-liter motor found in the base model Chevrolet Sonic as returning 26 miles per gallon during city driving and 35 miles per gallon on the highway. The more powerful 1.4-liter turbo unit, however, significantly ups not just the performance ante but also the interval spent between fill-ups. In stop and go driving, a Chevrolet Sonic equipped with the turbocharged engine and six-speed manual transmission delivers 29 miles per gallon, a figure which inflates to an exceptional 40 miles per gallon during highway cruising. This makes the Sonic the most efficient non-hybrid car in the brand’s stable.

04. The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is the Smallest Vehicle in GM’s Lineup

Smaller cars are catching on across a wide demographic of drivers, and the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is well positioned to provide an unconventional substitute for several of the subcompacts streaming out of Asian factories. The Chevrolet Sonic provides modest external dimensions that make it easy to drive and park in even the tightest urban landscape, and the vehicle’s light weight – some 400 lbs less hefty than the compact Chevrolet Cruze – goes a long way towards generating the vehicle’s notable fuel economy rating. All of this is accomplished without sacrificing a comfortable amount of interior room or any of the safety that buyers expect out of a modern vehicle.

05. The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Comes In Both Sedan and Hatchback Editions

The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is offered in two distinct body styles that are each designed to appeal to a specific type of driver. Of the two, the Chevrolet Sonic sedan is the most affordable, checking in with an MSRP of $13,755. The sedan is intended for buyers who require the ease of access that comes with four full-size doors, as well as the additional rear seat room that the slightly larger sedan platform provides. The Chevrolet Sonic hatchback (starting MSRP $14,636) features a two-door design that adds a considerable amount of additional cargo space to the equation with the rear seat folded forward (up to 30.7 cubic feet in total). This makes the Sonic hatchback a better choice for those who require a subcompact car that can bring a reasonable amount of practicality to the table.

06. The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Is Fun to Drive

The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic marks the first time that the most affordable member of the Chevrolet lineup has also been a genuine pleasure to put through its paces. The Sonic’s chassis, whose low-mass qualities we have already examined, was also engineered to balance an ability to soak up the jostling associated with rough pavement alongside the need communicate steering and suspension inputs to the driver. The vehicle’s electrical power assist system never feels as though it is lagging behind, and the Sonic’s shocks, springs and bushings are tuned to offer the right amount of feedback without shaking the fillings out of the teeth of vehicle occupants.

07. The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Can Be Ordered With A Full Range of Features

All versions of the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic come with a stereo system, power door locks with remote keyless entry, OnStar, air conditioning and a driver information center that can display fuel mileage info as well as average vehicle speed and tire pressure. On top of these items, the Sonic can also be equipped with options such as Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control, power windows, an MP3-capable CD player, satellite radio and heated leatherette seats, giving it just enough configurability for buyers to provide the subcompact with a bit of personality via the order sheet.

08. The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Embraces Stylish Design

The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic eschews the appliance-like form found on yesterday’s subcompact cars and instead offers buyers a sleek and detailed exterior look. The Sonic’s round headlights were inspired by the units typically found on motorcycles, and its prominent front fascia and honeycomb grille lead the eye back along a chiseled hood line to the sharp crease that runs along the site of the automobile. Inside, front bucket seats and a dashboard that wraps around driver and passenger through a seamless merging with the vehicle’s door panels provide a snug feel that never turns claustrophobic, despite the platform’s modest size.

09. The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Provides First-Class Safety Equipment

The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic’s list of safety gear proves that small doesn’t equal unsafe on modern highways. The Sonic’s passenger compartment is surrounded by 10 airbags, including side curtain airbags that run the length of the entire passenger compartment in order to protect the heads of occupants at the front and rear of the vehicle. Anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution ensure a controlled stop even under emergency conditions, and StabiliTrak electronic stability control prevents the Sonic from sliding down icy or rain-slicked roads. Should the unthinkable occur, the OnStar service can automatically connect emergency personnel with the automobile’s location in order to facilitate rescue and emergency care.

10. The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Can Be Ordered With Z-Spec Accessories

Drivers looking to emphasize the sporty looks of the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic hatchback can do so via the Z-Spec family of accessories available with the model. The Z-Spec line lets Sonic owners dress up the hatch with a roof spoiler, a ground effects kit that includes a number of aerodynamic add-ons, as well as painted grille surrounds that match the Sonic’s body color. A number of “Color Out” graphics packages are also on offer via Z-Spec, including an eye-catching checkered fade design that dramatically transforms the exterior of the automobile and gives it an aftermarket tuner feel.