2012 Chevrolet Sonic consumer reviews

This car is very fun to drive. It is replacing my Hyundai Elentra that was unfortunately totaled and while the Elentra was my perfect car, the Sonic is holding it?s own

It's a very reliable daily driver. It has cheap materials on the interior but that's expected on a relatively cheap compact car. The gas mileage I got on average after having the car for 5 years with mixed highway and city driving was 27mpg.

Car was reliable, excellent gas mileage, very comfortable and a great deal for the price. It?s a great car for anyone looking for economy and a great price without giving up comfort and style.

I liked my Chevy nice little car fast big trunk was good on gas nice car for a first time buyer the price is good to it dont have lots of money

Having not driven a car for over 10 years, since I don't need one living and working in Chicago proper, getting back behind the wheel is nice with the car being a Chevrolet Sonic. The car handles well, given the condition of the roads in Chicago. I purchased a manual transmission since they handle better in snow and rain, and the gas mileage is great. It's a great vehicle that satisfies my commuting needs.

I drive 300 miles a week just for work This Sonic has been over the top reliable and very economical. I have had minimal repairs and can always trust I will arrive to my destination

I like the ride and the gas millage and the looks and the compact design.Ted was very helpful and got approved when no-one else could with a working down payment

Great car for a college student: inexpensive, great gas mileage, modern interior and features. I was also impressed by the performance since I test drove the turbo version

Modified 2012 Sonic LT 1.4T, 6 speed manual. Comfort - its not comfy but not terrible. Interior/exterior styling - not hideous but not easy on the eyes. Reliability - go replace a Fit CVT for 4k$ 2 months out of warranty, then talk about reliability. Overall 4* because its a great all around car but does no 1 thing really well. Cheap initial cost, cheap insurance, good gas mileage, and good street tuning performance. This review is for people looking for everyday street performance, not stanced, not a race car. I see 30-40 mpg with all mods listed below depending on how I drive. Dont buy the RS model. LT hatch with 1.4T/6 speed manual, without heavy extras like a sunroof. 2017+ are heavier. 2013-2016 are the best years to buy. 2012's have more transmission issues. Have GM install their performance suspension kit. 450$ for the kit, or 800-900$ installed at dealer. The stock suspension is unsafe when pushing the limits of the car. Wider and stickier tires are a must. Find the VIN of an RS manual/auto depending on what you have, in your same year Sonic and take that VIN to the dealer or tuning shop to upgrade to the tighter ratio electronic steering upgrade of the RS. Congratulations on making a Sonic RS out of an LT, with + 4-5mpg. The Sonic RS' low transmission gearing has been shown to not increase 0-60 or 1/4 mile times. The RS rear disc brakes do nothing. As you can see, GM stopped offering the RS as a model option because it had the same performance with worse gas mileage than an LT. The RS is now a handling/appearance package. ZZP offers upgraded front and rear brake kits for 1k$ total; these are not needed, but a huge performance gain and reduces weight. Carbon fiber panels, battery swaps, and weight reduction parts are available but not needed. It is simple and cheap to remove 75-100lbs off the Sonic hatch, bringing an LT to 2650 lbs. Less than 2600-2650 lbs, things start to get expensive. A lightweight/stripped Sonic can weigh as low as 2500-2550 lbs. The BNR GTX turbo with full exhaust, intake, intake manifold, and other goodies brings the 1.4t to a reliable 260hp/320tq at the crank (200-210 whp/260-270wtq). The cost for all these engine mods is around 4k$. This is the current bolt-on power limit on 93 octane pump gas. Consider a highly tuned Sonic wtq is nearing a Camaro V6 engine torque. Thats impressive when the car is 600-700 lbs lighter. These numbers will be outdated in a few years when new turbo kits are offered. It is possible to reach 300-350 hp on stock internals but it is a custom rather than bolt-on job. With a modified car and proper tuning (BNR) there is no decrease in reliability over the stock turbo Sonic. All parts that fail on these 1.4t motors do so at stock power levels as often as tuned motors. The 1.4t will take the abuse on the street. The Sonic 6 speed manual is 1 of 1 new small fwd econo-cars that have multiple types of aftermarket limited slip differentials *in cars that did not come with LSD from the factory*. Helical types and aggressive plate types are offered from US/Europe. This is a big deal and puts the car in a class above some hot hatches which were never offered with LSD nor have this aftermarket option. Traction control can be partially shut off by holding the T/C button or completely shut off by pulling the ABS fuse. All upgraded engine/trans mounts and an extra engine roll supressing mount is offered to control traction. Sway bars and chassis bracing are offered if you want even more handling grip. There are dozens of more ways to modify a Sonic for performance, and still pass inspection each year. Plus you spend half as much on your car & mods as the guy in the tuned Golf GTI getting trashed by the Sonic. You get better mpg, reliability, and similar engine build quality (stock internals proven to 220-230hp/L). Its a fun car so go for it.

This car was fun yo drive. Good on gas milage but tarable in the snow. But over all was a very good car. I like all the features it had for how cheep it was.