Journey’s End: Adios, Aveo
Even though I’m About.com’s Guide to SUVs, I really love small cars. I appreciate the virtue of using the proper tool for the job, and a lot of times, the smallest vehicle you can apply to the task is the best one. Sonic is a great car for commuters, first-time buyers, and for the Millenials that Chevy is targeting. I wouldn’t be surprised if Gen Y, Gen X and even Boomers find Sonic appealing, no matter which market Chevy targets in their ads.
There’s plenty of competition in this price range and class, and more seem to arrive every week. The Hyundai Accent, Ford Fiesta, and Honda Fit are the Aveo's fiercest rivals; I'd also consider the Fiat 500, Toyota Yaris, and Mazda2.But these cars lack one of the Sonic's important attributes: Only the Sonic is built in the USA. (The Fiesta is hecho en Mexico.) The next wave of mini cars is coming, and they will be even smaller than Sonic -- the upcoming 2013 Chevrolet Spark and the just-released Scion iQ make Sonic look positively gargantuan.
I appreciate Chevrolet's effort to emphasize the fun-to-drive quotient in the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. They've built a solid, quiet subcompact that tickled this driver's fancy. Whether or not they've put their finger on the button that triggers Millennial response remains to be seen, but the Sonic is safer, better and more capable than any small car yet built in the United States. Global competition has forced General Motors to get better, and Millenial or not, the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is a small car worth buying and driving. -- Jason Fogelson
What Jason liked about the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic:
The sedan is 14" longer than the hatchback, yet has less cargo capacity and less interior volume.
Photo © Jason Fogelson- Solid build quality
- Terrifically quiet ride
- Taut, controlled handling
What he didn't like:
- Standard 1.8-liter engine is thirsty and not much fun
- Clunky iPod interface
- Some funky ergonomics
Other cars you should consider:
Details and specs:
- Price range (including options): $14,495 - $20,520
- Powertrain: 1.8 liter/138 hp or 1.4 liter turbo/138 hp, 5-speed manual (1.8), 6-speed manual (1.4T), or 6-speed automatic, front-wheel-drive
- EPA fuel economy estimates: 26 mpg city/35 mpg highway (1.8 manual); 25/35 (1.8 automatic); 29/40 (1.4T manual)
- Where built? USA
- Standard safety equipment: Front airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, front and rear seat-mounted side airbags, two-row side curtain airbags, antilock brakes, electronic stability control
- Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper, 5 years/100,000-miles powertrain
- Roadside assistance/free maintenance: 5 years/100,000 miles roadside assistance
