How Do I Get My Hour Meter in My 2015 Chevy Sonic to Work Again?
2012
The Car Connection
Best Machine to Buy Nominee
The Car Connexion Expert Review
Senior Editor
March 29, 2012
Likes
- Well-weighted steering
- Shine, quiet ride
- Comfy seating
- Powertrain refinement of a more expensive vehicle (1.4T)
Dislikes
- Bluetooth, USB missing from base model
- Base engine can be boomy when revved
- Muted throttle response (ane.4T)
- Mushy brake pedal
Ownership tip
features & specs
4-Door Sedan LS 1LS
4-Door Sedan LS 2LS
4-Door Sedan LT 1LT
The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is neither subsonic nor supersonic—but information technology's a good, audio pick and a world amend than the Aveo it replaces.
With the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic, Full general Motors is at last fully in the small-car game. That might sound dizzy to those who can recall a laundry list of former Chevrolet small cars—Chevette, Vega, Spectrum, Cavalier, Cobalt, Aveo, Metro, Dart, to mention a few—only about of those vehicles truly felt like halfhearted efforts that took 2nd stage to the automakers trucks and larger cars.
That'due south non the case with the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic, a completely new, global small car that thankfully has nothing to do with the rental-automobile-mainstay, the Aveo, that it replaces—thus the new model proper name.
At a fourth dimension when the subcompact class seems to exist segmenting into two camps—with the Nissan Versa, Honda Fit, and Hyundai Accent on the larger side, and the Ford Fiesta, Toyota Yaris, and even the Fiat 500 at the lower end of the scale—the Sonic lands generally in that smaller group, at least past the EPA's definition. Yet in looking at curb weight (virtually ii,600 pounds), the Sonic ranks equally i of the heavier vehicles in this class.
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Factor in an all-new structure that feels transformational compared to the Aveo'due south, and vaultlike next to many other modest-motorcar designs, combined with a top-notch safety list (already an IIHS Top Safety choice, five-star federal ratings, and ten standard airbags), and we have no hesitation in calling the Sonic the safest subcompact pick among 2012 models.
In that location are two engines available in the Sonic, and both of them are poached from the Chevrolet Cruze lineup: a normally aspirated one.eight-liter 4, or a turbocharged i.iv-liter 4. Both tin can be had with either a manual gearbox or an all-new six-speed automatic. The 1.4T is definitely our favored choice between the 2, as it's more flexible as well as more fuel-efficient. Nicely weighted steering rounds out the driving bundle, and while the Sonic is actually surprisingly good fun to bulldoze, the steering is if anything a trivial too isolated and damped. That speaks for the rest of the packet—which is groovy, from a passenger and comfort perspective. The Sonic is supremely roomy, comfortable, refined, tight, and quiet for a pocket-size car, and information technology's really difficult to discover any serious flaws with the unabridged bundle—and in our opinion, it looks better than most in this course in sedan form, even though we love hatches.
The Sonic delights with surprise standard features similar blend wheels on all models, plus remote keyless entry and air conditioning, and comes pretty well-equipped for around $15k. Merely then, in this arms race of features and value, there are some disappointments. For case, you'll need to accomplish to LT or LTZ models to be able to pick to the 1.4T engine, and some tech essentials like USB (with full iPod control) and Bluetooth are optional and only offered on the elevation-of-the-line LTZ model. That said, a loaded 2012 Sonic LTZ should withal full below the $20k marking—a seriously expert deal in today's market.
For a very affordable, entry-level pocket-size car, the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic doesn't look or feel basic or bare-bones.
The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is an all-new, from-the-ground-up vehicle, and while its size and basic proportions aren't all that much unlike than those of the former Aveo, nicely contoured sheetmetal, a more elegant roofline, and fine detailing throughout give it an entirely different, more than upscale (and even somewhat sporty) look and experience.
The Aveo sedan adds a few more inches of overall length compared to the hatch, though the front one-half of the vehicle is largely the same—as is the wheelbase. 1 other key blueprint deviation: while the rear doors in the hatchback are 'hidden' (located upwards high at the back), those in the sedan are of a more conventional design and location.
In front and in back, you won't make any mistake in identifying the Sonic; it'southward adorned with huge Chevy bow-tie badges. But the Sonic takes several other new Chevrolet design cues and amps them up just a little fleck; for case, the dual grille has been moved downwardly, centered over the front bumper, while the headlights are round, and set in a black background. As well, in that location'southward more than blacked-out trim throughout to aid provide crisper lines around the doors and hatch.
While the previous Aveo sedan was, in our stance, the far more homely choice over the hatchback, the new Sonic sedan merely gets the proportions right—appearing from many angles equally a somewhat shorter, blunted Cruze, which is not at all a bad thing. The roofline in dorsum, with the sloping rear window and crisp decklid border (reminding united states of the upcoming 2013 Malibu), gives it a overnice slap-up (and not bulbous) await. Specially in the hatch, the upward side pucker and shapely creased wheelwells aid give it more than of a 'hot hatch' look. And shockingly, all 2012 Sonic models, even the base LS, come with alloy wheels.
Inside, the Sonic feels far sportier than you might expect for such an affordable vehicle. The Aveo's somewhat cockpit-similar instrument panel wraps effectually to the doors and curves downwards into a center console expanse, enveloping the front end seat occupants. There's a new three-spoke steering-bike pattern, borrowed from other recently redesigned Chevrolet models, and the 5-shaped center stack very efficiently and attractively consolidates audio and climate controls. Forepart and centre for the driver is an all-new instrument cluster, with a digital speedometer and trip meter grouped together, yet an analog tachometer, which birthday helps cement that sporty experience. While materials aren't quite on par with larger, more than expensive vehicles, they're better than more budget-priced cars, and you'll find details like contrast stitching for the vinyl (leatherette) seats and contrasting, grained instrument-panel and door surfaces. Subtle chrome rings provide accents, merely it doesn't become overboard with the jewelry.
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The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic has the driving sophistication of a much more expensive auto—especially when optioned with the ane.4T.
Two dissimilar engines are offered in the Sonic—a naturally aspirated, 1.8-liter four-cylinder base engine, and an bachelor turbocharged 1.iv-liter 4 that promises both improved performance and improve gas mileage. Both are manus-me-downs from the Chevrolet Cruze, which means that in either case the Sonic has a friskier, more eager-and-responsive experience than yous'll find in another basic, affordable cars. A five-speed manual is standard with the 1.eight-liter, while ane.4T versions become a standard half-dozen-speed; but in either case, the optional six-speed automatic transmission volition be a pop selection.
While the power ratings aren't that much dissimilar between the 2 engines, there'southward a substantial difference in real-globe performance. There'south also a pretty large departure in refinement between these ii engines. While both engines are rated at 138 horsepower, the ane.4T makes 23 pound-feet more than torque—and it makes 90 pct of its peak torque all the way from two,400 to half-dozen,500 rpm, and then you often don't truly need to downshift. It'south too a very shine, refined engine and feels a class in a higher place.
Actually, with the 1.4T, as we plant with the larger Chevy Cruze, actress revs above 5,000 or so aren't actually rewarded, and the throttle response can be a piffling too muted. On the other hand, to excerpt the 1.eight-liter'south full potential you'll need to rev it up by 4,000 rpm—where information technology tin can get noticeably louder and somewhat boomy.
The six-speed manual is actually very nice, with relatively short throws and straight, precise shift action, plus very smooth clutch takeup. So is the new half-dozen-speed automatic, which nosotros found responsive and quick to downshift while just leaving it in Bulldoze. You tin control downshifts with a pocket-size plus/minus toggle button at the side of the shift lever. With either choice, though, consider that you'll exist shifting more than with the 1.8-liter engine.
There'due south a surprisingly capable chassis underneath the new Sonic; while this isn't the type of vehicle that driving enthusiasts would pick, information technology'due south nice to know that it does feel controllable, and really fun to bulldoze, on a curvy road—far more so than well-nigh econocars. The only blemish from an enthusiast's standpoint is that the Sonic'southward steering is more than isolated than the steering in the Ford Fiesta, making it less sporty in feel yet less susceptible to vibration and road harshness—no uncertainty a tradeoff that 95 percent or more of buyers in this segment volition be happy with. The 1 other perhaps more serious offense was that while brake performance was simply fine, the pedal feel tended to be mushy.
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The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic makes expert utilize of its very small dimensions, while comfortable seats and a tight, placidity cabin should get in easy to alive with.
The former Aveo was always quite proficient with respect to comfort—a trait that probable helped information technology earn a popular spot in rental-automobile fleets. But the new 2012 Chevrolet Sonic covers more than than but the nuts—with better particular, more cubbies, and a sense of flair.
Front and rear seating is about the aforementioned, whether you choose the sedan or hatchback. Front perches are comfy enough for a few hours on the highway, and the driving position felt merely right for a broad range of drivers—with the protruding judge cluster (which appears a bit odd and overstyled at first) perfectly placed and very easy to read.
In back, this half dozen'-half dozen" editor was able to fit in the back seat without hunching—a feat that can't be claimed in some cars much larger—although legroom and articulatio genus room was very express. Unless y'all have shorter front-seat occupants and tin can actually scoot those seats up, yous're only dealing with a child-size space.
The one major letdown with the bundle is that the load floor is surprisingly high—much higher than the Honda Fit, which is yet the packaging/infinite gnaw. Even so, a rather large underfloor tray opens up some more than space at the far back of the motorcar—enough, comfortably, to go on a couple of laptops or a small valise out of sight. Ane other matter worth noting is that sedans actually have more cargo space (thank you to their extra length); their trunk is 19 cubic anxiety, versus 14 for hatchbacks, and the seatbacks fold downwards (flat if you load them and don't have the forepart seats up too far) in either version. Cubbies are a strong point, with a couple of large bins toward the middle of the nuance, along with in the door—although the backseat expanse lacks storage spaces.
I detail that bothered us repeatedly is that (as in the Ford Fiesta) the central locking controls are in the center console, in a position that's hard to accomplish if y'all've already gotten out of the driver's seat. It can also be a long glance down to the climate control dials, with no display up high to indicate settings.
Ride and refinement are top-notch compared to other budget-priced small cars. We noticed none of the fiddling trim-and-panel vibrations that seem par in this course. Road noise in item seemed very well damped, although in one LTZ model with the larger wheels we did hear irregularities a bit more at depression speed.
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The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is shaping up to be one amongst the safest subcompacts on the market.
Put simply, if safety is i of your height priorities, yet you want a small car, the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic should exist right at the top of your listing. General Motors has designed and engineered the new 2012 Sonic on an all-new global platform, intended from the offset to provide class-leading occupant protection in multiple markets—which called for all-encompassing crash-testing during its development. Primal to the Sonic's splendid protection is a body structure that's made of nearly sixty percentage loftier-strength steel, and a new engine cradle system that helps disperse frontal crash forces.
The Sonic too offers an impressive ten airbags in all, including knee joint bags for both driver and rider, every bit well as kid-seat-uniform side thorax airbags for rear passengers. Electronic stability command is included, as are anti-lock brakes with Restriction Assist—though it has rear drums rather than discs on all versions.
Crash-test ratings are excellent. The Sonic has accomplished top five-star ratings from the federal government, and it's earned top results from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS); it's also been named a Top Safety Selection. And in the IIHS roof strength test, which is related to the likelihood of injury in a rollover, the 2012 Sonic managed to withstand more than five times its weight—yielding a elevation 'expert' rating.
The 2012 Sonic can be equipped with many of the tech features that ever-connected commuters want, but they cost quite a flake actress.
With a starting price of $14,495, including destination fee, the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic remains one of the most affordable new models on the market. Yet this fourth dimension GM has equipped its entry-level Chevy to avert thwarting; even the base LS comes with air-conditioning, power locks, remote keyless entry, and a til/scope steering cycle.
The mid-level Sonic LT adds a six-speaker sound system plus XM satellite radio, every bit well as power heated mirrors and driver'southward side machine-upwards/downwards, while the top-of-the-line LTZ gets heated leatherette front seats, cruise control, fog lamps, and large 17-inch alloy wheels.
Connectivity is one surface area where Chevy fails to keep up with many of the other latest models for availability, fifty-fifty if loftier-end tech features are optional or included on higher trims. A Bluetooth hands-complimentary interface, steering-wheel audio controls, and a USB port for iPod music access are only offered in top LTZ models, as part of a Connectivity Bundle.
The one item that's missing from the options list, for at present, is a navigation system—though GM says that will be remedied by the end of the model yr. As well, nosotros constitute the leatherette seats to be as equally good every bit the type of leather that goes into inexpensive cars, only it still might non be quite enough for those who absolutely must have their cow.
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The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic earns a spot in the twoscore-mpg club—though you have to pay a little extra to become at that place.
One of the traditional reasons to downsize is to get better fuel economy. But if you go the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic with the base of operations ane.8-liter engine, its gas mileage ratings, surprisingly, aren't that much better than those of a base, mid-size 2012 Toyota Camry. The 1.4T engine, which is a $700 option in LT and LTZ models, gets better ratings of 29 mpg city, 40 highway, although its ratings with the automatic—not available until later on in the year—haven't nonetheless been released.
Even though that places the premium for the 1.4T Sonic to be near $1,400 more than than the base Sonic LS, it's a choice that's probable to pay off in the long run, peculiarly if yous're planning to proceed the car over the long term or if y'all were already planning to go a better-equipped LT or LTZ. The 1.4T, different many turbocharged engines, has been tuned and engineered to run on regular unleaded fuel every bit well.
On a route that included a mix of city stop-and-go followed by more than aggressive driving on winding two-lane roads, we observed that the ane.4T also proves considerably more than fuel-efficient in real-globe driving. We first managed nearly 28 mpg in an automated 1.8-liter Sonic. But in a manual 1.4T in about the same atmospheric condition we saw 31 mpg, then 33 mpg in another car, mostly on the highway.
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The Car Connection Consumer Review
October 9, 2016
2012 Chevrolet Sonic 4-Door Sedan LS 1LS
Very disappointed.
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While the car is still reliable, as it has aged, the gas mileage has gotten much worse.
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Fun to bulldoze gas miser.
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Source: https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/chevrolet_sonic_2012
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