Switching from my VX to a Chevy Sonic?

Scott Williams · 09-10-2011, 08:16 PM

Hi,
I haven't posted on here in awhile. I bought a Honda VX a little more than 2 years ago. Have been enjoying the car, yet the VX is a pretty bare-bones vehicle and I'm urning for a little more creature comfort and safety for interstate driving. I've averaged 42mpg city/highway and realize that there are few cars that can beat that for sale today, at a price I can afford, yet....

I'm considering the Chevy Sonic. I've been excited to read about this car and have been waiting for the official MPG numbers. They keep quoting 40mpg highway, but if this is the same 1.4 turbo that's in the Cruise ECO and it's getting 42, won't the 500lb less Sonic do better?

Wondered if anyone had any info on this, and thoughts along these lines.

Scott

tradosaurus · 09-10-2011, 09:19 PM

Isn't Chevy Sonic an oxymoron?

Scott Williams · 09-10-2011, 09:43 PM

No, actually. Every review I've read has rated this car very highly. Here, I'll share my research to make this thread go in a more productive direction.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars...nic-test-drive

http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/im...hevrolet-sonic

http://www.autoweek.com/article/2011...IEWS/110609911

trollbait · 09-11-2011, 07:36 AM

I think I might have seen a hatchback a couple days ago. Thought it was a Scion or Toyota Matrix at first.

The 1.4 turbo is in most Cruze trims, and the Eco has a few more tricks for fuel economy. Mostly in transmission I believe.

If you mostly pulse and coast, the 1.4 may not work out. For the Cruze, it is difficult to pulse without going into boost. The lighter Sonic should do better, but Cleanmpg got better results driving with load with the Cruze.

It looks and sounds better than the Aveo, but I would avoid the first year. My HHR seemed to have every flaw and bug.

hondaguy72 · 09-11-2011, 07:45 AM

The drivetrain is pretty well sorted out, so I wouldn't be too hesitant to buy one if you are looking for a car that will average around 35-37mpg combined. This is the kicker

Quote
CURB WEIGHT: 2,800-2,900 lb (AW est)

Toting around an additional 7-800 lbs will never get you the economy possible in a 2100 lb car.

Can't they make this little car lighter?

trollbait · 09-12-2011, 09:02 AM

Those numbers may be in error.
GM hasn't released them yet, and the French version comes in around 2400#.

hondaguy72 · 09-12-2011, 11:30 AM

At 2400 the car would scoot very well and should get much better mileage than advertised. That's 800 lbs or more lighter than the cruise! 3232lbs per Inside Line.

theholycow · 09-12-2011, 01:13 PM

Hmm...

Chevy Sonic: 28?30/37?40 mpg, ???? lbs, $14,###, ? interior volume unknown, 138hp
Hyundai Accent: 30/40mpg, 2400 lbs, $14,195, 89.7/13.7 ft^3 volume, 138hp
Toyota Yaris: 30/38mpg, 2300 lbs, $14,115, 84.4/15.3 ft^3, 106hp
Ford Fiesta: 29/38mpg, ???? lbs, $14,000, 85.1/12.8 ft^3, 120hp
Mazda2: 29/35mpg, 2306lbs, $15,635, 87.1/13.3 ft^3, 100hp
Honda Fit: 27/33mpg (or 28/35 auto), 2500 lbs, $15,175, 90.8/20.6 ft^3, 117hp
Kia Rio: 28/34mpg, 2,365 lbs, $12,300, 92.2/11.9 ft^3, 110hp
Nissan Versa Sedan: 27/36mpg, 2350 lbs, $11,000, 94.3/13.8 ft^3, 109hp
Nissan Versa Hatchback: 26/31mpg, 2700 lbs, $14,380, 94.3/13.8 ft^3, 122hp

Note: I skipped other manufacturers due to lack of participation in this market segment...unless I missed some models, which is possible. Chrysler and Dodge don't seem to have anything remotely similar. Mitsubishi and Subaru don't seem to have anything with a competitive price or fuel economy. Suzuki doesn't come close to these MPG numbers.

Whatever the weight, Sonic's FE is on par with the other cars in the segment. Depending on how accurate those provided estimates are, it may be near the top or may be middle of the pack. Horsepower shares the top spot with Hyundai. Sounds respectable enough to me.

That Nissan Versa sedan's price is surprising, and its interior space somehow equals that of the Versa hatchback.

bowtieguy · 09-12-2011, 02:17 PM

a big plus is that it is "assembled" in the US...or so i understand. many(most?) of these cars have some combo of foreign and domestic parts, but i like bringing the jobs here at least for putting the little guy together.