2012 Chevy Sonic estimated to hit 40 mpg highway

At this year's Detroit Auto Show, General Motors yanked back the sheets on its newest sub-compact from Chevrolet; the 2012 Sonic. The five-door hatch and four-door sedan models will be available with either a standard 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine or an optional turbo'd 1.4-liter mill that can be ordered up with either a five-speed manual trans or a six-speed slushbox. At the time of the unveiling, GM was mum on the Sonic's estimated miles per gallon rating but The General is now ready to talk a little mpg.

The automaker is saying that the 2012 subcompact Sonic will achieve up to 40 mpg highway when it hits the market this fall. Though none of the numbers have been finalized by the EPA, GM's projected mileage figures seem highly likely considering that the Sonic packs the same powertrains as the heftier Chevrolet Cruze. The Cruze, which is rated at 24/36 mpg city/highway, obviously outweighs the Sonic and, therefore, we expect it to be the less fuel efficient vehicle of the two.

For the sake of comparison, the outgoing Aveo, equipped with a manual trans, achieved an EPA rating of 25/35 mpg city/highway. The Sonic's 40-mpg rating would place it on par with the Ford Fiesta and ahead of both the Honda Fit and the Toyota Yaris. Hat tip to Darin!

[Source: Kicking Tires]