LS Manual 4dr Sedan
2014 Chevrolet Sonic

2014 Sonic Photos
Chevrolet Sonic is a subcompact offering refinement and sporty handling. Sonic comes in four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles, with a choice of four-cylinder engines. Sonic was launched as a 2012 model. The 2014 Sonic comes in LS, LT, LTZ, and RS models.

A new Dusk package is available for the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic LTZ sedan, with unique exterior features, a Jet Back/Mojave leather-appointed interior, 1.4-liter turbocharged engine and four-wheel disc brakes. A rearview camera now is standard on LTZ and RS models, and available for the LT. An available safety package includes Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning.

Sonic RS delivers sportier handling and performance than the other models. Sonic RS comes with a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine, along with a sports suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, 17-inch alloy wheels, leather seating surfaces, and special exterior and interior trim. Unique gear ratios for the 6-speed manual gearbox and a unique final drive ratio for the automatic transmission give the Sonic RS more responsive acceleration, but at the price of meager fuel economy.

Chevrolet Sonic models come standard with manual shift and a 1.8-liter engine, rated at 26/35 miles per gallon City/Highway. The 1.8-liter delivers 138 horsepower at 6300 rpm and 125 pound-feet of torque at 3800 rpm. Those numbers are worth noting in comparisons with the optional turbocharged engine. We found the 1.8-liter engine offers sprightly performance and a wide powerband.

The optional 1.4-liter turbocharged engine is both more powerful and more fuel-efficient. The 1.4-liter turbo delivers 138 horsepower at 4900 rpm and puts out 148 pound-feet of torque, starting way down at 1850 rpm (2500 rpm with manual shift). Fuel economy is 29/40 mpg City/Highway with the standard 6-speed manual gearbox. Note that the turbocharged engine develops its identical horsepower at lower revs than does the 1.8-liter engine. Drivers are likely to consider the Sonic zippier and more fun with the 1.4-liter turbo, while getting better gas mileage. So we think the turbo is worth the extra money.

The 1.8-liter engine is available with a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic; the 1.4-liter turbo mates with a 6-speed manual or the 6-speed automatic. A standard hill-hold feature is especially welcome for the manual gearbox on hilly terrain. When the driver is stopped and releases the brake pedal, the brakes electronically hold the car in place for two seconds, thanks to a sensor that detects body tilt.

Looking fresh and new, the Sonic has an urban vibe, particularly in five-door hatchback form. Sharp creases, exposed headlamps and motorcycle-inspired design cues set it apart from other compacts, while good fit and finish and available forged alloy wheels keep it from looking cheap.

Sonics contain 10 airbags, including seat-mounted thorax side-impact, head curtain and knee airbags. Other nice touches not often found standard on a sub-$15,000 car include a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and 60/40 split folding rear seats.

We found the Sonic's handling to be good in general, not just for a low-priced subcompact. The body structure is quite stiff, which aids …
Full Review

Chevrolet Sonic is a subcompact offering refinement and sporty handling. Sonic comes in four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles, with a choice of four-cylinder engines. Sonic was launched as a 2012 model. The 2014 Sonic comes in LS, LT, LTZ, and RS models.

A new Dusk package is available for the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic LTZ sedan, with unique exterior features, a Jet Back/Mojave leather-appointed interior, 1.4-liter turbocharged engine and four-wheel disc brakes. A rearview camera now is standard on LTZ and RS models, and available for the LT. An available safety package includes Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning.

Sonic RS delivers sportier handling and performance than the other models. Sonic RS comes with a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine, along with a sports suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, 17-inch alloy wheels, leather seating surfaces, and special exterior and interior trim. Unique gear ratios for the 6-speed manual gearbox and a unique final drive ratio for the automatic transmission give the Sonic RS more responsive acceleration, but at the price of meager fuel economy.

Chevrolet Sonic models come standard with manual shift and a 1.8-liter engine, rated at 26/35 miles per gallon City/Highway. The 1.8-liter delivers 138 horsepower at 6300 rpm and 125 pound-feet of torque at 3800 rpm. Those numbers are worth noting in comparisons with the optional turbocharged engine. We found the 1.8-liter engine offers sprightly performance and a wide powerband.

The optional 1.4-liter turbocharged engine is both more powerful and more fuel-efficient. The 1.4-liter turbo delivers 138 horsepower at 4900 rpm and puts out 148 pound-feet of torque, starting way down at 1850 rpm (2500 rpm with manual shift). Fuel economy is 29/40 mpg City/Highway with the standard 6-speed manual gearbox. Note that the turbocharged engine develops its identical horsepower at lower revs than does the 1.8-liter engine. Drivers are likely to consider the Sonic zippier and more fun with the 1.4-liter turbo, while getting better gas mileage. So we think the turbo is worth the extra money.

The 1.8-liter engine is available with a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic; the 1.4-liter turbo mates with a 6-speed manual or the 6-speed automatic. A standard hill-hold feature is especially welcome for the manual gearbox on hilly terrain. When the driver is stopped and releases the brake pedal, the brakes electronically hold the car in place for two seconds, thanks to a sensor that detects body tilt.

Looking fresh and new, the Sonic has an urban vibe, particularly in five-door hatchback form. Sharp creases, exposed headlamps and motorcycle-inspired design cues set it apart from other compacts, while good fit and finish and available forged alloy wheels keep it from looking cheap.

Sonics contain 10 airbags, including seat-mounted thorax side-impact, head curtain and knee airbags. Other nice touches not often found standard on a sub-$15,000 car include a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and 60/40 split folding rear seats.

We found the Sonic's handling to be good in general, not just for a low-priced subcompact. The body structure is quite stiff, which aids …
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Retail Price

$14,170 MSRP / Window Sticker Price
Engine 1.8L I-4
MPG 26 City / 35 Hwy
Seating 5 Passengers
Transmission 5-spd man w/OD
Power 138 @ 6300 rpm
Drivetrain front-wheel
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