2013 Chevrolet Sonic Total Car Score Analysis

The 2013 Chevrolet Sonic doesn't have enough ratings to earn a Valid Total Car Score.  
 
In just a little over a year, the Sonic has made quite an impression on car buyers and the media alike, reversing a long-standing impression that Chevrolet couldn’t make a quality small car. The Sonic has been praised for its snappy powertrains, well-thought-out interior amenities and a surprising amount of interior room for a car of its proportions.  
 
For 2013 Chevy has made its MyLink infotainment system available as an option for LS and LT models and standard equipment on LTZ and RS versions. Chevy also put together a Connectivity and Cruise package for LT models that incorporates cruise control, Bluetooth audio streaming, audio controls on the steering wheel and a USB and second auxiliary input jack.  
 
Beyond those equipment changes, Chevy also sticks a toe in the hot-hatch pond this year with the new Sonic RS model. Available late in 2012, the RS is dressed with aerodynamic body pieces and fitted with a lowered suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, revised transmission and rearend gearing, and a leather-clad interior that boasts microfiber suede inserts in the bucket seats and a “racing-inspired” flat-bottom steering wheel.  
 
The 1.4-liter turbo four remains in the same tune as found in non-RS models, and the 50-series, 17-inch tires are the same all-season radials as found on the LTZ, so the performance upgrade isn’t comprehensive. But early test drives indicate the RS is definitely sportier and more aggressive than its more pedestrian cousins.

2013 Chevrolet Sonic Model Line-Up

The 2013 Chevrolet Sonic is a front-wheel-drive subcompact car sold as a four-door sedan or five-door hatchback, each capable of holding up to five passengers. Two engine choices are available, as are four different trim levels.  
 
The standard engine in the Sonic is a naturally aspirated 1.8-liter four-cylinder that produces 138 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque. It can be paired with either a standard five-speed manual transmission or optional six-speed automatic. A 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, good for 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque, is optional in LT and LTZ models and standard in the RS. It can be backed by either a standard six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic transmission.  
 
Base LS Sonic models are equipped with 15-inch steel wheels, manual climate control, an AM/FM stereo, Bluetooth connectivity, power door locks and sport cloth upholstery. Moving up to the LT trim level brings 15-inch alloy wheels, an upgraded CD/MP3/satellite radio audio system with a USB port and eight speakers, power windows and cruise control.  
 
The LTZ models roll on 17-inch alloy wheels and are outfitted with heated front seats with leatherette seating surfaces, foglamps, and another audio upgrade, this one programmed with the MyLink infotainment system and controlled via a 7-inch touch-screen. Sonic RS models (available as a hatchback only) have all the features of the LTZ plus a unique front fascia, grille and 17-inch wheels; a lowered suspension; four-wheel disc brakes; leather upholstery; and a flat-bottom, leather-wrapped steering wheel.  
 
The EPA rates the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic (sedan or hatch) with the 1.4-liter engine and manual transmission as the most gas miserly, returning 29 mpg city, 40 mpg highway and 33 mpg combined. With the automatic transmission that engine is rated at 27/37/31. The 1.8 with a manual returns 26/35/30 mpg and 25/35/28 with the automatic.

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