Chevy's Korean-built pint-car
the Aveo, is being replaced with the considerably more attractive 2012 Chevy Sonic. The Sonic will be the first domestically-produced subcompact on the US market, made just outside of Detroit at the Orion Assembly Center. The sedan version of the car is being introduced at the Detroit Auto Show for the first time, though the hatchback has been shown for quite a while under the guise of the new Aveo.
Given the low-rent history of the Aveo name plate, General Motors decided against retaining thename. That's probably a good move too, as the Sonic bears zero resemblance to the budget-minded and oft-derided Aveo. The styling is handsome, bordering on agressive, taking inspiration from high-performance motorcycles inside and out. Both hatch and sedan wear exposed headlights, giant grilles and prominent fender flares. The hatch boasts a sporty profile punctuated by a short rear overhang, a heavily styled hatch and an integrated roof spoiler. The sedan is a bit more grown up in profile, with a smooth cabin profile ending in an abrupt rear trunk lid.
The Sonic is slightly larger than the Aveo as well, with a 99.4-inch wheelbase and 68.3 inch overall width. Passengers will find room in all dimensions to be considerably more comfortable, taking advantage of a higher hip-point than the current offering. The accommodations themselves are a lot better too. The driver faces a motorcycle-inspired analog/digital floating gauge pod and simple but attractive controls on the center stack. Storage is generous in the center console, dash top, second glove compartment and door pockets. Materials throughout are much better than the outgoing car and soft touch plastics are extensively used, but you definitely don't forget this is an entry level car.
Powertrains are shared with the Chevy Cruze, with the base model Sonic utilizing the 1.8-liter Ecotec four-cylinder making 135 hp and 123 lb-ft of torque between 2400 and 6500 rpm. The uplevel 1.4-liter turbocharged Ecotec makes slightly more power at 138 hp with 148 lb-ft of torque available between 1850 and 4900 rpm. The 1.8-liter can be had with either a five-speed manual or a six-speed auto and the 1.4-liter gets a six-speed manual.
The cars ride on a MacPhereson strut front suspension and a torsion beam-style rear axle with a V-shaped beam and coil springs with an anti-roll bar. Brakes are 10 or 10.8-inch front discs and 7.87 or 9-inch rear drums with 4-channel ABS. Electronic power steering turns the standard 15-inch wheels with 16 and 17 inch wheels optional.
It remains to be seen how the Sonic stacks up against the increasingly fierce subcompact competitors, but it's certainly a more promising entry than the vehicle it replaces.
Given the low-rent history of the Aveo name plate, General Motors decided against retaining thename. That's probably a good move too, as the Sonic bears zero resemblance to the budget-minded and oft-derided Aveo. The styling is handsome, bordering on agressive, taking inspiration from high-performance motorcycles inside and out. Both hatch and sedan wear exposed headlights, giant grilles and prominent fender flares. The hatch boasts a sporty profile punctuated by a short rear overhang, a heavily styled hatch and an integrated roof spoiler. The sedan is a bit more grown up in profile, with a smooth cabin profile ending in an abrupt rear trunk lid.
The Sonic is slightly larger than the Aveo as well, with a 99.4-inch wheelbase and 68.3 inch overall width. Passengers will find room in all dimensions to be considerably more comfortable, taking advantage of a higher hip-point than the current offering. The accommodations themselves are a lot better too. The driver faces a motorcycle-inspired analog/digital floating gauge pod and simple but attractive controls on the center stack. Storage is generous in the center console, dash top, second glove compartment and door pockets. Materials throughout are much better than the outgoing car and soft touch plastics are extensively used, but you definitely don't forget this is an entry level car.
Powertrains are shared with the Chevy Cruze, with the base model Sonic utilizing the 1.8-liter Ecotec four-cylinder making 135 hp and 123 lb-ft of torque between 2400 and 6500 rpm. The uplevel 1.4-liter turbocharged Ecotec makes slightly more power at 138 hp with 148 lb-ft of torque available between 1850 and 4900 rpm. The 1.8-liter can be had with either a five-speed manual or a six-speed auto and the 1.4-liter gets a six-speed manual.
The cars ride on a MacPhereson strut front suspension and a torsion beam-style rear axle with a V-shaped beam and coil springs with an anti-roll bar. Brakes are 10 or 10.8-inch front discs and 7.87 or 9-inch rear drums with 4-channel ABS. Electronic power steering turns the standard 15-inch wheels with 16 and 17 inch wheels optional.
It remains to be seen how the Sonic stacks up against the increasingly fierce subcompact competitors, but it's certainly a more promising entry than the vehicle it replaces.
