Overview & Reviews

The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is an all-new subcompact, available in both sedan and four-door-hatchback configurations.

• Attractive, livable cabin
• Crisp handling
• Low price
• Excellent power and fuel economy from optional turbocharged engine
• Top safety scores.

• The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is an all-new subcompact, available in both sedan and four-door-hatchback configurations.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 43.00

• 

  who needs a battery or hybrid car - 2012 Chevrolet Sonic
  By Steve Moore - October 2 - 8:52 am

  I have a 6 speed manual, with turbo, rated 40 mpg highway, I am getting 40 on average, frequently I travel to lake, 220 miles one way, I have had the car for 3 years now 93,000 miles, on that trip I average 44mpg. Its just fantastic on gas, run regular nothing else. It handles great, and is comfortable, the only part that could be a little larger is the floor board area, I have a size 13 foot, and the brake and gas pedals are so close, sometimes I end up hitting both at the same time. Not much room in the back but I never ride back there. A couple of issues have happened, 38,000 miles in a wheel bearing went bad. Called GM, they agreed is low milage for that to happen, they paid for it, just yesterday 93,000 miles, check engine light, vacuum leak, cracked manifold, covered under the 100,000, other than those, perfect car, will buy another one.

• 

  2012 Chevy Sonic Hatchback - 2012 Chevrolet Sonic
  By katiec3 - May 15 - 3:28 pm

  I just bought this car used a few days ago, and so far I really enjoy it. My last car was a Jeep Wrangler, and while nothing compares to that, I am pleasantly surprised at how much I like this car. It gets pretty decent gas mileage, the inside is surprisingly roomy and with the folding seats and extra space from the hatchback, Im excited to see what I can fit back there. I commute to two different jobs and to school 6 days a week, so having a fuel efficient and more reliable car was becoming a must have. I wanted something with a similar amount of room as my Jeep and in the hatchback style. I will be sure to post if my opinion changes, but so far I am very happy!

• 

  33k on 2012 Sonic - 2012 Chevrolet Sonic
  By gnonnemacher - August 9 - 8:37 pm

  Bought this car new. Stock tires are useless in MI winters, so 4 snows are used in winter. Still gets 30+ mpg with snows! Good equipment package on LT models. We just got back from a trip to the UP of Michigan. Got 38.5 mpg overall and its rated at 35 hwy. Im picky about my cars and this one has had minor damage and repairs (others fault) twice. Drives very well at highway speeds and has usable seating for four. Holds a good amount of cargo with rear seats folded down, even in the sedan. No mechanical problems or issues to date. My only complaint is that it is not very forgiving on rough roads and we have a lot of those around here.

• 

  Decent little car that I recommend, but I had some issues - 2012 Chevrolet Sonic
  By donovan1983 - July 9 - 7:34 am

  I got the base LT hatchback with no cruise control or bluetooth and with the 5-speed manual. Its a fun little car to drive due to handling and braking, though I came to dislike the drivetrain a bit. I took a lot of longer trips in the car and it is great for that, both in comfort and in gas mileage. I recently traded it in, however, mostly due to a need to get something with an automatic transmission so I could share the car and to get something a little larger. I feel build quality could have been a little better, though many of my issues could have been due to having a first-year model. Despite my issues Id still recommend this car and think its a great value.

• 

  I had hoped for more . . . - 2012 Chevrolet Sonic
  By kebleil - January 22 - 11:57 pm

  We purchased this car - actually its the LT Turbo 6m - in July 2012. Right away we were disappointed with the mpg and the discrepancies with the digital read-out. On average, we probably get 2-3 mpg less than what the car says we do. It seems like the mpgs are all over the place as you read the reviews. Some getting fantastic - some getting terrible mileages. We are usually in the 30-32mpg range. What is confusing is that we got better mileage at first but it seems to be declining. We are nearly 7000 miles. The disappointment was accentuated when after 7 weeks of ownership we were pelted with extensive hail damage - not gms fault, of course, but it lowered our excitement.

• 

  Hits the mark - 2012 Chevrolet Sonic
  By knobbytire - December 2 - 2:55 pm

  I replaced a very troublesome Mazda 5 with a Sonic LTZ hatchback. Im averaging right around 40 MPG, and once was getting 52 MPG and my worst fuel economy on a tank was 33 MPG. It handles nicely, is efficient on interior space and fits really well into a small garage. its comfy enough that we packed the entire family in the car and made a 13 hour road trip. With 5000 miles on it, Ive had no problems, and it doesnt even have any rattles. The Bluetooth and hands free is great, though I wish you could control an iPhone from the steering wheel.

• 

  Great little car for the money - 2012 Chevrolet Sonic
  By stoopid3 - October 5 - 12:20 pm

  Went from a 2007 Civic to the Sonic. Got a good deal on a 2LT ($16,500). Now at 5k miles on the Sonic. Handling is solid, though Ive ordered some new tires to get rid of that squishy ride that I attribute to the stock (soft) tires. Gas mileage is on par with the civic (~30 MPG mixed). If I had a lighter foot on the highway Im sure Id get the rated 35MPG and then some. Features set cant be beat in the price category. Only the Kia Rio (?) comes close. What Edmunds fails to stress is that dollar for dollar you get much more with the Sonic than any competing vehicle. No brainer.

• 

  Great little car - 2012 Chevrolet Sonic
  By sonic4 - September 30 - 5:33 pm

  I read some of the neg. reviews and i had to post my experience. 2012 LT 1.4 Turbo 6-spd. manual , love the car gets 41.0 avg on highway good trunk space decent seats stereo is lacking a little power but thats just me. The only neg. i have is visibility to the sides and rear, headrests get in the way. currently have 4100 miles.Added fog lights to it and they fill in reg lights real well . Instrument cluster is good all info right in front where u need it , steering wheel controls very handy.would buy it again .Turbo & 6-spd. manual are key to this car.

• 

  Sonic review - 2012 Chevrolet Sonic
  By gresh - March 25 - 7:50 pm

  I bought my sonic as a cheap commuter car. I got a pretty good deal on it. I have 800 miles on it as of this post, 90% of which is highway miles. The car is getting about 41 miles to the gallon on the hwy and about 38 in the city. I am truly impressed with the mileage. I really didnt need the car to look good as I just wanted a reliable commuter, but it looks nice as well. The ride is very good for the class of car. I own a BMW, and its not in that class, but holds its own in the lightweight class. The inside of it sucks compared to my BMW, but it works for what I need it for. It has Bluetooth and thats all I need. The other features such as Sirius radio and iPod controls are a plus.

• 

  Sonic LTZ Turbo 1.4 Hatchback - 2012 Chevrolet Sonic
  By daveh14 - March 4 - 8:57 pm

  Just purchased a week ago. Car rides and handles great. Had a hard time finding the turbo model - bought it sight unseen as it was in-transit to the dealer. Makes driving enjoyable again (my previous car was a mini-van). Getting great fuel mileage, so far, averaging about 36 with a high of 41 (and thats doing about 70 on the highway). Comfortable seating and looking forwards to a cross-country trip this summer.