Chevy Sonic subcompact gets up to 40 mpg, GM says
Christina Rogers/ The Detroit News
September 15. 2011
The All-New Chevrolet Sonic Hatchback also comes in a Sedan.
General Motors Co.’s newest subcompact, the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic, will get an estimated 40 miles per gallon highway with a 1.4-liter engine and manual transmission, the company said Thursday.
In city driving, the Sonic will get 29 mpg city, which is in line with its small car rivals in this class.
The Sonic will start at $14,495 including a destination charge.
The base model, without the turbo, gets 26 mpg city and 35 mpg highway; 25 mpg city and 35 mpg with an automatic, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which rates fuel economy on U.S.-sold cars.
By comparison, the Cruze Eco, the next step up from the Sonic, gets an estimated 42 mpg highway when paired with a six-speed transmission.
The Sonic is an important launch for GM and replaces the lackluster Aveo, which was roundly criticized for its poor quality and cheap materials.
“Sonic changes the subcompact stereotype and puts an end to the term ‘econobox,'” said Joaquin Nuno-Whelan, the car’s vehicle line director and chief engineer.
The Sonic is built at GM’s assembly plant in Orion Township and is the only U.S.-built subcompact on the market today.
The 1.4-liter engine gets 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque.
crogers@detnews.com
