Used 2019 Chevrolet Sonic

Despite rumors of its eminent demise, the 2019 Chevrolet Sonic remains part of GM’s small-car lineup, getting a few tweaks this year to help it keep up with newer competitors like the Kia Rio, Hyundai Accent and Toyota Yaris. Of course, Americans’ sudden lurch toward small trucks and SUVs is making cars like the Sonic a hard sell, even with their low sticker price and reasonable cost of ownership. To make its second-smallest car more appealing to younger buyers, Chevy equips the Sonic with such high-tech features as Apple CarPlay, a Wi-Fi hotspot and a peppy turbocharged engine. Inexpensive base models are oddly equipped with manual windows and transmission, but also power door locks and an advanced infotainment setup.

In the world of tiny cars, the 2019 Chevrolet Sonic plays a big role. Its 1.4-liter turbocharged engine is a cut above the competition, offering plenty of power for merging with traffic, while still sipping fuel. The Sonic’s suspension and steering return a very playful feel, a situation that gets better when equipped with the optional Performance Package. So equipped, the Sonic is more fun to drive than a Kia Rio or Toyota Yaris, but still not up the standard set by the Ford Fiesta. Despite its short wheelbase, the Sonic’s ride isn’t bumpy or choppy, and its interior is relatively quiet, although you will hear the engine and tires at highway speeds. The driver’s seat is firm and supportive, and the adjustable tilt wheel and driver’s-seat armrest make it easy to find the perfect driving position. We were impressed with our test car’s infotainment setup. The touch screen’s bright icons and easy-to-use features were a surprise, as was the level of connectivity via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

Whether sedan or hatchback, the Sonic’s 5-passenger interior is eye-pleasing, roomy for its size and has an air of sophistication thanks to the standard 7-inch touch screen that dominates the center front of the cockpit. The rear seat is one of the roomiest in the segment, and the versatile and recommendable hatchback models offer 47.7 cubic feet of cargo room with rear seats folded. That’s still less than a Honda Fit hatchback, but the Chevy has more space than the Honda with the rear seats up — 19 cubic feet vs. the Fit’s 16.6. We also like the handy dual-glove-box arrangement.

All 2019 Chevy Sonics have small footprints and tidy proportions. We favor the design of the hatchback, which reminds us of classy-yet-practical European models, featuring hidden rear-door handles in the black areas of the C-pillars that make the Sonic hatchback appear more like a 2-door. For traditionalists, the sedan offers a large trunk. Both versions benefit from an attractive face that makes the Sonic appear wider and better integrates the headlight housings. The RS package, standard on hatchbacks and available on sedans, features a unique body kit and rocker moldings, rear spoiler and other sporty bits.

CHEVROLET MYLINK
The standard audio in the 2019 Sonic is leaps and bounds above its rivals, offering an advanced 7-inch touch screen, OnStar 4G LTE, Bluetooth for phone and streaming, a Wi-Fi hotspot plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

BIG SAFETY FEATURES
Keeping the Sonic’s occupants safe are 10 airbags including a driver’s-knee airbag, electronic stability control and such helpful driver-assist options as forward-collision alert and lane-departure warning.

The 2019 Sonic sedan is available as LS, LT and Premier, while the pricier Sonic hatchback is offered in LT and Premier form. The lowest priced LS Sedan includes some surprisingly sweet features but lacks others. For instance, it includes a robust 7-inch touch-screen infotainment system with CarPlay and Android Auto, rearview camera, built-in 4G LTE Wi-Fi connectivity and remote keyless entry, but lacks cruise control, power windows or power-adjustable mirrors. We recommend the hatchback or stepping up to the LT sedan, which includes better-quality cloth seating, 6-speaker audio and those features lacking in base models.

Top-line Sonic Premier models have the most robust set of features, including Leatherette upholstery with heated and power-adjustable front seats, heated steering wheel, 17-inch wheels, sport suspension, fog lights, and the RS package that bundles unique interior and exterior aesthetics. Options include a lowering-suspension kit to improve handling on LT and Premier models. The option we most recommend — and a great value at $495 — is the Driver Confidence Package that includes forward-collision alert, lane-departure warning and rear-park assist. It, too, is available on all but base LS sedans.

For 2019, the Sonic drops the old 1.8-liter option, leaving only the 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder. We like this engine for its healthy torque and good fuel economy. The standard transmission is a 6-speed manual, but all trims can be matched with a 6-speed automatic. In our experience, we found no reason not to like either of the transmission choices.

1.4-liter turbocharged inline-4
138 horsepower @ 4,900 rpm
148 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500 rpm (manual)/1,850 rpm (automatic)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 27/38 mpg (manual, sedan), 26/35 mpg (manual, hatchback), 26/34 mpg (automatic, sedan and hatchback)