Chevrolet wants its Sonic to be considered among the sportier subcompacts, like the Ford Fiesta and Mazda3, and the new RS trim will go a long way toward solidifying that thinking.
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The Sonic RS features a turbocharged four-cylinder and a six-speed manual transmission. It's also got a stiffened suspension with a lower ride height.
Amid other hot GM products — namely two shapely Chevrolet concepts and the Cadillac ATS — sat the Sonic RS. The sportier RS should augment the Sonic, a subcompact that's fared well since it went on sale in August 2011, with a dash of extra performance. A few other elements distinguish the car, and if Chevrolet keeps to a modest markup over a top-of-the-line Sonic LTZ hatch — it runs around $18,000 with the turbo four-cylinder — then the RS could find enough customers to survive.
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The Sonic's circular fog lamps match the car's headlights, but the RS' tear-drop fogs lose the similar look. On a budget car, dressing the side mirrors with black caps looks like a downgrade. Lesser trims have body-colored side mirrors; the black ones appear cheaper from afar.
If you’re under 30, Chevy wants to hear from you. According to U.S. census data, consumers younger than 30 represent 40% of today’s car-buying population. According to Chevrolet, the automaker talked to you before it created two concept cars unveiled at the Detroit auto show, using your feedback about styling, functionality and fuel efficiency.
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What do you want? Sedan-like room from a four-passenger coupe, interior connectivity with Bluetooth and WiFi and a low-$20,000 price tag.
Chevy’s Tru 140S Concept is meant to be an affordable sports car for young buyers. Perhaps the Camaro is attracting too many older shoppers looking to relive their glory days and Chevy needs something different.
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The Tru 140S is different. It’s a front-wheel-drive, two-door hatchback that seats four people and would use a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine with 150 horsepower. That sounds in line with what Hyundai’s Veloster delivers in its base engine, which most people don’t consider very sporting. Chevy says the Tru 140S uses the same platform as the Chevy Cruze and Volt.
GM is recalling 4,296 2012 Chevrolet Sonics because they may be missing a brake pad, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In the affected vehicles, which were built between June 2 and Nov. 21, 2011, the front-brake inner or outer pad may be missing. (You can find the vehicle's build date on a label affixed to the driver-side doorjamb.) A missing pad could reduce brake performance and increase the risk of a crash.
The recall is expected to begin around Jan. 14. Dealers will inspect the front brakes for a missing pad. If a brake pad is missing, the dealer will install new inner and outer pads, a new brake caliper and a new rotor for free. Owners can call Chevrolet at 800-630-2438 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released another batch of 2012 model-year crash-test ratings today. Under the stricter guidelines, the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic compact and the new 2012 Volkswagen Passat sedan earned five-star composite scores.
NHTSA’s composite scores are composed of five-star ratings for frontal, rollover and a combined side pole and barrier tests. The side pole test, which is new, simulates a 20-mph side-impact crash into a 10-inch-diameter pole or tree at a 75-degree angle just behind the A-pillar on the driver’s side.
This week's podcast covers three totally redesigned or new models, each of which is integral to its respective make. We start with the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, which features a radical interior design and the return of a mild hybrid system to the model. Next up is the 2012 Buick Verano, the brand's first compact vehicle in more than a decade. Finally, we talk about the new-for-2012 Audi A6 and its tech-centric focus. Recapping all our thoughts and insights on these models are Executive Editor Joe Wiesenfelder, Industry Analyst Kelsey Mays and editor Mike Hanley.
As the year comes to an end, Chevrolet is offering some unique deals on select models, including no-money-down leases or financing that defers the first monthly payment for a few months.
Special deals are available to shoppers of the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, Traverse and Impala (LS trim only). All three have attractive 0% financing with the option of having no monthly payments until the spring, according to Chevy.
Well-qualified shoppers can get 0% to 3.9% financing for 60 months, depending on the model. The new 2012 Chevrolet Sonic and popular Cruze have 2.9% financing deals for 60 months. The soon-to-be-defunct Impala has $3,000 cash on the hood; so does the 2012 Chevy Avalanche. You can take off $2,000 on a new 2012 Traverse, while the hot-selling 2012 Chevy Tahoe and Suburban have only $1,500 on the hood.
The deals are even more attractive for those looking to lease a new Chevy. Under the Sign & Drive program, you can lease a new 2012 Cruze ($199 a month), Malibu ($229 a month), Traverse ($299 a month) or Silverado ($381 a month for All Star Edition trims) for no money down with 39-month and 39,000-mile terms.
All current Chevy deals end Jan. 3. For more information, go here.
Parents, grandparents and caretakers know what a pain it can be to install child-safety seats into a car. Imagine doing it over and over and over again. That's what our Car Seat Check team does nearly every week as it tests new cars to find out how easy it is to use the Latch system.
Car Seat Checks are performed by Cars.com editor Kelsey Mays, Cars.com photographer Ian Merritt and Cars.com editor and certified car-seat technician Jennifer Newman.
Chevrolet has been on a bit of a roll lately producing comfortable and quiet new vehicles like the Equinox, Cruze and Sonic. Cars.com executive editor Joe Wiesenfelder says the redesigned Chevy Malibu follows that same trend. His review tackles the high-efficiency Eco model that will go on sale next year, but he thinks the Malibu lineup looks promising.
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