Want something different? Check out the Sonic
Chevrolet is getting off pretty good in the Thai auto market, thanks to exciting new vehicles.
Late last year it launched the new Colorado pickup that has become highly successful for the American brand, with sales shooting up by more than 250 per cent this year, making it the top non-Japanese and the fourth best-selling brand in the pickup market.
Now in the passenger car segment, Chevrolet recently launched the Sonic, which replaces the ageing Aveo. Hmmm… Aveo. Didn’t hear that name in any discussion for a long time.
Competition in the sub-compact market is vicious, and any car that would succeed here needs to be special. Well, the Sonic may not be perfect, but it’s special enough to catch the attention of buyers who want to try something different.
For a start, there are no lens covers for the headlights. Instead there are glossy black bezels and dual tubes that pose a bejewelled look. The rear end, however, isn’t as glamorous, with the rear lights being a little dull.
Inside the cabin, the highlight is the fascia, which reminds you of a motorcycle rather than a car. This is a bold move by Chevrolet, offering something so unique in a mass-produced budget car.
The materials are also nice, although the trim level doesn’t feel complete. For example, the plastics on the armrests (including mirror and window switches) aren’t colour-matched with the lively centre console.
I think that at this phase we are not seeing the best that the Sonic has to offer yet.
Why is that?
Look at the engine size and you’ll quickly understand. While the Sonic looks like it should be powered by a 1.5-litre or even a 1.6-litre engine, it comes with a modest 1.4-litre motor capable of coughing up 100hp and 130Nm.
The Toyota Soluna Vios I bought back in 1996 had 109hp and 142Nm, still more than the Sonic that is launched six years after in an even more competitive market with more players like the Mazda2 an Ford Fiesta. Note that the Fiesta’s 1.4-litre engine also produces equally boring figures, and that’s why there is also a 1.5-litre version.
Even though Chevrolet decided to offer a 6-speed automatic gearbox, the Sonic doesn’t seem to have the acceleration you’d expect from the shorter ratios. Those who prefer performance over convenience may opt for the 5-speed manual gearbox instead.
In the United States the Sonic is available with a turbocharged engine, from the base 1.4-litre block, that pumps out a healthy 138hp and 200Nm. This would be something that the Sonic really deserves, considering its “So Fun” character. There’s also a 1.8-litre engine for the US market, but that would be somewhat too large for a B-segment car in Thailand.
The front strut and rear torsion beam suspension and 16-inch alloy wheels with 205/55 tyres give the Sonic a European character, but what will amaze you is the very low cabin noise, particularly that caused by the wind when you’re zipping along at more than 100km/h. Thumbs up to Chevy engineers here.
Apart from airbags and seatbelts with load limiters, the Sonic also comes with ISOFIX child restraint.
The Sonic sedan is priced from Bt548,000 to Bt679,000.
I think that Chevrolet had to speed things up with the launch of the Sonic due to the First Car Buyer Programme. The car was first unveiled at the Bangkok International Motor Show in April just to get a response, and normally we would expect a production model at the year-end.
But Chevy surprised many with the quick launch of the Sonic, both at official and unofficial events.
Chevrolet sales are surging this year and so is the carmaker’s marketing budget. I drove the Sonic sedan in a one-day event filled with fun and games, including a gymkhana track that allowed auto journos to really whack the Sonic around the track.
Now THAT was fun!
Chevrolet Sonic
1.4 LTZ notchback
Engine: 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve
Displacement: 1,398cc
Bore and stroke: 73.4x82.6
Compression ratio: 10.5:1
Max power: 100hp/6,000rpm
Max torque: 130Nm/4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Ratios: 4.449/2.908/1.893/1.446/1.000/0.742
Suspension (f/r): McPherson strut, coil springs, gas shocks, stabiliser/torsion beam, coil springs, gas shocks
Steering: powered rack-and-pinion
Turning circle: 10.6 metres
Brakes (f/r): vented discs/drums with ABS
Dimensions (mm)
Length: 4,399
Width: 1,735
Height: 1,517
Wheelbase: 2,525
Track (f/r): 1,509/1,509
Weight: 1,295kg
Wheels: 16-in alloys
Tires: 205/55 R16
Fuel tank capacity: 46 litres
Price: Bt679,000
Distributor: Chevrolet Sales Thailand Co Ltd
