New York Auto Show: 2017 Chevrolet Sonic: Comments

[William Maley]

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Chevrolet's showing for New York is the updated 2017 Sonic.

 

Both the hatchback and sedan get new fascias that borrow heavily from the new Bolt and Cruze. Up front are new headlights with LED running lights, chrome trim, dual grilles, and a sculpted hood. Around back are a set of single-unit taillights. Wheel sizes range from 15 to 17-inches. We're a bit worried the exterior updates have taken away some of the personality from the Sonic, but we will withhold judgment until we see it in person.

 

Inside, Chevrolet has swapped the digital gauge cluster for one with an analog speedometer. There is also an updated version of Chevrolet's MyLink infotainment system, keyless start, available heated cloth seats, and a heated steering wheel.

 

Powertrains carry over from the existing model, with a 1.8L four-cylinder as the base and a turbocharged 1.4L four-cylinder as an option.

 

Chevrolet will offer the Sonic sedan in LS, LT and Premier trims. The Sonic hatchback will come in the RS trim only, with two versions - RS LT and RS Premier.

 

Pricing and release date for the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic hasn't been announced.

 

Source: Chevrolet

 

 

Press Release is on Page 2

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Chevrolet Introduces 2017 Sonic

• Fresh look, segment-first Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility lead changes
  

NEW YORK – Chevrolet today introduced the 2017 Sonic – a more expressive, sporty take on the brand’s fun-to-drive small car. It offers big technologies such as a new MyLink system with segment-exclusive Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a fresh exterior with new LED signature lighting.

 

The updated styling complements new comfort and convenience features such as an available heated steering wheel and a standard 7-inch-diagonal color touchscreen for the new MyLink system. Rear Park Assist is also new, adding to one of the most comprehensive safety packages in the segment.

 

“The new styling and features of the 2017 Sonic reinforce its position as a fun, efficient small car with leading technology – all at an affordable price,” said Steve Majoros, director of marketing, Chevrolet Cars and Crossovers. “This is an important segment for Chevrolet, as we really have an opportunity to introduce ourselves to new buyers and show them what we’re all about.”

 

Like the new Trax, Sonic brings new, younger customers to the brand, with more than 20 percent of them younger than 35 – and nearly 30 percent trading in non-GM vehicles. It is also Chevrolet’s top vehicle for first-time new buyers.

 

The 2017 Sonic goes on sale this fall, offered in LS, LT and Premier trims on sedan models. The hatchback returns exclusively in RS guise, offered in LT and Premier trims. An RS package is also available on the sedan.

 

Refined design
Sonic’s athletic exterior has an entirely new, expressive look echoing the global Chevrolet cues seen on vehicles such as the Cruze, Bolt EV and 2017 Trax.

 

It is a richer, more detailed design, with the front end featuring a new hood, new front fascia and new lighting elements. Projector-beam headlamps are standard, along with available LED daytime running lamps. Likewise, the rear fascia is new.

 

“With its trademark wheels-at-the-corners stance, the dramatic changes to the Sonic’s design give it and even sportier stance and attitude,” said Justin Thompson, exterior design manager.

 

There are also new 15-, 16- and 17-inch wheel designs and four new exterior colors offered in 2017: Orange Burst Metallic, Brimstone, Cajun Red Tintcoat and Arctic Blue Metallic (late availability).

 

Interior and technology enhancements
Sonic’s thoughtful interior retains its focus on delivering comfort, convenience and technology. A new, detailed gauge cluster incorporating an analog speedometer adds a higher degree of refinement to the cabin, complementing addition new comfort and convenience features.

 

For 2017, Sonic becomes the first in its segment to offer a power driver’s seat. Additional new features include:

• Keyless Open and Start
• Available heated cloth seats with new heated steering wheel
• RS trim includes RS-logo floor mats, piano black décor, RS-badged flat-bottom steering wheel – with new, red cloth seating available.
  

Also new is a 7-inch-diagonal infotainment system designed to support the latest connectivity technologies, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and 4G LTE with Wi-Fi hotspot. With the available 4G LTE connection, Sonic provides a Wi-Fi hotspot that allows passengers to connect up to seven compatible devices such as smartphones, laptops and tablets, to high-speed wireless Internet.

 

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility is subject to their terms, privacy statements and data plan rates, as well as a compatible smartphone.

 

Safety first
Sonic offers safety features designed to alert drivers to potential crash situations. Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning are available active safety features. Sonic also offers 10 standard air bags, Stabilitrak electronic stability control and an antilock braking system to help provide peace of mind. Rear Park Assist is new for 2017 and a rearview camera is now standard on all models.

 

Turbocharged performance
The Sonic’s standard Ecotec 1.8L engine is estimated to deliver similar fuel economy numbers for the 2017 model year, however official EPA estimates are not yet available. Sonic’s fun-driving spirit returns with an available Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine, backed by a six-speed automatic or manual transmission. Rated at 138 horsepower (102 kW).

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[surreal1272]

I do not like the front end at all. Liked the old one better. On top of no real changes on the outside (save for the nose), I'm a little disappointed with this. Maybe the interior will change my opinion but, again, kind of let down by how boring it looks. Now, I understand this is a refresh but this needed far more than a refresh at this point, with a new Spark (which actually looks better than this now) and a new Cruze hitting the roads now. 

[Drew Dowdell]

I"m gonna have to see it in person first. 

[cp-the-nerd]

I mostly like it, but these refreshes of the Trax and Sonic should have gotten GM's new 4-cylinder engines. The pre-refresh Buick Encore already uses the new 1.4T DI in the sport touring. The 1.8L engine in the Sonic is such a worthless boat anchor of an engine. Even when it was new, it was far behind in refinement and fuel economy, not to mention mediocre power.

[David]

I love it, this is a great update. The first gen was bold in your face and this is a very nice evolution. I really like it. I am surprised by myself.

[aurora97]

This is how you Sonic.

[ocnblu]

I think it looks great.  I could never imagine myself trying to clean bugs out of those intricate headlights on the old one.  The new wheels set it off nicely.  I want to see the interior, the old one's interior turned me off, it was so gimmicky... I was ready to buy an RS hatch but decided against it because of the cheesy interior.  I bought the Beetle TDi instead.

[ocnblu]

Haha, as soon as I sawr the back end of the sedan... this is what I thought of!    Hi SMK! 

 

 

 

 

 

[regfootball]

good to see the updates.  Good to have the continuity in front beaks between the Spark, Trax, Sonic.

 

The interior updates will be most welcome.  Sucks there are no pictures.

 

Still no new 16 Cruze's in the showroom.  GM takes FOREVER to get there cars to market after they show pictures.  Who knows if this is vaporware.

[surreal1272]

I do not like the front end at all. Liked the old one better. On top of no real changes on the outside (save for the nose), I'm a little disappointed with this. Maybe the interior will change my opinion but, again, kind of let down by how boring it looks. Now, I understand this is a refresh but this needed far more than a refresh at this point, with a new Spark (which actually looks better than this now) and a new Cruze hitting the roads now. 

Really children? Down vote for speaking a opinion on a car I actually have some first hand experience with? I drove one for a week (a year and a half ago) as a rental back in NC. I actually like that one better than the new one. Get over it and down vote something that actually deserves it. Good grief.

[daves87rs]

I"m gonna have to see it in person first. 

 

 

Yep.....not sure of it right now.....

[David]

 

I do not like the front end at all. Liked the old one better. On top of no real changes on the outside (save for the nose), I'm a little disappointed with this. Maybe the interior will change my opinion but, again, kind of let down by how boring it looks. Now, I understand this is a refresh but this needed far more than a refresh at this point, with a new Spark (which actually looks better than this now) and a new Cruze hitting the roads now. 

Really children? Down vote for speaking a opinion on a car I actually have some first hand experience with? I drove one for a week (a year and a half ago) as a rental back in NC. I actually like that one better than the new one. Get over it and down vote something that actually deserves it. Good grief.

 

Agreed, personal tast of a cars body style is very subjective and does not warrant a down vote.

 

This is no different than the mustang and camaro which is a love or hate body style or any car for that matter. 

 

Generic Jelly Beans run aplenty from all manufactures, though I personally think the Asians and germans are the worst right now.

[Frisky Dingo]

Looks like they just pasted a Jetta front end on it. It actually works pretty well on the sedan, but the latch looked better before.

[surreal1272]

Looks like they just pasted a Jetta front end on it. It actually works pretty well on the sedan, but the latch looked better before.

My sentiments exactly. Strange how it works for one and not the other.

[surreal1272]

For frame of reference, here is the Sonic I was driving that week in NC (had to dig through ton of pictures to find that).

 

versus

 

 

[regfootball]

i was just looking at the 17 trax interior pics.  I bet a lot of the bits end up close to exact same....like the gauges and touchscreen area.

 

[Suaviloquent]

Looks less distinctive. I would now consider the Spark to be like 90% of this car for like 75% of the price. I'd get the Spark.

[ocnblu]

I was actually lot lurking yesterday evening.  Looked at a Spark 1LT manual in Splash (aqua blue color) with sunroof, stickered at $15.6k, and a Sonic with wheels and lights package (16" alloys and foglights), stickshift 1.8L in Kinetic Blue for $18.6k.  The Spark interior, although notably tinier, is much more attractive.  Where I find the Sonic exterior still fresh, the interior is a complete turn-off for me.  Still, I find the updates to the Sonic exterior to be necessary now that I've seen them.

 

Spark was parked next to an old-style Spark, and looking closely, it seems like the roof and the upper door cut-outs are the same between the old and new.  Can anyone confirm or deny the new Spark is on the same platform as the old, just heavily facelifted?  I know it's clearly based on the Opel Karl, but I am not sure of the Karl's origins.

Edited March 20, 2016 by ocnblu

[Suaviloquent]

I would say it's NOT next-gen gamma, but regardless, it doesn't matter.

 

I'd Kappa before any Nano, or a dumb IQ or lowly Smart or averse Versa.

Edited March 21, 2016 by Suaviloquent
IQ is really low right now. Need to start juicing

[Drew Dowdell]

Looks less distinctive. I would now consider the Spark to be like 90% of this car for like 75% of the price. I'd get the Spark.

 

The Spark doesn't have the powertrain. 

[Drew Dowdell]

Can anyone confirm or deny the new Spark is on the same platform as the old, just heavily facelifted?  I know it's clearly based on the Opel Karl, but I am not sure of the Karl's origins.

 

New Spark hasn't changed platforms from the old. It's still on Gamma II like the old spark, Trax, Encore, Sonic, Opel Adam, Opel Karl.