Chevrolet Sonic test drive: make sure to check these features out.
Be sure to check out features like the touchscreen infotainment system, the large boot in the sedan model, the frugal diesel engine, the exposed headlights and the instrument cluster when you test drive a used Chevrolet Sonic.
Before the Chevrolet brand left South Africa as a part of General Motors’ exit strategy in 2017, the Sonic model range was the American brand’s Volkswagen Polo and Ford Fiesta rival. As a relatively successful product positioned above the Aveo, there are still several used Sonic models listed for sale on AutoTrader.
Based on the GM Gamma platform which it shares with likes of the Opel Corsa C, Combo C, Meriva C and Corsa Utility while sharing its engines with various Opel products, you can be assured that mechanically, there will be aftermarket support for a Sonic should you be looking at a pre-owned example. We have compiled this list of features that you should pay close attention to when test driving a Sonic.
1.Check out the RS!
While not exactly a feature, there was a sporty version of the Sonic sold and marketed locally. It was called the Sonic RS and was powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine that develops 103kW and 200Nm of torque, allowing for a 0-100km/h time of 9.5 seconds and a top speed of 197km/h. In addition to having beefed-up suspension and brakes, the RS also features a more aggressive exterior design, a sporty interior, a raft of safety features and the promise of frugality, with claimed fuel returns of 6.6L/100km. This may prove an affordable, dynamic daily driver for those in the market.
2.MyLink infotainment system
As one of the first small cars to feature a full-colour LG-based touchscreen infotainment system, the Sonic features a touchscreen with Bluetooth and voice functionality, including access to the likes of Pandora Internet Radio and Stitcher Radio. This may seem outdated by many modern cars’ standards, but it offers enough in the way of functionality that you can still take advantage of many of your smartphone’s features.
3.The super-frugal diesel
One of the engine options within the Sonic range was a 1.3-litre turbodiesel motor that produces 70kW and 210Nm of torque and is paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox, allowing for exceptional fuel returns somewhere in the region of 5.0L/100km.
4.Boot space in the sedan
With both hatchback and sedan variants with multiple engine options, the Sonic line-up caters for a variety of ownership requirements. The sedan model, for example, offers a capacious 422-litres of boot space, meaning that extended trips should not be a problem for a small family.
5.The exposed headlights
The Sonic is one of the few cars globally to have exposed headlights, with no headlight cover, meaning less to worry about in terms of fading, but more to worry about in terms of damage.
6.Motorbike-inspired instrument cluster
Much like its smaller Spark sibling, the Sonic features the brand’s motorcycle-esque instrument cluster complete with an analogue rev counter and digital speedometer.
