2019 Chevy Sonic Premier Sedan Review - A Zippy Economy Car!

[@joshuaw711]

I would like to say thank you to Zach! Both he and I were very flexible with scheduling this. One thing I’d like to add is that this was actually a Minnesota car, not Chicago I recently found out. Aside from the water pump, occasionally apple car play will not work unless I shut off the car and leave it for a while. It’s moderately annoying if I need it for navigation.

[@davinp]

The Chevy Sonic is no longer made. It was cancelled in 2020. Chevy's other small car, the spark is being cancelled after the 2022 model year. As these small cars aren't very popular in America, manufactures have been cancelling them in favor of crossover/SUVs. It is unfortunate because there are few affordable economy cars still being made today. But the manufactures need to make a profit and these small cars make less profit for them.

[@brianlee9233]

It was.

[@damilolaakanni]

They still have the Bolt EUV...I don't think that will continue for much longer.

[@namemcnamerton4249]

Well if they would advertise the damn things. Just like all the diesel cars

[@enormegaming1147]

@@damilolaakanni Bolt EUV was brand new for 2022 model year, but the bolt has been running since 2017. I doubt they will discontinue either since it just entered a new gen for 2022, they need EV'S, and it was not able to be sold for 1.5 years here.

[@sybsygstgstsgysg5330]

@@damilolaakanni I doubt it just because it’s electric

[@undreal7398]

Compared to the economy cars of my youth (90's/early 2000's), this has a lot of features

[@joshuaw711]

You would not believe the amount of stuff I can put in there too. The trunk opening is only 1 meter (39 inches), but I can put board that are 8 foot long in there. 2x4 sheets of wood are no problem with the seats folded too.

[@albertadams2095]

I remember when this version first hit the roads and I thought to myself, "The LED daytime running lights are a nice touch." It's a handsome design and the fact that they didn't put a cheap looking piece of plastic in the DLO area like they did on the Cruze gives it more of a premium vibe (for the class it's in).

[@jermainec2462]

Rip to all the affordable small and so compact cars Sonic fiesta Cruise spark accent Yaris fit... The future will not only be expensive but I'm afraid it might be boring because we are all going to miss the sounds of an actual combustion engine ... We got a while before ice engines are dead completely tho ... Only subcompact cars left are Kia Rio Mitsubishi mirage Nissan versa.... 💯

[@BigMacOsaurusRex]

I have one that is almost 10 years old (the version with the 4 round headlights on the front) and I am amazed at how reliable it has been over time. A real bargain.

[@bazilwreckerloughead]

A friend of mine has one of these & she loves it!

[@lukaesitashvili9131]

zack i have one wish and i think it would be interesting for other viewers too, could you add little acceleration part where you do 0-60? would love to see that on every car you review.

[@ModelA]

Hmmm... Well.... 0-60 is what the Top Gear types care about. Most people don't drive their cars on the edge of the performance envelope all the time, sp MPG is more important than "can I pretend I'm running away from the cops".

[@nobreaks3305]

This cars 0-60 stock is like a whopping 8-9 seconds. But ive heard the FULLY MODDED sonic hatch’s 0-60 is like 5-6 seconds. Idk bout a fully modded sedan.

[@jonny-nava-367]

What happened to the episode numbers?

[@parkedjeep96]

I’m surprised to see a subcompact car with push button start and perforated heated leather seats.

[@amirmograbi]

Not leather, it's some plastic equivalent, but it feels good.

[@davinp]

Let's not bash CVTs. Not everyone is fan of CVTs, but that doesn't mean they are bad. It's a just a newer type of tranmission

[@henriquebrenzinger4406]

I actually like CVTs

[@yiyoink]

Depends who makes them. So long as they are as durable and last just as long as torque converter type automatics, then most people don't care. But JATCO CVTs are just pure dog water.

[@cfc1001001cfc]

CVTs are better than they used to be...given that they are lighter and more fuel efficient than traditional automatics, they will continue to gain share for ICE powered vehicles. Your average single mom driving her Nissan Versa to her job isn't ever going to ever think about the transmission for a minute...unless it fails...particularly if it fails after the warranty expires...in which case the vehicle will be essentially totalled. Traditional automatics are still more durable and longer lasting than CVTs on the whole. If you want to try to get 200,000 or 300,00 miles plus on a car with standard maintenance, a traditional automatic (or better yet a manual, if you can find one) is the better long-term bet.

[@joshuaw711]

1st and 2nd gear are pretty low, but in 3rd it will take it to 71 mph. Once it hits 3rd it really starts pulling.

[@mustasheolll2020]

CVTs are weird

[@Spheredalai]

well hang on, there's a 3rd cupholder which i think would fit the BFB on 4:29

[@joshuaw711]

It’s the same size as the other two. You can put bottles in the door pockets however.

[@FrequencyORD]

SUPER surprised this didn’t have a CVT.

[@grantman64]

Part of the blame for the Sonic's demise is the CUV-ification of everything. You want a cheap(ish) Chevy, you're going to look at the Trax or Trailblazer. Heck, the new-gen Trax doesn't even offer AWD, so maybe that makes it the Song's spiritual successor?

[@joshuaw711]

I rode in a Trax before I got this and the dash is literally copied over. I think the refreshed them around the same time. Both have the drivers only armrest.

[@GTNOfficial]

Although they were direct competitors, I think it’s a little bit unfair to be constantly comparing the Mitsubishi Mirage to the Chevy Sonic. Despite its MSRP, a maxed out mirage could often be found under $15000 (before prices skyrocket the past year) whereas this particular Sonic trim you are driving retailed for about $24000. That’s a huge difference and I think the cars are for two entirely different kinds of buyers. Nonetheless, this was a good review, keep it up!

[@edgaryzen4925]

Agree. The Mirage is a class of it own. It is not pretentious nor trying to be one. Mirage screams SIMPLE, HONEST, CHEAP, BASIC mode of transportation. Lots of owners myself included appreciate it.

[@CobaltTheLioness]

I drive a 2017 premier sedan! It’s a cute little thing and I like driving it a lot. The coolant system has let me down twice so far, but I got it in 80k mile range (was a rental at one point) so not too unexpected

[@nobreaks3305]

Yea my water pump also went out at 80k miles.

[@arnezadaway947]

I drive a 2019 preimer at 86k miles no coolant system problems

[@CobaltTheLioness]

@@arnezadaway947 that’s around the same mileage I got mine at, it’s around 104k now. I replaced the radiator, thermostat housing, the coolant outlet housing, and one of the hoses and it’s corresponding clamps. Only one replaced by the shop was the thermostat housing which they did without my permission 🙃

[@tientrinh943]

How do you have time to do so many? It’s rather amazing

[@velabela7634]

I’m going car shopping soon and I’m soooooooo eyeing a sonic 👁️👁️

[@Stevieburks1]

You should do the 2nd Gen Chevy Cruze next!

[@ShootingCars]

I just drove a 2018 diesel yesterday, it’ll be out after Christmas!

[@davinp]

Notice this car doesn't have lane depature assist/warning, pre-collision system with emergency breaking and adaptive cruise control because GM didn't put it on cheaper cars as standard equipment whereas Toyota and other Japanese automakers do. Safety shouldn't come at a cost

[@albertadams2095]

I agree. They did the same thing with the last generation of the Pontiac Sunfire as well. If you wanted side curtain airbags, you had to pay extra.

[@joshuaw711]

Hertz ordered a very odd spec. Blind spot and a few others were available however they didn’t order them. Like no sunroof either. Maybe they felt people driving it around a city as a rental didn’t need them or would care too much.

[@mustasheolll2020]

They are basically forced to make these cars at the moment and they just don’t try

[@mustasheolll2020]

@@albertadams2095 I always found Saturns good looking except the ion. The model I like is the SC2 97-02 model.

[@joeseeking3572]

My only experience with one was once when I was out of warranty and couldn't con the dealer into a courtesy vehicle. I cheaped out and got a Sonic (certainly NOT a premier) for 2 or 3 days. Ugh. Plus: visibility, can park it anywhere (don't care anyway) and it wasn't a slug. Minus, it chirped cheap. Oh yea, it got great gas mileage. However, some time later I tried the same trick but even cheaper and I got a Spark - in that comparison, the Sonic was at least a real car. The Spark = motorized golf cart - what was it a Daewoo or something? Having trashed it, though, your final thoughts resonate - where's the infrastructure for all these 30k electric cars ging to come from. How are the 1970's apartment dwelling Sonic purchaser going to charge their vehicles. No, the communities are not installing chargers and if they do it's like 2 of them. We havne't thought this through - a bunch of cheerleaders, 'influencers' and such - tail wags dog.

[@sybsygstgstsgysg5330]

The problem is that the governments trying to force everybody into electric cars. We aren’t ready for that, and it’s pointless since electric cars are just as bad for the environment as gas powered cars. I know that barely has anything to do with anything but gotta say that whenever possible.

[@ModelA]

Thank goodness it doesn't have the transmission designed for a minibike (CVT).

[@jaylonworld]

The sonic is base off the aveo

[@PalaminoHills]

You do say do because you do need to say do every time you do want to say do

[@dave11686]

Very nice

[@curlison84]

The engine’s reliability, yes you are right, not reliable at all. Take it from an actual owner of this car. Not just the water pump but a sloo of other engine problems. Now that transmission tho, yes 👍 a quality transmission. I can plow right through the snow in manual (M +/-) mode.

[@johndoee4742]

We have like, the mirage, versa, and thats basically it for cheap transportation. It's sad really

[@mustasheolll2020]

The reason American econo cars are of such low quality is cause the manufacturers like Chevy have to have them for their fuel economy numbers to be at a certain point, the problem is they don’t seem to try. Hey, they’re lazy, but even then they make amazing trucks and SUVs.

[@EnthusiastCarHangar]

Those seats scream plastic 😮

[@joshuaw711]

Those seats are actually decent. They’re covered in leatherette as they call it.

[@hewasdeadwhenigotthere46]

Rather have an fiat abarth

[@mustasheolll2020]

All day, but fiat is the most unreliable car

[@joehammxnd]

american vauxhall