2014 Chevy Sonic Turbo vs Ford Fiesta vs the Ike Gauntlet Mashup Review (Part 2)

( www.TFLcar.com ) The 2014 Chevy Sonic Turbo and the 2014 Ford Fiesta are small economy cars that almost directly compete. Of course the difference is that the Fiesta is normally aspirated while the sonic has a small turbo. How does this effect a cars performance when the road gets steep, the altitude get hight and the car is loaded to the rafters with with people? From Dillion, Colorado to the Eisenhower Tunnel U.S. I-70 climbs 8 miles to a maximum elevation of 11,158 feet or 3,401 meters. That's enough elevation and grade to test a small economy car like the 2014 2014 Ford Fiesta and the Chevy Sonic Turbo.
In Part 2 of another accurate, informative and fun TFLcar mashup review Nathan, Emme, Andre and Roman take on the Ike Gauntlet in the new 2014 Ford Fiesta and Chevy Sonic Turbo to see how these small cars handle the steep grade and lack of air density in the Mountains of Colorado.
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[@Trecky-o6p]

I love my SONIC! Unbelievable drive!

[@moviesmetalmusicmotorvehic4828]

I'd get the Sonic over the fiesta because I remember being in both cars and my mom thought the Sonic was a very fun little vehicle and my mom and I were cramped in the Fiesta so like I said, Sonic gets my pick, no contest.

[@TFLcar]

Thanks for the suggestion. We thought about that, but we're always striving for real world testing and that's not how most people would drive. Thanks for watching!

[@zlioness]

I LOVE my Sonic. And yes, I do have the sedan.

[@andyn4797]

hi Suz, we are thinking to buy a 2014 /15 or maybe 2016 Chevy Sonic as a second car. just to run errands , to drive to our work less than 2 miles from home and find street parking since it is pretty small. Anyhow, I wanted to ask you if you can tell me today 4 years later, not sure if you bought it new, but tell us your whole experience, do you have a manual turbo charge ? that's what we want to buy.. any info you can share we will appreciate it!

[@TFLcar]

Dan, truth be told you are the rose among the comment thorns. We appreciate your witty and urbane comments. (See how a cool word better express our meaning than saying you are way cool).

[@KutWrite]

Too much forced goofiness. Don't know if I'm going to watch it all.

[@OthelloNGa]

Just bought a Sonic, and this vid is what put it over the top for me. Was gonna go Fiesta.

[@scott9050]

Just bought a basic Fiesta S for a daily beater, keeps the miles off of my Mustang GT.

[@reesedaniel5835]

@@scott9050 Just bought a Ruby Red Fiesta SE 5 speed. LOVE. IT.

[@andyn4797]

Thanks for the review, I like the way you guys have fun and the friendly way you guys treat each other. kudos for that. keep doing the videos, grown up people gets the point and like your videos. I want to buy the Sonic manual turbo charge, maybe a 2016. any advice ?

[@mycull]

I love this show! I've always wanted to do this with small engines. And it's so scenic, just love these videos.

[@azzinny]

It is well known that the average mpg display on the instrument cluster can be a couple of mpg off compared to the manual calculation result by reading the gallon figure at the gas station

[@hedrick5286]

$20k for the sonic. why didnt they test the fiesta st which is just over $20

[@TFLcar]

Thanks for the comment. We're always eager for feedback. But you know there are plenty of other reviews with guys standing in front of a cars talking into a mics, and talking and standing and talking. Perhaps you'll find that less annoying but that's certainly not our thing. And perhaps that's what you are looking for but you won't find it here. We appreciate the feedback.

[@ReligiousShooter]

Beauty is pain! Emme is a philosopher.

[@garretttucker5838]

Great Videos!! You guys should test the Toyota Prius C on the Ike Gauntlet. With only 100 horse power that would be a good test with 5 people in the car. Just a suggestion though. Keep up the good work and Great Videos! Pimpin Russian is awesome and funny running after the car!

[@mictlante]

Love your reviews you and Nathan make a great duo! Im happily subscribe keep on doing what you're doing.

[@AndrewS-lk4pt]

On the Tesla, why do you have to point the charger at the C pillar to make the fuel door open? Wouldn't it make more sense to point it at the fuel door to make it open?

[@nlpnt]

What's the old road over Loveland Pass like? Maybe going up that with a full load would be a better test for cars. And did Nathan buy himself a Sonic Turbo?

[@kmckenzie2461]

I own a Mitsubishi Mirage G4 SE (78 horsepower) and I would love to see it on the Ike Gauntlet lol. I love my G4 and its plent of power for me but it would be interesting to see this.

[@Barobran92]

I love that blue in the Sonic, great colour!

[@TFLcar]

Thanks for the comment but we've already reviewed the Sonic: watch?v=9GprHE5eVLk Why would we want to review it again? Please check TFLcar as we have ton of more traditional reviews of every car we take up the Ike Gauntlet.

[@jogui2026]

Saludos desde Perú, geniales sus vídeos, ojalá practiquen más el español...!!!

[@QQPP19]

With 4 people it has turned into a talking show instead of a review.

[@DustinB855]

Are you guys going to test the Fiesta with the 1 liter ecoboost engine???

[@TheAhemahemahem]

Hey what was nathan going to say where the fiesta trumps the sonic at 9:40ish thanks

[@neoanderson7]

Could care less about these little fuel sippers. Emme was finally back in the picture! You guys tease pretty hard with the tesla! I can't wait for that vid!

[@hedrick5286]

the turbo will have an unfair advantage at altitude

[@ninioburbuja]

Roman, it would be cool to see Honda Fit fuel economy out there...

[@aaronbehindbars]

MPG was lower because any turbocharged engine producing boost will consume more fuel. I suspect it could have made it up in 4th gear at a lower rpm. I want to see the 2014 Fiesta 1.0 3 cyl Ecoboost when it becomes available.

[@knightrider1545]

@tflcar will their be a Chevy spark Ike gauntlet or pikes peak pass?

[@bobthebuilder372]

I enjoy watching your channel! What is the point of timing the runs if you're trying to hold a constant speed? Unless you simply can't make the speed limit, then the time will be longer. Supplying the time it takes seems kinda pointless, instead use the iPhone app that gives you a speed graph! That would be more interesting!

[@93DracoX]

I believe Roman was right when he said the Sonic Turbo competed more with the Fiesta ST. The Fiesta ST is $1000 more than the sonic, but it has more power than the turbo, RS trim or not. And when you compare those two the ST is obviously the better car, this is of course with the exception of 1 or 2 city and 5 highway MPG difference between the two.

[@cspennington12]

I have a Ford Fiesta Sedan. I took it down to Alabama. With a full load. Mainly stuff I needed. (has a 4 cylinder by the way) and I was getting 52.6 mpg averaged out. What do you think of that The Fast Lane Car? Impressive right. Its got 5000 miles on it now. :)

[@cspennington12]

And its only 3 months old. The Fast Lane Car

[@Matt-vw9nd]

"was getting 52.6 mpg averaged out" no you weren't.

[@cspennington12]

I am telling you the truth. It was right there on the gauges. Pretty good if you ask me. :) Matt97

[@snaketech470]

Matt97 ikr he's straight up lying he's one of those gay ford lovers

[@cspennington12]

I am telling you the God's honest truth. Cristian Nesson Lennon Matt97

[@neworder18]

Since the cars have no problem running the grade, you should do something different to test the cars ability. I think a standing start to the pass (0-60 from the on ramp) would show how well the cars can handle the weight on the grade. And also maybe stop near the summit on the final steep stretch and do another 0-60 just before the tunnel. Because total elapsed time is irrelevant when they're all the same.

[@hendo337]

I think the Fiesta 1L Ecoboost could smoke the Sonic turbo...

[@TheSharingan123]

4:48 haha " Tear out Hair! oh wait i dont have any"

[@axia24]

I am a bit confused. The car made it up the climb easily, but you were turning 4k @ 60MPH. I don't own a 4 cylinder car, so maybe it's not a fair comparison, but I would prefer to see you try to keep the revs at a more realistic 3k max, and then come back with the numbers for performance, MPG etc. The real world test of a car shouldn't be if it can make it up the climb, it's if it can do so with low RPMs!

[@cspennington12]

Can you guys do a Ford Explorer Vs. Chevy Traverse Vs. Toyota Highlander mashup. Full Load. I always wanted to see if the explorer could be those 2 vehicles? Please. I will beg. Please do this. It would be awesome if you did. It would also determine which got better mpg. :) The Fast Lane Car

[@J.Young808]

Re-test the Fiesta and Sonic in top gear up the Ike Gauntlet and see the time and mpg's. Your foot should be closer to the floor in top gear.

[@iridium130m]

right, this was the first thought that crossed my mind...re-run the gauntlet in 4th letting the motors torque carry the car up and see if the lower RPM runs more efficient versus probably being on boost all the way up.

[@Spring794]

Emme is back! And Russian Mechanic, long time no see!

[@ErikJensenDetroit]

I did that "gauntlet" in a 2014 Fiesta much like the one tested loaded completely up with all of my belongings when I moved from Detroit to Los Angeles. It was not happy, but it did what it needed to do. Recently I upgraded from the regular Fiesta to a Fiesta ST. Now, I haven't been out to Colorado, but this past Sunday I drove up as far as I could go up Mount San Antonio (Mount Baldy, unofficially), and the difference was night and day! Never a lack of power, even at 8000'. I guess that's what 197 turbocharged horsepower gets you! IIRC, the stock torque figure is 212. Price wise, the FiST is only a grand or two more expensive than the Sonic as tested, but it's really not a fair comparison at all. The FiST is better by nearly all objective measurements, and subjectively I think it looks so much better than the Sonic. I personally think that the My Ford Touch system is the best on the market as well, but that's a subjective opinion of course.

[@jb0nez123]

Pretty sure the price difference is closer to 6 grand. I think the fiesta looks generic, nothing interesting or unique about its styling. The Sonic looks cool.... but like that other dude said to each his own. Love my Sonic, you couldn't pay my to trade with a fiesta. Ok well maybe an ST....

[@ErikJensenDetroit]

+jb0nez123 I have a 2015 Fiesta ST now, and I'm sure that climb wouldn't even phase it. 😉 Though I wonder how efficient the turbo is at high altitude with the lower octane fuel they sell in Colorado.

[@jb0nez123]

+Erik Jensen I've never had the pleasure of driving a fiesta ST. By any chance have you driven a turbo sonic? If so what were your thoughts? (mostly on driving pleasure/differences but also aesthetics). I only happened to end up in the Sonic through a fumble at the Honda dealership, a very fortuitous chain of events that introduced me to badass cars that don't cost a lot. The Sonic has 10 airbags! I do think it has wicked styling and the fiesta not so much. But I could care less if it's super fun to drive ;) 😎👍

[@ErikJensenDetroit]

+jb0nez123 I couldn't find a turbo Sonic with a manual transmission when I was shopping for my first Fiesta, so I didn't test drive one. In fact, I couldn't find any Chevys at all with a manual at any of the dealerships in SE Michigan, so I dropped GM from consideration.

[@jb0nez123]

+Erik Jensen Bummer. Would have been curious your thoughts. If I knew then what I know now I may be driving a fiesta. I've only driven Japanese and German cars my whole life (I tend to wreck cars). That we walked, er, drove out in the Sonic was almost an accident. But man, I've never loved driving a car this much. And never ever thought I'd say that about an American car, but I'm starting to think America might have gotten things figured out. I swear it feels like a BMW at times! Just gotta save a little to get the ECU tune done, +30hp +40tq 😎.

[@dweiss1]

Not sure why the Sonic was driven in 3rd gear when there was power to spare and 3 more gears available. Using 4th or 5th would have reduce the rpms and therefore the gas mileage.

[@InDreamsYourMine]

Really not a fair comparison, should of used a non-turbo Sonic since a turbo engine will almost always out perform a N/A engine at higher altitude since the turbo makes the engine less starved for air.

[@noobkosh]

I'm deciding between Altima and Verona. can you make a mash up video?

[@elmagnificoroca]

Umm... you mean Verano?

[@AirmanJeff]

Sonic is a great car...I got my 1.4 turbo LT for 16 grand. Friend at work with the Fiesta needed major engine work at 48k miles.

[@topfuel6824]

I’ve had the Ford Fiesta and now have the Chevy sonic 5 door the sonic is superior on all levels the only thing that they had in common they are both red

[@Toastmaster_5000]

I'm pretty sure the Sonic got worse MPG because he was driving in 3rd gear most of the time with plenty of power to spare. Meanwhile, the Fiesta was in 4th most of the time, and has 5 gears instead of 6. So in other words, the Sonic was needlessly pushed harder.

[@BigTimeTrucker432]

Love my new 2013 Sonic RS hatchback. Feels like it has lots of power. Feels like just as much if not more power than a couple of 300hp cars i've driven. That's sad for the 300hp cars considering it only has 138hp. I traded my 2002 Monte Carlo 3.4L for the Sonic RS and I believe that had 180-182hp and a little over 200 torque and it was pretty quick for being a big car but I think this Sonic could keep up with it without much struggle. This Sonic RS is the most fun car i've driven just ahead of my father's 2013 Silverado LT Crew Cab 4x4 with the Z60 high performance handling and suspension package(Not that lousy Z71 suspension that people who don't even offroad buy it just for the sake of having a Z71 and it doesn't ride nearly as nice or handle as nice as Z60 on the road) That thing is like driving a European sports car/sedan.

[@creekhed697]

no offense... but I have a 300 horse Mustang GT and sell chevy's for a living. Ummm... no... the Sonic does not feel like a 300 HP vehicle. How could it.

[@decidiousrex]

a tiny subcompact SHOULD keep up with a much heavier sedan with a smallish V6. but compared to a 300 HP car? nuh uh. thats stretching it. even mustangs and camaros--which are heavy piggies-- with 300 HP will smoke these subcompacts in speed and acceleration the compacts can take the edge in cornering and handling though, the little engine makes for a very nice weight distribution. very go-kart like to me

[@SodaWolf]

Please do this test with the smart Fortwo scion iq and chevy spark.

[@kevenharvey9711]

If you have a lot of reserve in third gear put it in fourth, you're killing the fuel economy. The fiesta was close to it's maximumpotential but the sonic wasn't. Also the fiesta is U...G...L...Y, the ST is better but not quite beautiful.

[@decidiousrex]

Trevrz1 No argument here

[@jameslandon4126]

Keven Harvey The Fiesta is highly regarded for it's styling whereas the Sonic is just an ugly piece of garbage that Chevy routinely pumps out. It seems that Chevrolet/GM has dedicated themselves to creating the most ugly vehicles on the road, especially within the last decade. Examples: HHR Uplander Aveo Sonic Volt Cruze Equinox Traverse Malibu Spark Colorado C/K trucks(These trucks have looked ugly since '81 when they started the stacked headlight look coupled with idiotic squared fenders) I could write a book on all the revolting cars GM has produced over the years but I'll just go with the examples I've given. My mother in-law just brought over her 2015 naturally aspirated Sonic Hatchback and not only is it ugly from every single angle, but it doesn't even have enough power to get out of it's own way. I've driven the Fiesta before and the Sonic is a piece of garbage by every comparison.

[@Trevrz1]

Jim Garrison I have the 1.8 and while it's no powerhouse it's good enough for its class. You sound like a Ford guy and that's fine. I just don't understand the pure hate. The Sonic is clearly better than any b-seg GM made before it.

[@Trevrz1]

It's an 8.8 sec car and the Fiesta is a tick under 10 (base engines). They're both fine entry-level cars. The fanboy bullshit is juvenile. I mean look at a Sonic next to a Yaris or a Versa. And having a Cobalt that was so bad I almost swore off GM I can assure you it's a much better car.

[@jb0nez123]

+Trevrz1 I almost ended up in a 2013 Versa w/ 30k miles (a used rental), but thru a fortuitous chain of events for the same price I got a 2014 Sonic 1.4T with 14k miles, backup cam, remote start, 10 airbags, etc etc etc and I am SO grateful now. The Versa is garbage. The Sonic is a mean little machine and a joy to drive. After the dealer realized what he'd done (offering the freshly traded in Sonic for the same price) he probably face-palmed.

[@joshgrami]

I'd like to see an Impreza (your slowest car at altitude, I believe) give it a shot.

[@erald21]

Hey guys, can you do a Honda Ridgeline review? Off road maybe?

[@leesantos9711]

Weak !

[@evilpeach2]

Try it with the Chevy spark!

[@t436]

MPG on the 1.4T is achieved below 2k rpms.

[@nudgenine]

the test would work if you stayed in 5th untill they stalled - knobs!

[@AndresBrakes]

The reason why he had horrible mpg is cause he had it in 3rd the whole time.

[@1Obearz]

Roman, you guys should have included the Dart 1.6T so it'd be a good old American, big three, mash-up.

[@Frank71]

In piston aircraft, pilots buy the turbo verson to keep tne same the same low altitude performance at high altitude. Does the same concept apply to turbo and non turbo cars of the same. Turbo sonic vs. Non turbo sonic. Id expect the turbo sonic to keep the same performance dispite going up the mountain. Forced Induction would be able to pack more on the thinner into the cylinder, as it was at sea-level. Or am i all wrong? TFL should to a vid on this topic. Test a turbo sonic and non turbo sonic. At sea level and both same cars at altitide....loveland pass.

[@Lemon_Muffins]

The driver stutters when saying he could easily pass an F-150... I'd like to see that happen... These guys know nothing about cars and still makes reviews...? I'd rather like to see my 11 year old sister make reviews about cars, she seems to knows more than them...

[@rosssherwood7832]

4K RPM? Could have easily knocked it into 4th.

[@AndresSalazarAutos]

The turbo charged car drinks more gas because it forces more air into the engine (needs more fuel to actually burn the extra air) and in order to avoid knocking and lower combustion chamber temperature.... if anyone cares 😂😂😂

[@556m4]

You guys should have put some luggage or ciner blocks in the truck to challenge it.

[@filoIII]

Isn't this apples and oranges? A turbo against a standard motor?

[@benigo15]

You know one way you could stress these little cars is by putting bags of cement say 6 80lb bags or something along those lines.

[@johnnybarrett7006]

America !

[@bbcoachSupermanBR]

I'd like to see the crosstrek do it...an actual Colorado worthy car but has the CVT and 148 horses...that would be interesting.

[@DrInQTel]

Woah, Emma Hall? I haven't seen Roadfly TV in about 2 years....

[@wsc31]

Your tests were not a failure. The goal of any testing is to find out things you did not know going in. If experienced reviewers and drivers such as yourselves were surprised by the capabilities of modern compact cars how much more were the rest of us surprised your results. Emme may be a bit loquacious but as the a rose among the thorns she is forgiven.(See how a big word like loquacious sounds better than saying she is a chatterbox?)

[@1guyin10]

Kind of an expected outcome, even though you did have to do it in 3rd gear. Its not like the old days when you would have to get out and push the VW microbus up the mountain. So you didn't manage to beat them, but you did show that they are quite capable cars.

[@TTple95]

Where is the one place that the Fiesta trumps the Sonic? You lost your track of thought when you had to brake.

[@TheRyansLion]

I go on tht route all the time to ski

[@Laderrren94]

I don't think this was a fair test in the ford fiesta the driver was in the back seat so that raised the front of the car up now that he drove it's not as many pounds in the rear of this car so you all should do the same text just put him in the back again so it could be a fair test.

[@thomashalley7258]

Turbo cars get less mileage if it has to use the turbo to keep up. N/a can beat turbo on mileage test like this.

[@CTjacob13]

The Totya Matix isn't in production anymore.

[@WillOnParade]

Still waiting on the Hyundai accent review... It has 138 NA horses.

[@shalimardrwalker]

I thought Emme was from Roadffly Tv?

[@BlakesCars2]

Uh the fiesta has 197 hp pink head

[@pearljohnson4365]

I'M LOVING MY 2014 SONIC TURBO RS HATCHBACK, WITH LEATHER INTERIOR AND ELECTRIC TOPAZ BLUE COLOR. ITS AN AUTO W!MANUAL MODE OPTION. SORRY. CAP LOCK IS ON.

[@michaelatchison2325]

Try it in the Chevy Spark.

[@southpark405]

oops, sorry I didn't know. Well in that case this isn't a bad video. I'll check out the other video. Thanks.

[@ricksonjervao4764]

These guys know nothing about cars lol, they just sore nonsense...the Chevy sonic equal to fiesta st because the st has 167hp ? Uhh no it has 197hp and 214tq it's like 2 full seconds quicker to 60 and runs the 1/4 in the 14s stock. With 3000$ in mods my stage 3 e30 tuned st runs the quarter in 13.9 at 100.6mph

[@trollturd]

the sonic sedan looks so bad. looks like a cheap crappy car from the back and sides.

[@Trevrz1]

Right. And the Versa/Yaris look SO much better.

[@trollturd]

i didn't say anything about the other car. i was comparing the sedan to the hatchback, moron.

[@Trevrz1]

I know. I have a sedan. I don't think it's THAT bad.

[@smokum0]

I also have the sedan and think the hatchback (along with all hatchbacks) look ugly. That is my opinion though, different strokes for different folks.

[@Domethiusloch]

best 1.4 .....what about the 500 abarth

[@decidiousrex]

hahahaha ....oh you were serious?

[@billplaschka9279]

Yes he was...also a 1.4L but with 160hp and 170ft-lbs...

[@ozgundemirr]

3:30 wow so many splits on the road

[@davelewis6451]

Roman won't say "shit" but says "GD". Wtf. I'd rather hear him say shit than GD all the time. Happens in a lot of episodes too.

[@lfsracer79]

Why did you drive up the hill in 3rd gear? No wonder it was so easy. Next time try to do it in 5th gear.

[@jonnyg234]

Hmmmm.... Big surprise the more expensive car with the bigger engine coupled with a turbo made it up faster 💁. At least get the natually aspirated engine in the sonic if you're gonna compare the two, everybody knows turbos do better at altitude. But anyway, can we see Mitsubishi Mirage with automatic??

[@lees.4084]

Actually, the Sonic's engine is a 1.4L, the Fiesta is a 1.6L, so clearly the Fiesta has the bigger engine. Yeah, the Sonic is turbocharged, but it is a common option on them. Probably would have been more of a fair comparison to test a Sonic with the base n/a 1.8L though. But it would still have more power than the Fiesta.... Having owned both of these cars, I can attest to the fact that the Sonic is by far the superior car. We traded our 2013 Fiesta 1.6 5-spd. for a 2013 Sonic turbo 1.4T (automatic), and have had no regrets. The Sonic did cost a bit more, but it was much better equipped, MUCH more powerful, even with the automatic, and had a considerably more spacious interior.

[@sinbalman]

SONIC!!

[@tuolumne9]

Is Roman trying to poke fun at that other Everyman "reviewer" (not sure that's an accurate description of what he does) with those colored Oakley's? Lol

[@electrictroy2010]

I don't like the hatchback's looks (prefer $1000 cheaper sedan). And yeah of course this test is bad...... my Honda insight has only 70 horsepower & climbs easily. These higher power cars would have no problem.

[@hendo337]

A Fiesta ST and even a Focus ST(with discounts) can be attained for the $20,000 they put on this chev :I

[@dansodorxbfan7076]

I can't look past the bizarre mouth movements of Nathan's mouth. I would be fearful of riding with a tweaker.

[@holydiver2121]

the fiesta gives you 29 cty n 40 hwy, the same like the sonic

[@thevegas737]

The St also has 197 BTW

[@kindpanda1075]

You probably didn't need that gear.

[@marlenpaco1]

I THINK THE FIESTA IS LIKE A FORD SCORT LOL

[@07STiLuke]

reason for the bad mpg you're on 3rd gear at 4k rpm thats not economical driving

[@xSolidgamezx]

Finally.... :)

[@TheKasoy90]

hey guys! im french and i really like ur review but i cant hear amy but i still wanna listen to ur review so when its amy i need to pass sorry

[@trehsu]

What's up with them clowning around all the time. This isn't a car comparison this is a waste of time