2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS review notes

ASSOCIATE EDITOR GRAHAM KOZAK: I honestly didn't expect to get much out of the Chevrolet Sonic, or the Sonic RS; I know it's aimed right at my demographic, but its entry-level, function-over-form attitude doesn't really do anything for me. The Sonic seems to be shooting for those who are buying with no small amount of reluctance. Why bother with a sport-trim version?

In light of all that, I don't see any reason to dwell on the Sonic's design. The exterior reflects Chevy's attempts to maximize interior volume; the interior itself is nothing to get worked up about. Details, like the motorcycle-inspired (according to GM) instrument cluster, RS-specific front-end treatment, etc., are cool, I guess, but these little highlights adorn a pretty bland form.

The infotainment console was frustrating. I like physical buttons and knobs. The Sonic's system didn't offer any of them. That's all I've got to say about that.

But whoa, that little turbo 1.4-liter I4 was a nice surprise. I had to double check the specifications after a night in the car -- it was tough to believe it only has a 138 hp, 148 lb-ft output. Sure, you need to rev pretty high to keep get the car moving, but the engine didn't seem to mind supplying the motivation. Even better, the turbo didn't lag horrifically; once I figured out the rhythm of the car, I barely noticed any hesitation. What remains to be seen is how badly such spirited driving bites into fuel economy.

One thing that bugged me -- something that almost succeeded at undermining the otherwise sporty feel of the Sonic RS -- was the crappy shifter mechanism. We've all griped about the imprecise long-throw feel of, say, our long-term Dodge Dart, but this one felt different, almost worn-out; either our press Sonic RS had been thrashed very hard during its brief life or Chevy needs to take a hard look at such high-performance machines as the mighty Mazda 2 to figure out how to improve here.

DIGITAL EDITOR ANDREW STOY: Whether it was sheer luck or because road test editor Jon Wong finally deposited the bribe I gave him, I'd been driving a variety of luxury vehicles for the entire week up to my evening in the Sonic RS. In fact, I came directly out of a new Range Rover, so one would be forgiven for taking my perceptions of the little Chevy scooter with a grain of salt.

Fact is, I really enjoyed the Sonic RS. Sure, it's all hard-grained black plastic inside, and the seats are devoid of support, but the fun of driving a slow car fast is on full display behind the wheel. The little turbo four is Italianate in its propensity for free-wheeling revolution, and GM was wise enough to include a fat leather-wrapped steering wheel to alternately point the Sonic and counter torque steer (which, to be fair, isn't terrible, thanks to just 148 lb-ft of twist).

I'll echo Graham's comments on the Sonic's shifter, though, and put some of the blame on the feedback-free clutch. It's so light, there's no sense of where engagement is going to take place, making the 1-2 upshift particularly troublesome since first gear is so short. It's still difficult to understand how Honda/Acura can get a cable shifter so right and Chevy can still get that part so wrong.

Otherwise, potential buyers need to understand that the Sonic is a small car best suited for regular transportation of no more than two people. I had my kids in the back with booster seats and both complained about the legroom (“look Dad, one foot fits but the other doesn't”). But as a low-cost city runabout for a single person or young couple, the Sonic RS offers almost a bargain GTI appeal; add in the fact that it's an honest-to-goodness made-in-America hot hatch, and I think there's a lot to like in this little Chevy.

2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS

Base Price: $20,995

As-Tested Price: $20,995

Drivetrain: 1.4-liter turbocharged I4; FWD, six-speed manual

Output: 138 hp @ 4,900 rpm, 148 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm

Curb Weight: 2,811 lb

Fuel Economy (EPA City/Highway/Combined): 27/34/30 mpg

AW Observed Fuel Economy: 26.9 mpg

Options: None