Along with the unveiling of the Chevrolet Cruze Wagon in Geneva was the announcement of a new small displacement diesel engine. The new 1.7-liter oil burner equipped with stop/start technology will slot below the Cruze Wagon’s 2.0-liter diesel in the engine lineup. All told, there are five engine variants for Europe’s Cruze Wagon. Too much, if you ask us, but it did get the wheels turning in our hazy heads.
While it’s been confirmed that the Chevrolet Cruze Eco-D will come with a new 2.0-liter diesel under the hood in one year’s time, we’re left wondering if there was any appeal for a smaller engine in a smaller car. Would a diesel Sonic make sense in America?
Now, in Europe — where the Sonic is still called the Aveo for some reason — the subcompact hatchback offers a small 1.3-liter turbodiesel mill with a meek 93 horsepower, and a more substantial 140 lb-ft of torque. Might not sound like much, but the little engine returns an astonishing 65.3 combined miles per gallon when doing a raw conversion from the Euro V combined mpg rating. If the American consumption test comes out to even 30 combined mpg less, that’s still pretty amazing.
So, off of the fuel economy merit alone, does a Chevrolet Sonic diesel make sense here in North America? We believe it to be necessary. But you may disagree. Participate in our poll and chime in the comment section below to let us know if we’re off our rocker or not.
Comments
Yes, but only after fixing the armrest and providing for the addition of an optional roof rack. These are the issues that put Mazda ahead of Chevy on my list.
But more to the question, the cars I’ve seen available are just the 1.8 and not the 1.4 Turbo, so a diesel, while a nice idea, is even more of a pipe-dream. GM is not living up to what it says. I remember a year ago expecting to see Z-spec options available by now, but instead I think Chevy now wants to bundle things together in specific RS themes.
I would have liked to be able to get a Sonic with disc breaks all around, but without the firm sporty suspension of an RS. Chevy uses drums to reduce cost and meet a “spec,” but what is this spec? Cars are way too close these days at higher speeds than ever. To me, one cannot have too much breaking. It’s a safety issue that I would pay more to get. Good crash test scores are great, but I like to avoid the crash.
So, the Sonic could come out with a diesel, and I would drool, but if I can’t carry my boat and I’m not comfortable, forget it.
Again with the armrest? Wow, how rediculous you sound.
Yes
Yes, why not? Volkswagen is probably gearing up to enter the Sonic-class in the US and we all know they will do so with a diesel. I say we one-up them with this one. Oh….the Sonic is called the Aveo in Europe because “Sonic” is a dumbass name that the Europeans would never stand for…sheesh! I can’t say that often or loudly enough. DUMBASS NAME!
Yes to meet new cafe standards
I don’t care about the Sonic but a diesel Silverado 1500 would be nice.
im just wondering why everything needs a deisel in your guys opinions im fine with it the way it is
Jim likes his arm rest, JIM go get yourself a used HHR… You will be a happy man… I am…
I would like to see a diesel option for Sonic. I would probably opt for the larger Hyundai Elantra GT coming to the States ,for the hatch with more cargo area. But, a diesel with real good epa numbers would make Sonic more apealing.
I think GM is wrong to not bring a Cruze hatch to the states. I know that Cruze sedan sells well, but no 5 door gives a chance for others to take advantage.
i
yes, yes, yes, yes. id love to own one
I’d buy one in a heartbeat, Chevy. Drive two VW TDI wagons, and have an older Peugeot 505 diesel wagon. People who haven’t driven modern diesels just don’t get it. Even when diesel is higher priced, it just delivers enough mileage, real-life usability and longevity to be all worth it. I don’t need to spin my tires from a stop anymore, and its nicer to be able to accelerate or pass at highway speeds without downshifting, or to be able to tow a trailer when you need to, or to travel very literally all day long at freeway speeds with the engine just ticking over, and not having to stop to refill. I regularly do a 4 lane 13 hour trip on one not too huge tank ie, 59+ litres or 16- US gallons
We have a 06 hyundai elantra. I think I can squeez a few more years out of it. However when it finally croaks I’d like to replace it with another compact. The sonic is the first car chevrolet has excited me with in a long time. Chevrolet has never really been known for innovation. However I recently test drove one and it seems to come up short. I’m not sure why. Mabey I was expecting something extroadinary. Extroadinary like a small turbo diesel. I can’t help of comparing a diesel sonic with an old VW rabbit. They were wildly popular then and still have a cult like following now. If GM brings the diesel sonic to the US I would buy one in a heartbeat.
yes, I want to buy a diesel sonic! This question is stupid why the heck wouldn’t America want I great mpg small diesel car! I can’t fathom what makes this a hard sell in th US. If the EPA is so worried about green cars why isn’t there at least a push to make these cars available!!!! It gets my blood boiling that automakers think we shouldn’t have the option at the very least!
I’m retired. I’d like to travel with my wife. I’d like to not fill the tank often. I’d like great mileage. I’d like great torque. I’d like to buy a Sonic hatchback diesel 6 speed manual. I’d love it if GM would give me this option because I’d buy it faster than a New York minute.