It might be $3,000 under the Volkswagen Golf GTI, but at the same time the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS is no Golf GTI. So with an asking price of $20,995, is the Sonic RS too expensive? Or has the U.S. dollar really fallen this far? And just what is its direct competitor? Keep in mind that despite the brake, suspension and gearing upgrades, there’s no power upgrade.
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As i mentioned in the Buick Verano Turbo vs getting a base Cadillac ATS, it all has to do with where you are financially. While i find the price of the Sonic RS a little on the steep side for some body modifications and a slightly revised gearing and, sure, disc brakes – it’s simply not enough.
HOWEVER
you can get a 325hp rwd manual Camaro and it has absolutely nothing. It’s base as base gets. No leather wrapped steering wheel, ugly wheels (sure you can upgrade them, but if that’s the case why not upgrade to 1LT?) base radio etc.
At least with the Sonic RS you get the best that car has to offer. I’ve owned a base car before. never again!
Yes, but the Camaro barely has an interior, even loaded. And some people like those black wheels…
Ouch! The Camaro interior is not THAT bad. There are a couple updates for 2013 like the soft vinyl insert in the dash that first came out on the ZL1 and the MyLink radio.
I guess a little steep… My concern was that the RS is only the suspension and cosmetic upgrades and no engine upgrade. I do wish they put the 1.6t though but that won’t happen for few years I guess.
All I can say is ……………………… LOL
If they want this to be competitive, they really need to upgrade the engine. Throw in the rumored Stage I kit from from the factory (not the dealer) for the same price, and it would be a bit more palatable.
The visuals they add (not including RS markings) look like what the standard equiptment should have been, compared to most cars like Fiesta, Accent and such.
Looking at pictures of the interior, this is nice. I think with the upgrades it is worth it… But the engine is the same, I don’t get this. Give everyone what they want a well priced sports car, for the money… People want horsepower, bottom line…
why no sedan they sell better
It’s just that it has so many small upgrades it’s hard to see reason
I think that it needs a power increase to separate itself from the regular Sonic turbo, especially if Ford ends up bringing the Fiesta ST to North America.
Fiesta ST is coming to the states I think
Hence why I mentioned it.
To justify its price, it needs to get bumped up to 185- 210hp ballpark, better chassis/suspension tweaks,and probably stickier rubber. This car should’ve had more power in the first place. As it is, without the power its way overpriced, hell even they had it at 160hp its not worth it being heavier than most cars in its class.
I have only driven the non-Turbo LTZ, and I found the non-RS handling and power to be very good for a car in this class (especially compared to the Fiesta, Honda Fit and the unreliable Korean offerings) . The RS suspension/braking upgrades are going to take an already excellent handling car into the best in class. Just need a little more power (but aren’t we always going to say that?)…
Agreed with the above post. Its really oomph that this car is missing and with subcompact hot hatches reaching past 180hp, they really need to bring the hp of the RS up to that or hell one up the Veloster Turbo with more power, stickier tires and better suspension/chassis to handle the extra oomph. That’ll teach Hyundai how to do a sporty subcompact properly.
I don’t think the Veloster Turbo is in the same league as the Sonic…. Now if you said about the Accent/Rio turbo (I know it’s doesn’t exist) then that’s something else.
Veloster is more compact than subcompact, yeah. As for turbo versions of the Accent/Rio, they don’t exist yet, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they showed up within a couple years.
I wouldn’t surprised if Kia put out a Rio Turbo because for me, Hyundai doesn’t really fit the image of putting the Turbo on their Accent.
There were rumors roaming around about a Rio hatch with the veloster turbo engine on it but they probably died out already. I definitely agree that the Accent isn’t a candidate but the Rio5 is definitely one. Though if given the choice between a Sonic RS with a 200hp 1.4T/ new 1.6T MGE that just got announced or a Rio5 with the Veloster Turbo’s engine, I’d take the Sonic just cause of the better chassis/suspension.
While most of the gripes about the Sonic RS are valid, people fail to realize there is an ECM tune available for $350 that increases the torque and HP by about 50. Yes it voids the warranty technically but I’d rather pay $350 for that than $26,000 or more for another turbo model car. I have my own mechanic I trust as it is.