The Chevrolet Sonic is a swell little vehicle that does a lot of things right in a difficult segment. Merely a few years ago, Chevrolet couldn’t keep enough of them on dealer lots, but then, cheap gas happened, and the car buying public at large is back to buying bulking SUVs, trucks. Some automakers even feel that the switch to the crossover is a permanent one.
That hasn’t stopped development of an update to the Chevrolet Sonic, which has been spied testing in Detroit, Michigan by Autoblog. This particular test model, which we believe will end up being the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic sedan, appears to represent a midcycle enhancement to the subcompact car, consisting of updates to the front and rear fascias.
The Sonic will continue being made at the GM Lake Orion plant. Last year, GM announced 500 employees would be laid off due to slow Sonic and Buick Verano sales. The plant is also being retooled for 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV (and likely Opel Ampera-e) production.
Editor’s note: an earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that the model spied is an all-new 2018 Chevy Sonic. Instead, the model spied is the 2017 Sonic, which represents a midcycle enhancement/facelift for the first-generation Sonic. The 2018 Chevrolet Sonic, meanwhile, will deliver small updates on top of the 2017 model.
Comments
So, no facelift for the current Sonic any time soon?
I love the Aveo/Sonic line. What a little car… The last car designed independently by a once failing motor company, and the first car to spearhead new production after that company’s saving. A key player in the rise of a class of humble cars, but with a noble goal of making the birthright of open-roaded freedom more accessible, and without punishing its owners for not being able to afford more, or wanting to spend more money than they really have to on their transportation. Two facelifts, numerous equipment rearrangements, and two engine upgrades over eight years in production… The Aveo is a REALLY good car. My own 2010 Aveo5 has been a real miracle for mine and my family’s life. It’s been hit by someone in a Silverado, four times, over the course of a 20-minute long road rage chase that reached up to 100 mph. It’s run over a tire that’s rolled off a semi trailer on the highway, and drove for two weeks with its bumper banged up while waiting for a new one. It’s been the primary source of go for a family of six for almost two years, now.
And now, its second generation, the Sonic, is a powerhouse in the class it helped to shape up so well. Up to 148 horses in an economy subcompact… and with 40 highway mpg. A five-star top safety pick…! Unique and dramatic styling… Strong performance comparable to some cars two classes “above it”. It still offers the incredibly fun manual transmission, as well. It’s so customizable, and user friendly… It’s a car and a half!
The 2018 Sonic will be fantastic. The current model is not perfect, but it’s already fantastic, itself. The next model will be another step. Beautiful, simple, practical, versatile, user-friendly and demand-ready… A real gift to the world! I don’t doubt it!