Chevrolet gave us the goods before it invades the 2016 New York International Auto Show with the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and 2017 Chevrolet Sonic. Today, though, we’re here to discuss the 2017 Sonic’s modest refresh.
The refresh carries over much of the same, despite looking very new. Powertrains specifically are untouched with the 2017 Sonic, but new features and design help the Sonic from going stale. But, more than a few have been critical of the redesigned front clip. So, we’re here to ask, do you prefer the outgoing Sonic, or the 2017 refresh?
The front fascia certainly does lose some of its character in the name of corporate fascias. Gone are the Sonic’s biggest talking point: the exposed, round headlamps. They’re replaced with more traditional units with optional LED accents. The front fascia also tones down the signature Chevrolet split grille for a more conservative, sleeker portion with a gaping lower face. In fact, the front face looks reminiscent of the 2016 Chevrolet SS sedan’s front clip, especially with the angular lower portion and subtle chrome around it.
The rear is largely unchanged, but we are fans of the new LED taillights that replace the outdated ones of yore. Overall, the Sonic is still a spunky looking hatchback or sedan, but we do feel it has lost a bit of its charm with this refresh.
Now, we’d like to hear your opinions. Vote in the poll below, and talk to us in the comment section.
Comments
Both look fairly good
I agree, they both look good. I don’t think the redesign necessarily looks better, it just looks different.
It’s seems like they took all the parts that made the Sonic unique and banished them in the name of corporate compliance.
LED’s could have been easily worked into the round headlights similar to Gen5 Camaro.
The bumper is reminiscent of a Hyundai, and would be better hidden behind the grill, like on the current RS model.
The front proportions limit an accurate comparison to the SS, which itself is toned down from the more aggressive Holden.
Using the muted refresh of the Spark as a design target was a poor choice. Why would you aim down market?
The Rear Taillights are improved with LED, but the chrome trim within is too pronounced. Maybe it will look better in a different color, or in person.
No word on the instrument cluster, but if the motorcycle design is gone, then that is another needless casualty. The current cluster is easy to read, compact and functional.
As an owner of a 2015 RS, the following are what I think the Sonic needs:
More power with RS, an engine temperature reading, and transmission calibration (slow to downshift and slow to upshift). I haven’t heard that any of these three have been addressed.
As a 2014 RS owner, I completely agree about adding more power. There are now 1.5 and 1.6L turbos available, or heck, just put the 2.0T in it and we can have a Sonic SS!
CAFE is dumb. We could even keep the 1.4L if it came with a Stage 1 tune in the RS. You get better nominal mileage in testing with a mild tune, but if you wind up stomping the accelerator your actual mileage plummets anyway.
the 2.0t would be cool, but without researching I am assuming that the chassis on the Sonic may not be able to handle that engine??
The Cruze can definitely handle it, but looks like it is not being put into it based on expense reasons.
And you are a bullshit!
I personally found the old one pretty hideous with the “face features” way too big for the car size. The new one looks modern and visually balanced with a grill scheme that gives a better wider look to it.
I like the new one because it done growed up and turned into a classy little car..
It wasn’t a good looking car in the first place and the new refresh doesn’t improve the design.
And you are a bullshit!
I like the Bow Tie in the middle of the grill on the new model, looks more like a real Chevrolet.
Also I think they should build a 2 door coupe.
Dennis
The front looks like an Aveo with Camaro headlights. The rear looks better because of the blacked out lower panel and better looking exhaust tip, tail lights still funky looking.
“Refined” is a reachy word to use to describe it. Though there’s nothing “cartoony” about the current model, it is sleeker, more rounded, and less squat-looking. Not that the exposed headlights or motorcyle-ripped-off tail lights were fantastic design choices, but they were at least bold and unqiuely risky. And they turned out pretty well, all things considered. There’s no other subcompact like it on the road today.
The new one looks like moderately like somebody in the sunlight off a bad binge. The headlights are hideous, and the mis-proportioned grille is even worse. But far and away the worst change is the black plastic right across the lower grille; is that supposed to be teeth or a mustache?
It wouldn’t look so bad if its headlights were bigger, its tail lights less blocky, and its grille slots more matched to each other… But it’s just… ugly. The car, itself is due for a refresh, but this isn’t even that. They can’t have believed this would be a good change. They can’t have missed why the car has REALLY been such a hit with the market. They just changed it so they could say that they did.