Much like the Cruze and Malibu, the current, first-generation Chevrolet Sonic is the right product at the wrong time: thanks to the ongoing shift in consumer vehicle buying dynamics that favors crossovers over sedans, sales of the subcompact range fell 14.7 percent to 55,255 units in 2016 and are off 47 percent in the first four months of 2017. Regardless, Chevy is giving its subcompact range a few updates for the 2018 model year.
On the outside, the 2018 Sonic loses two exterior colors while gaining one new one:
Deleted Colors:
- Brimstone
- Krypton Green
New Color:
- Ivy Metallic
In addition, the 2018 Sonic loses the Krypton Green package. Introduced for the 2017 model year, the package included:
- Krypton Green exterior color
- 17″ aluminum wheels
- Black front and rear Bowtie emblems
Rounding out the exterior changes is the deletion of the accessory/LPO-level front molded splash guards.
Inside, the 2018 Chevy Sonic deletes the base audio system with USB port (USR), which was standard on the LS trim level, and replaces it with the Chevrolet MyLink audio system with 7-inch diagonal color touch screen (IOR) with 2 USB ports and an auxiliary input jack (UST) as standard across trim 2018 Sonic levels. In addition, the leatherette seat trim with sueded microfiber inserts is replaced by the new Sheffield seat trim only on models equipped with the RS package.
The 2018 Sonic also gets one package-level change — the replacement of the Fun and Sun Package II (PDF) with the LPO-level Fun and Sun Package (PDH), which includes:
- (LUV) ECOTEC Turbo 1.4L Engine
- (FE3) Sport suspension
- (CF5) power sunroof
- (RS7) 17″ painted aluminum wheels
And finally, the FE3 sport suspension is now available on LT sedan models, which is a change that the order guide does not yet reflect. By comparison, the 2017 Sonic only made the FE3 suspension available on the Premier trim level, as standard on the manual and included with the RS package with the automatic.
The updates and changes described here are specific to the U.S. market and may be different for other markets.
For the U.S. and Canadian markets, the 2018 Chevy Sonic sedan and hatchback are assembled by GM U.S.A. at the GM Lake Orion plant in Orion Township, Michigan, USA.
More Information & Reporting
- Chevrolet Sonic info
- 2018 Chevrolet Sonic info
- 2018 Chevrolet Sonic changes, updates, new features
- 2018 Chevrolet Sonic order guide
- Chevrolet Sonic sales numbers
- Chevrolet Sonic news
Comments
Put more power to the sonic plus all wheel drive.
continue offering the manual transmission.
What is taking so long to replace the ancient timing belt 1.8 and the old 2010 Cruze 1.4T in these? Even the Spark has a newer
engine design. Mrs profits above all else needs to start spending a few bucks on upgrading her outdated products.
Just got our first 2018 Sonic LT RS with the new radio, really enjoy the new layout and I hope they start to do this with the others, I was tired of explaining to customers what projection was because nobody understood it if I was unable to show them at the time.