2012 Chevrolet Sonic

Expected Pricing:
$12,000-$15,000

Release Date:
Late 2011

The Chevrolet Sonic chassis will feature electronic power steering, MacPherson strut front and torsion beam rear suspension, ABS/EBFD disc brakes and wheel sizes up to 17-inch.

Inside, the Sonic carries what Chevrolet calls a motorcycle-inspired digital instrument panel layout, with the rest of the interior recalling current GM luxury brands like Buick, similar but not matching. Standard equipment will include 10 airbags, traction control, stability control, and enhanced OnStar, with available Bluetooth, USB port, remote starting, heated seats, a sunroof, two new mobile apps, MyLink and MyChevrolet, and XM Sirius satellite radio.

In order to provide younger buyers with easy ways to customize their new Sonics, Chevrolet just announced the first batch of what it calls Z-Spec accessories for the 2012 Sonic. The Sonic Z-Spec portfolio includes Color Out accent packages with contrasting-color exterior parts and graphics that express the car’s performance characteristics. These Color Out packages feature black accents on a Summit White Sonic and Summit White accents on an Inferno Orange Sonic.

Z-Spec accessories will initially include body-color ground effects, a silver exhaust tip, contrasting mirror caps and roof spoiler, contrasting upper and lower grille surrounds and a body graphics package, along with 16- and 17-inch painted alloy wheels. The ground effects kit features a front fascia extension, rocker panel extensions, and rear fascia extension. Interior upgrades include aluminum sport pedals and sill plates. Z-Spec parts can be purchased individually, to suit customer tastes and budgets, or can be purchased as a complete package. When the parts are purchased with the Sonic and installed by the dealer, customers can roll the cost into their monthly payments.

Additional accessories will be available for the Sonic, ranging from the fashionable to the functional, such as chrome mirror caps and door handles to cargo nets and trunk trays. Additional graphics packages also will be available in the future.

The Sonic will be built at the Orion Assembly Center in Orion Township, Michigan, making it the only subcompact to be built in the United States