The 2013 Chevrolet Sonic

Chevrolet has been one of the main vehicle manufacturers for quite some time, but the brand feels relatively new to the Namibian market, no doubt thanks to the range refresh of a few years ago.

Chevrolet, and in essence, Auas Motors, is one of the very few dealers that cater for nearly every need.

UTE? Yup. UTE with insane power? Yup yup. Softroader? Got that too. And so the list goes on. They really do well in all segments. It was a bit of shock when we heard the Opel Corsa Hatch is no longer with us, but Chevrolet came to the game by launching the Chevy Sonic (technically the Aveo, but that didn’t really live up to the hype). It has some huge shoes to fill, though.

The Sonic is GM’s newest subcompact sedan and hatchback, and by all accounts, it should be fairly impressive. The 2013 Chevrolet Sonic doesn’t look particularly edgy, but it presents with a somewhat bolder, sportier twist to traditional small-car styling and design. For the hatchback, the wedgy profile and ‘hidden’ rear door handles (up above, at the back of the windowline) are the keys to giving the Sonic a little something different. Meanwhile, the sedans, which add a few more centimeters of overall length (the wheelbase is the same) get an elongated roofline (and traditional door handles) that gives the Sonic an entirely different sense of proportion, even if the front end is essentially the same.

Across either body style, sheetmetal is nicely contoured, and fine detailing throughout give it an entirely different, more upscale (and even somewhat sporty) look and feel. And in front, the Sonic gets an ‘amped up’ look, with a large dual grille, moved downward over the bumper, big round headlights set in a black background, and black background trim throughout. And shockingly, all Sonic models, even the base LS, come with alloy wheels.

Inside, you’ll find a more cockpit-like design than in other small cars, and outside of up-close materials and detailing, it’s impressively upscale. A cockpit-like instrument panel wraps around to the doors and curves downward into a centre console area, enveloping the front-seat occupants.

The three-spoke steering-wheel design shows continuity with other new Chevy models, as does the V-shaped centre stack, which very efficiently and attractively consolidates audio and climate controls.

Overall, the look of the interior is right up there with more expensive GM vehicles, although the materials aren’t quite the same, understandably. Seating is adult-sized in front enough, while back seats have enough space for adults in a pinch; flip the rear seatbacks forward and you get wagon-like versatility in hatchback models, or space for longer items in sedans. The hatch isn’t quite as space-efficient as the reigning cargo king, the Honda Jazz, but there aren’t any serious flaws with either package, and the cabin is better-insulated from road and engine noise than most other small models.

Powertrains for the Chevy Sonic are pretty much the same as in the larger Cruze sedan; there’s a normally aspirated 1.4-liter four, a diesel powered 1.3 or a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter four. All can be had with either a manual gearbox or an all-new six-speed automatic. Between the three, the 1.6 is by far the better choice, as it’s stronger and more flexible, as well as more refined; it makes the Sonic feel like a premium-brand vehicle, almost. Otherwise the Sonic is surprisingly enjoyable to drive for an affordable, economical car, with nicely weighted steering.

The six-speed manual gearbox is actually enjoyable with the 1.6, with relatively short throws and direct, precise shift action, plus very smooth clutch takeup. A mushy brake feel (but good braking ability) in all the test Sonics we’ve experienced so far has been the worst offense.

The Sonic is one of the best small cars in the segment below the likes of the Chevy Cruze and Ford Focus – a better choice than many of its competitors, which include the Honda Jazz and Toyota Yaris. Aside from a few small niggles, the Sonic is a worthy replacement for the Opel Corsa hatch and at a great price point.

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