JTee2017
Well-known member
2017 Chevy Sonic Review w/ Automotive Magazine Opinion - - ? Like Motortrend, etal
U.S. News & World Rankinghttps://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/rankings/subcompact-cars/grid/overall
Do not understand why the Honda Fit would get a #1 slot. CVT. . . 4 lug wheels, *meh* interior and technology.
Both before buying and since driving our 2017 Sonic LT hatchback automatic w/1.8L engine, Convenience and standard RS Packages, I've looked up online reviews from many sources. Our daughter has a 2014 Sonic LT with the 1.8L engine and has over 70,000 trouble free miles. I liked many design features of her 2014 enough to consider a future purchase for ourselves. Both the refresh for 2017 and it's improvements finally moved us to buy the 2017. For whatever reason (final drive 3.47:1 ?) the 2017 seems to be noticeably quicker in take offs at stop lights than her 2014. Plus, the interior and exterior are really a new level.
That said, in reading automotive reviews online, it is amazing how slanted the reviews are when comparing the Sonic to rival competition like the Toyota Yaris, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, Honda Fit, etc. This is nothing new in car magazine reviews of course, and has been happening for years. What strikes me as ludicrous is how a magazine like Motortrend will criticize and slight the Sonic in some aspects, but ignore or gloss over worse aspects of the same specifics in particularly the foreign brand competition. The magazines pander to those brands. I attribute it to fanboi writers who seem to occupy large portions of these magazines writer staffs.
Oh, they "mention" rather than highlight that the Sonic generally offers better ride and handling than a Kia Rio or Hyundai Accent, better interior and features than a Toyota Yaris or Nissan Versa and nicer styling than most. At the same time they will just flatly state the less horsepower and understate poorer ride and handling of the same. Many of these competitive vehicles have 106 to maybe 126 HP and some have the less than stellar CVT drive trains and poor ride quality. But they will highlight how the Sonic is "heaviest in it's class". Which, by the way is a reason for the better ride, handling and crash safety in my mind. They will flatly state how the other brands take "only" 9 or 9.1 seconds 0 to 60MPH, but condescend the Sonic for 8.7 or 8.9 seconds (even better w/1,4L turbo). Really?
Every vehicle no matter the class and price can always have room for improvements. But buyers should be more aware of the bias in magazine and online reviews.
After owning and driving the 2017 Sonic Hatchback for 6 weeks or so and over 1,000 miles both in city streets and on interstate roads, I find it fun, even sporty at times (even with 1.8L engine), smooth riding, and up to the task in power for point A-B travel. In fact, it just zips around city street corners and traffic circles. Puts a smile on my face. The seating is roomy, comfortable and better than most others in this class of vehicle. And, it turns a lot of heads even at my dealer. For whatever reason, not a lot of Sonic hatchbacks in my area and in Cajun Red Tintcoat, I must admit it does stand out.
I guess I wrote this both as my own mini review and also to help other who might find this thread if they are considering to buy. The 2017 Sonic has a lot going for it. Here's hoping any redesign still stays true to it's current roots.
If there is any one item I would change, it would be the Hankook Optimo H428 tires GM decided to use on the Sonic. Good and quiet running, decent ride and handling, and probably great in non snow belt parts of the country. For anyone needing to drive in winter snow, a tire change is recommended. Something like Goodyear Triple Treds, Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus or even Blizzaks.
U.S. News & World Rankinghttps://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/rankings/subcompact-cars/grid/overall
Do not understand why the Honda Fit would get a #1 slot. CVT. . . 4 lug wheels, *meh* interior and technology.
Both before buying and since driving our 2017 Sonic LT hatchback automatic w/1.8L engine, Convenience and standard RS Packages, I've looked up online reviews from many sources. Our daughter has a 2014 Sonic LT with the 1.8L engine and has over 70,000 trouble free miles. I liked many design features of her 2014 enough to consider a future purchase for ourselves. Both the refresh for 2017 and it's improvements finally moved us to buy the 2017. For whatever reason (final drive 3.47:1 ?) the 2017 seems to be noticeably quicker in take offs at stop lights than her 2014. Plus, the interior and exterior are really a new level.
That said, in reading automotive reviews online, it is amazing how slanted the reviews are when comparing the Sonic to rival competition like the Toyota Yaris, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, Honda Fit, etc. This is nothing new in car magazine reviews of course, and has been happening for years. What strikes me as ludicrous is how a magazine like Motortrend will criticize and slight the Sonic in some aspects, but ignore or gloss over worse aspects of the same specifics in particularly the foreign brand competition. The magazines pander to those brands. I attribute it to fanboi writers who seem to occupy large portions of these magazines writer staffs.
Oh, they "mention" rather than highlight that the Sonic generally offers better ride and handling than a Kia Rio or Hyundai Accent, better interior and features than a Toyota Yaris or Nissan Versa and nicer styling than most. At the same time they will just flatly state the less horsepower and understate poorer ride and handling of the same. Many of these competitive vehicles have 106 to maybe 126 HP and some have the less than stellar CVT drive trains and poor ride quality. But they will highlight how the Sonic is "heaviest in it's class". Which, by the way is a reason for the better ride, handling and crash safety in my mind. They will flatly state how the other brands take "only" 9 or 9.1 seconds 0 to 60MPH, but condescend the Sonic for 8.7 or 8.9 seconds (even better w/1,4L turbo). Really?
Every vehicle no matter the class and price can always have room for improvements. But buyers should be more aware of the bias in magazine and online reviews.
After owning and driving the 2017 Sonic Hatchback for 6 weeks or so and over 1,000 miles both in city streets and on interstate roads, I find it fun, even sporty at times (even with 1.8L engine), smooth riding, and up to the task in power for point A-B travel. In fact, it just zips around city street corners and traffic circles. Puts a smile on my face. The seating is roomy, comfortable and better than most others in this class of vehicle. And, it turns a lot of heads even at my dealer. For whatever reason, not a lot of Sonic hatchbacks in my area and in Cajun Red Tintcoat, I must admit it does stand out.
I guess I wrote this both as my own mini review and also to help other who might find this thread if they are considering to buy. The 2017 Sonic has a lot going for it. Here's hoping any redesign still stays true to it's current roots.
If there is any one item I would change, it would be the Hankook Optimo H428 tires GM decided to use on the Sonic. Good and quiet running, decent ride and handling, and probably great in non snow belt parts of the country. For anyone needing to drive in winter snow, a tire change is recommended. Something like Goodyear Triple Treds, Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus or even Blizzaks.
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