https://www.thecarconnection.com/ne...s-2019-chevrolet-sonic-to-return-to-showrooms
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It’s not dead yet
- Thread starter Shocho
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dannyg
Member
Info on the 2019 is at the chevy web site:
https://www.chevrolet.com/cars/sonic-small-car/build-and-price
https://www.chevrolet.com/car/sonic-small-car
EDIT: Should this be a new thread?
https://www.chevrolet.com/cars/sonic-small-car/build-and-price
https://www.chevrolet.com/car/sonic-small-car
EDIT: Should this be a new thread?
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dannyg
Member
A 2019 base LS manual with 1.4T comes out to MSRP $15795 (incl basic $500 off but nothing else) not bad. For me, I'd get the $340 Cruise Control option and throw on the 15" aluminum wheels from my 2015 and call it a day. Might have to try it this winter when there's some discounting...
https://www.chevrolet.com/cars/sonic-sedan-small-car/build-and-price/
One detail I spotted, it says 38MPG for "EPA estimate for Sonic Sedan with available 6-speed manual transmission." 2018 Sonics are rated 37MPG with 1.4T manual. Info is not at EPA fueleconomy.gov website yet.
Right now 2018s are 20% off MSRP, good deals...
https://www.chevrolet.com/cars/sonic-sedan-small-car/build-and-price/
One detail I spotted, it says 38MPG for "EPA estimate for Sonic Sedan with available 6-speed manual transmission." 2018 Sonics are rated 37MPG with 1.4T manual. Info is not at EPA fueleconomy.gov website yet.
Right now 2018s are 20% off MSRP, good deals...
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dannyg
Member
Still not dead! GM declared that they're dropping some models and closing some plants, but as near as I can tell Sonic survives:
https://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/home.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2018/nov/1126-gm.html
I'm hoping this means some investment in Spark/Sonic at some point in the future...but we'll see.
https://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/home.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2018/nov/1126-gm.html
I'm hoping this means some investment in Spark/Sonic at some point in the future...but we'll see.
sonic-image
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sonic-image
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dannyg
Member
Yes, it's really a shame, lots of families affected. They're dropping six models next year: Cruze, Impala, LaCrosse, XTS, CT6, and Volt.
Some speculation out there that this is all part of hardball tactics in dealing with the next UAW contract which is next year. Basically threaten to shutter plants in order to get concessions. No idea if that's true or not.
dannyg
Member
Some reports quote Barra saying they won't sell the Cruze Hatch--which is built in Mexico--in the US. So the Cruze is done.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/busi...ory.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.da112bbfcc78
https://www.washingtonpost.com/busi...ory.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.da112bbfcc78
Chazzz
Member
I never would have thought that the Sonic would outlive the Cruze but that appears to be the case, however I can’t help but think that the Sonic is still on the choppping block and news of its demise will more than likely follow on the footsteps of the Cruze. While this isn’t shocking due to the sad fact of the SUV craze, Americans simply aren’t buying passenger cars anymore. Trade war tariffs on steel are also playing a huge role in these decisions as profit margins plummet.....
Portusteve
Member
They just announced the plant here in southern Ontario (Oshawa) is going to be closed. Thats going to really hurt the town. Really sucks.
RSRick
New member
Just spotted the report of the Cruze's demise as I was reading about the GM closings. 
I'm actually pleasantly surprised: when we were all convinced that the Sonic filled an unnecessary niche between the Spark and the Cruze and was gonna get the ax, I always thought that the Sonic was the PERFECT size, and the Cruze is just too expensive by comparison.
Very disappointed by the loss of the Volt, though. I was hoping to buy one after retirement, by the time my next cycle of GM Mastercard earnings maxxes out. I will be surprised it recharging infrastructure develops fast enough to make pure-electric vehicles practical for long trips, and i was counting on using a Volt for local driving electric-only with the occasional long trip where it would burn a tank of gas.
Ah, well, I still love my Sonic!
I'm actually pleasantly surprised: when we were all convinced that the Sonic filled an unnecessary niche between the Spark and the Cruze and was gonna get the ax, I always thought that the Sonic was the PERFECT size, and the Cruze is just too expensive by comparison.Very disappointed by the loss of the Volt, though.
I was hoping to buy one after retirement, by the time my next cycle of GM Mastercard earnings maxxes out. I will be surprised it recharging infrastructure develops fast enough to make pure-electric vehicles practical for long trips, and i was counting on using a Volt for local driving electric-only with the occasional long trip where it would burn a tank of gas. Ah, well, I still love my Sonic!
JTee2017
Well-known member
I hope the Sonic continues. Will have to watch the global products and see what transpires.
The Aussey Barina is essentially the same with a smaller engine.
I've read where oil prices are expected to spike upwards again within the next year or two due to more automotive and transport use of fuel oil. Also, China and India car markets going up.
If oil goes up, maybe small cars will return to favor like in Europe.
We really like the Sonic size. We feel it is as comfortable as our 2015 Equinox.
Somehow the Sonic feels spacious and uncramped up front while still having good cargo capacity as well. It is very much the same size inside as the Trax and Buick Encore except for height. And. . has more front leg room, hip room and a few other places as well. Rear cargo space in the Sonic is larger than the Trax/Encore with rear seat backs up.
The Aussey Barina is essentially the same with a smaller engine.
I've read where oil prices are expected to spike upwards again within the next year or two due to more automotive and transport use of fuel oil. Also, China and India car markets going up.
If oil goes up, maybe small cars will return to favor like in Europe.
We really like the Sonic size. We feel it is as comfortable as our 2015 Equinox.
Somehow the Sonic feels spacious and uncramped up front while still having good cargo capacity as well. It is very much the same size inside as the Trax and Buick Encore except for height. And. . has more front leg room, hip room and a few other places as well. Rear cargo space in the Sonic is larger than the Trax/Encore with rear seat backs up.
Sonic will stay in production for a while, IMO. Its built in Orion, MI, and GM is not going to close that plant anytime soon. Just reopened that plant in 2011 and it also produces the Bolt and Trax/Encore, I believe.
Cruze is from Lordstown, OH and that is the only vehicle produced there... Easy way to cut costs is to close an older factory that only makes one product.
Loss of jobs is unfortunate, but GM is not competitive in terms of models offered, etc. Way too many different platforms compared to other manufacturers.
Saturn had it right on many levels - one platform, only a few choices, higher quality control, until GM killed Saturn. Maybe the Sonic is the new Saturn.
Cruze is from Lordstown, OH and that is the only vehicle produced there... Easy way to cut costs is to close an older factory that only makes one product.
Loss of jobs is unfortunate, but GM is not competitive in terms of models offered, etc. Way too many different platforms compared to other manufacturers.
Saturn had it right on many levels - one platform, only a few choices, higher quality control, until GM killed Saturn. Maybe the Sonic is the new Saturn.
JTee2017
Well-known member
The Sonic is the right size if people only had a chance to try it. So many dealers in my area and little to none on lots within a 75 to 90 mile radius of even the Chicago area.
We found the cargo area more useful than the Cruze hatch back with it's lower swoop down roof line. The seating and over all front and rear passenger area are as roomy as Trax or Encore without all the extra weight. Trax is an average of 3,200 lbs while Sonic is an average of 2,800 lbs. The Cruze is +2,900 lbs.
We looked at the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Kia Rio and others. No thanks. . . not with those CVT transmissions. And a minor point . . try and find another subcompact car with 5 bolt wheels. The Sonic always bordered on being closer to a compact like the Ford Focus.
An upgrade to the newer 1.4L or 1.5L engine even with the 6 speed automatic would do wonders for increased sales. 153 HP or more in the Sonic with a bit of suspension tweaks would make it attractive to the sporty crowd especially now that the Ford Focus is done for.
We found the cargo area more useful than the Cruze hatch back with it's lower swoop down roof line. The seating and over all front and rear passenger area are as roomy as Trax or Encore without all the extra weight. Trax is an average of 3,200 lbs while Sonic is an average of 2,800 lbs. The Cruze is +2,900 lbs.
We looked at the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Kia Rio and others. No thanks. . . not with those CVT transmissions. And a minor point . . try and find another subcompact car with 5 bolt wheels. The Sonic always bordered on being closer to a compact like the Ford Focus.
An upgrade to the newer 1.4L or 1.5L engine even with the 6 speed automatic would do wonders for increased sales. 153 HP or more in the Sonic with a bit of suspension tweaks would make it attractive to the sporty crowd especially now that the Ford Focus is done for.
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Chazzz
Member
+1..... And a completely redesigned Sonic was in the works due for 2020/21... Maybe now with the Cruze gone it will live to see the light of day. Time will tell, but an all new Sonic with the updated 153 HP 1.4L sounds a whole lot more promising now than it did before all this sad news....
LorbeerTLC
Member
Sonic Trial Period?
I wonder if this is going to be a trial period for the Sonic.
Here's my thinking:
1) Ford has cancelled the Fiesta after the 2019 MY.
2) With the Cruze (Sedan and Hatchback) cancelled, that's going to leave a marketing hole.
3) There's also speculation that GM might close the South Korean plant which also manufactures the Spark (Spark cancellation possible?).
4) Since both the Chevy Trax and the Buick Encore is currently being imported to this country from the South Korean plant... and if that plant closes, that leaves a 'slight' possibility maybe it will be built at the Orion plant (however, I think it's also being built in China).
So with all this going on, maybe... just maybe there'll be enough of a demand for the Sonic after everything is said and done to validate in keeping this model alive?
To be continued...opcorn:
I wonder if this is going to be a trial period for the Sonic.
Here's my thinking:
1) Ford has cancelled the Fiesta after the 2019 MY.
2) With the Cruze (Sedan and Hatchback) cancelled, that's going to leave a marketing hole.
3) There's also speculation that GM might close the South Korean plant which also manufactures the Spark (Spark cancellation possible?).
4) Since both the Chevy Trax and the Buick Encore is currently being imported to this country from the South Korean plant... and if that plant closes, that leaves a 'slight' possibility maybe it will be built at the Orion plant (however, I think it's also being built in China).
So with all this going on, maybe... just maybe there'll be enough of a demand for the Sonic after everything is said and done to validate in keeping this model alive?
To be continued...
opcorn:
dannyg
Member
I'm just hoping dropping Cruze and Impala will free up some $$ to develop a really good updated Sonic. Maybe it'll be a tiny bit bigger to put more distance on the Spark. Just in the last few days Toyota has announced a hybrid Corolla and there's a nice new Mazda 3 with AWD...and stick shift available. Not to mention Hyundai/Kia. So the competition isn't sitting still.
My two local Chevy dealers have one Sonic available. One. The Cruze will be in dealerships for at least a year, but maybe after that we'll see more Sonics??
My two local Chevy dealers have one Sonic available. One. The Cruze will be in dealerships for at least a year, but maybe after that we'll see more Sonics??
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