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View Full Version : Sonic Turbo: Color me impressed

Thirty-Nine
11-11-2011, 04:49 PM
So, I've got the '12 Chevy Sonic LTZ turbo for review this week. I'm not going to lie: I think I love it. I haven't yet had it 24 hrs., so I'm not going to rush to judgement yet. However, so far it's darn impressive. Really well built, fun to drive, turbo power, great handling, and a very nice interior with seemingly excellent build quality. I never thought I'd lust after a Chevy that didn't have eight cylinders. Color me impressed.
detroiter
11-11-2011, 04:50 PM
I live in the land of Domestics...and I havn't even seen ONE Sonic on the street yet.
Thirty-Nine
11-11-2011, 05:00 PM
I haven't either. Then again, they're just hitting the dealers as I understand. My review car might be a pre-production unit, too.
Thirty-Nine
11-11-2011, 05:31 PM
It is faster 0-60 than the '12 Yaris, but not THAT much faster. Car and Driver clocked the turbo Sonic at 8.2 seconds; Yaris SE at 9.0. However, the Yaris was faster through the slalom.

It's a case of turbo + weight vs. low hp + lightweight. The subcompact market is getting quite competitive--and fun.
SailDesign
11-11-2011, 06:02 PM
I was going to mention that the Yaris has 21.5 lbs per hp, while the Sonic Turbo was 20.5. Only 1 in 20, around 5% or so more power-to-weight. But the corners are where the fun is, and if my Yaris is still faster in the twisties, I'm not tempted. :biggrin:
Thirty-Nine
11-11-2011, 06:58 PM
One nice thing about the Sonic turbo is that it's already turbocharged from the factory, so it's likely easier to get some more power out the the engine vs. NA bolt-ons.
Thirty-Nine
11-11-2011, 07:23 PM
I was going to mention that the Yaris has 21.5 lbs per hp, while the Sonic Turbo was 20.5. Only 1 in 20, around 5% or so more power-to-weight. But the corners are where the fun is, and if my Yaris is still faster in the twisties, I'm not tempted. :biggrin:

Well, according to the Car and Driver (http://media.caranddriver.com/files/chevy-sonic-vs-honda-fit-hyundai-accent-kia-rio5-nissan-versa-toyota-yaris2012-hyundai-accent-se-2012-kia-rio5-sx.pdf) chart (and after doing some math):

'12 Yaris SE = 22.4 lbs/hp
'12 Sonic Turbo = 20.3 lbs/hp
SailDesign
11-11-2011, 11:27 PM
Well, according to the Car and Driver (http://media.caranddriver.com/files/chevy-sonic-vs-honda-fit-hyundai-accent-kia-rio5-nissan-versa-toyota-yaris2012-hyundai-accent-se-2012-kia-rio5-sx.pdf) chart (and after doing some math):

'12 Yaris SE = 22.4 lbs/hp
'12 Sonic Turbo = 20.3 lbs/hp

Hmmm... I was comparing an '09 Yaris, since that's what I currently have. Sounds like the new baby is a bit overweight....