http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...rs_first_look/

That the Sonic RS may not be a direct competitor to the forthcoming Ford Fiesta ST -- which is rumored to produce as much as 180 hp - may disappoint some, but it still exhibits promise and it's possible Chevy has more in store for the turbocharged 1.4-liter engine in the future. We've already discovered the Sonic is a solid, well-composed small car, and the hardware included as part of the RS package certainly won't hurt the cause.

 

wow thats hideous! Looks like it went head first into a concrete barrier!

if it's not supposed to be competiton for the fiesta, whats it supposed to be competitive with?

 

It definently needs to

 

Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio and similar vehicles.

 

Guess GM didn't want another repeat of the ZL-1/GT-500 debacle...

 

Chevy, like it or not, it WILL be in competition with the Fiesta ST, amongst others. Overall it looks like a decent player in that type/class other than being down a bit on power (~140-something HP vs. ~180hp for the Fiesta ST). Chevy brass should send an urgent memo down to the powertrain department to the effect that any HP rating less than what the Fiesta ST has, plus 10%, will have you immediately transferred to the tire iron design and engineering department, effective immediately.

Personally I think the looks are just fine. Cars of this class ARE very short, maximizing cabin space, thus the pugnacious nose fits just fine. The idea is NOT to have the nose butting into concrete walls or rear bumpers in a tight urban environment. What were you expecting, something resembling an E-Type Jag nose?

The performance stylistic elements are well integrated and tastefully done, not the typical tacked-on, overdone clown show one often gets with a performance version of a car. There's enough there to reflect its sporting intentions, leaving it up to the owner to dial it up to 11 with aftermarket jewelery to boost a sagging ego.

 

Sonic in short supply

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/21/s...me-sales-reco/


It's been a good year for Chevrolet. The company marked its 100th anniversary in 2011 and is set to beat its all-time sales record. That's not a bad way to celebrate if you ask us, particularly just a couple of years removed from the bankruptcy of its parent company. The automaker has sold 4.8 million units worldwide through November, and December isn't looking to slacken the pace. Chevrolet managed to carve out nearly half a percentage point of additional global market share this year. What's more, sixty percent of the company's vehicles are now sold outside of the U.S. in a bid to move Chevy more into the global arena. That's thanks in part to growth in markets like China, Vietnam, Europe and South Korea as well as solid sales in familiar stomping grounds like South America.

Here in the States, Chevrolet is slotted behind first-place Ford in total consumer market share. Even so, vehicles like the Chevrolet Sonic may soon improve the automaker's fortunes. General Motors says Chevrolet dealers have just a 17-day supply of the new B-segment bruiser.

 

I've never been fond of this car's front end treatment (the Chevy corporate grille). I think it's simply too big for the vehicle. But, compared to the Aveo, this thing is a welcome change. I prefer the looks of the Fiesta ST concept to this.

 

those round vents on the dash are awful!