2015 Chevrolet Sonic

The designers have sparingly used chrome rings to trim circular interior elements and the dash's upper and lower halves feature contrasting materials and differing grains. This is still an inexpensive-car interior--no Cadillac hand-sewn leather here--but it's surprisingly well executed and looks more expensive than it is.

The five-door Sonic is the more cohesive of the two body styles, with the angled window line ending in a truncated tail. The rear doors have their handles hidden in the black trim that connects the pillar and rear door, giving it a sort of coupe-like impression, and the combined shorter rear and longer front overhangs give the hatchback and sporty profile. The sedan has an identical wheelbase, but uses gets more traditional rear doors, an elongated roof, and larger trunk under the extended rear. But it's a bit less integrated as a whole, and like many subcompacts, Chevy has found it's moving more hatchbacks off dealer lots than it probably predicted.

The Sonic's fascia and large dual grille are the same on both models, featuring round headlights under the clear covers for a sporty "projector" look. Chevy gets credit for fitting every single Sonic—including base LS models—with alloy wheels. Goodbye cheap plastic covers hiding steel wheels.

Note that the Sonic RS model, while it uses the same 1.4-liter engine and pair of transmissions as any other Sonic (except the base LS) has a lowered and retuned suspension, as well as lower gear ratios. These should give it slightly more acceleration, and its retuned exhaust system certainly makes for a sporty soundtrack--even if the difference in performance is slight at best.

The 1.4 can be ordered with the same six-speed automatic or a six-speed manual gearbox. While both engines will be paired with automatics more often than not, the manual gearbox is a hoot to hoon with the small turbo engine. Its precise shifts and direct, short throws are made even sweeter by a clutch that's near impossible to bungle. The automatic for the engine offers up- and down-shift buttons on the side of the lever, though leaving it in Drive is fine--as long as you know that it may end up shifting more often to stay in the most efficient power zone.

The base engine is a 138-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder, which can be paired with either a five-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic. If you're thinking of getting a Sonic with the 1.8, make sure you take it out on the freeway. It gets coarse and boomy at higher revs, and can feel tapped out under heavy loads.

Otherwise, Chevy's small car exhibits some quality road holding characteristics and even nails the weight tuning for its electric power steering system, far superior than some competing Asian brands. About the only negative variable in the Sonic's driving dynamics equation has to do with its brakes; they work fine, but they feel mushy underfoot.

The Sonic's instrument panel is novel—and not because of its gimmicky "motorcycle inspired" design. In most cars, as you adjust steering wheel tilt position, the steering wheel itself can obfuscate the instrument cluster. Not in the Sonic; the gauges are affixed to the steering column, so you'll always have a clear line of sight to the speedo. There are also plenty of pockets for day-to-day items—glasses, change, sodas, phones, and everything else you keep on your person or need handy during your A-to-B commute. Unfortunately, Chevrolet's interior designers weren't nearly as generous with rear-seat bins and cubbies.

Front and rear seats are consistent with each other—which is not usually the case with subcompacts. Two adults will easily fit up front with shoulder room to spare. Grown-ups can fit in the rear seats, too, but not without first negotiating with the keepers of leg and knee room sitting in the first row.

The sedan has a large 19-cubic-foot trunk under the elongated roofline to accommodate longer items. And the hatchback opens to a 14-cubic-foot cargo bay that can be accessed through either rear door and the hatch as well. The Honda Fit, as the cargo and flexibility king, still outguns the Sonic hatchback, but the Chevy puts up a respectable defense. The Sonic's load floor is high, although it contains a neat area underneath large enough to stow a laptop bag.

Despite its cost-saving rear drum brakes, all Sonics—like all new cars these days—come with anti-lock brakes. Brake Assist further increases the Sonic's safety cred. Buyers can equip a rearview camera, too, but only on models with MyLink.

The top-of-the-line LTZ wears 17-inch wheels and gets fog lamps, cruise control, leatherette seating surfaces and heated front seats.

The sporty RS model gets its own unique wheels, a reshaped front fascia, shorter gear ratios, a retuned exhaust, sport seats, a flat-bottom steering wheel, aluminum pedals, and other interior upgrades.

Alloy wheels, Bluetooth, air conditioning, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, and remote keyless entry are equipped on every Sonic—even base models. The only thing we see missing from the list of standard kit is a USB port.

For 2013, Chevrolet fitted the Sonic with its MyLink infotainment system, which centers around a 7-inch touchscreen, voice recognition, hands-free connectivity, Bluetooth streaming audio, and advanced Stitcher and Pandora integration. MyLink can be ordered on LS and LT models, and is standard on the top-of-the-line LTZ model and the sporty RS. Last year, navigation found its way to the Sonic, too.

This year, OnStar now includes wifi hotspotting with 4G LTE connectivity.

The 1.8-liter engine may cost less, but it drinks gas like a mid-size sedan. Its ratings are a less respectable 30 mpg combined with the manual, falling to 28 mpg when equipped with the optional automatic. It's also a bore compared to the 1.4T, meaning it delivers fewer miles and smiles per gallon. We think your choice is clear here.