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Vehicle Profile: The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic LZ

A big deal in a small package. This year, Chevrolet is going to show the world that big things can come in small packages. The all-new 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is big design, big fun and big practicality, all situated in a small footprint.

 

To make sure you can get the perfect car, the Sonic is offered in two body styles – a sedan (MSRP starting at $13,735) and a five-door hatch (MSRP starting at $14,635) – each with six trim levels that include the top-of-the-line 1LZ and 2LZ trims. Once you have decided on a body style, and your pick of the six color choices, the fun begins.

With standard 17-inch rims pushed to the corners of the car, the Sonic LZ has an aggressive and sporty stance. Sleek lines and progressive body cuts give the 2012 Sonic an air of sporty confidence. After you’re done admiring the crisp lines and motorcycle inspired design elements, like the round headlamps, take a look inside. Sit in the heated leatherette seat and grip the leather-wrapped steering wheel, and you’ll notice the motorcycle design cues continue on the inside with a unique dash display featuring a large analog tachometer and an asymmetrical LCD readout for the speedometer. Remote start is standard in 2LZ trims and a sunroof is available on the LZ as well.

With 90.4 cubic feet of interior passenger space in the sedan and 90.6 in the hatchback, the 2012 Sonic has more room inside than a Ford Fiesta (85.1 cubic feet) and a Honda Accord Coupe (89.7 cubic feet on EX and EX-L models). With equipment like the premium six-speaker stereo with Bluetooth audio streaming and SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Chevrolet gives you more inside the cabin than extra space. A USB port is also standard.

Good looks and a great interior are only half the story for the 2012 Sonic. Available with your choice of a 1.8-liter Ecotec^® four-cylinder with Variable Valve Timing (VVT), 138-hp and 125 lb/ft of torque, or a turbocharged 1.4-liter Ecotec^® four-cylinder with VVT making 138 hp and 148 lb/ft, the Sonic LZ has as much “go” as it does “show.”

If you choose the 1.8-liter, you have the choice of five-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic. The 1.4-liter turbo is initially available exclusively with a six-speed manual; the choice of a six-speed automatic is planned for the 1.4-liter turbo later in the model year. Expect up to 40 mpg from the 1.4-liter turbo on the highway.

Once the road beneath the Sonic begins to go twisty, drivers can feel assured that suspension will keep things in check. A MacPherson strut front suspension, combined with the high level of body stiffness and rigidity, allowed Sonic engineers to fine tune the suspension with extreme precision. Those same tuning engineers also work on the Chevrolet Corvette. The result is ride and handling on the Sonic that feels direct and balanced, providing confidence during a broad range of driving conditions.

Advanced technology and performance in the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic comes with modern and sophisticated occupant safety features like StabiliTrak^® Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, a Tire Pressure Monitor, Child Safety Locks and four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution to keep the car under control. Ten standard airbags – including thorax side-impact, rear body and front and rear head-curtain side-impact airbags – and a strong body structure (more than 60 percent of the structure is made from advanced steels) keep occupants well protected. Standard OnStar brings Automatic Crash Response, Emergency Services, Remote Vehicle Diagnostics, Hands-Free Calling, Turn-by-Turn Navigation and Roadside Assistance to name just a few benefits. You can also download the myChevrolet mobile app to schedule service or even find your car in a parking lot.

The all-new 2012 Chevrolet Sonic boasts all the amenities of a larger car in a smaller, more efficiently designed unit. The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is big news.

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