Chevrolet Sonic Chevrolet Sonic 2012

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Chevrolet Sonic Specs at TrueDelta: Powertrains and tires by trim level (2012)

How powerful is the engine? How much room is in the back seat? Get the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic specs.

2012 Chevrolet Sonic Specs - Exterior and Interior Dimensions

Body 4dr Sedan 4dr Hatch
Wheelbase 99.4 in 99.4 in
Length 173.1 in 159.0 in
Width 68.3 in 68.3 in
Height 59.7 in 59.7 in
Curb Weight 2792 lb. 2755 lb.
Fuel Capacity 12.2 gal. 12.2 gal.
Headroom, Row 1 38.7 in 38.7 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1 53.4 in 53.4 in
Hip Room, Row 1 51.4 in 51.4 in
Legroom, Row 1 41.8 in 41.8 in
Headroom, Row 2 37.8 in 37.8 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2 53.0 in 53.0 in
Hip Room, Row 2 51.6 in 51.6 in
Legroom, Row 2 34.6 in 34.6 in
Total Legroom 76.4 in (over 2 rows) 76.4 in (over 2 rows)
Cargo Volume, Minimum 14.0 ft3 19.0 ft3
Cargo Volume, Maximum 14.0 ft3 47.7 ft3

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What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic

2012 Chevrolet Sonic Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2013 4dr Sedan turbocharged 138hp 1.4L I4
6-speed manual FWD
For a little car, the front seat room is very nice for the average person. see full Chevrolet Sonic review
2012 Chevrolet Sonic Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2012 4dr Sedan turbocharged 138hp 1.4L I4
6-speed manual FWD
The front seating position is cramped, but even worse is the footroom !!!! I have the 6 speed manual transmission and the clutch pedal feels like it was an afterthought. The wheel well intrudest so much that is difficult to engage the clutch without my foot being moved inward due to the lack of room. I have a mens 9 shoe so it is not because I have huge feet. My leg hits the center console while using the gas pedalso far to the right. IT IS SO BAD I TOOK THE PLASTIC TRIM PIECE AT THE GAS PEDAL OFF TO HAVE MORE ROOM !!! I have a friend in England he told me it was not as much of a problem due to the placenet of the pedals in the right hand drive models. It also makes sense this car sells more in right hand driving counties, the radio control are on the right hand side of the steering wheel. This is a stupid position considering having to change gears with the right hand. I am not a small guy, but I am not huge. I am 240 at 5"9'. with a passenger of similar size I feel very cramped. I had a buddy with me, He is a mountain of a man at 6'3" and having very broad shoulders like my self. It was a scream! We were smashed together. I had to work hard to change gears. The car is about 3" to narrow. I previously owned a Nissan Versa. It was considered a narrow car but we never had this problem. It was so cramped if it was a much longer ride, I would have had him get in the back seat. CRAMPED IN THE FRONT TO THE EXTREME DEGREE !!!!!!!! see full Chevrolet Sonic review
2012 4dr Sedan turbocharged 138hp 1.4L I4
6-speed manual FWD
THE SEATS ARE LIKE MIDIEVAL TORTURE DEVICES !!! I am not a huge guy. I have am 5'9" tall with a 40" waist. I have a wide stance. I did take a long test drive in this car. I noticed that the seats were not terribly comfortable but I had run into that with several cars. The seats got better as the broke in. THESE GOT WORSE !!!! It got so bad that I had themreupholstered!!!!! It helped very little !!!! They are too narrow, overbolstered....poorly padded....no lumbar support...the armrest is usless (it sits too low and angled down)....If i could trade it in tomorrow it would be gone. I drive 4 hours a week at a mininimum to school round trip. the next day I am sore. I am going in for time 2 to see if I can FIX the seat comfort.....ARGG see full Chevrolet Sonic review
 

2012 Chevrolet Sonic 4-door Sedan Specs - Powertrains and Tire Sizes

Trim LS LT LTZ
Standard Engine 1.8L I4
DOHC-4v
138 hp@6300
125 lb-ft@3800
1.8L I4
DOHC-4v
138 hp@6300
125 lb-ft@3800
1.8L I4
DOHC-4v
138 hp@6300
125 lb-ft@3800
Optional Engine(s) turbocharged
1.4L I4
DOHC-4v
138 hp@4900
148 lb-ft@1850
turbocharged
1.4L I4
DOHC-4v
138 hp@4900
148 lb-ft@1850
Standard Transmission5-speed manual5-speed manual5-speed manual
Optional Transmission(s)6-speed manually-shiftable automatic6-speed manually-shiftable automatic6-speed manually-shiftable automatic
  6-speed manual6-speed manual
Standard DrivetrainFWDFWDFWD
Standard Tires195/65R15 tires195/65R15 tires205/50R17 tires
Optional Tires 205/55R16 tires 

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2012 Chevrolet Sonic 4-door Hatch Specs - Powertrains and Tire Sizes

Trim LS LT LTZ
Standard Engine 1.8L I4
DOHC-4v
138 hp@6300
125 lb-ft@3800
1.8L I4
DOHC-4v
138 hp@6300
125 lb-ft@3800
1.8L I4
DOHC-4v
138 hp@6300
125 lb-ft@3800
Optional Engine(s) turbocharged
1.4L I4
DOHC-4v
138 hp@4900
148 lb-ft@1850
turbocharged
1.4L I4
DOHC-4v
138 hp@4900
148 lb-ft@1850
Standard Transmission5-speed manual5-speed manual5-speed manual
Optional Transmission(s)6-speed manually-shiftable automatic6-speed manually-shiftable automatic6-speed manually-shiftable automatic
  6-speed manual6-speed manual
Standard DrivetrainFWDFWDFWD
Standard Tires195/65R15 tires195/65R15 tires205/50R17 tires
Optional Tires 205/55R16 tires 

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TrueDelta Reviews the Powertrain of the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic

2012 Chevrolet Sonic Powertrain: Pros
YearComment
2013 The character of the Sonic RS's powertrain, unchanged aside from shorter gearing, suits that of its chassis. Long on competence, a bit short on thrills. Boosted by a turbocharger, the small four-cylinder engine possesses the plump midrange so clearly absent from all current competitors, including the Hyundai. For accessible grunt, nothing else in the segment comes close. Peak torque, 148 pound-feet, arrives at just 2,500 rpm (and at 1,850 with the automatic) vs. 123 at 4,850 in the Hyundai. But if you enjoy winding an engine out, well, there's no point in the Sonic. It's not that kind of engine. Owing to the tiny, lag-reducing size of the turbo, the 1.4 runs out of breath early, peaking at just 4,900 rpm (vs. 6,300 with the Accent's 1.6). A shame, as the shifter is more pleasant to operate than the crunchy, balky unit in the Hyundai. Ford is taking a different approach with the upcoming 2014 Fiesta ST, which will be powered by a 197-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter engine. Both Chevrolet and Hyundai have similar engines in their arsenals. If the Fiesta ST sells well, perhaps they'll offer these engines in the Sonic and Accent. see full Chevrolet Sonic review
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Powertrain of the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic

2012 Chevrolet Sonic Powertrain: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2012 4dr Sedan turbocharged 138hp 1.4L I4
6-speed manual FWD
The 1.4 liter Turbo is quiet, responsive and fast. In my opinion it is very much worth the $700 cost. in 25000 miles of mixed driving it has not had a problem. see full Chevrolet Sonic review
2012 4dr Sedan 138-horsepower 1.8L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
I love the Fact that it GIVES you the option of Manual Shifting with the Auto Package. I haven't TRIED it YET...But rest asure i will. see full Chevrolet Sonic review
2012 Chevrolet Sonic Powertrain: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2012 4dr Sedan turbocharged 138hp 1.4L I4
6-speed manual FWD
The 6 speed manual tramsmission action. It is very easy to miss gears due to the stickshift action. I have been driving stick since I was 12. I have driven everythig from trucks, economy cars even a volkswagen camper. They all had a better feel. The transmission has too much positive return to neutral. It also needs too much for and aft pressure to select a grear this makesit very easy to miss a gear. This is dangerous when downshifting then upshifting to merge onto the highway. see full Chevrolet Sonic review
2012 4dr Sedan 138-horsepower 1.8L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
As I meantioned before in the Pro, it sometimes tend to grumble at start up...but once you get past 15mph...it behaves, the gear settings i beleive is the issuse. It's no 0-60 in 3 secs but it will get up an Go...it's just sometimes ya have to Push it to make it go. see full Chevrolet Sonic review
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Tires of the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic

None of our members have yet commented on the tires of the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic.

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2012 Chevrolet Sonic MSRP and Invoice Prices

Body Trim Base Price Invoice Destination
4dr Sedan LS 13,865 13,518 795
4dr Sedan LT 15,065 14,462 795
4dr Sedan LTZ 16,665 15,832 795
4dr Hatch LS 14,765 14,396 795
4dr Hatch LT 15,865 15,230 795
4dr Hatch LTZ 17,365 16,497 795

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