Other than some color upgrades, there are no major changes of note for the 2020 Chevy Sonic. The manual transmission has been dropped. See the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic models for sale near you
For our money, the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic is one of the best subcompact cars available. If we were on a budget, we'd choose the LT with the Convenience and Driver Assist packages. But if we had a little more money to spend, the Premier offers just about everything we could want. In each case, we'd take the hatchback for its improved practicality -- even if it means spending a little extra cash. Find a 2020 Chevrolet Sonic for sale
The Chevrolet Sonic comes in three trim levels: the base-level LS, the midlevel LT and the upscale Premier.
The base LS model ($17,595) comes with an automatic transmission and 15-inch steel wheels as standard equipment, along with air conditioning, remote keyless entry, a rearview camera, MyLink with a 7-in touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, 10 airbags, Bluetooth, manual windows and a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel.
Next up is the midgrade LT ($19,495 sedan, $20,690 hatchback). It adds a 6-speaker sound system with Sirius XM radio, 15-in painted aluminum wheels, cruise control, power windows with one touch up and down and power-adjustable heated exterior mirrors.
The Premier ($21,595 sedan, $22,790 hatchback) adds a higher list of creature comforts, including heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a 6-way power driver's seat, keyless entry and ignition, leatherette seating surfaces and the contents of the RS package. Outside, 17-in aluminum wheels and a rear deck spoiler add a sporty look.
Additional options include the sporty RS package, the LT Convenience package (includes keyless entry and start, heated seats, a heated steering wheel and a 6-way power driver's seat) and the Driver Confidence package (rear park assist, lane-departure warning and forward-collision alert).
| Hatchback | Original MSRP / Price | Engine | Horsepower | City MPG / Hwy MPG | Transmission | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonic 5dr HB LT w/1FL | $17,220 / $16,600 | 4 Cylinder Turbo | 138 | 26 / 34 | 6-Speed Shiftable Automatic | FWD |
| Sonic 5dr HB LT w/1SD | $19,420 / $18,720 | 4 Cylinder Turbo | 138 | 26 / 34 | 6-Speed Shiftable Automatic | FWD |
| Sonic 5dr HB Premier | $21,520 / $20,745 | 4 Cylinder Turbo | 138 | 26 / 34 | 6-Speed Shiftable Automatic | FWD |
| Sedan | Original MSRP / Price | Engine | Horsepower | City MPG / Hwy MPG | Transmission | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonic 4dr Sdn LS | $16,720 / $16,118 | 4 Cylinder Turbo | 138 | 26 / 34 | 6-Speed Shiftable Automatic | FWD |
| Sonic 4dr Sdn LT | $18,620 / $17,949 | 4 Cylinder Turbo | 138 | 26 / 34 | 6-Speed Shiftable Automatic | FWD |
| Sonic 4dr Sdn Premier | $20,720 / $19,974 | 4 Cylinder Turbo | 138 | 26 / 34 | 6-Speed Shiftable Automatic | FWD |
The Sonic boasts a slew of standard safety features, including a class-leading 10 airbags, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes and crash-collapsible pedals to protect the driver's feet and legs. Safety options include forward-collision alert, lane-departure warning and rear park assist.
The Sonic has received a 5-Star overall crash-test rating from the federal government's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. To earn that rating, it scored five stars in frontal- and side-impact tests and four stars in rollover tests.
| Basic | 3 Years/36,000 Miles |
| Drivetrain | 5 Years/60,000 Miles Qualified Fleet Purchases |
| Corrosion | 3 Years/36,000 Miles |
| Rust-Through | 6 Years/100,000 Miles |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 Years/60,000 Miles Qualified Fleet Purchases |
| Maintenance | 1 Year/1 Visit |
2020 Hyundai Accent -- The Hyundai Accent offers a higher level of sophistication, with upscale styling and performance but no hatchback model. Standard equipment is generous, and the Accent has a better standard warranty than the Sonic.
2020 Nissan Versa -- Nissan's latest Versa can't match the Sonic for driving enjoyment. Pricing, however, is a strong suit, as the Versa remains one of the least expensive cars on sale.
2020 Toyota Yaris -- The Yaris is competitively priced but has a new design and more standard driver assist safety features. Based on the European Mazda2 (we don't get it here), the Yaris and Yaris 5-door also get better gas mileage than the Sonic.
Used Chevrolet Cruze -- If you like the Sonic but want more space or more power, consider the larger Chevy Cruze. It's both bigger and more powerful, but its price is a bit higher, so you may want to consider a used model.
A modern subcompact car offers about as much space as the compact cars sold 15 years ago.
