Road Test: Impressive 2012 Chevy Sonic

The 2012 Sonic subcompact is the latest strong entry from small-car specialist Chevrolet. Wait. Let me try again. I promise I'll get through that sentence without laughing. Give me one more chance.

Chevrolet's not a small-car specialist. Never has been. But still . . . The three newest, and three of the best, cars in Chevy showrooms are the subcompact Sonic, compact Cruze and electric Volt. Something's going on here.

Chevy built its brand image on powerful sports cars, roomy family sedans and rugged pickups. Its honor roll includes the Camaro, Corvette, Malibu and Silverado, not uninspired small cars like the Chevette, Vega, Cavalier and Cobalt.

But all of a sudden, Chevrolet is pumping out excellent small cars like a Pez dispenser.

The Sonic's impressive list of features includes 10 air bags, a spunky and fuel-efficient turbocharged 1.4-liter engine, responsive handling and attractive, contemporary styling.

The car's interior materials and voice recognition for hands-free phone calls need work, but the Sonic has a lot going for it. Chevrolet's new line of small cars could be the start of something big.

Sonic prices start at $13,735 for a sedan, $14,635 for a hatchback. Adding a six-speed automatic raises the price to $14,805 for the sedan and $15,705 for the hatch. An optional turbocharged 1.4-liter engine and six-speed manual transmission for $700 give the Sonic plenty of pep and add 1 mile per gallon to its EPA highway fuel economy rating.

I tested a Sonic LTZ hatchback with the turbocharged engine and six-speed manual transmission. It cost $17,935.

The passenger compartment has more room than the Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Accent and Toyota Yaris. Headroom is particularly generous. The hatchback offers a useful 19.0 cubic feet of cargo capacity -- 30.7 with the rear seats folded flat.

The Sonic's voice-recognition system for hands-free phone calls is poor. The sound quality of hands-free calls is quite good, however. Wind and road noise are minimal, even at high speeds and over bumpy surfaces.

The Sonic's handling is responsive and enjoyable. The steering provides good feedback. The suspension absorbs bumps well and holds the car stable through fast curves and other enthusiastic maneuvers. The Sonic's quick steering and small size make it ridiculously easy to park.

The Sonic I tested rated 29 mpg city, 40 on the highway and 33 in combined driving. The combined rating matches the best subcompacts on the road.

2012 Chevrolet Sonic LTZ hatchback
Car tested: Front-wheel drive five-passenger subcompact
Base price: $14,365 for hatchback; $13,735 for sedan
Price as tested: $17,935
Rating: Three out of four stars
Reasons to buy: Fuel economy, performance, looks
Shortcomings: Interior materials, phone voice recognition