Test Drive: Chevrolet Sonic surprises those who think it's Onix

Chevrolet is betting heavily on Sonic 2027 as a way to stand out in sales in Brazil. The model arrives on the market at a time of strong competition between compact utility vehicles and crossovers derived from hatches, a segment that brings together names such as Fiat Pulse, Renault Kardian and Volkswagen Tera. During an evaluation between Confins and Inhotim, in Minas Gerais, the new model revealed a proposal aimed at consumers looking for a high driving position, an updated look and a mechanical package already known from the Chevrolet line.

Although the brand treats the Sonic as a coupe SUV with a sporty profile, the model is positioned closer to a compact crossover. The structure derives directly from the Onix platform, but with important visual changes to the front and rear, as well as structural adjustments and expansion of the trunk.

In practice, the Sonic 2027 takes advantage of much of the architecture of GM's compact hatch, including cabin, dashboard and engine. The main difference appears in the external design, which incorporates a new LED light signature at the rear and higher lines, following the current trend in the Brazilian market.

Under the hood, the Chevrolet Sonic uses a 1.0 three-cylinder turbo engine with direct injection, capable of delivering 115 hp. The transmission is a six-speed automatic. The set is similar to that already applied to other compact Chevrolet models, including the oil-bathed timing belt system.

Chevrolet Sonic RS 2027 in Inhotim (MG): B-SUV has good steering setup - Thiago Ventura/CNN
This component, in fact, continues to be a frequent topic among consumers and owners. According to GM, the system has undergone recent updates and now uses a new belt specification, developed to increase durability. Another point highlighted was the component's extended warranty, which reaches up to 15 years or 240,000 kilometers under certain maintenance conditions.

In our test, the main highlight was the suspension setup. Compared to Onix and Tracker, Sonic showed firmer behavior, but without compromising comfort on uneven floors. On urban and highway routes, the crossover demonstrated good stability in curves and quick responses when restarting, especially considering the vehicle's urban proposal.

Chevrolet Sonic RS 2027 at Inhotim (MG): B-SUV has good steering setup - Thiago Ventura/CNN
The performance also proved to be adequate for the category. Even with two occupants and luggage, the model maintained consistent responses in road use. The light electric steering and balanced acoustic insulation reinforce the proposal for everyday use. I came out very excited: I was expecting an Onix, but Sonic has his own identity behind the wheel.

In the area of safety, Sonic 2027 expands the range of driving assistants compared to Onix. Available features include lane departure warning, lane keeping assistant and emergency braking system. The package places the model in a competitive position within the entry-level compact crossover segment.

Still, some equipment was left out. The absence of adaptive cruise control (ACC) draws attention, mainly because direct competitors already offer the technology in equivalent versions. The model also does not have paddle shifts for manual changes on the steering wheel, a common feature in some options in the category.

Chevrolet Sonic RS 2027 in Serra do Rola Moça (MG): B-SUV has a good steering setup - Thiago Ventura/CNN
Visually, the Sonic tries to differentiate itself from other compact Chevrolets without completely breaking with the brand's identity. The elevated rear and interconnected optical assembly help create a more robust appearance, while the cabin preserves solutions already known from the Onix family.

Pre-sale prices remain at R$129,990 for the Premier version and reach R$135,990 for the RS configuration, evaluated during the test. According to Chevrolet, the model has already accumulated around 14,000 initial orders, indicating good market reception at this point.

The challenge now will be to maintain the pace after the initial impact of the new development. In an increasingly competitive segment, Sonic bets on a balance between design, equipment and handling to gain space among compacts with an adventurous profile that dominate sales in Brazil. However, GM needs to pay attention: future Chinese cars like the Omoda 4 and the Dolphin Hybrid could take sales.

Chevrolet Sonic RS 2027 in Inhotim (MG): B-SUV has good steering setup - Thiago Ventura/CNN
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Source: CNN