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Chevrolet Sonic

57 messages,  Last post on May 12, 2013 at 8:23 AM

You are in the Chevrolet Sonic Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Sonic, Hatchback, Sedan

Messages Page 3 of 6

#20 of 57 Another press request by KarenS HOST

Mar 06, 2012 (11:34 am)

A reporter is looking to hear from a driver of a Ford Focus, Ford Fiesta, Chevy Cruze or Chevy Sonic who previously drove a compact from a Japanese automaker, such as the Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic. If you currently drive a Focus, Fiesta, Cruze or Sonic, and are willing to share your story with a reporter, please email PRedmunds.com no later than the end of business Tuesday, March 6, 2012 with your daytime contact information.

#21 of 57 Horsepower / Torque by laserblue

Mar 16, 2012 (10:10 am)

I'm looking forward to buying a 2012 Sonic LT (not the turbo type) and I have a couple of questions regarding this car.
  Could someone explain to me the differences between hp and torque?
  Which of those are more important?
  This is the use I will do with the car...
  I work at home and will use it to do errands around town but once a year my wife and I always take a long road trip minimum mileage one way 1,400 miles, either (north-south) crossing the Appalachians Mountains or (east-west) crossing the Rockies (more challenging) the car being loaded with luggage and 1 cooler (but will never pull a trailer).
  Will this car be a good choice for us with it's hp and torque.
  Do it have enough hp or torque for my usage?

#22 of 57 Re: Horsepower / Torque [laserblue] by dodgeman07

Mar 20, 2012 (9:47 pm)

Replying to: laserblue (Mar 16, 2012 10:10 am)
I highly recommend getting the 1.4L Turbo engine. Torque is "twisting power" and is felt more off the line when you get a car rolling. Horsepower is energy output (to me) at a specific level. The key is often where in the power-band (RPMs) that an engine makes usable torque and horsepower.
 
The 1.4L Turbo engine produces much more usable torque at low RPMs and is a better engine than the 1.8L. Mountain driving with a load will push the 1.8L engine to it's limits. Go with a Sonic LT w/turbo.

#23 of 57 Re: Horsepower / Torque [dodgeman07] by bpizzuti

Mar 21, 2012 (7:08 am)

Replying to: dodgeman07 (Mar 20, 2012 9:47 pm)
Did they make it available with the automatic yet?

#24 of 57 Re: Horsepower / Torque [bpizzuti] by dodgeman07

Mar 21, 2012 (9:54 pm)

Replying to: bpizzuti (Mar 21, 2012 7:08 am)
Yes, the 1.4L Turbo is available with an automatic except on base LS models where the 1.8L is the only engine choice.

#25 of 57 Re: Horsepower / Torque [dodgeman07] by laserblue

Mar 22, 2012 (10:23 am)

Replying to: dodgeman07 (Mar 21, 2012 9:54 pm)
I also thought that the turbo was available only with the "standard" transmission only.
   Great! Turbo with an automatic transmission.
   Might be be the one, then I could get more torque to load it and go on my trips and face those mountains.

#26 of 57 Passenger Seat Air Bag activation by sonic_owner

Mar 29, 2012 (4:57 pm)

Did anyone know that the person sitting in the front passenger seat has to be more then 103lbs or the air bag will not activate? I did not, I found out when my 94lb wife sat there and it did not go on. I inquired with Chevy and there answer was that is the way we designed it. I own a Traverse and the air bag goes on when she sits in that car. I am not sure if I would have purchased the car knowing that.

#27 of 57 Re: Passenger Seat Air Bag activation [sonic_owner] by dodgeman07

Mar 29, 2012 (9:10 pm)

Replying to: sonic_owner (Mar 29, 2012 4:57 pm)
You have bad information and should contact Chevrolet Customer Service. Many 10 to 12 year old children, and some teenagers, would have no airbag protection if that was true.
 
I had a Malibu a few years ago that would activate it's passenger airbag around 60 lbs. I know this because a heavy box would cause the "Fasten Seat Chime" to activate with the airbag "on" light at that weight.
 
Some vehicles are set up differently and can be adjusted by the dealership. Until you get it resolved, try having your wife fasten her seat prior to starting the vehicle. That may activate the passenger airbag in the interim.

#29 of 57 out-gassing? by steve_ HOST

May 08, 2012 (2:43 pm)

The Inside Line editors are looking for Sonic owners who have odor problems to describe them for us: What's the odor? What did they do about it? Did they complain to GM? What happened then?
 
More in the Long Term Road Test blogs.
 
Thanks!

Messages Page 3 of 6

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