2017 Chevrolet Sonic
Chevrolet’s Sonic subcompact hatch and
sedan are entering the 2017 model year with a facelift that brings freshened up
looks and new tech features.
Exterior wise, out goes the quirky
front end design with the round headlamps, and in comes a softer and more
generic styling that echoes the global Chevrolet cues seen on vehicles ranging
from the Cruze and Trax all the way up to the Impala. Beyond the redesigned
hood and front bumper, the new headlamps can now incorporate available LED
daytime running lamps.
The round lighting units at
the back have been replaced with rectangular-shaped inner fixtures, with
Chevrolet also re-profiling the rear bumper.
Four new exterior colors have been added
to the palette for 2017, called Orange Burst Metallic, Brimstone, Cajun Red
Tintcoat and Arctic Blue Metallic (late availability).
We’ll have to wait for the 2017 Sonic’s
New York Auto Show debut next Wednesday to catch our first glimpse of the
subtly updated interior, but Chevrolet said that it gains “a new, detailed
gauge cluster incorporating an analog speedometer”, and new comfort and
convenience features that include a power driver’s seat, Keyless Open and
Start, heated cloth seats and new heated steering wheel.
There’s also a new 7-inch infotainment
system supporting the latest connectivity technologies, including Apple CarPlay
and Android Auto compatibility and 4G LTE with Wi-Fi hotspot.
Power will come from a standard
1.8-liter four-cylinder unit, and an available 138 hp 1.4-liter turbocharged
four offered with either six-speed automatic or manual transmissions.
The 2017 Sonic will reach North American
showrooms this fall in LS, LT and Premier trims with an available RS package on
sedan models, while the hatchback returns exclusively in RS guise, offered in
LT and Premier trims.
