The latest-generation Chevrolet Onix may have debuted in China as a sedan, but in South America the subcompact model follows tradition and is available as a five-door hatchback as well. Customers from Brazil, Argentina, and other Latin American markets will be able to buy it both as a hatchback, in which case the name is Chevrolet Onix, and a sedan, marketed as the Chevrolet Onix Plus.

Styling-wise, the Onix hatch looks identical to the Onix Plus sedan from the front to the C-pillar, with the hatchback rear end adopting more compact taillights with a different shape. In Brazil, both the Onix sedan and hatchback offer the same Ecotec engine lineup consisting of a 1.0-liter naturally aspirated three-cylinder gasoline engine rated at 82 PS and 104 Nm of torque, and a turbocharged 1.0-liter unit making 116 PS and 165 Nm of torque.


The turbo engine offers the option of a six-speed automatic transmission while the base unit is fitted with a five-speed manual only. Both engines run on gasoline and ethanol alike. In Argentina however, the base engine is a 1.2-liter naturally aspirated three-cylinder unit rated at 90 PS and 115 Nm of torque.

Fitted with the 1.0-liter turbo engine, the Chevy Onix Plus sedan accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.7 seconds. With the base engine and manual gearbox, the model returns 5.9 liters/100 km (40 mpg US) on the highway when running on gasoline (8.2 l/100 km or 28.7 mpg US when fed with ethanol).


Compared to the previous-generation Onix, the 2020 model is longer, wider and has a longer wheelbase, offering a roomier interior. It is also more technologically advanced, with available features including the latest-generation MyLink multimedia system with a Wi-Fi hotspot that allows for over-the-air updates, Android Auto and Apple CarPay connectivity, semi-autonomous parking assistant, wireless mobile phone charger, blind spot monitoring, hill start assist, and speed limiter.

In Brazil, the new Onix Plus sedan has launched in September and will be followed in November by the Onix hatch. Both models will arrive in Argentina in December. Available trim levels in both countries will include Onix, LT, LTZ, and Premier.