Chevrolet has set the suggested retail price for the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS at $20,995 (including destination, a level we’d call unconsidered given what the competition can offer for that sort of money. The Sonic RS is even more unreasonable, costing $22,280. That’s $1,285 just for an automatic transmission!
Let’s look at what the Sonic RS has to offer before judging it too harshly. The car comes with an Ecotec 1.4-liter turbo engine developing 138 horsepower and 148 lb-ft (200 Nm) of peak torque.
Ford is working on bringing the Fiesta ST Stateside this year, and this should offer 178 horsepower for what we expect to be $22,500.
Meanwhile, Scion can sell you the not-so-new but still attractive tC coupe for under $19,480. That car has 180 horsepower and 18-inch wheels. And let’s not forget about the $24,955 FR-S, a true sportscar for just $2,675 more than the automatic Sonic RS.
If you’re concerned about the practicality and the build quality, why not buy $20,850 VW Passat. Clearly, the Sonic is not enough car for the money. Even Hyundai has something better, the 201 hp Veloster Turbo for $21,950.
Production of the Sonic RS will start in October at the Orion Assembly Plant in Michigan.
John Buttermore, Sonic's Lead Development Engineer, previews the interior and expterior details of the performance-inspired 2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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