Chevy Sonic Interior Opinion Thread
- Thread starter Sonic-Mike
- Start date
ChevyFan
Site Supporter
You can tell it is a lower end Chevy but they are still trying their best to appeal to a younger crowd with a fancy, space age looking dash. I don't hate it or love it. Funny enough there is a advertisment for the Cruze as I type this, and they look completely different other than the steering wheel. Thought they would have stole more of the Cruze design.
A few more pictures:
LorbeerTLC
Member
Not too excited...
--> I took a long look at the interior and I just wasn't too impressed. The "Motorcycle" style instrument cluster looks too simple (cheap?), like an afterthought. It's mounted in front of the dash, not integrated. The setup is very similar to its South Korean cousin, the Chevrolet Spark. However, the Spark's instrument cluster is reversed with an analog speedometer and the digitalized tachometer. In GM's defense, this setup may have saved them more money and pass the savings to its customers.
Motorcycle instruments are fine… on motorcycles. But I prefer Automobile instruments integrated in my dash when I buy a car.
I'm also a little old fashion as I like lots of gauges. Things like Water Temperature, Oil Pressure, Voltmeter (an Ammeter would be excellent, but you don't see those on cars anymore), even an Oil Temperature gauge would be nice too. Whether they're analog or digital doesn't matter. It's having the information available to know if a problem arises ahead of time can lead to taking proactive measures instead of a light coming on telling you it's too late.
One thing I really wish we had an option on the Sonic is an in-dash color Navigational screen. GM say's it would be too expensive claiming that it would be a $2,000 option that wouldn't be cost effective for the Sonic. Maybe so, but then it doesn't need to be the same kind that's offered on GM's mid and full size cars and trucks that use "Destination Download" through OnStar. A "junior" version similar to the ones offered by Garmin and Tom-Tom would be more practical and they cost around $300. An in-dash system like that would certainly look more professional than sticking it on your windshield.
The current monochrome screen available for "Directions and Connections" is fine for some, but for those whom have already been exposed to color nav systems, this feels like a step backwards. If GM does decide to offer a nav system for the Sonic in the not-too-distant-future, I sure hope they can be retro-fitted into the 2012 models.
-Tom
--> I took a long look at the interior and I just wasn't too impressed. The "Motorcycle" style instrument cluster looks too simple (cheap?), like an afterthought. It's mounted in front of the dash, not integrated. The setup is very similar to its South Korean cousin, the Chevrolet Spark. However, the Spark's instrument cluster is reversed with an analog speedometer and the digitalized tachometer. In GM's defense, this setup may have saved them more money and pass the savings to its customers.
Motorcycle instruments are fine… on motorcycles. But I prefer Automobile instruments integrated in my dash when I buy a car.
I'm also a little old fashion as I like lots of gauges. Things like Water Temperature, Oil Pressure, Voltmeter (an Ammeter would be excellent, but you don't see those on cars anymore), even an Oil Temperature gauge would be nice too. Whether they're analog or digital doesn't matter. It's having the information available to know if a problem arises ahead of time can lead to taking proactive measures instead of a light coming on telling you it's too late.
One thing I really wish we had an option on the Sonic is an in-dash color Navigational screen. GM say's it would be too expensive claiming that it would be a $2,000 option that wouldn't be cost effective for the Sonic. Maybe so, but then it doesn't need to be the same kind that's offered on GM's mid and full size cars and trucks that use "Destination Download" through OnStar. A "junior" version similar to the ones offered by Garmin and Tom-Tom would be more practical and they cost around $300. An in-dash system like that would certainly look more professional than sticking it on your windshield.
The current monochrome screen available for "Directions and Connections" is fine for some, but for those whom have already been exposed to color nav systems, this feels like a step backwards. If GM does decide to offer a nav system for the Sonic in the not-too-distant-future, I sure hope they can be retro-fitted into the 2012 models.
-Tom
Rand0m0sityxX
New member
Not too fond of the deck, i can't tell to well if its intergrated or not. I like swapping my stock decks out, mainly because i have an external XM and i have it installed in a clean un noticeable way
I'm really curious in the Cluster, I do hope the digital is better improved tho. My friend had a blazer with a digital speedo and gas gauge, and both were off, they didn't read accurately.
I'm really curious in the Cluster, I do hope the digital is better improved tho. My friend had a blazer with a digital speedo and gas gauge, and both were off, they didn't read accurately.
SouthFLSonic
Active member
Last post was 2011, but guess Halloween is right around the corner so Zombies threads are ok.....
SouthFLSonic
Active member
Alls good man just bustin chops and yes they would rather you bring back the dead than create whole new threads lol.
shorebreeze
Member
Overall very good in my view. Good looking despite hard touch plastics; having the center storage console relocated to above the glove box is extremely convenient especially in this day and age of USB connectivity and it opens up an extra cupholder, also very useful; doors open really wide which is great; good cupholders; a sense of spaciousness in front you don't often get; wonderful steering wheel, finally a company besides Toyota that understands the comfort of a thick steering wheel rim, Mylink system in Sonic is much better than most touch-sensitive ICE. Here's what I would change:
DIC on dashboard should be larger and have a couple more mode shift settings on the stick, to allow room for display of things like coolant temperature and tire pressure. But keep the digital speedometer; it has already prevented me from getting speeding tickets, I am absolutely convinced of that.
Plastics should be overall slightly thicker, and more tightly fitting, to cut down on rattles
Dynomat. Yes, I know it has more noise insulation than the Euro version or most other cars in its class, but it could use more still. This also might enable them to get away without thicker plastics from a rattling standpoint.
Armrests. Door rests should be padded; driver's rest should be an inch or inch and a half lower, or, better yet, adjustable.
Seats. Seat base cushions should be firmer, especially on the cloth seats. Front seats should be set higher which would improve legroom and visibility and give the back seat a little more space. LTZ leatherette needs to be replaced with the real thing, or a better fake product. Head restraint angle should be adjustable as not everyone likes to lean back at a 35 degree angle. If raising the installed seat height is not realistic, then bring the electric height adjustment over from the Cruze as it allows the seat to go straight up rather than up-and-forward, an important consideration for legroom.
DIC on dashboard should be larger and have a couple more mode shift settings on the stick, to allow room for display of things like coolant temperature and tire pressure. But keep the digital speedometer; it has already prevented me from getting speeding tickets, I am absolutely convinced of that.
Plastics should be overall slightly thicker, and more tightly fitting, to cut down on rattles
Dynomat. Yes, I know it has more noise insulation than the Euro version or most other cars in its class, but it could use more still. This also might enable them to get away without thicker plastics from a rattling standpoint.
Armrests. Door rests should be padded; driver's rest should be an inch or inch and a half lower, or, better yet, adjustable.
Seats. Seat base cushions should be firmer, especially on the cloth seats. Front seats should be set higher which would improve legroom and visibility and give the back seat a little more space. LTZ leatherette needs to be replaced with the real thing, or a better fake product. Head restraint angle should be adjustable as not everyone likes to lean back at a 35 degree angle. If raising the installed seat height is not realistic, then bring the electric height adjustment over from the Cruze as it allows the seat to go straight up rather than up-and-forward, an important consideration for legroom.
CheapFuneral
New member
Actually it's a bow tie...
If I die, bury me in my truck, because it's never been in a hole it can't get out of!
XilliK
New member
So... lately the door panel has been getting in the way and kind of makes me feel cramped. Also one thing i absolutely HATE is whenever I put my arm on the panel where the window comes up from it locks the doors and pinches the **** out of my skin and hurts like a bitch! The armrest/lack of a center console to rest on is also really getting to me... anybody buy an aftermarket one and if so how is it working out for you?