My 2013 Sonic Turbo Sedan 6-spd replaces a 2000 Saturn SL2 (1.8L twin cam 5-spd), which finally gave up the ghost....a great car overall, just ran it into the ground. I just got back from a family vacation in the Sonic. San Diego to Florence, OR, via I-5, brief stop in Weaverville, CA (very windy mountain roads), then to Medford, OR, then up the Umpqua River valley to Florence, then back down Highway 101 to Oakland, then I-5/I-210/I-15 back to San Diego (glad we missed the Trayvon riots in LA on Sunday!). When I pulled into the driveway at home, the MPG calculator read 37.2mpg for the trip. Not bad, was hoping for better on the highway, but there were four of us, AC running most of the time, with the cavernous trunk stuffed full of bags and souvenirs, so that's probably not bad. Overall I'm very happy with my Sonic. Coming down Highway 101, which is a VERY windy road, up and down mountains, through the redwood forests, along coastline....breathtaking!....NOT A SINGLE CAR PASSED US from Florence, OR to Santa Rosa, CA, and only 2 motorcycles passed us.....my poor wife was white-knucled for 10 hours, but what a great break-in drive for the Sonic! I highly recommend taking a trip up or down the 101 if you never have, what a ride! Exhilarating and Exhausting! So, I made good use of the Turbo whenever a passing lane presented itself, and the overall decent handling helped tame the many mountain curves. As you all know, the Sonic is a tall car, oddly tall, so the body roll is probably more than a similar-sized, lower-riding coupe (the Sonic is a family sedan, after all), but even so body roll is quite minimal, very comfortable. At higher speeds, gears 3, 4, 5, and 6 are well-spaced, making gear selection for power-up and engine-braking shifts easy. The one place I don't like the gear spacing is between 1st and 2nd....it should be closer IMO, too big of a drop from 1st to 2nd, hard to keep up acceleration off the line. The SONIC is a much better road car than a drag car, which works for me MOST of the time. Also, occasionally, the turbo can really lag when coming out of a dead stop in 1st or a slow speed in 2nd; when making a jump into another lane, this could be a problem if you're expecting to get out of the way of oncoming traffic....doesn't always happen, just be careful until you really get used to the turbo response. The steering is VERY responsive, which, coupled with the short wheelbase, makes it pretty squirrelly on roads with truck ruts.....new, smooth roads it handles great! In tight turns it steers effortlessly, but on long, fast curves you have to pay attention...the easy steering could easily get away from you if you lose focus, or when going over any bumps, it can easily throw the car off the steering track. I guess you could say it's a driver's car! I still love to just look at it, LOOOOOOVE the styling. I can just imagine all those drivers I passed along the 101, seeing that sinister "cobra-style" face in their rear-view, before seeing a flash of blue and hearing the turbo growl on their left side (sometimes right, lots of oblivious drivers out there!). My two boys were pretty cramped in the back seat, but they didn't complain too much, and as I said, the huge trunk held all our luggage with ease. Sirius XM "70's on 7" kept me and the wife entertained; I personally don't like the touch-screen radio, and may ask the dealership if I can trade it back on a "regular radio", but I like the steering wheel controls. Happy to answer any questions from anyone who is considering a Sonic, esp. Sonic Turbo!
New owner in San Diego, CA - recent road trip!
- Thread starter Mad Mux
- Start date
Stew
Sedans Rule!
37.2 sounds real good for a combined mpg especially fully loaded and with A/C on like you said. I agree that the steering is pretty sensitive and takes a little getting used to, and that the spacing from 1st to 2nd is a little big, 2nd could stand to be a smidge shorter. When passing on the freeway dropping down to 3rd from 6th provides pretty lively acceleration, even on a stock tune; and I love the tall 6th gear for cruising on the freeway. Also, like you observed the body roll is pretty minimal for a tall-ish sedan.
Welcome!
Welcome!
Yosemite Sam
I Hates Rabbits!
Welcome to the family!! :banana:
Chevrolet Customer Care
New member
Welcome to the forum Mad Mux and congrats on your new Sonic! Glad to read that you are getting in some good summer driving. Please don't hesitate to send me a private message if you have any questions regarding your Sonic.
Jackie
Chevrolet Customer Care
Jackie
Chevrolet Customer Care
Thaifight-R
Pika Pii!!!
Welcome! 
You didn't happen to be in La Jolla the other day did you?
Spotted a Turbo LTZ Sedan with a lot of people in it. lol
You didn't happen to be in La Jolla the other day did you?
Spotted a Turbo LTZ Sedan with a lot of people in it. lol
Thanks all for the welcome!
New paragraph: you're right, didn't think I'd write that much, got carried away!
Nope, haven't taken her out to La Jolla yet....need to wash and wax her first!
Forgot to mention the reflection of the dash on the inside of the windshield, especially bad with the two-tone dash and glossy plastic. I wear polarized sunglasses in bright sunshine, and it helps A LOT! I suppose many cars have this problem. I'll probably get one of those black felt-like dash covers for it.
I knew going from my gold (tan) Saturn, which I never washed ('cause it's old, and doesn't show the dirt), to a deep blue new car, I'd have to break out the sponges and drying towels again.....regularly!
New paragraph: you're right, didn't think I'd write that much, got carried away!
Nope, haven't taken her out to La Jolla yet....need to wash and wax her first!
Forgot to mention the reflection of the dash on the inside of the windshield, especially bad with the two-tone dash and glossy plastic. I wear polarized sunglasses in bright sunshine, and it helps A LOT! I suppose many cars have this problem. I'll probably get one of those black felt-like dash covers for it.
I knew going from my gold (tan) Saturn, which I never washed ('cause it's old, and doesn't show the dirt), to a deep blue new car, I'd have to break out the sponges and drying towels again.....regularly!