IIHS Crash Test
Good
MPG (up to)
25 -27 City / 33 -37 HWY
Horsepower
138
Seats
5
Front passenger 3/4 w/ wheels turned.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Dustin D
Digital dash and center console. Easy to read easy to use.
Great on gas. Easy to read dash. Bluetooth connection is very helpful. Comfortable for the size. Enough storage in the back for transportation.
accountCircle Carolyn H
The Sonic is the best purchase!
I have not had any problems since I bought this car in 2013. It is a very reliable car. The captains chair makes it very comfortable. It has great features such as hands free calling and USB ports. I really enjoy this car and plan on keeping it for a long time.
accountCircle Bryanna C
The chevy sonic love review.
My car is small and simple and perfect for college student or high schooler. This car definitely does not fit for a mom of kids. My dogs are big dogs and do not fit too comfortably in it so I may have to upgrade. But this car was perfect for me when I didn't have dogs and I was traveling to and from my boyfriends. I also love the cheap refuel bill!
accountCircle Anna N
I love my sonic. Great in the snow.
I had a sonic before and in both I had to change engine oil cooler, expensive repair. Otherwise it has just been standard maintenance. Handles well in the snow-with really good snow tires, not so great with all season tires. Would be nice if it came with a roof rack standard.
accountCircle Mary R
It is economic, but it is really fast.
My vehicle is very economic, it had an issue with a fuel valve I had to change, apparently it would not close due to some particle in the fuel and every time I put gas the car would not start easily.
accountCircle Felicia G
Chevrolet Sonic Review and Performance
The Chevrolet Sonic is very compact, yet spacious. It's on the road performance is great; getting an average of about 28-32 miles per gallon city. It's a reliable car.
accountCircle Colleen W
A great car for young adult.
I am a new owner of the Chevy sonic. I love the features of this car. The touch screen GPS, radio and Bluetooth capabilities make traveling in this vehicle a delight. The car handles well and I prefer this smaller vehicle over my last which was an SUV. The sonic has a backup camera that makes it easy to back in and out of parking spaces. The car also has a satellite radio feature giving you great options for your listening pleasure. I wish this car had better seat adjustment features. The adjustment options are manual and the seat can become uncomfortable after long periods of driving. Better back support is desired. I like the storage features in the console. There are two glove compartments and plenty of drink holders. There are also additional compartments to hold your phone and garage door openers, etc. The design of the foot and pedal placement could be better. Sometimes my leg rubs against the side of the area while using the gas pedal.
accountCircle Grace L
Favorite is the option for automatic headlights.
Smooth drive for all passengers within the vehicle, includes steady air flow from front to back, comfortable seating, and has nice size trunk for any necessities. Includes the option for automatic headlights so you do not have to worry about turning them on. Bluetooth settings are wonderful for phone conversations and personal music.

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle Jessica E
The Chevy sonic is totally impractical.
My Chevy sonic does not meet my personal needs. I live in an area with harsh, snowy winters, and the sonic is regularly not powerful enough to overcome minor slippage, even with brand new tires. Other features also make this car unsatisfactory: it has a 10-gallon fuel tank, so I have to stop at a gas station quite frequently. The horn is very wimpy sounding; it does not call attention in any way that is not embarrassing, and it has proved ineffective at performing its main function. Another big problem is the enormous blind spot in the rearview mirror, caused by the rear passenger headrests. These headrests are not removable, and frequently obstruct my view out the back windshield. Other than these larger problems, there are several trivial issues adding to the frustration: there is no center console between the front seats, with a poorly positioned, tiny arm rest only on the driver's side; the touch screen is not very responsive and needs to be pressed quite hard; the Bluetooth is very finicky and constantly needs to be reset. I will say, however, that when the Bluetooth (and other audio) are operating correctly, the sound quality is excellent, as is the volume range.
accountCircle Kimberly H
No pick up speed to it at all.
It is good on gas and is small. I do not like the fact it does not have any speed or pick up to it. I do love the color of it which is a sky blue.
accountCircle John McCartney
7 major repairs under 50,000 miles
I loved this car for the first 24,000 miles. It looks great, perfect for inner city parking. Gas mileage sucks, around 22mph at best, but so much fun driving the turbo engine. The gear shift lever broke at 24,000 miles. At 24,500 the windshield washer tune came loose in the hood and ruined the under hood liner. No liner replacement but they plugged in the hose to fix it. I have fixed it myself at least 3 more times. I kept smelling coolant at 29,000 miles, but they kept telling me they could find nothing ( 2 days without a car and no rental offered ) At 38,000 my car suddenly overheated, I towed it to the dealer, it was a cracked thermostat housing. Under warranty, no car for 2 days and no rental offered. At 39,500 the air conditioning died and it was out of warranty for that. $400 from my own mechanic. He was very surprised it died to soon. I was too! At just over 44,000 miles, I smelled coolant again. It was time for a new radiator!! Not covered, the dealer wanted $1300. They were surprised it went to quickly, and got me a “deal” from GM to “only” pay $500. The water pump also was bad and replaced under warranty. At 47,000 miles the gear shift lever broke again, I replaced it myself with the help of eBay and YouTube for under $20. Now, at just over 49,000 miles I smell coolant again, take it back to the dealer where they replaced the radiator 6 months before believing it was under warranty from their previous repair, but now it is the coolant recovery tank that is broken and they want another $400 to fix a $47.00 part. They asked GM if they wanted to help me out again, since all this is happening under 50,000 miles, but I got a big NO. I paid $150 for the diagnosis and am taking it to my mechanic and having it done for under $200, so I save at least $50 and have the pleasure of never giving Chevy any more of my money.
accountCircle Lauren F
Worst car I've ever owned
Very uncomfortable. The engine light came on at 30k miles with a timing belt issue. Worst car I've ever owned. It has zero pickup while accelerating and there are problems with the transmission at only 50k miles. The only good thing about this car is the stereo.
accountCircle Sarah C
It is very small. Not a whole lot of space inside.
The car is just to small. Not a lot of space. Very easy to drive, not many problems. Good gas mileage.
accountCircle Michelle R
My falling apart Chevrolet sonic.
Since having the car I have had to replace the battery at least 3 times. I have also had to have a piece replaced related to the heat and air working, the piece was made out of plastic so it does not last and now the same parts are made of metal. I have also had issues with my car shaking not sure what causes that.
accountCircle Cassidy B
My car runs well. It has had a lot of mechanical issues.
There isn't anything good to this car unless you need a family car. It has very little room.
accountCircle Jordan C
Pretty good first car all and all.
As the car gets older the more and more problems I have with it. Now easy or cheap fixes. I do still get good gas mileage, which is nice. It has been a good first car. I have had a lot of computer issues with the car though. I do love the size and space in the back.

Chevrolet Sonic Models

Models also known as Trim Levels, are used to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features.

car
LS
138 HP 28-31 MPG 5 Seats
car
LT
138 HP 28-31 MPG 5 Seats
car
LTZ
138 HP 28-31 MPG 5 Seats
car
RS
138 HP 28 MPG 5 Seats
Photos may not match model

2014 Chevrolet Sonic Owner Reviews

4.04
434 Reviews
close Write Review
5 stars 39%
4 stars 34%
3 stars 22%
2 stars 4%
1 star 1%
accountCircle Amber on October 11, 2021
Awful
1) In the shop for 2 months. Needed fuel panel replacement. Tried a used one which was a dud. Couldn't get a new one because they were on national backorder, then GM went on strike. Finally tried a second used on that worked. Few months later, computer was completely replaced. Now during all of this check engine light. Code showed thermostat which was replaced. Again several months later, same thing. Again thermostat was replaced. It was good for three week...CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. SAID THERMOSTAT AGAIN! Finally blew a head gasket. SONIC IS GONE!
accountCircle Laura C on June 22, 2021
Charging ports for my cell phone to plug my charger in play my music on.
My vehicle looks good, has cruise control, has speakers to speak with while on the phone. It rides nice and is conveniently sized so that I can park anywhere comfortably. My car also has enough room in it to fit 5 people comfortably in it. The price was great also.

Pros from Owners

likeFilled Caitlyn B.

This is a small vehicle, but it has a roomy inside that comfortable fits 5 people. It gets wonderful gas mileage, both in the city and on the highway. I have the hatchback version, which allows me extra room for carrying things that I need. The seats are cloth and very easy to clean.

likeFilled Monique M.

Flat foldable rear seats for extra trunk space. Comfortable seats and armrest for driver. Bluetooth connect with USB port for charging phones/other devices. Gas efficient. Nice digital display; with current mileage readings, mileage left before empty,

likeFilled Agnes Y.

My 2014 Chevy sonic has very many pros. In fact, my car has more pros than cons. The pros of my car include great gas mileage, 4 door, large trunk, Bluetooth, and many more. The one thing I love about my car the most is not only is it cute and compact but it is very cheap on gas. A full tank from completely empty has only been at most $32. I would not have to refill for a good week and half to two weeks.

likeFilled Jason P.

Gas economy so that it is good on the road. It also helps me know how much gas is left in the tank. It is also easy to drive as it feels like a little go kart. Parking it is also easy as well as it is compact.

likeFilled Renee W.

I love the color. Carolina Blue! I can take my car anywhere. It has a lot of cargo room for its size. It gets fairly good gas mileage. I took the car out west to Colorado, Arizona, and Utah and it did really well.

likeFilled Kelli P.

Good gas mileage. Room interior and trunk. Comfortable. Sporty looking. Fit 3 to 4 comfortably. Good interior. Tires are good shape. Perfect first car. Good for small family. Runs smooth. Manages corners like a sports car.

likeFilled Victoria A.

Very compact but has a lot of trunk space. It gets great gas mileage city and highway. Lots of storage space and cup holders. Seats are stain resistant, which is always a plus. Headlights are automatic.

likeFilled Lindsey W.

Bluetooth Connection, Fast Car, Loudspeakers, Safe for my child, Air bags all over the car, Compact; can fit into any parking spot, Option of OnStar, Sirius Radio option, Touch Screen Radio, Controls are easy to understand.

Cons from Owners

dislikeFilled Caitlyn B.

There are a few blind spots on this car that make it a little difficult to drive. This car does not have power windows, despite being one of the most upgraded models of 2014. It can also be difficult to work on in terms of the engine. Everything is so compact that panels need to be removed to get to certain parts of the engine.

dislikeFilled Monique M.

Not great for tall individuals. Smaller vehicle, so not ideal for families. Graco and Chicco car seats do not fit the best in the rear seats. I am constantly having to put air in my tires, more than just during standard maintenance checks. I am not sure if it has to do with the rims of my car or the construction of it.

dislikeFilled Agnes Y.

The cons of my Chevy sonic is it might be too small for me now that I am out of high school. I think my next car should be a bit bigger. Another cons is it has lots of small dents on the side of my car from door dings. I also have a chip in the paint in the front of the door from someone who backed into me but the damage is so small you can not even tell.

dislikeFilled Jason P.

Lags on power when trying to get up and go. Needs more horsepower so it can get going on the freeway. Another thing that is needed for it is that it needs a little bit more elbow room so 2 people in the front can put seatbelts on at the same time.

dislikeFilled Renee W.

The computer mechanics is a little weird. It tells me I have engine trouble when I do not. I had to change the transmission soon after getting the car. It would be nice if the car was a hybrid or all electric.

dislikeFilled Kelli P.

Small interior for 4 adults. Is a stick shift. Gas cap is on the passenger side. The windows are not electronic. The seats are light grey and easily stained. Small tires. Low seats in the front. Minimal leg room in the back. Would be hard to fit a car seat.

dislikeFilled Victoria A.

There are not very many cons I believe to the car. It is very low to the ground so some people might think that is a con. It will not connect Bluetooth music to the car, but it does have an aux cable and you can make phone calls with it.

dislikeFilled Lindsey W.

Not enough leg room; when sitting in backseat, Too small at times, Touch screen freezes a lot, No CD player, I do not know what else to write. That is really all. Just those issues and nothing else..

Ranks #32 Small Cars by Owners

The 2014 Chevrolet Sonic has an average owner rating of 4.11 out of 5 which ranks it #32 of 39 other Small Cars.

1
car
4.75
2
car
4.71
32
car
4.05

Ranks #10 Small Cars by Fuel Economy

The 2014 Chevrolet Sonic has a combined MPG of 40 which ranks it #10 of 39 other Small Cars.

1
car
122 MPG
2
car
48 MPG
10
Tie
car
35 MPG

Is The 2014 Chevrolet Sonic A Good Car?

Yes. It has been a reliable source of transportation for me over the years. I got into a car minor accident, and it held up extremely well, with minimal damage to the bumper only. The car has been... Read More
Elsa Y.
Yes, our family likes it, and it looks sporty. It gets good gas mileage and has good space for small car.
Jonathan M.
Yes it rides well and it is excellent on gas. Looks good and had a great safety rating. I enjoy driving this vehicle.
Renae Q.
Yes it is a very good reliable car. It gets good mileage per gallon and has good horsepower. I love my car.
Kathryn F.
The car is not a good car. I've been trying to trade it in cause it's such a bad car. I would trade this car as soon as a can.
Cynthia P.
It is very well done reliable vehicle. Handles awesomely around corners while it has a little bit of boost to pick up the speed. The torque being higher than the horses is also a great plus as well.
T C.
It is a good vehicle because it is compact and does what it needs to do. I do not have trouble with it and it has all the basic functions necessary.
Ingrid A.
Yes, it is very reliable and has great gas mileage. Since it is a smaller car, it's really great for parking too.
Sasha T.

How Reliable Is The 2014 Chevrolet Sonic?

Yes. It was mostly reliable aside from a few issues. Some issues involved the dealership not knowing why the check engine light was on for 3 years- the issue still never got resolved. Also- the car... Read More
Elsa Y.
Only real issue is a malfunctioning air/heating system - need to repair a switch. It is not a quick steep hill climber, but that is not a big deal.
Jonathan M.
This is a new car for me. I have only had it for about two months. It has been very reliable. Drove it on a 1000 mile road trip and was very pleased.
Renae Q.
I have had to fix several parts over the years but overall is a good reliable car. I wouldn't trade it for anything else.
Kathryn F.
It has a tons of mechanical problems. I thought I was getting a great car but it was all lies. I would love a Toyota instead.
Cynthia P.
Some problems slight though but it is pretty great vehicle to have with a reliable engine inside of it.
T C.
The car is reliable as I use it to commute to work and travel long distances. The only problems I have had with the car is because of the amount of time I have had it.
Ingrid A.
It is reliable. I have had to change the transmission once but it was governed under the drive time warranty.
Aubrey S.

Is The 2014 Chevrolet Sonic A Good Value?

The value of my vehicle now is about 2,500 at most. I feel that it has depreciated in the value (according to the Chevrolet dealership) more than I would have thought for. I believe it was about... Read More
Elsa Y.
26k. I believe the price was a little steep, but not too bad for the quality and condition for a used car. As long as it continues to serve us well, I believe it was a good buy.
Jonathan M.
This is a used vehicle that I recently purchased. It has very low miles and was an excellent deal. Good value.
Renae Q.
I do not remember the exact cost of the car. Somewhere around $17000. But it is a very good value for the car.
Kathryn F.
It was overpriced for the quality of car. 12 grand was way too much for this car. Next time I will really do my research on cars.
Cynthia P.
Only 7000 it is a great price for the car and the car really does hold its value I think I should be more but at the same time it is a great deal on this type of car.
T C.
I bought my car used and it did not cost me a lot less than 10,000.00. I will be paying it off in less than three years. I think it is a good value for the car.
Ingrid A.
The car cost 16000. Yes it was a good value and the payments are low. It gives really good gas mileage.
Stephanie M.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the 2014 Chevy Sonic coolant type?

Answer: The 2014 Chevy Sonic coolant type is Yellow 50/50. You will come across many issues with an engine. A spark plug may pop off, causing engine trouble. A gasket may be loose and that needs to be tightened up...

Where is the 2014 chevy sonic temperature sensor located?

Answer: The 2014 Chevy Sonic thermostat is in the thermostat housing on the lower coolant line. The thermostat is what measures the temperature of the coolant running through the line, and from there it can determine...

What kind of oil does a 2014 chevy sonic take?

Answer: The 2014 Chevy Sonic is a popular subcompact car due to its rugged no frills, no fuSSReputation. Despite its carefree notoriety, You still need to do manufacturer recommended maintenance as well as regular oil...

What is the 2014 chevy sonic lt oil type?

Answer: Your 2014 Chevrolet Sonic LT can come with one of three different engines depending on Your chosen configuration, which don't affect oil type, but they do affect capacity. The 1.4L 4Cylinder and the 1.8L...

What is code 52 for the 2014 chevy sonic?

Answer: Code 52 on a Chevy Sonic is a maintenance reminder code, it will turn on at 100,000 miles and it is there to remind You to get Your vehicle to a Chevy dealer or service center for a service. The 100,000 mile...

Answers are provided by third parties. We do not guarantee accuracy of responses

Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Logo
NHTSA Crash Test
(Not Rated)
*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
IIHS Logo
IIHS Crash Test

Moderate Overlap Front

Side

Roof Strength

Driver-side Overlap Front

*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety