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

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Katins P
Sonic is perfect for a small family or single person.
I love my sonic. It is perfect for a small family or single person. Plenty of room for bags or storage. Plus the fold down back seats allow for flexibility of storage. Also has plenty of safety features. Especially for car seats. Latch system on both seats.
accountCircle Katie K
Unique and reliable, perfect for a commuter!
I drive the hatchback model, which I love, because the bottom part of the trunk lifts up for permanent storage space, and I can lower the seats for even more storage. It gets great gas mileage, and I drive 45 minutes daily to work. The seats are comfortable, and the heated option is incredible. It is really reliable and I have never had any significant issues.
accountCircle Cheyenne W
Affordable, reliable, with very little to complain about.
Reliable, good on gas, comfortable, good mileage, easy to use features, sits low to ground so it is easy for things to get under and damage interior parts, front bumper scrapes ground when approaching an incline at a certain degree, affordable, not good in winter.
accountCircle Katie D
I have my silver vole with the black rims.
I have the hatchback and it's a nice size car for a starter car or a small family. It is compact, fold down seats I just love the overall design except for the cup holders how they are located. It has one arm rest on the driver side which is a little inconvenient.
accountCircle Bettina G
Fun to drive and good on gas
It's a good little economy car, good on gas, fairly comfortable. The drivers side electric window doesn't go up and down properly and there is a phantom antifreeze leak that the radiator shop can't figure out. Those are the only issues I've had.
accountCircle Anita A
It is small but all I need
I like the price. I like the gas mileage.
accountCircle Adam S
Kinda small but good drive...
I love the handling, though if you do not like to feel the grip of the drive than you may not. Everything seems compact in size though the interior is spacious. The windshield gives a great view and I love the stick shift. Also, kind of got to watch the corners, it can be tight sometimes.
accountCircle Craig R
Chevy sonic- a vehicle for everyone.
Really nice vehicle, never had any issues with it. Runs smoothly, heats up really fast which is nice in the winter. Ac works amazingly well in the summer even in the Midwest 90 degree with 95 percent humidity. I actually liked this vehicle so much I bought another one for my son. Only complaint is that the foot room is kind of small for somebody with a size 12 shoe.

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle Caitlyn F
My opinion about the Chevy sonic.
Problems with wheels, ac unit, problems with sensory in the car. Problems with housing unit, problems with the evap unit in the vehicle causing it to stall when you put gas in it. Also the locking unit on the car only works when it wants to. It is a reliable car I have had it for 4 years but it has had issues since I began the lease.
accountCircle Br S
My thoughts on the Chevy sonic (work vehicle).
I only have 2 complaints, as this vehicle is a work vehicle, the size for the job I do is not really enough, it is somewhat comfortable but only the basics. The other complaint is that I am spoiled by my other vehicle with the connection to listen to music via iPhone. This vehicle will answer calls but that's about it.
accountCircle dave
Be very afraid
At 50000 miles I have already replaced the radiator, water pump, thermostat, fluid reservoir, plastic housing, and it still leaks. A money pit
accountCircle Suzy A
Car is a Nightmare ...
Car is ok as long as you don't put more than 60K miles on it. After that, all sorts of things sort to break and of course NONE seems to be covered by any warranty. I would not recommend this car to anyone and am living the nightmare of trying to get mine repaired. It had to be towed twice in the same week (once for major overheating - water pump NOT covered) and again for transmission going out (dealer is telling me this too isn't covered)... Don't buy...
accountCircle Mad Mom
I would NOT recommend!!!
I would absolutely not recommend a Chevy Sonic! I bought my 2015 Sonic brand new with 8 miles on it. Three of the miles being from the test drive. It drove perfectly smooth. However, after purchasing it, the nightmare began. On the drive home from the dealership the car broke down. The O2 sensor went out causing the car to shut down. Being under warranty the dealership towed it back replaced the sensor and I went on my way. About a week later the cigarette/charging port popped all the way out. It was also replaced at no charge. Another week later the door locks stopped popping up and the rings around the top wouldn't stay on. They told me it was something to do with the programming and sensors. That summer I noticed if you put on the gas it stalled. I took it in they said it was caused by the air conditioner which was normal. Problem was it did it without the air conditioner on. The mechanic said he couldn't get it to do it. Really because everyone that drives it can feel it, even my 15 year old daughter, who the car was actually purchased for. The radio screen glitches and will go blank but usually comes back on. Another so called electrical problem that was no longer covered because the bumper to bumper warranty stops at 36,000 miles. At 40,000 miles there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine. Took it in they said it was normal. About 50,000 miles it was leaking oil. Luckily Chevy turbo engines come with a powertrain warranty until 100,000. The powertrain covers pretty much nothing because there is always the fine print. The mechanic replaced the cam shaft valve cover. He said that's where the oil was coming from. A day later after replacing the cover the radiator started leaking coolant from the reservoir not the radiator. Took it back in. They said the reservoir had a leak. In which the cooling system is not covered under the powertrain warranty. Replaced the reservoir it started leaking worse. Took it back they said the system is pressurized and told me to replace the cap. I did and it was worse then the initial leak. Took it to another mechanic who told me there was a hole in the radiator and the main hose. Replaced all of the cooling components including thermostat and its still leaking. And once again its leaking oil. They put dye in the oil trying to find where the leak is. I had to pay upfront incase it's not covered under warranty. There has been multiple issues that is usually maintenance but I feel shouldn't of needed replaced yet. I'm thinking that this safe and trustworthy car I bought for my teenager was the biggest mistake. So disappointed in this Chevy!
accountCircle Jessica E
It is just not a good car.
My car is very cramped. It Is Difficult to fit items inside after big shopping trips, and I always worry that my passengers are uncomfortable. The car also lacks many basic features, such as a center storage console. The Bluetooth settings are unpredictable and unreliable. The rear passenger headrests cause huge blind spots, and they cannot be removed or adjusted. The car is not powerful enough to handle even a thin coating of ice without sliding, especially on an incline. I do really appreciate the high quality speakers - my music sounds great! And the controls on the steering wheel are very convenient, with a layout that makes sense.
accountCircle Victoria Z
Do not get this cheap car.
After doing proper maintenance on my vehicle it still fails engine wise. I have had multiple problems with my radiator. Servicing the vehicle will cost the same has a down payment for a brand new one. The vehicle is a 4 cylinder turbo. The salesman told me it would be equivalent to a v6 which is what I wanted. Overall do not get this car.
accountCircle Amber A
Major engine problems for such low mileage.
The 2015 Chevy sonic was bought used, but within the two years of owning it, we've have to replace an important engine sensor, the motor mounts that hold the engine in, and the flex pipe connecting to the exhaust. Not very reliable for a simple car, my husband and I are very dissatisfied.

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

2015 Chevrolet Sonic Owner Reviews

4.13
393 Reviews
close Write Review
5 stars 44%
4 stars 35%
3 stars 15%
2 stars 2%
1 star 4%
accountCircle T. Shaffer on June 28, 2021
My little Sonic 2015.
I just bought a used Sonic 2015 a month ago today. It has 115,487 on it and I absolutely LOVE IT. She is so beautiful, diamond dust deep gun metal grey. She purrs and you have to be careful or you'll find yourself going faster than you thought you were. I have to put 4 new tires on her because the 2 back ones have a slow leak and tune up and AC inspection.I honestly find this little car extremely enjoyable to drive. Since I only put about 1,200 to 1,800 miles a year on a car I hope I have her for the rest of my life. I am so thrilled that I bought this car.
accountCircle Brooke T on June 25, 2021
Beyond reliable and comfortable little car.
Reliable vehicle by far. Limited expenses, besides maintenance. Comfort is sustainable. I would recommend anyone to undercoat their vehicle to prevent rust. I am currently on 116,000 miles with no mechanical problems. Strong, reliable engine with no recalls. I have replaced a battery.

Pros from Owners

likeFilled David M.

Good Gas mileage. Maintenance free. Reliability is excellent. Long warranty up to 5 years 60 thousand miles on drive train. Comfortable front seating with plenty of legroom. Roomy trunk if you don't need huge storage. Back seats flood forward for those longer items.

likeFilled Anita E.

The Chevy sonic is a small sedan that gets very good gas mileage and is very quiet. The price is reasonable for a newer car, about around 10K for a 2015. It has MyLink Bluetooth available, so take your tunes with you.

likeFilled Malorie K.

I love how tiny it is and all the safety features. It has a really nice color. My favorite feature is how it beeps when you go over the yellow line or when you get too close to the car in front of you.

likeFilled Amanda B.

More room than appears from the outside. Simple Dashboard instrument cluster. Fun to drive. Good gas mileage. Four doors but still small. I like the hatchback. Has a lot of room to carry things when the back seat is down.

likeFilled Justin R.

Good gas mileage. Looks nice. Decent power. Good warranty. Big trunk. Low maintenance. Many color options. Quiet running vehicle. Very nice interior. Nice big screen. Easy to use backup camera. Nice wheel options. Nice trim level options. Good quality for the price of the vehicle.

likeFilled Alan E.

It gets great gas mileage and handles well in all conditions. I love the backup camera and use it a lot, the seats are a little uncomfortable, very firm, but you get used to it after a while. I am not a fan of the shape of side mirrors, but I guess that goes with the 'sonic' theme.

likeFilled Mason L.

The pros of a sonic are its size and maneuverability. It's a mid grade sedan that is very affordable and has great mileage. They have a great sport mode for anyone that does track racing and the 1.8l engine has great acceleration.

likeFilled Allison M.

The sonic lt has sensors to tell you when to brake if you get too close to another vehicle. It also has the ability to tell you when you cross over the middle line. It also is small but is very spacious.

Cons from Owners

dislikeFilled David M.

Needs more leg room in the rear seat. More powerful engine with turbo power. Higher ground clearance which would make it easier to enter. Cabin needs more noise canceling material. Seats need to be better padded.

dislikeFilled Anita E.

It is a 4 cylinder, so you are not going to outpace Richard Petty in this car, but it gets you where you need to go and with very good gas mileage. It has very good climbing ability on hills, which I was surprised by. There is this button that needs to be depressed on the shifter to shift gears, and it sticks inward sometimes thereby preventing the key from being removed from the ignition (weird and annoying) so test this on any vehicle you might want to purchase. I carry a can of spray with me and periodically spray the button so it does not stick.

dislikeFilled Malorie K.

It can only fit 5 people and they would be squished in. Sometimes the touch screen malfunctions and does not pop up. It is a really good starter car for a high school or college student but not good for a family.

dislikeFilled Amanda B.

Had some odd door lock issues that had to be fixed - the doors would lock on their own. Sometimes the Bluetooth on the radio takes a long time to connect. Not a lot of legroom on passenger side when a child seat is in the back. No armrest on passenger side. Works best as single passenger car or with driver and child in back seat.

dislikeFilled Justin R.

There is not a lot of cabin room. Not a lot of headroom. It is tight fitting for car seats. Not a lot of storage in the vehicle. Engine bay is tight. Hard to get to a lot of parts under the hood. Not the best headlights.

dislikeFilled Alan E.

It is only a 4 cylinder, so you are not going to win any street races, but it has constant acceleration uphill. If you push down on the gas too quickly, it sort of overdrives, so you need to accelerate a little slower than a 6-8 cylinder.

dislikeFilled Mason L.

The cons of my vehicle is that being I am used to an older vehicle I am not used to being all digital. I prefer to have a temperature gauge and etc because I like to know the severity of a problem in my car before it really is a problem.

dislikeFilled Allison M.

It is small so it takes a lot of power to get going sometimes. The engine is not very long lasting. The antifreeze tends to leak a lot. After 6 years of driving, the car overheats if turned on in the sun.

Ranks #29 Small Cars by Owners

The 2015 Chevrolet Sonic has an average owner rating of 4.18 out of 5 which ranks it #29 of 37 other Small Cars.

1
car
4.83
2
car
4.8
29
car
4.13

Ranks #10 Small Cars by Fuel Economy

The 2015 Chevrolet Sonic has a combined MPG of 40 which ranks it #10 of 37 other Small Cars.

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

Is The 2015 Chevrolet Sonic A Good Car?

Yes. It is compact yet roomy. Drives great. Looks more expensive than it was. Has a cute and classy look. I love the hatchback rather than the sedan. Looks high tech.
Cassie H.
Yes, it is fantastic. Only problem I had in 3 years since I bought it was a sensor. Only had 2 oil changes and a new battery.
Lisa C.
It is small which is good in big cities. Has good gas mileage. There are no major blind spots. I do not like that it only has a total of 3 cup holders and that they are only in the center console.
Alma M.
It’s a great vehicle. I have the hatchback that has a lot of room to carry stuff. It is the standard model but I didn't need all the fancy stuff. It was a rental car that I bought used but seems to be... Read More
Viktor S.
I love my Sonic! It has been a great car! I have had it about a year and driven it from Va to Delaware and then from Va to Florida!
Gabriel S.
The Chevy Sonic is a great vehicle was very economical it's for college students workers and other business owners personally I think it is great for traveling it's great for camping and it is a... Read More
Cre T.
Yes, It is a very good vehicle. I do mostly in town driving but, it does get out on the highway every once in a while. It rides really nice and I enjoy the fact that It is not a huge SUV.
Brady T.
Yes, for the most part. There is an issue when I get fuel, otherwise things are good. Everytime I get gas, the engine has a hard time turning over. There hasn't been any real fixes suggested... Read More
Jordan B.

How Reliable Is The 2015 Chevrolet Sonic?

Yes, it is reliable. I have not noticed any problems. I had some wiring issues that got fixed at the dealership.
Cassie H.
Very reliable. No problems at all. Only had to have a sensor replaced when I bought it. Had a new battery and 2 oil changes so far.
Lisa C.
I have not had any major issues. Since it is a newer car the check engine light has turned on a few times but it is normally because a fuse issues.
Alma M.
It has been very reliable. The only problem it ever had was a sensor that had to be replaced. Also needed a new battery.
Hannah R.
I have done routine maintenance on my car such as oil change and it has been very reliable. She is great on gas and gets me where I need to go!
Patricia W.
Chevy Sonic is a very reliable vehicle gets about 30 miles per gallon City driving 28 highway miles it takes about $30 to fill up the gas tank and it lasts a very long time especially with the way gas... Read More
Jennifer S.
The Chevrolet Sonic is very reliable and does not seem to have any problems that I am aware of. It drives and rides very easily
Neal T.
As I have already mentioned in the last section there are issues when you put gas in the car. I have asked several mechanics and looked online for an answer and haven't found any helpful solutions. ... Read More
Robin M.

Is The 2015 Chevrolet Sonic A Good Value?

I got mine for around $14,000. I think it is a great value. The car is good on gas and still runs great in 2019. I recommend this car.
Cassie H.
In 2017 I paid 10,000$ for it used. I think it is a good value. I got it because it is a hatchback and that is what I needed.
Lisa C.
It cost me $18,000 brand new and I believe it is a good value. I personally would not buy a brand new car in the future but it has nothing to do with the purchase of this car.
Alma M.
I bought it used from VW dealer. It was 8,000$. I was looking for a Honda Fit or Golf but chose this for the price.
Molly R.
I bought my car used below blue book value from a private owner and it has been well worth it! I plan to drive her till she falls apart!
China F.
The Chevy Sonic cost about $12,995 new it is a good value depending on the market value of the vehicle initially which I believe is pretty fair
Jason L.
I am not aware of how much a 2015 Sonic would cost in today's market. I have had it since 2016 and purchased as a lease car. At that point it was a very good value for me.
Emily F.
The car cost about 24,000 dollars. I think this is a high dollar amount, but I think it is comparable to what other cars would cost of a similar make and model. I honestly think all vehicles are... Read More
Donald L.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the replacement cost for a 2015 Chevy Sonic timing belt ?

Answer: For the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic, You can expect to pay between $450 and $625 for a timing belt replacement. General Motors recommends that You complete this service every 97,500 miles to account for regular wear...

What's the 2015 Chevy Sonic fuel filter location?

Answer: The 2015 Chevrolet Sonic does have a fuel filter, but it can be difficult to find. Never fear, it does exist. First, You will need to locate the fuel line that stretches from the gas tank throughout the engine...

How do i perform the 2015 Chevy Sonic tire pressure reset?

Answer: If You've gotten the low tire pressure warning in the 2015 Chevy Sonic it's a pretty simple thing to resolve. You can first check out the sticker on the door frame on the driver side of the vehicle to confirm...

What is the tire size for the 2015 chevy sonic?

Answer: Ls and lt models of the 2015 Chevy Sonic are equipped with P195/65r15 tires. Models with the rs or ltz trim, feature P205/50r17 tires.Your tire air pressure should be checked once a month using the same tire...

What is the 2015 chevy sonic transmission fluid capacity?

Answer: If You would like to find out how much transmission fluid to use on Your 2015 Chevy Sonic, I can help You out with that. The transmission fluid capacity on the Chevy Sonic is 2.5 quarts. The type of...

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

Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Logo
NHTSA Crash Test

Overall

Front

Rollover

Side

*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