The Chevy Sonic, an all-new compact model from GM, made its debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit last month. We were so busy covering all the hybrid and electric car reveals that we couldn’t pay it much attention, but a week-long test drive in the little wonder has made us feel remiss about that. After all, it fulfills the demands of many younger drivers in the States: it's small, efficient, well-appointed, and it features a turbocharger on its tiny engine to really give you some kick. The Sonic actually feels a lot like the old Ford Festiva from the early 90s, which is to say simple and down to earth but with a lot of get up and go. Remember that lurchy feeling you got learning to drive in a small manual-transmission car with more power than its tiny frame needed? It’s just like that, without the cigarette burns in the seats.
Strange you should mention the Festiva, as both were/are based on small Suzukis… That’s being a bit unfair on the Sonic, though, as the old Swift or whatever it was that the Ford was based on was a horrible little tin box. The modern generation Swift is a much nicer, rightfully award-winning proposition.
Have it in 1.4L, 6-speed guise, buy some depleted uranium insoles, and engage Grin Factor 9.