Chevrolet Sonic $2500 more expensive than predecessor

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By Brett Davis | June 20th, 2011

The new Chevrolet Sonic, which will replace the Aveo as the new entry-level model in Chevrolet’s line-up, will come with a $2500 price hike over its predecessor.

Although it will remain Chevrolet’s cheapest car, the dearer Sonic steps into the market with a similar price tag to some European and Japanese rivals. GM has announced the new Chevrolet Sonic will hit the showrooms in the next couple of months with prices starting at US$14,495.

This makes it cheaper than the Japanese-made Honda Fit (Jazz) in the US but more expensive than the Ford Fiesta, which is built in Mexico. In 2009, GM agreed to be the only manufacturer to built a compact model as part of a deal with United Auto Workers. This plan was conjured up in efforts to save GM from heading into bankruptcy.

Now though, there’s the threat of the car not selling as well as hoped. And with a lot resting on the success of the model, some suggest this price hike certainly isn’t going to help. Bill Visnic, an analyst for car research firm Edmunds.com, said in a recent Wall Street Journal report,

“There is going to be a lot of scrutiny around this car and GM needs to hope that customers accept this [higher] price point. Everybody is trying to determine what people will pay for a subcompact car now.”

The outgoing Chevrolet Aveo currently retails for $12,000, but reports indicate most consumers spent around $15,000 on higher spec Aveos. The Sonic will come with more features than the standard Aveo, including 10 airbags for added safety.

The new Sonic-based Holden Barina will make its way to Australian shores in the coming months. CarAdvice contacted Holden’s Emily Perry who confirmed the model is scheduled for local release in the third quarter of this year, with the sedan coming in 2012. Official pricing will be revealed closer to the vehicle’s local launch. The current Barina hatch and sedan are priced from $16,290 before on-road costs.

Zandit

10 Airbags??
Where the hell do you put them?
2 x Front
2 x Side
2 x Curtain
2 x Knee….. Where are the other two? unless they are playing funny buggers with the curtain airbag count(2 front and 2 rear curtains.)

Valet Dabess

side of the seat? i have some in my car

Peanut

What are the cost of the Airbags as an aftermarket replacement?
If all 10 accidently are set off the car is most likely a write off.

PhantomHamster

God with 10 airbags going off all at once, any occupants are more likely to suffocate due to lack of air than an impact injury… I can just see peoples faces pushed up against the window by all the airbags..LOL

david

2x front, 2x side for front passengers, 2x side for rear passengers, 2x curtain, 2x knee = 10 in total. Alot of people don’t realize that the front side airbags only cover the front, and in most cars, the rear passengers have no side protection. Only a few luxury cars offer side for the rear, so it’s quite uncommon to see it in a subcompact car.

Martin

The Chevrolet Cruze has 10 airbags, yet we are offered less than that! I highly doubt the barina replacement will have the same 10 airbags as the Chevrolet Sonic.
gt6

Are Australians prepared to pay $20K+ for a Barina Hatch?? If GMH follow suit with America’s price increase, then that’s a distinct possibility.

darkone

no I’ll go buy something japanese thanks.

Crummydore

Is this a Mike Simcoe penned/directed car?

kratos

I hope not, if it is he’s losing his touch
Shak

Thankfully no, but it isn’t unattractive or ugly by any stretch(my opinion though).

Richard

The sonic comes with either the 1.8L ecotec or the 1.4L turbo engine. Bother a noticeably more powerful than its competitors.
Mike

Will be the nicest looking small sedan on Aussie roads.
Car Fanatic

You need new glasses Mike, that looks awful.

Que?

He said sedan, and it sure as hell looks better than the Mazda2 sedan, Yaris sedan and Fiesta sedan. The hatchback is another story…
MattW

At least its not another Barina Spark. I nearly pulled over to stab out my eyes first time I saw one of them on the road the other week. I guess I should just be happy there aren’t many around in Newcastle

Frenchie

Yeah, it looks like it had silicon or botox injected in the hood/front end!

Goodfa

If Holden want this car to be a success they will have to sell the base model manual for no more than $15,990 drive away and have more kit than a yaris or Mazda 2.I think the Australian version will have a smaller engine then the 1.8l.

KD

You mean ‘than the 1.8′, not ‘then’.

And I agree, ours will probably have one of the smaller euro power plants, unless Holden really wants to shake up the market.

I bet the 1.4 Turbo is a hoot to drive!

JeremyK

I’m excited to see the performance numbers of this car when equipped with the 1.4L turbo. It should also get decent mpg if they geared it correctly.

I think GM can afford to move the price up a bit from the Aveo. From what I’ve read this is a MUCH better vehicle. This also leaves room at the bottom end of the price range for the Chevy Spark with GM is bringing to the US.
Car Fanatic

Yes Que? Where in my post did I mention Hatchbacks? ( your first mistake). Mazda no longer produce the 2 Sedan ( your second Mistake).

You cannot see the back end of that Sedan in the photo, it could be pig ugly like most dinky sedans and the Fiesta at that angle looks heaps better( your third mistake). Now get off the computer, it’s past your bedtime.
darkone

Why do designers insist on putting those stupid raised rear door handles on hatchbacks,the front pillars of new cars are wide enough already and all the rear ones do is cause a blind spot.turbo motor in this sounds interesting,I bet you will pay for it though like the cruze turbo,its the most expensive isnt it?
Frenchie

It’s not how powerful it will be,It’s how heavy it will be.
A 1.8 sounds ok but if it weights 1200kg ….HA!