2012 Chevrolet Sonic With 1.4L Turbo Gets 40 MPG on Highway
DETROIT - The 1.4L Ecotec turbocharged engine is SAE-certified at 138 horsepower and 148 lb.-ft. of torque between 2,500 and 4,900 rpm.
General Motors employee Peggy Burnside inspects a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic as it rolls off the assembly line at the GM Orion Assembly Plant Wednesday, September 14, 2011 in Lake Orion, Michigan.
General Motors employee Peggy Burnside inspects a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic as it rolls off the assembly line at the GM Orion Assembly Plant Wednesday, September 14, 2011 in Lake Orion, Michigan.
DETROIT – General Motors has provided updates on its new 2012-MY Chevrolet Sonic recently, but the most recent news gives fuel-economy numbers for this new subcompact. The Sonic will get 40 mpg on highway and 29 mpg city. In terms of performance, the 1.4L turbo Sonic can reach 60 mph in 8.2 seconds, according to the automaker.
The Sonic’s 1.8L engine with manual transmission gets 26 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. The automatic gets 25 mpg city and 35 mpg highway.
The 1.4L Ecotec turbocharged engine is SAE-certified at 138 horsepower and 148 lb.-ft. of torque between 2,500 and 4,900 rpm. Chevrolet said it’s the same engine used in the Cruze, just in a smaller package.
In terms of performance, the 1.4L turbo Sonic can reach 60 mph in 8.2 seconds, according to the automaker.
The 1.4L’s turbocharger is integrated within the exhaust manifold, which reduces engine weight. A reinforced crankshaft and stronger connecting rods deliver additional strength to support the engine’s pressurized power and torque over a wide rpm band, Chevrolet said.
Other engine features include the following:
Low-mass hollow-frame cast iron block
Dual overhead camshafts with continuously variable valve timing (CVVT)
Chain-driven cams
Roller-finger camshaft followers
Piston-cooling oil jets and integrated oil cooler
Variable-flow oil pump
Electronically controlled thermostat
The 2012-MY Chevrolet Sonic made its debut at the 2011 NAIAS.
The suggested retail price of the Sonic begins at $14,495 including destination but excluding tax, title, license and dealer fees.
More Fuel
Study: How 2026's Gas Price Hikes Affect Different Vehicle Types
New data from iSeeCars reveals how rising fuel costs have affected different vehicle segments as gasoline prices climbed nearly 46% over the past four months.
Read More →
Are You Tracking Your Fleet's True Total Cost of Ownership?
Bobit Business Media surveyed 190 fleet professionals and found that while most fleets are tracking costs, fragmented systems and data gaps are keeping true TCO visibility out of reach. With rising pressure to control spend in an increasingly volatile environment, the gap between what fleets think they know and what the data actually shows is wider than you might expect. See how your peers are managing costs today and where the industry still has room to improve.
Read More →
May Fuel Update: All Regions Experience Declines
Gas prices are finally easing in much of the country, but experts warn global tensions could quickly reverse the trend as the national average remains well above last month’s levels.
Read More →
April Fuel Update: Prices Climb Above $4 as Spring Surge Accelerates
National average jumps to $4.04 per gallon, up sharply from last year, with West Coast prices topping $5 and further increases expected amid rising oil tensions.
Read More →
Tips from Fleet Managers on Saving Fuel Costs
Fleet leaders share practical strategies to reduce fuel spend through smarter policy, routing, and driver guidance.
Read More →
March Fuel Update: Prices Settle With a $4 Average
Fuel prices significantly slowed this week, but a $4 national average is still expected.
Read More →
Bob Adamsky on Fuel Volatility: “Don’t Panic — Have a Plan”
With oil prices rising again, AWP Safety’s fleet manager shares how to respond to rising fuel costs and how the right strategy can turn fuel spikes into cost-saving opportunities.
Read More →
Oil Market Turbulence Is Complicating Fleet Cost Planning
Rapid swings in crude oil prices driven by the conflict in the Middle East could create longer-term cost pressures for fleets, affecting fuel prices, supply chains, and vehicle strategy, says NTEA’s Andrew Wrobel.
Read More →
February Fuel Update: Prices Inch Higher for Third Week in a Row
The final February fuel update reveals prices continuing to inch higher for the third week in a row.
Read More →
The 2026 Fuel Economy Guide: Updated Cost and Efficiency Benchmarks for Fleets
Fleet managers can use the DOE’s 2026 Fuel Economy Guide to benchmark MPG across powertrain types using side-by-side vehicle ratings and compare new model-year options.
Read More →