Which Years of Used Chevrolet Sonics Are Most Reliable?
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Some of the best subcompact car models hit the market at great prices, boasting consumer-friendly features, comfort, and easy drivability. The Chevrolet Sonic quickly made waves when it was released, and it was a popular purchase throughout its manufacturing years from 2012 to 2020. The most reliable Chevrolet Sonic year is also more popular than ever.
If you’re looking for a used Chevrolet Sonic, you’ll want to purchase your car from the best years, not the ones riddled with recalls and manufacturing hiccups. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most reliable years for used Chevrolet Sonics.
Most Reliable Years for the Chevrolet Sonic
The Chevrolet Sonic has been manufactured for over 10 years. Most of these models can be found in the secondary used car market. If you’re looking for a fun-to-drive family and commuter vehicle, the Chevrolet Sonic could be just the ticket.
That said, you’ll want to make sure you purchase one of the most reliable Chevrolet Sonic years, including:
- 2016 Chevrolet Sonic
- 2017 Chevrolet Sonic
- 2018 Chevrolet Sonic
- 2019 Chevrolet Sonic
- 2020 Chevrolet Sonic
The last five years of Chevrolet Sonic manufacturing have been the best in terms of safety, consumer satisfaction, and few recall orders.
Are Chevrolet Sonics Generally Reliable?
It’s no use purchasing a used Chevrolet Sonic, even from one of the more reliable model years, if the vehicle overall is less than stellar. If you purchase an unreliable used vehicle, you could still be saddled with high maintenance fees and major repairs.
According to repairpal.com, the Chevrolet Sonic has an average reliability rating of four out of five. Compared to 21 subcompact cars, it is ranked 14th overall. It’s about the middle of the pack in terms of overall reliability. According to withclutch.com, the Chevrolet Sonic has a reliability rating of about 45.3. Compared to many other subcompact cars, it’s not very reliable; the average overall reliability rating is 57.
Given this information, it might be a good idea to look for a different used car if you need something consistent that you can rely on for a long time to come.
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Which Chevrolet Sonics Are the Least Reliable?
Although there were some years where Chevrolet Sonics were generally more reliable, this vehicle was plagued with reliability problems in many cases. Some of the least reliable years of used Chevrolet Sonic include:
- 2015 Chevrolet Sonic
- 2014 Chevrolet Sonic
- 2013 Chevrolet Sonic
- 2012 Chevrolet Sonic
These years have had the most complaints overall, with many models inspiring triple digits of complaints from owners and renters. However, you can also take note of the fact that, as Chevrolet continued to manufacture the Sonic line of vehicles, the number of complaints decreased. Therefore, it’s logical to assume that the newer a used Chevrolet Sonic is, the more reliable and safe it will be to drive.
Are Chevrolet Sonics Expensive to Maintain?
When you purchase a used Chevrolet Sonic, you’ll want to know how much you’ll end up paying over that car’s lifespan, not just initially. According to caredge.com, you can expect to pay nearly $6000 for maintenance and repairs over the first 10 years of service with that vehicle. It’s significantly better compared to the industry average for hatchback car models, which is $821 per year.
However, note that the Chevrolet Sonic also has a lower than average major repair chance, around 18.17%. That’s a little better compared to similar vehicles of the same size, type, and age. Given this information, purchasing a used Chevrolet Sonic could be a very budget-friendly choice if you pick a vehicle from the most reliable years.
THE CHEVY SONIC YEARS TO AVOID
Is it a reliable choice for used car buyers? We highlight some of the Chevrolet Sonic years to avoid due to various issues and user complaints. Let’s take a look.
Which Chevrolet Sonic is Most Reliable?
What if you are dead set on purchasing a used Chevrolet Sonic? In that case, you’ll want the most reliable Chevrolet Sonic year you can get your hands on.
According to motorandwheels.com, the most reliable and overall best year for the Chevrolet Sonic is 2020: one of the most recent model years available. It’s one of the best models of this vehicle because of its good performance record and the fact that safety became a top priority for Chevy during this time.
Hot spots, smooth driving experiences, and good engine power make the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic a more reliable used vehicle than its earlier counterparts. However, some other more reliable Chevrolet Sonic years include:
- 2019 Chevrolet Sonic
- 2017 Chevrolet
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What Are the Most Common Chevrolet Sonic Problems?
Many Chevrolet Sonic years have been beset by major issues, maintenance problems, and recall orders. According to enginepatrol.com, some of the most common Chevrolet Sonic problems include:
- Uncomfortable seats
- Problems with the air conditioning
- Bad transmissions
- Engines not starting, stalling, or not turning over
- Engines dying while driving
- Coolant leaks
- Hardships
These errors aren’t just irritating. They can also be deadly or dangerous if they occur at inopportune times. For example, if you are driving on a freeway and your engine dies while you are in motion, you’ll have to fight to regain control of your vehicle and could end up in an accident.
Due to this possibility, you should ask for a used Chevrolet Sonic’s vehicle history report. If there is a record of a recall or major maintenance work, you should probably look for a different used vehicle.
Is the Chevrolet Sonic Worth It?
On average, the Chevrolet Sonic is not worth it, especially considering that you can get other subcompact vehicles for similar prices from other manufacturers. The Chevrolet Sonic has never been known as a very reliable vehicle, even during its better years (closer to 2020). For similar prices, you could get a used Honda Fit or a Hyundai Accent.
Whatever you do, stay away from used 2012 and 2013 Chevrolet Sonics. These model years have the most recalls on record. Go for the most reliable Chevrolet Sonic year, 2020, instead.
Final Thoughts
In the end, it’s up to you to determine whether a used Chevrolet Sonic is the right choice for your family and finances. Now that you know what the best model years were for used Chevrolet Sonic in terms of reliability and safety, you can make an educated decision when you head to your local used car dealership.
We hope this guide was helpful in your search for a good used car. Be sure to check out our other breakdowns of reliable model years for other used vehicles!
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