Compare 2012 Chevrolet Sonic vs 2012 Kia Rio

2012 Chevrolet Sonic
2012 Kia Rio
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4-Door Sedan LS 1LS
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Sonic 4-Door Sedan LS 1LS 26 35 $13,518 $13,865
Sonic 4-Door Sedan LS 2LS 25 35 $14,561 $14,935
Sonic 4-Door Sedan LT 1LT 26 35 $14,462 $15,065
Sonic 4-Door Sedan LT 2LT 25 35 $15,489 $16,135
Sonic 4-Door Sedan LTZ 1LZ 26 35 $15,831 $16,665
Sonic 4-Door Sedan LTZ 2LZ 25 35 $17,028 $17,925
Sonic 5-Door HB LS 1LS 26 35 $14,395 $14,765
Sonic 5-Door HB LS 2LS 25 35 $15,439 $15,835
Sonic 5-Door HB LT 1LT 26 35 $15,230 $15,865
Sonic 5-Door HB LT 2LT 25 35 $16,257 $16,935
Sonic 5-Door HB LTZ 1LZ 26 35 $16,496 $17,365
Sonic 5-Door HB LTZ 2LZ 25 35 $17,693 $18,625
Select style
4-Door Sedan Automatic EX
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Rio 4-Door Sedan Automatic EX 28 36 $15,535 $16,300
Rio 4-Door Sedan Automatic LX 28 36 $14,010 $14,500
Rio 4-Door Sedan Automatic SX 28 36 $16,675 $17,500
Rio 4-Door Sedan Manual LX 29 37 $13,145 $13,400
Rio 5-Door HB Automatic EX 28 36 $15,735 $16,500
Rio 5-Door HB Automatic LX 28 36 $14,205 $14,700
Rio 5-Door HB Automatic SX 28 36 $16,880 $17,700
Rio 5-Door HB Manual LX 29 37 $13,335 $13,600
Pricing
Invoice Price
$13,518
$15,535
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$13,865
$16,300
Monthly Payment Estimate
$231 / month
$272 / month
The Car Connection's Take
TCC Rating
8.0
7.6
TCC’s Bottom Line
The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is neither subsonic nor supersonic—but it's a good, sound choice and a world better than the Aveo it replaces. The yardsticks have moved--but the 2012 Kia Rio has kicked itself into contention in a class filled with very good economy cars.
TCC Likes
TCC Dislikes
Fuel Economy
City
26 mpg 28 mpg
Highway
35 mpg 36 mpg
Vehicle
Number of Passenger Doors
4 -
EPA Classification
Compact Cars Compact
Interior Dimensions
Second Shoulder Room (in)
53.0 52.1
Front Leg Room (in)
41.8 43.8
Passenger Volume (ft³)
90.4 88.4
Front Hip Room (in)
51.4 52.1
Second Leg Room (in)
34.6 31.1
Front Head Room (in)
38.7 40.0
Passenger Capacity
5 5
Second Hip Room (in)
51.6 51.2
Front Shoulder Room (in)
53.4 53.1
Second Head Room (in)
37.8 37.6
Exterior Dimensions
Height, Overall (in)
59.7 57.3
Track Width, Rear (in)
59.4 60.0
Wheelbase (in)
99.4 101.2
Liftover Height (in)
- TBD - - TBD -
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)
68.3 67.7
Track Width, Front (in)
59.4 59.9
Min Ground Clearance (in)
4.9 5.5
Length, Overall (in)
173.1 171.9
Cargo Area Dimensions
Trunk Volume (ft³)
14.9 13.7
Brakes
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
NA 10.3 x 0.4
Brake Type
Pwr Pwr
Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)
9.0 x - TBD - NA
Disc - Front (Yes or )
Yes Yes
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
10.8 x - TBD - 10.1 x 0.9
Drum - Rear (Yes or )
Yes NA
Brake ABS System
4-Wheel 4-Wheel
Disc - Rear (Yes or )
NA Yes
Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
12.2 11.4
Steering
Steering Type
Electric Pwr Steering Electric Pwr
Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)
2.8 2.8
Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)
NA - TBD -
Steering Ratio (:1), Overall
14.1 15.5
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
34.5 34.5
Tires
Spare Tire Size
Compact NA
Front Tire Order Code
Q1H NA
Spare Tire Order Code
NA NA
Rear Tire Size
P195/65R15 P185/65R15
Rear Tire Order Code
Q1H NA
Front Tire Size
P195/65R15 P185/65R15
Trailering
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
NA NA
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
NA NA
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
NA NA
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
NA NA
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
2727 2403
Wheels
Rear Wheel Size (in)
15 x - TBD - 15 x 5.5
Front Wheel Material
Aluminum Steel
Spare Wheel Material
Steel NA
Front Wheel Size (in)
15 x - TBD - 15 x 5.5
Spare Wheel Size (in)
Compact NA
Rear Wheel Material
Aluminum Steel
Cooling System
Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)
- TBD - 6.3
Electrical
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
100 110
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
438 540
Engine
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
138 @ 6300 138 @ 6300
Engine Type
Gas I4 Gas I4
Fuel System
Electronic Fuel Injection Direct Injection
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
125 @ 3800 123 @ 4850
Engine Order Code
LUW NA
Displacement
1.8L/110 1.6L/97
Mileage
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
26 28
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
29 31
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
35 36
Transmission
Reverse Ratio (:1)
3.31 3.44
Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)
NA -
Second Gear Ratio (:1)
2.14 2.72
Trans Order Code
M26 NA
Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
3.94 3.27
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.12 1.39
Trans Description Cont.
Manual Automatic
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
NA 0.77
Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)
NA -
First Gear Ratio (:1)
3.73 4.40
Clutch Size (in)
- TBD - NA
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
1.41 1.83
Trans Type
5 6
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.89 1.00
Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA
Summary
Vehicle Name
Chevrolet Sonic Kia Rio
Body Style
4 Door Sedan Sedan
Suspension
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
w/Coil Springs w/Coil Springs
Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)
NA - TBD -
Suspension Type - Front
MacPherson Strut MacPherson Strut
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)
NA NA
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
w/Coil Springs w/Coil Springs
Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)
NA - TBD -
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)
- TBD - 0.79
Suspension Type - Rear
Torsion Beam Torsion Beam
Emissions
Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
5.1 5.9
EPA Greenhouse Gas Score
7 -
Crash Test Ratings
Overall Rating
Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger
Overall Side Crash Rating
Side Barrier Rating
Side Barrier Rating Driver
Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat
Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat
Combined Side Rating Front Seat
Combined Side Rating Rear Seat
Rollover Rating

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