Skip to main content

Chevy gives its 2017 Sonic a new face, and more tech

With all of the news surrounding the redesigned Spark and Cruze, not to mention the 2017 Bolt EV, Chevy’s other small car seems to have gotten lost in the shuffle. So for the 2017 model year, it’s getting some love.

The 2017 Chevrolet Sonic debuts next week at the 2016 New York Auto Show with updates that fall short of a full redesign, but should still keep the Sonic relevant in the market. Changes include updated tech and revised styling.

Starting with the styling, the 2017 Sonic adopts the same grille design as the Chevy Cruze, Trax, and the Bolt EV. That’s good for marketing, but it also makes the Sonic look a little less sporty than before. There are new headlights and taillights as well, and new 15-, 16-, and 17-inch alloy wheel designs. The Sonic is still available as a four-door sedan, or a five-door hatchback.

On the tech front, the Sonic gets a new version of Chevy’s MyLink infotainment system with a 7.0-inch display screen, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. As with the previous Sonic, GM’s OnStar 4G LTE system is also available. It includes a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot that can support up to seven devices, and requires a separate data plan.

There’s some new safety tech as well, including available lane departure warning and forward collision warning systems. A rear park assist system is also available, while a rearview camera is standard on all models. That these features are now available on subcompact economy cars like the Sonic is a testament to how quickly they’re proliferating.

Engine options are unchanged. Base models get a naturally-aspirated 1.8-liter four-cylinder, and there’s also a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder available. Buyers get to choose between six-speed manual or automatic transmissions for either engine. More detailed specifications, along with pricing information, will be released when the 2017 Sonic goes on sale this fall.

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
2020 Nissan Rogue Sport gets more expensive, but adds more driver-assist tech
2020 nissan rogue sport gets updated styling and tech features 2019 chicago auto show

Previous

Next

Read more
Trump administration prepares to end Biden’s EV tax incentive, report says
president biden drives 2022 ford f 150 lightning electric pickup truck prototype visits rouge vehicle center

If you’re looking to buy or lease an electric vehicle (EV) and benefit from the Biden administration’s $7,500 tax incentive, you’d better act soon.

The transition team of the incoming Trump administration is already planning to end the credit, according to a report from Reuters citing sources with direct knowledge of the matter.

Read more
Kia EV4: everything we know so far
Kia EV4 Front

Kia is continuing to expand its electric car lineup. The EV6 and EV9 have both been out for some time now, and the company is in the middle of rolling out the EV3 in Europe, with a North American release expected next year. After that, it's likely the company will turn to the EV5. But what about after that? Well, that could be where the Kia EV4 comes in.

Kia announced a concept version of the EV4 at its EV Day in 2023, showing off a futuristic-looking hatchback that's seemingly a little smaller than the EV6, but keeps many design elements. Since then, Kia has confirmed very few details about it, though we have seen it shown off at other automotive events. Here's everything we know about the Kia EV4 so far.
Kia EV4 design
The Kia EV4, or at least the concept version of it, is smaller than the EV6, and much smaller than the EV9. It's actually closer in size to a sedan than anything else, though with its open trunk, it could be considered a hatchback. Regardless, it certainly blurs the line between the two. So much so, that in recent months we've actually seen a full hatchback version of the EV4 being tested -- and it's possible that Kia is pivoting the design of the EV4 entirely to be a hatch, or will be releasing both hatchback and sedan versions.

Read more