Chevrolet Sonic: will there be a problem with the belt? Is it better than its rivals? See answers Chevrolet has already sold more than 5 thousand units of the Sonic and, therefore, g1 created a list with important details for anyone considering buying the SUV. You need to know how to care for the new oil-soaked belt, know the prices of accessories, understand GM's promotional pricing policy and how the Sonic behaves behind the wheel. ? Click here to follow the g1 Cars channel on WhatsApp Face of an SUV, soul of a hatch The g1 was the first media vehicle to test the Chevrolet Sonic. At the time, it was possible to see first-hand that the Sonic has several arguments that make it an SUV, but that in practice the sensations are of a larger hatch. The suspension setup is fair and does not have the fluctuation common in cars with raised suspension. Imperfections in the ground can be noticed by pressing firmly, but without disturbing them. The steering communicates well and the front of the Sonic is agile. G1 reporter tests the Chevrolet Sonic at a dealership in São Paulo Carlos Cereijo / g1 The driving position is more reminiscent of the Onix than the Tracker. Which could be a positive point for those who want to buy their first SUV, but don't like the high driving position or the awkward setup of a popular sports utility vehicle. On the other hand, the customer looking for a car with the soul of an SUV may be disappointed. In this case, it's best to jump to some Tracker configuration. Shared parts A strategy adopted by almost all automakers is to share components that the consumer does not see, such as gearbox, engine, electronics and safety items. In general, these are parts that are hidden under the bodywork or behind the car's plastic coverings. Some manufacturers also share body parts to gain scale and speed up the development process for new models. With Sonic, it's no different. Doors and glass, for example, are the same ones used in Onix. Chevrolet Sonic RS 2027 has Onix doors and side windows. Disclosure / GM This practice is also adopted by other automakers. The Fiat Strada uses the Mobi's doors and windshield, while the Volkswagen Nivus shares doors with the Polo. The challenge when developing a new car using existing parts is to ensure that these components are integrated harmoniously, without giving the impression of a cobbled together project. In the case of the Sonic, the result seems to have been positive, since, at first glance, it is not possible to quickly realize that these parts are the same as those used in a model that is quite common on Brazilian streets. Trunk size When the Sonic was introduced, Chevrolet always compared it to the Nivus, although the price positioning was closer to the Tera. g1 has already compared the Chevrolet Sonic, Fiat Pulse and Volkswagen Tera. With 392 liters of capacity, it can offer good everyday use, even though it costs less than the Volkswagen Nivus. It's also important to note how automakers measure trunk capacity. Some disclose the volume in liters, considering the compartment completely filled with liquid. Taking advantage of every little thing, no matter how small. Method that does not reflect real-life use. VDA methodology for measuring trunk volume better reflects actual usage. Disclosure / Skoda ? In practice, the VDA method is the most representative. In this system, small foam blocks with a volume of one liter are placed in the trunk, which allows a more accurate measurement of the compartment's usable capacity. Therefore, when comparing the trunk volume between different models, it is worth paying attention to the measurement method used. And, of course, nothing replaces seeing the car in person to assess the space available in actual use. Oil-bathed belt The g1 already addressed this topic last year, when the Onix received an update to try to contain complaints from customers who reported problems with the component. The curious thing is that Chevrolet never officially admitted the existence of a defect, but presented a solution. Before explaining the changes, it is necessary to understand the problem: According to Chevrolet, over time, or in cases of inadequate maintenance (such as lack of oil change, use of lubricant outside the specification, counterfeit oil), the rear part of the belt, opposite the tooth part, began to crumble. This happened because the oil created an acidic environment and reacted with the belt, crumbling it. This material could clog engine ducts, causing failures, the injection light coming on and other problems that led to more expensive repairs. Chevrolet oil-bathed timing belt André Fogaça/g1 According to GM, this wear was caused by the use of inadequate oil or oil outside the recommended specifications. To resolve the situation, Chevrolet adopted some measures. The first was to change the belt supplier. According to the automaker, the new component is more resistant if the oil used is out of specification. The second measure was to reinforce the guidance that the engine must exclusively use 0W20 oil with Dexos certification. The third was to extend the belt warranty to 15 years. Chevrolet also reinforces that the oil-bathed belt requires less maintenance and, as long as all inspections are carried out correctly, replacing the component is only necessary after 240,000 kilometers. The Chevrolet Sonic uses the same technology. According to GM, the model leaves the factory equipped with this new belt and must follow the same recommendations. It remains to be seen whether these changes will be enough to reduce customer complaints. Promotional price When the Chevrolet Sonic was announced, the starting price was just under R$129,990 for the Premier version and almost R$135,990 for the RS version, the same one tested by the g1. Soon after, this value began to appear with an asterisk on the automaker's website. When assembling the Chevrolet Sonic in the configurator, the prices are different: the Premier version costs R$134,990, while the RS reaches R$140,990. In the terms and conditions of the promotional price, it is possible to verify that the financing must be carried out by a specific bank, in addition to the requirement for down payment conditions, installments or the delivery of a vehicle in exchange. Therefore, the effective price of the Chevrolet Sonic is what appears in the website configurator. The promotional condition is in effect until July 31, 2026. Chevrolet Sonic 2027 Disclosure / GM Order is different from sale Another important point involves the disclosure of "sales records". And this is not a practice exclusive to Chevrolet, but also to other automakers. GM announced that the Sonic reached 14 thousand orders. This may give the impression that the brand sold 14 thousand units of the model in May. However, the official sales figures published in reports from the National Federation of Motor Vehicle Distribution (Fenabrave) consider registration plates, that is, vehicles that are actually licensed. When looking at this data, there are not 14 thousand Sonic units registered in May 2026. 2,778 Sonic were sold that month. The number released by the company corresponds to reservations or purchase intentions made by consumers, who may have even made a payment to secure the vehicle or show interest in purchasing. According to legislation, however, pre-sales have different rules. Even at this stage, there is still the possibility of withdrawal by the customer, with a refund of the amount paid, according to the conditions set out in the contract. The g1 report contacted Procon in São Paulo to understand the practice of pre-sales campaigns by car manufacturers. According to the entity, pre-sales can be equated to a pre-contract between the parties: supplier and consumer. All the rules and conditions of that contract are established there, such as amounts and payment methods, dates and deadlines, characteristics of the object of the transaction, conditions for withdrawal, among other specificities. Specifically regarding car purchases made outside the physical dealership (such as the internet or digital platforms), the Consumer Protection Code provides for the possibility of canceling the purchase within seven days, counting from the date of purchase or receipt of the product. In these cases, the amounts paid by the consumer must be returned. Therefore, when automakers release records, what is being reported are records of orders or purchase intentions, and not of vehicles actually registered at that time. Price of accessories Chevrolet debuted the design of its new “tie” at Sonic. And the SUV also brought the new illuminated logo on the front grille. The item draws attention, but it does not come as standard in any of the versions. You have to pay R$ 800. The black and red stickers on the fenders cost another R$ 698. To follow this identity on the wheels the price is R$ 390. On the front bumper, the fillets cost R$ 850. Related Galleries Those who liked the customizable LED lighting for the cabin will need to pay R$ 1,163. Door sills with the Sonic logo cost R$447 more. The color department, like other brands, also has different prices. In the Premier version, the standard color is blue. White costs R$950 and silver, gray, black and red cost R$1,800. On the Sonic RS, the color that comes free of charge is black. For R$950 you can get the body in white. For the red and gray colors, GM asks for R$1,800. Connectivity promotion Sonic has a new configuration of Chevrolet connected services. Models equipped with the OnStar system now leave the factory with the Basics plan included for eight years. Available functions include access to the myChevrolet app, remote diagnostics, vehicle location and remote controls, such as locking and unlocking the doors or starting the engine before traveling to air-condition the cabin. Anyone who wants to expand their resources can sign up for the OnStar Protect plan, which adds 24-hour security and emergency service. The free promotion is valid for 1 month and has a further two months after credit card registration. The OnStar Protect system brings together other features. In the event of an accident, for example, the car's sensors can automatically activate the OnStar center. The team attempts to contact the occupants and, when necessary, forwards the call to public emergency services. Another available resource is the vehicle recovery assistant, which helps locate the car in cases of robbery or theft. All of these functions work in conjunction with the vehicle’s other electronic systems. In July 2026, OnStar's monthly prices are R$104.90 for the Connect package and R$124.90 for the Protect package. The combo with both plans, called Protect&Connect, costs R$149.90.