Sat in a Sonic for the first time.

"Vimto" (smudgey)
08/17/2014 at 09:05 • Filed to: car shopping, chevrolet sonic

I'm kinda, sorta, not really, yes I am in the market for a small stick shift vehicle and a nearby dealer had a used 2014 Sonic LT (hatchback) available that I decided to check out. I'd never actually been in one, just seen them on the road.

This is it specifically:

I was honestly impressed with the quality and feel of all the controls, buttons, etc. and the cargo area. It seemed to have more room than a Versa Note even though it doesn't look nearly as utilitarian, and the back seat folds down flat, or at least very close, which is a big plus for me.

This one wasn't a manual, so I wouldn't buy it, but the Sonic just jumped up many places on my not-shopping list.

I still don't like the door handle in the pillar though.

DISCUSSION (18)

Jayhawk Jake > Vimto
08/17/2014 at 09:15

I love the door handle in the pillar. Form over function all day. You get used to it almost immediately

Nibby > Vimto
08/17/2014 at 09:15

http://www.geimaku.com/wp-content/upl…

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > Vimto
08/17/2014 at 10:36

How tall are you? I tried to sit in one at the auto show earlier this year and I couldn't even close the door. I'm kinda a big dude at 6"1, but I just can't see how anyone over say 5"6 can fit. You must be a more flexible person than I.

Vimto > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
08/17/2014 at 10:45

I'm only 5'7 but I'm all legs, 30" inseam pants are too short for me. I was comfortable but I don't know if the person sitting behind me would be.

CalzoneGolem > Vimto
08/17/2014 at 11:11

I'm a big man. I can not fit in the Sonic. I went to test one before we bought the Soul. The salesman assured me I would fit and would not need to put the seat back all the way. He was wrong.

Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
08/17/2014 at 11:53

I'm guessing it had a sunroof or something, because I'm 6'3" and have a ton of room.

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
08/17/2014 at 13:50

I'm 6' and can sit in the back seat of mine while a 6'3 friend drives... Sure you weren't sitting in a Spark? Those things are seriously tiny.

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > Jayhawk Jake
08/17/2014 at 13:51

Also, passengers can *never* find it. I've had mine just over two years now, and my friends still have issues finding it.

Jayhawk Jake > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
08/17/2014 at 14:35

really? I'm 5'8 and it feels roomy to me. I can see how 6'1 would be pushing it, but 5'6 is a bit low

Jayhawk Jake > CalzoneGolem
08/17/2014 at 16:43

It's not a big car...

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver
08/17/2014 at 19:43

Don't even get me started on the Spark.

Then again, I'm not really comfortable when I drive my wife's Corolla either. While I fit, it's just not comfy. Maybe I'm too picky.

midengineer > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
08/17/2014 at 22:03

Really? I've sat in the back seat of Jayhawk Jake's and autocrossed it; at 6'3"ish I never felt cramped in either situation.

CalzoneGolem > Jayhawk Jake
08/18/2014 at 08:15

Well I'm not exactly a giant.

Jayhawk Jake > CalzoneGolem
08/18/2014 at 08:33

Have you been in a Fiesta? I feel like those are more cramped than a Sonic.

I'm 5'8" and when I bought the Sonic I weighed about 235 pounds. It's never felt too cramped.

CalzoneGolem > Jayhawk Jake
08/18/2014 at 08:36

Nope never sat in a Fiesta. I felt cramped in the Focus so I never gave it a chance. My wife and I are both 6' and I have fairly broad shoulders.

Jayhawk Jake > CalzoneGolem
08/18/2014 at 08:44

I can see how that'd be pushing it for any of the compact/subcompact cars besides the Fit.

CalzoneGolem > Jayhawk Jake
08/18/2014 at 08:47

Yeah I drove a fit and no issues there. It feels huge inside. I think I could easily haul 3 other human beings with legs around in a Fit.

Jayhawk Jake > CalzoneGolem
08/18/2014 at 09:23

I've carried 3 other normal human beings in the sonic, but I'm short enough that there's leg room behind me.

The Fit is freakishly large on the inside. I wish Honda would make a sportier version