Chevrolet Sonic

The standard Sonic uses an unimpressive 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, which makes the expense of upgrading to the modestly quicker and more fuel-efficient 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder worthwhile. The six-speed manual transmission is somewhat balky, but the automatic has to dig for gears constantly. Handling is fairly nimble, the brakes are excellent, and the ride is civilized for this class. The sedan has a huge trunk and gives a better view out, but the hatchback version has more cargo versatility. Both offer a relatively quiet cabin, but the rear seats are cramped. We'd opt for the LT automatic sedan for its extra cargo space and visibility and the MyLink system.