Sonic Turbo: Color me impressed - Toyota Yaris Forums

Thirty-Nine · 11-11-2011, 03:49 PM

So, I've got the '12 Chevy Sonic LTZ turbo for review this week. I'm not going to lie: I think I love it. I haven't yet had it 24 hrs., so I'm not going to rush to judgement yet. However, so far it's darn impressive. Really well built, fun to drive, turbo power, great handling, and a very nice interior with seemingly excellent build quality. I never thought I'd lust after a Chevy that didn't have eight cylinders. Color me impressed.

detroiter · 11-11-2011, 03:50 PM

I live in the land of Domestics...and I havn't even seen ONE Sonic on the street yet.

Thirty-Nine · 11-11-2011, 04:00 PM

I haven't either. Then again, they're just hitting the dealers as I understand. My review car might be a pre-production unit, too.

Thirty-Nine · 11-11-2011, 04:31 PM

It is faster 0-60 than the '12 Yaris, but not THAT much faster. Car and Driver clocked the turbo Sonic at 8.2 seconds; Yaris SE at 9.0. However, the Yaris was faster through the slalom.

It's a case of turbo + weight vs. low hp + lightweight. The subcompact market is getting quite competitive--and fun.

SailDesign · 11-11-2011, 05:02 PM

I was going to mention that the Yaris has 21.5 lbs per hp, while the Sonic Turbo was 20.5. Only 1 in 20, around 5% or so more power-to-weight. But the corners are where the fun is, and if my Yaris is still faster in the twisties, I'm not tempted.

Thirty-Nine · 11-11-2011, 05:58 PM

One nice thing about the Sonic turbo is that it's already turbocharged from the factory, so it's likely easier to get some more power out the the engine vs. NA bolt-ons.

Thirty-Nine · 11-11-2011, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SailDesign

I was going to mention that the Yaris has 21.5 lbs per hp, while the Sonic Turbo was 20.5. Only 1 in 20, around 5% or so more power-to-weight. But the corners are where the fun is, and if my Yaris is still faster in the twisties, I'm not tempted.

Well, according to the Car and Driver chart (and after doing some math):

'12 Yaris SE = 22.4 lbs/hp
'12 Sonic Turbo = 20.3 lbs/hp

SailDesign · 11-11-2011, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thirty-Nine

Well, according to the Car and Driver chart (and after doing some math):

'12 Yaris SE = 22.4 lbs/hp
'12 Sonic Turbo = 20.3 lbs/hp

Hmmm... I was comparing an '09 Yaris, since that's what I currently have. Sounds like the new baby is a bit overweight....

11-11-2011, 03:49 PM	#1
Thirty-Nine Small cars are a big deal View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris Liftback Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 3,144	Sonic Turbo: Color me impressed So, I've got the '12 Chevy Sonic LTZ turbo for review this week. I'm not going to lie: I think I love it. I haven't yet had it 24 hrs., so I'm not going to rush to judgement yet. However, so far it's darn impressive. Really well built, fun to drive, turbo power, great handling, and a very nice interior with seemingly excellent build quality. I never thought I'd lust after a Chevy that didn't have eight cylinders. Color me impressed. __________________ Subcompact Culture: The Small car blog

11-11-2011, 03:50 PM	#2
detroiter Drives: 2008 Polar White LB Auto Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 1,238	I live in the land of Domestics...and I havn't even seen ONE Sonic on the street yet. __________________ I live my life a quarter pounder at a time. And for those 500 calories or more, I'm free. I need FRIES! Two of them. The big ones. Oh, and I need them tonight. You're lucky the double shot of BBQ sauce didn't blow the seam on your nugget box. There she is, 2 pounds of pure beef. My dad ate it in 9.0 seconds flat. Check it out, it's like this. If I lose, winner takes my happy meal. But if I win, I take the burger and the toy. To some people, that's more important.

11-11-2011, 04:00 PM	#3
Thirty-Nine Small cars are a big deal View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris Liftback Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 3,144	I haven't either. Then again, they're just hitting the dealers as I understand. My review car might be a pre-production unit, too. __________________ Subcompact Culture: The Small car blog

11-11-2011, 04:31 PM	#4
Thirty-Nine Small cars are a big deal View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris Liftback Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 3,144	It is faster 0-60 than the '12 Yaris, but not THAT much faster. Car and Driver clocked the turbo Sonic at 8.2 seconds; Yaris SE at 9.0. However, the Yaris was faster through the slalom. It's a case of turbo + weight vs. low hp + lightweight. The subcompact market is getting quite competitive--and fun. __________________ Subcompact Culture: The Small car blog

11-11-2011, 05:58 PM	#6
Thirty-Nine Small cars are a big deal View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris Liftback Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 3,144	One nice thing about the Sonic turbo is that it's already turbocharged from the factory, so it's likely easier to get some more power out the the engine vs. NA bolt-ons. __________________ Subcompact Culture: The Small car blog

11-11-2011, 05:02 PM	#5
SailDesign Drives: . Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: . Posts: 1,931	I was going to mention that the Yaris has 21.5 lbs per hp, while the Sonic Turbo was 20.5. Only 1 in 20, around 5% or so more power-to-weight. But the corners are where the fun is, and if my Yaris is still faster in the twisties, I'm not tempted.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Zage Turbo Kit Install - Toyota Yaris	Focus_Sh1ft	Forced Induction Forum	160	02-06-2022 08:14 PM
Turbo Project Yaris TS 1.8L	CASTREX	Yaris TS Talk	40	08-21-2009 10:24 AM
HKS turbo timer type 1	Tamago	Performance Modifications	3	07-21-2009 11:59 AM
Turbo Kit - trade for stock parts!	crankyelbow	Items for Sale by private party	62	02-03-2009 12:30 PM
delayed turbo project...	joey1320	Forced Induction Forum	8	09-26-2007 11:18 PM