Car Prices Blogs


Chevrolet Sonic versus Ford Fiesta Car Price Comparison

May 21st, 2012

The Chevrolet Sonic and the Ford Fiesta are not the cheapest cars that money can buy. For a few thousand less than the base price of the Fiesta and the Sonic, you can sink your teeth into the Nissan Versa sedan and the Hyundai Accent, two of the cheapest cars sold in America today.

But the Chevy Sonic and the Ford Fiesta are different because they were conceived to deliver a more thrilling and involving driver experience. The Fiesta was honed and developed on the streets of Europe, where soft suspension settings and a wallowing ride is considered unacceptable. On the other hand, the Chevrolet Sonic is made in the USA, and is years ahead in refinement, build quality, and overall performance compared to the old Chevy Aveo. Both cars are also available in sedan and hatchback trims.

Chevrolet Sonic

The Chevrolet Sonic starts at around $13,865 and is available in two engines: the naturally-aspirated 1.4-liter inline-4 with 138hp and the turbocharged version of the same engine that produces more power and torque. Base models get a surprising amount of standard kit including air-conditioning, alloy wheels, a trip computer, OnStar, and a 4-speaker audio system.

The good thing about the Sonic is that it feels like a bigger car when driven on the road. The suspension travel is firm enough to deliver a pleasing blend of handling and tight cornering, while it is also compliant enough to filter out road harshness and bumps similar to a large family sedan. The steering is also light and communicative at slow speeds but it quickly weighs up when you pile in the corners. The Sonic remains true to its name. It is light, nimble, fuel efficient, and exciting to drive.

Ford Fiesta

It is important to note that the Ford Fiesta is regarded to be one of the best small cars to buy, according to Jeremy Clarkson of TopGear.com. This is because the Fiesta offers the right amount of space, handling, and performance for the price. Starting at around $13,200 for the base model, the Fiesta sedan comes equipped with steel wheels, power mirrors, and a tilt and telescoping steering wheel.

The Ford Fiesta is powered by a 1.6-liter inline-4 with 120hp. The Fiesta offers a rewarding driving experience with agile handling, accurate steering, and a comfortable and muffled ride. The 1.6-liter engine may not be the last word in power, but it revs sweetly and smoothly even on the upper reaches of the rev limit. It is a combination of these traits that makes the Ford Fiesta one of the better small cars in the market.

Based on this comparison, it might seem that the Chevrolet Sonic delivers better value for money, since the base trim model is comprehensively equipped compared to the base model of the Fiesta.

Whatever you choose, the Sonic and the Fiesta provides cheap and affordable options for the new car buyer. They are proof that small cars need not necessarily be the econobox of the past, where comfort, refinement, and performance takers a back seat in favor of a low price.