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2015 Chevrolet Sonic RS Sedan (Manual)

The 2015 Chevrolet Sonic RS Sedan (Manual) is a 138-hp 1.4-liter turbocharged inline-4 sedan with a 6-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $19,945 MSRP and is rated at 29 mpg combined.

It makes 138 horsepower at 4,900 rpm and 148 lb-ft of torque at 1850 rpm, spinning to a 6,500 rpm redline. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 27 mpg city and 34 mpg highway (29 mpg combined).

The Sonic measures 173.1 inches long on a 99.4-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,847 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$19,945 ($27,351 *)
MSRP with Destination$20,770 ($28,482 *)
Destination Charge$825
Engine
Engine TypeEcotec 1.4L Turbo I4
Displacement1.4 L
Horsepower138 hp @ 4,900 rpm
Torque148 lb-ft @ 1850 rpm
Redline6,500 rpm
ValvetrainDOHC, 16 valves, VVT
Bore and Stroke2.85 x 3.25 in (72.4 x 82.6 mm)
Compression Ratio9.5:1
Injection TypeSequential multi-port fuel injection
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
Transmission6-speed manual
Fuel Economy
City27 MPG
Highway34 MPG
Combined29 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular unleaded (87 octane)
Tank Capacity12.2 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionIndependent, lower control arms, coil springs, gas shocks
Rear SuspensionSemi-independent torsion beam, coil springs, gas shocks
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front17" x 8.0"
Wheels Rear17" x 8.0"
Tires FrontP205/50R17
Tires RearP205/50R17
Dimensions & Weight
Length173.1 in
Width68.3 in
Height59.7 in
Wheelbase99.4 in
Front Track59.4 in
Rear Track59.4 in
Ground Clearance4.9 in
Cargo Volume14.9 ft³
Curb Weight2,847 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front38.7 in
Headroom Rear37.8 in
Legroom Front41.8 in
Legroom Rear34.6 in
Shoulder Room Front53.4 in
Shoulder Room Rear53 in
Hip Room Front51.4 in
Hip Room Rear51.6 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall ★★★★★
Frontal crash ★★★★★
Side crash ★★★★★
Rollover ★★★★★ (12.6 % risk)
Tested variant: 2015 Chevrolet Sonic 4 DR FWD
Other tested variants (1)
  • 2015 Chevrolet Sonic 5 DR FWD: 5 ★ overall

Recalls

3 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2015 Chevrolet SONIC. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Jun 10, 2016 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax, and 2013-2015 Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver fails to fasten their seatbelt or if the driver leaves the key in the ignition. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208 "Occupant Crash Protection" and 114 "Theft Protection."

Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 45340.

NHTSA campaign 16V422000

Apr 28, 2016 · EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax vehicles and 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver, after turning off the ignition and leaving the key in the cylinder, waits 10 minutes or longer to open the door. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114 "Theft Protection."

Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17130.

NHTSA campaign 16V257000

Jun 30, 2015 · EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles manufactured April 30, 2014, to May 20, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured June 18, 2014, to June 10, 2015. In the affected vehicles, equipped with the base radio and OnStar, the radio may lock up due to a software issue, causing the display to go blank and all audio functions to cease. Because of this, there may be no warning chimes such as the reminder to buckle the seat belt and the key being left in ignition when the driver goes to exit the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208 "Occupant Crash Protection", and 114 "Theft Protection."

Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft. If a driver or front passenger does not buckle their seat belt, there would be no chime to remind them to fasten their seat belts. If a driver or passenger does not buckle their seat belt there is an increased risk that they will be injured in a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15504.

NHTSA campaign 15V416000

114 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2015 Chevrolet SONIC

Owner Complaints

114 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2015 Chevrolet SONIC (15 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 11 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Electrical System34
Air Bags27
Engine23
Unknown Or Other22
Fuel/Propulsion System12
Power Train12
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
May 23, 2026 · Air Bags
“Passenger seat airbag shows that it is still off even when there is someone in the Passenger seat”
Sep 29, 2025 · Electrical System
“Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact purchased the vehicle from a dealer in March 2024. The contact stated that when the vehicle was purchased, the odometer at 60,000…”
Jul 10, 2025 · Wheels, Unknown Or Other, Lane Departure
“my recall is already completed, why on the your website still showing incompleted?”
Feb 3, 2025 · Engine And Engine Cooling
“The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed…”
Oct 27, 2024 · Electrical System, Unknown Or Other, Fuel/Propulsion System
“I have had this vehicle for three years now and no matter of the repairs I had done to it by machanics the check engind light continue to turn on and the vehicle has shut down on the road and I can't…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2015 CHEVROLET SONIC. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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