10:04 01-01-2026

New 2026 Chevrolet Sonic: affordable SUV between Onix and Tracker

General Motors do Brasil wrapped up Chevrolet’s anniversary year at the end of 2025 and, in the closing moments of a corporate video, unexpectedly previewed the brand’s centerpiece for 2026 — the new Chevrolet Sonic. Positioned as an affordable SUV, it is meant to bridge the price gap between the Onix and the Tracker and will be built at the same Gravataí (Rio Grande do Sul) facility that produces the Onix Plus. The positioning looks carefully aimed at buyers who sit between those two models.

Early images and descriptions suggest the Sonic will stay close to the Onix in overall size but gain extra ground clearance and a more overt crossover stance. At the rear, GM promises LED taillights with a sequential lighting effect, a redesigned tailgate, and a spoiler to visually distance it from the donor hatchback. The rear window appears narrow, and both the window line and the beltline sit higher — cues chosen to reinforce a tougher, more outdoorsy look.

Up front, the Sonic is expected to look larger than its footprint suggests. It will adopt a split-headlight layout, as seen on the Montana and the updated Tracker, and a taller hood in line with compact crossover trends. The door panels will likely be shared with the Onix, while the rear design may take inspiration from the more “electric” Equinox EV. Taken together, the styling signals a model intent on feeling more substantial without straying far from familiar hardware.

Technical details remain unconfirmed. The most probable setup is a 1.0 turbo paired with a six-speed automatic, possibly with direct injection; base versions could use a naturally aspirated 1.0, and a 1.2 turbo from the Tracker might arrive later. On paper, that mix seems calibrated to keep costs in check while giving the Sonic enough punch for everyday use.