A familiar name, a new shape: Chevrolet bets on the Sonic crossover for Brazil

Chevrolet Sonic is back, but no longer in the format we used to know. In Brazil, the 2027 model has officially launched as a compact crossover with a coupe-like silhouette. For GM, this is not just another novelty — it is the brand’s most important launch of the year in South America’s largest market.

The new Sonic is meant to fill Chevrolet’s entry-level crossover slot. The car is built around the idea of an affordable SUV based on popular urban models: a raised body, a longer rear overhang, a practical tailgate, and styling that should look pricier than a regular hatchback.

Thomas Owsianski, head of GM South America, declared: «Chevrolet presents the Sonic, an SUV coupe that opens a new era for the company in this country. This is our most important launch of the year». According to him, the model expands Chevrolet’s lineup into the largest SUV and crossover portfolio on the market and has the potential to become one of the most desired and purchased passenger cars in the region.

The launch lineup features two trims — Premier and RS. Both come with a generous package of technology and safety systems for the class, including the new generation of Chevrolet Intelligent Driving. The system uses a wider front HD camera, which should improve how driver assistants perform.

Under the hood is an updated 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo engine. It delivers 115 hp and 186 Nm, paired exclusively with a 6-speed automatic. The claimed combined fuel economy is 14.8 km/l, or roughly 6.8 l per 100 km. For buyers in this class, that matters more than acceleration: a small crossover has to be efficient, yet feel confident in the city and on the highway.

Production is set up at the GM Gravataí plant in Brazil. The model was also developed there for the local market and other countries in the region. The Sonic Premier starts at 26,500 dollars, while the RS version costs around 27,500 dollars.

The Sonic has switched roles at just the right time: hatchbacks are losing buyers, while compact crossovers keep growing. Now Chevrolet needs to prove that an old name on a new car can sell just as well as a fully new model.

Earlier, SPEEDME.RU reported that, according to GM forecasts, the new Chevrolet Sonic is set to become a bestseller in the compact SUV segment.