Chevrolet Sonic RS MPG by year — every rating on record
The Chevrolet Sonic RS has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 4 model years, from 2013 to 2016. Across those years its best rated version returned 29 mpg (2013) and its thirstiest returned 28 mpg (2013). The EPA record holds 8 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Compact Cars.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 2 | 29 mpg | 28 mpg | #36 of 92 (62th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 2014 | 2 | 29 mpg | 28 mpg | #35 of 96 (64th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars |
| 2015 | 2 | 29 mpg | 28 mpg | #31 of 102 (70th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars |
| 2016 | 2 | 29 mpg | 28 mpg | #34 of 108 (69th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Chevrolet Sonic RS placed highest in 2015 at #31 of 102, and lowest in 2013 at #36 of 92. It spent 4 of its 4 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 8 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.
| Year | Configuration | Engine detail | City | Highway | Combined | Gallons/yr | Barrels/yr | EPA fuel cost/yr | CO2 g/mi | GHG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1.4L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Regular | 1.4L 4-cyl, turbocharged | 25 | 33 | 28 | 410.7 | 10.6 | $2,250 | 321 | 7/10 |
| 2016 | 1.4L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Regular | 1.4L 4-cyl, turbocharged | 26 | 33 | 29 | 396.6 | 10.3 | $2,150 | 302 | 7/10 |
| 2015 | 1.4L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Regular | 1.4L 4-cyl, turbocharged | 25 | 33 | 28 | 410.7 | 10.6 | $2,250 | 321 | 7/10 |
| 2015 | 1.4L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Regular | 1.4L 4-cyl, turbocharged | 26 | 33 | 29 | 396.6 | 10.3 | $2,150 | 306 | 7/10 |
| 2014 | 1.4L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Regular | 1.4L 4-cyl, turbocharged | 25 | 33 | 28 | 410.7 | 10.6 | $2,250 | 318 | 7/10 |
| 2014 | 1.4L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Regular | 1.4L 4-cyl, turbocharged | 26 | 33 | 29 | 396.6 | 10.3 | $2,150 | 306 | 8/10 |
| 2013 | 1.4L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Regular | 1.4L 4-cyl, turbocharged, start-stop | 25 | 33 | 28 | 410.7 | 10.6 | $2,250 | 321 | 7/10 |
| 2013 | 1.4L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Regular | 1.4L 4-cyl, turbocharged, start-stop | 27 | 33 | 29 | 396.6 | 10.3 | $2,150 | 301 | 8/10 |
What Sonic RS fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic RS burns 397 to 411 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.
| Pump price | Most efficient | Thirstiest | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3.00/gal | $1,190 | $1,232 | $42 |
| $3.50/gal | $1,388 | $1,438 | $50 |
| $4.00/gal | $1,586 | $1,643 | $57 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 2016 model year is $2,150 to $2,250 a year in fuel, or $500 less than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Compact Cars
Across the 498 nameplates EPA classifies as Compact Cars, the median best combined rating is 26 mpg. At 29 mpg the Chevrolet Sonic RS is 3 mpg better the median, which is worth about $160 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Compact Cars rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.
Other Chevrolet nameplates
Every Chevrolet model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.