Compare the2019 Chevrolet SonicVS 2018 Ford Focus

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Sonic LT/Premier offers an optional collision warning system, which detects an impending crash through forward mounted sensors and flashes a bright light and sounds a loud, distinctive tone to warn the driver to brake or maneuver immediately to avoid a collision. The Focus doesn't offer a collision warning system.

Both the Sonic and the Focus have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front-wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras, available lane departure warning systems and rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Chevrolet Sonic is safer than the Ford Focus:

	Sonic	Focus
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	152	201
Neck Injury Risk	31%	31.3%
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.3 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	36%	39.5%
Neck Stress	166 lbs.	173 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	200/219 lbs.	404/227 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Chevrolet Sonic Sedan is safer than the Focus Sedan:

	Sonic	Focus
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Restraints	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Head injury index	92	133
Peak Head Forces	0 G’s	0 G’s
Steering Column Movement Rearward	2 cm	7 cm
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Femur Force R/L	.9/.8 kN	3.63/2.27 kN
Hip & Thigh Injury Risk R/L	0%/0%	1%/0%
Lower Leg Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Tibia index R/L	.52/.41	.58/.42

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Chevrolet Sonic is safer than the Ford Focus:

	Sonic	Focus
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	104	125
Abdominal Force	184 G’s	218 G’s
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	239	347
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	60 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	14 inches

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Sonic the rating of “Top Pick” for 2016, a rating granted to only 145 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Focus is not a “Top Pick” for 2016.

The Chevrolet Sonic has a better fatality history. The Sonic was involved in fatal accidents at a rate 8.6% lower per vehicle registered than the Focus, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Warranty

The Sonic’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Focus’ (6 vs. 5 years).

Chevrolet pays for the first scheduled maintenance on the Sonic. Chevrolet will pay for the first oil change, lubrication and any other required maintenance in the first year. Ford doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Focus.

Reliability

The Chevrolet Sonic’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the Focus’ 2.0 DOHC 4 cyl. engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Sonic’s reliability 44 points higher than the Focus.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2018 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet 6th in reliability, above the industry average. With 28 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 16th.

Engine

The Sonic’s 1.4 turbo 4 cyl. produces 15 more horsepower (138 vs. 123) and 23 lbs.-ft. more torque (148 vs. 125) than the Focus SE Sedan’s standard 1.0 turbo 3 cyl. The Sonic’s 1.4 turbo 4 cyl. produces 2 lbs.-ft. more torque (148 vs. 146) than the Focus’ standard 2.0 DOHC 4 cyl.

Fuel Economy and Range

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chevrolet Sonic uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Focus SE Sedan requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

Transmission

To help the driver achieve optimum performance and fuel economy, the Sonic has a standard up-shift light to indicate when to shift based on power needs and conditions. The Focus doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

Brakes and Stopping

The Sonic stops much shorter than the Focus:

	Sonic	Focus
60 to 0 MPH	128 feet	141 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	139 feet	151 feet	Consumer Reports

Suspension and Handling

The Sonic RS Hatchback handles at .84 G’s, while the Focus SE Hatchback pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Sonic Premier Hatchback goes through Road and Track’s slalom faster than the Focus Titanium Hatchback (69.4 vs. 69.2 MPH).

For better maneuverability, the Sonic LS/LT’s turning circle is 1.5 feet tighter than the Focus’ (34.5 feet vs. 36 feet).

Chassis

The Sonic is shorter than the Focus, making the Sonic easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces:

	Sonic	Focus
Sedan	173.9 inches	178.7 inches
Station Wagon	159.8 inches	171.7 inches

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Sonic Premier Hatchback is quieter than the Focus SE Hatchback:

	Sonic	Focus
At idle	41 dB	43 dB
Full-Throttle	79 dB	79 dB
70 MPH Cruising	71 dB	73 dB

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Sonic Hatchback a Mid-size car, while the Focus Hatchback is rated a Compact.

The Sonic Sedan has .4 inches more front headroom, 1.4 inches more rear legroom and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Focus Sedan.

Cargo Capacity

The Sonic Sedan has a much larger trunk than the Focus Sedan (14.9 vs. 13.2 cubic feet).

The Sonic Hatchback has a larger trunk with its rear seat folded than the Focus Hatchback with its rear seat folded (47.7 vs. 43.9 cubic feet).

The Sonic’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Focus S/SE Sedan’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

Servicing Ease

An Oil Life Monitor is standard on the Sonic to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Ford doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Focus.

Ergonomics

The Sonic LT/Premier’s front and rear power windows all open fully with one touch of the switches and its front windows also automatically close, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Focus’ power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Sonic owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Sonic will cost $195 to $1675 less than the Focus over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Sonic is less expensive to operate than the Focus because it costs $342 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Sonic than the Focus, including $112 less for fuel injection and $305 less for a timing belt/chain.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Sonic will be $2406 to $2548 less than for the Ford Focus.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Chevrolet Sonic, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Ford Focus isn't recommended.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Sonic second among small cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Focus isn’t in the top three in its category.

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