Compare the2019 Chevrolet SonicVS 2019 Toyota C-HR

Both the Sonic and the C-HR have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available collision warning systems, lane departure warning systems and rear parking sensors.

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 C-HR has not been tested, yet.

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

There are over 2 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Toyota dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Sonic’s warranty.

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

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2018 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet 6th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 17th, below the industry average.

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 Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet 6th in reliability, above the industry average. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 8th.

The Sonic’s 1.4 turbo 4 cyl. produces 9 lbs.-ft. more torque (148 vs. 139) than the C-HR’s 2.0 DOHC 4 cyl.

On the EPA test cycle the Sonic Auto gets better fuel mileage than the C-HR (27 city/35 hwy vs. 27 city/31 hwy).

The Sonic stops much shorter than the C-HR:

The Sonic has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The C-HR’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Sonic RS Hatchback handles at .84 G’s, while the C-HR Limited pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Sonic Premier Hatchback executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the C-HR XLE (27.3 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.3 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

The Chevrolet Sonic may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 500 pounds less than the Toyota C-HR.

The Sonic Hatchback is 11.4 inches shorter than the C-HR, making the Sonic easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Sonic Hatchback has 6.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the C-HR (90.6 vs. 83.8).

The Sonic has a larger cargo area with its rear seat folded than the C-HR with its rear seat folded (47.7 vs. 36.4 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Sonic easier. The Sonic’s trunk lift-over height is 27.25 inches, while the C-HR’s liftover is 31 inches.

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. Toyota doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the C-HR.

The Sonic (except LS/Manual) offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The C-HR doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

On extremely cold winter days, the Sonic’s optional (except LS/RS) heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The C-HR doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Chevrolet Sonic comes in sedan and station wagon bodystyles; the Toyota C-HR isn’t available as a sedan.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Chevrolet Sonic and the Toyota C-HR, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Chevrolet Sonic outsold the Toyota C-HR by 18% during 2017.