Compare the2019 Chevrolet SonicVS 2018 Toyota Corolla iM

The Sonic’s blind spot mirrors use wide-angle convex mirrors mounted in the corner of each side view mirror to reveal objects that may be in the driver’s blind spots. The Corolla iM doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

The Sonic has standard OnStar®, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions, remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Corolla iM doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Sonic and the Corolla iM 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, 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 Corolla iM has not been fully tested, yet.

The Sonic’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Corolla iM’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 Corolla iM’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 1 more horsepower (138 vs. 137) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (148 vs. 126) than the Corolla iM’s 1.8 DOHC 4 cyl.

As tested in Motor Trend the Chevrolet Sonic is faster than the Toyota Corolla iM (manual transmissions tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Sonic Manual gets better fuel mileage than the Corolla iM Manual (28 city/37 hwy vs. 27 city/35 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the Sonic Manual gets better fuel mileage than the Corolla iM Manual (28 city/37 hwy vs. 27 city/35 hwy).

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 Corolla iM doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

A standard “hill holder” feature keeps the Chevrolet Sonic with manual transmission from rolling backwards on a steep slope. The Corolla iM doesn’t offer a hill holder feature.

The Sonic stops shorter than the Corolla iM:

The Sonic has vehicle speed-sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Corolla iM doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Sonic RS Hatchback handles at .84 G’s, while the Corolla iM pulls only .80 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 Corolla iM (27.3 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.3 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Sonic LS/LT’s turning circle is 2.9 feet tighter than the Corolla iM’s (34.5 feet vs. 37.4 feet). The Sonic LTZ/RS’ turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Corolla iM’s (36.1 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

The Sonic Hatchback is 10.7 inches shorter than the Corolla iM, making the Sonic easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Sonic Hatchback a Mid-size car, while the Corolla iM is rated a Small Station Wagon.

The Sonic has a maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery’s water level. The Corolla iM doesn’t have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery’s cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

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 Corolla iM doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The engine computer on the Sonic automatically engages the starter until the car starts with one twist of the key and disables the starter while the engine is running. The Corolla iM’s starter can be accidentally engaged while the engine is running, making a grinding noise and possibly damaging the starter and ring gear.

The power windows standard on both the Sonic and the Corolla iM have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Sonic is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Corolla iM prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

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 Corolla iM’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

Keyless Open and Start optional on the Sonic (except LS) allows you to unlock the doors, trunk and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Toyota Corolla iM doesn’t offer an advanced key system.

Consumer Reports rated the Sonic’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Corolla iM’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The Sonic LT/Premier’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Corolla iM’s power mirror controls are on the dash, hidden behind the steering wheel, where they are awkward to manipulate.

The Sonic (except LS) offers optional heated front seats, which keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the Corolla iM.

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 Corolla iM doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Insurance will cost less for the Sonic owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Sonic with a number “1” insurance rate while the Corolla iM is rated higher at a number “8” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Sonic is less expensive to operate than the Corolla iM because typical repairs cost much less on the Sonic than the Corolla iM, including $153 less for a starter, $187 less for fuel injection, $27 less for a fuel pump, $174 less for front struts and $232 less for a timing belt/chain.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Chevrolet Sonic and the Toyota Corolla iM, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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 Corolla iM isn’t in the top three.