Compare the2019 Chevrolet SonicVS 2019 Honda Civic

Both the Sonic and the Civic have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front-wheel drive, 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.

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 Honda Civic:

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

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 Honda Civic:

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

The Sonic’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Civic’s (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. Honda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Civic.

There are almost 3 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Honda 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 Civic’s engines use 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 11 points higher than the Civic.

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 Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet 6th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is ranked 23rd, 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 Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet 6th in reliability, above the industry average. With 16 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is ranked 12th.

The Sonic’s 1.4 turbo 4 cyl. produces 10 lbs.-ft. more torque (148 vs. 138) than the Civic’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4 cyl.

On the EPA test cycle the Sonic Manual gets better fuel mileage than the Civic Sedan Manual with its standard engine (27 city/38 hwy vs. 25 city/36 hwy).

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

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 Civic doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

The Sonic stops shorter than the Civic:

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

The Sonic Premier Hatchback handles at .84 G’s, while the Civic LX Coupe pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Sonic LS/LT’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the Civic LX/EX’s (34.5 feet vs. 35.4 feet). The Sonic LTZ/RS’ turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the Civic Sport Hatchback’s (36.1 feet vs. 37.8 feet).

The Sonic Sedan is 4 inches shorter than the Civic Sedan, making the Sonic easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Sonic Sedan has .7 inches more rear headroom and 4.3 inches more rear hip room than the Civic Sedan.

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

The power windows standard on both the Sonic and the Civic 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 Civic prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

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

The Sonic’s variable intermittent wipers have an adjustable delay to allow the driver to choose a setting that best clears the windshield during light rain or mist. The Civic LX/Sport’s standard fixed intermittent wipers only have one fixed delay setting, so the driver will have to manually switch them between slow and intermittent.

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 Civic doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Insurance will cost less for the Sonic owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Sonic will cost $215 less than the Civic over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Sonic is less expensive to operate than the Civic because typical repairs cost much less on the Sonic than the Civic, including $286 less for a starter, $70 less for fuel injection, $122 less for a fuel pump, $41 less for front struts and $161 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 $132 to $4601 less than for the Honda Civic.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Chevrolet Sonic, based on reliability, safety and performance.