2020 Chevrolet Sonic Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

The 2020 Chevrolet Sonic is a sporty subcompact vehicle. What's great about it is that it gives someone the option to get a sedan or hatchback depending on his or her cargo carrying needs and aesthetic preferences. For being such a small vehicle, it has a comfortable cabin, whether one is sitting in the front or back. There is room for five people, with 41.8 inches of leg room in the front and 34.6 inches of leg room in the second row.

For 2020, Chevy has made the Sonic only available as an automatic, which is a departure from what was available in previous years. As one might expect from a budget-friendly car, it doesn't have the biggest engine, but it's certainly capable of keeping people safe and getting them where they need to be. Perhaps the biggest perk of the Sonic is that it's starting price is well under $20,000, and in fact, some of its upgraded trims still fall under than mark.

With these attractive prices, the Sonic still comes with many nice features. There are five trims, which include hatchbacks and sedans, and this guide will go through the differences between each.

Compare the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic LS Sedan vs LT Sedan Trim Levels. What is the difference?

The LS Sedan and LT Sedan, as well as all of the other models in the line-up, run on a 1.4-liter Turbo ECOTEC engine with four cylinders. It's capable of generating 138 horsepower and has 148 pound-feet of torque. These numbers are just fine for a car like the Sonic, which is supposed to be small and light. It certainly hasn't been designed to win any awards for speed or engine capability, and if anyone prefers a car with better performance, they should look elsewhere.

The engine is paired to an automatic transmission with six speeds. If anyone wants to be in control by using manual shifting, there's the opportunity to switch to manual mode. The thumb selector can be used to change gears whenever the driver wants to make that transition. Its convenient location on the gear shifter makes it easy to use.

Fuel efficiency is a selling point on the Chevy Sonic. The car can achieve an estimated 26 miles per gallon in the city and 34 miles per gallon on the highway. Combined fuel economy is 29 miles per gallon, allowing the Sonic to go far between each fill up at the gas station.

As a front-wheel drive vehicle, the Sonic has traction control to improve safety on slippery roads. When the vehicle detects any type of slippage or wheel spin, engine power will be reduced in order to slow down those wheels and stabilize the vehicle. The goal is to maintain good control and traction on snowy or icy roads.

A similar feature is StabiliTrak. It can sense when the vehicle is moving in a direction that's different than what the steering wheel might indicate, such as when a car starts to skid or has problems with oversteer or understeer. The Sonic can apply brake pressure to specific wheels in order to stay on track with the intended path of travel.

In the mechanical department, there are a few available upgrades in the LT. Between these two trims, it's the only one to have the option to get a performance exhaust system, keyless start, and lowering suspension kit.

The LS Sedan rides on 15-inch steel wheels that have bolt-on covers, and the LT comes standard with 15-inch aluminum ones. Aluminum is lighter than steel, so it allows for slightly quicker acceleration and is generally thought to be a higher quality. The LT Sedan comes with the option to upgrade to 16-inch wheels, and both trims can be enhanced with 17-inch wheels if preferred.

On the exterior of the LS Sedan, things are pretty basic. The projector-beam headlamps have an automatic on/off feature and the outside mirrors are manually operated. There is the opportunity to add roof rack cross rails, and LED Daytime Running Lights are standard.

On the LT Sedan, the outside mirrors are heated and power-operated, there are chrome beltline moldings, and there's the opportunity to get a power sunroof, rear spoiler, and fog lamps. It's probably the power-operated side mirrors that are the element that most people would notice first when moving from the LS Sedan to the LT Sedan.

Moving to the inside of the cabin, there are some similarities between the two trims. They both have a rear view camera that makes it safer to drive in reverse, remote keyless entry, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a rearview mirror that can be manually tilted to reduce glare at night. The LS has sport cloth on its seats, and the LT has a deluxe cloth material.

While the two trims both have power door locks, only the LT has power-operated windows. The windows on the LS are still manually operated, which may be a sticking point for some people who are used to modern conveniences.

The LT is upgraded in other ways as well. It has six speakers in contrast with the LS's four speakers, it has available power-operated front seats, and it comes with cruise control.

Both trims are capable of connecting to OnStar and Chevrolet Connected Services, which makes it simple to access emergency services and keep track of vehicle performance and maintenance suggestions through the use of a smartphone app. They have the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System with a seven-inch touchscreen, and there are multiple USB ports for charging. Bluetooth audio streaming, voice command, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto are standard features, but only the LT comes with SiriusXM Satellite Radio. Overall, the technology package that the Sonic comes with is pretty enticing.

The safety package is the same in these two trims. They both have 10 airbags, antilock brakes, Hill Start Assist, and three-point seat belts in all seating positions. With Brake Assist, the car can assist in emergency situations where a lot of constant brake pressure needs to be applied in order to prevent accidents or reduce the severity of any impact.

The only difference is that the LT Sedan comes with more available add-ons. Forward Collision Alert, Rear Park Assist, and Lane Departure Warning can all be included for an additional cost in this trim. These driver-assist features can warn people if the Sonic ever seems like it's about to hit other cars or obstacles in various situations.

Compare the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic LT Sedan vs LT Hatchback. What is the difference?

The LT Hatchback is priced about $800 higher than the sedan, presumably because it has more interior space. There are some minor differences between the two trims. First, the LT Hatchback, also called the LT 5-Door, uses 16-inch aluminum wheels. It has fog lamps in front to make it easier to see in difficult weather. Because of its more vertical rear window, it comes with a rear intermittent wiper to keep the window clear during rainy or snowy weather.

More changes in the LT Hatchback are related to its style. It comes with an integrated spoiler in the back, sporty rocker moldings, and the RS appearance package. This package includes RS badging, an instrument panel that has piano black accents, black Chevrolet bowtie emblems, and a flat-bottom steering wheel that has a sportier feel to it. Whereas the LT Sedan has regular carpeted floor mats, the LT 5-Door has premium versions.

The cargo area on the hatchback has an adjustable shelf floor. In the upper position, small items can be hidden out of sight in the compartment under the floor. When transporting larger items, the floor can be lowered to maximize vertical storage space. The rear argo area shade can block the sun from hitting whatever is stored in the back, and it can also be a security measure to keep people from peeking inside at someone's belongings.

The LT Hatchback comes with remote start, which is convenient whenever people want to warm things up or cool things down before they get in. With remote start, the doors remain locked, and the parking lamps are turned on when the engine starts up. Remote start is an option on the LT Sedan.

Compare the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic LT Hatchback vs Premier Hatchback Trims. What is the difference?

The Premier Hatchback is actually priced just a bit higher than the Premier Sedan, but for the purpose of this guide, it's easier to compare one hatchback versus another.

With a sport suspension versus a touring suspension, the Premier hatchback feels a bit more sporty and ready to race. Its height is lowered by 10 millimeters, and the higher quality suspension allows for precise control in many types of situations. The Premier rides on nicer wheels than the LT, having 17-inch painted black aluminum wheels.

Inside the cabin, one of the most noticeable upgrades is that the Premier Hatchback has six-way power-operated seats in both the driver's and front passenger's position. This can make it much easier to maneuver the seat into an optimal spot. Both of these front seats are heated, and all seats are trimmed in leatherette. Complementing the seats are a leather-trimmed shift knob that stands out with satin silver and chrome accents.

The Premier version has a compass display so that everyone can know what direction they're going. Another way information is relayed is through the enhanced driver information center.

Keyless open on the Premier Hatchback is a nice feature. It allows the key fob to stay hidden away in a pocket or bag while the driver walks up to the car and touches the door handle to unlock the vehicle.

In terms of safety, the Premier Hatchback has the same package as the LT Hatchback.

Compare the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic Premier Hatchback vs Premier Sedan. What is the difference?

Similar to what has been observed with the LT Sedan and LT Hatchback, the differences between the Premier Sedan and Premier Hatchback are fairly minimal. The trunk on the sedan has a volume of 14.9 cubic feet, whereas the hatchback offers 19 cubic feet of storage space behind the rear seat. When the back row in the hatchback is folded down, cargo capacity increases to 47.7 cubic feet. This is a main reason why some customers go with the hatchback instead of the sedan.

The hatchback version of the Premier comes with a sport suspension instead of a touring suspension, just like the LT Hatchback does. The Premier Hatchback has 17-inch painted black aluminum wheels, and the Premier Sedan has 17-inch painted aluminum wheels. Fog lamps are available on the Premier Sedan, as are a rear spoiler and sporty rocker moldings. These three features are standard on the Hatchback.

In the cabin, one difference is that the Premier Sedan has a leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel rather than a flat-bottomed version. It has a graphite silver metallic instrument panel, which isn't quite as edgy as the piano black version in the Hatchback. Seating is upgraded in the Sedan to have perforated leatherette surfaces.

2020 Chevrolet Sonic: Which Trim to Choose?

All of the Sonic trims are affordable, and their entertainment and safety features are fairly similar. Where some distinction between the trims is found is mainly in the interior, with there being some exterior differences as well.

If anyone prefers to have power windows, than the LS Sedan is out of contention. Assuming this is the case, it comes down to the LT versus the Premium. Since the Premium has some nicer elements to it, like leatherette seating and heated front seats, this trim is recommended. A decision also has to be made about whether to get a sedan or hatchback. Someone who prefers a traditional car will be happy with the Premier Sedan, and anyone who wants some more cargo space and perhaps a vehicle with a more youthful feel should go with the Premier Hatchback.