The 2012 Chevy Sonic is all new for 2012 to take on the small car segment where its predecessor the Aveo failed. The 2012 Honda Fit is one of the most established (and therefore most due for a refresh) small cars on sale right now. So how do the two compare? Common knowledge says if you want to unseat the incumbent you should be significantly better, but can Chevy build a better car for the same price as Honda?

2012 Chevy Sonic

VS

2012 Honda Fit
The 2012 Chevy Sonic Hatchback (Used here for comparison’s sake, since the Honda Fit isn’t available in sedan form. The Sonic is.) starts at $14,635, while the 2012 Honda Fit starts at $15,175.

The engine in the 2012 Chevy Sonic is more impressive than the 2012 Honda Fit’s. Fuel economy from the 1.8-liter four-cylinder in the Sonic isn’t very impressive, almost matching the Fit’s 27-city, 33-highway ratings with 26-mpg city and 35-mpg highway. What is impressive about the Sonic’s powerplant is that it creates a lot more power than the Fit’s with similar mileage figures: the Sonic has 138-hp and 125 lb-ft of torque, while the Fit makes do with just 117-hp and 106 ft-lbs of torque.

Inside, the Fit is slightly larger than the Sonic. Cargo capacity with all of the seats in place is 19.0 cubic feet in the Sonic and 20.6 cubic feet in the Fit. The Fit also has an advantage in head room, with 40.4 inches in front and 39.0 inches in the back. The Sonic has 38.7 inches in front and 38.1 inches rear. The Sonic has more leg room than the Fit, with 41.8 inches front to the Fit’s 41.3 and 34.6 inches in the rear to the Fit’s 34.5 inches.