For Immediate Release: Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012
2012 Chevrolet Sonic Models Get Top Safety Ratings
Subcompact 4-door and 5-door models achieve 5-star overall safety scores
DETROIT – The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic received a 5-star overall vehicle score for safety from the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The vehicle was tested under NHTSA’s revised New Car Assessment Program implemented
starting with the 2011 model year. The Sonic brings to 10 the number of General Motors 2012
models with 5-star overall vehicle scores for safety.
The overall rating is based on frontal and side crash tests in addition to rollover resistance
testing. The three test conditions are combined mathematically into an “Overall Vehicle Score.”
The Sonic achieved an overall vehicle score of 5 stars – the highest rating possible – even
though Sonic received four stars for rollover. NHTSA applies the results for the Sonic sedan to
the 5-door hatchback model because of the same safety equipment and performance
“We developed Sonic to exceed customer expectations of subcompacts in terms of segmentleading safety features,” said Gay Kent, GM executive director of vehicle safety. “From the
largest vehicles in our lineup to the smallest, we are putting overall crashworthiness and stateof-the-art safety technologies at the top of the list of must-haves.”
The Sonic is designed to help drivers avoid crashes, while protecting occupants in a crash.
Sonic offers an exceptionally strong body structure through the incorporation of a single welded
side ring unit and more than 60 percent of the vehicle safety cage consisting of high-strength
steel. Other standard safety features include:
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Driver and front passenger dual-stage frontal air bags, seat-mounted side pelvic/thorax air
bags, knee air bags and head curtain side air bags with rollover protection that cover front
and outboard rear seating rows. The Sonic also has side impact air bags in the outboard
rear seating positions for a total of ten standard air bags.
Rollover sensors, which can activate the head-curtain side air bags if sensors determine an
imminent rollover. In a rollover, the air bags stay inflated longer to provide increased
occupant protection.
StabiliTrak electronic stability control helps the driver maintain control by comparing the path
being steered by the driver with the actual response and, when necessary, applying the
brakes or adjusting the throttle or a combination of both.
Power-assisted front disc and rear drum brakes with ABS, full-function traction control and
panic brake assist that activates when an emergency braking maneuver is detected. The
system automatically develops additional brake pressure to more quickly engage ABS
Front safety belt pretensioners to reduce forward occupant movement and load-limiting
retractors to help manage forces during a collision
OnStar, which features the Automatic Crash Response System that uses GPS and cellular
phone technology to automatically call for help in the event that a crash is detected.
Starting with 2011 models, NHTSA introduced tougher tests and more rigorous requirements for
its 5-star ratings that provide more information about safety feature performance and crashavoidance technologies. Changes included a new side pole test simulating a 20-mph sideimpact crash into a 10-inch-diameter pole or tree at a 75-degree angle just behind the A-pillar
on the driver’s side.
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in
more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides
customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high
quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.
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CONTACTS:
Sharon Basel
GM Safety Communications
313-378-6647
sharon.basel@gm.com
Cristiana Vazquez
Chevrolet Communications
313-410-7827
cristianna.vazquez@gm.com