North Georgia Ford Compares 2017 Ford Fiesta VS 2017 Chevrolet Sonic Near Ellijay, GA

Both the Fiesta and the Sonic 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 and available rearview cameras.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford Fiesta is safer than the Chevrolet Sonic:

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 post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ford Fiesta is safer than the Chevrolet Sonic:

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

The Fiesta’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Sonic’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are over 29 percent more Ford dealers than there are Chevrolet dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Fiesta’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Fiesta has a standard 500-amp battery. The Sonic’s 438-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

On the EPA test cycle the Fiesta SFE 3 cyl. Manual gets better fuel mileage than the Sonic turbo 4 cyl. Manual (31 city/41 hwy vs. 28 city/38 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the Fiesta gets better fuel mileage than the Sonic:

The Fiesta has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Sonic doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Fiesta stops much shorter than the Sonic:

The Fiesta’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sonic LS/LT’s standard 65 series tires.

The Fiesta’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Sonic doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Fiesta’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (59.4% to 40.6%) than the Sonic’s (62.5% to 37.5%). This gives the Fiesta more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the Fiesta’s turning circle is .1 feet tighter than the Sonic LS/LT’s (34.4 feet vs. 34.5 feet). The Fiesta’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the Sonic LTZ/RS’ (34.4 feet vs. 36.1 feet).

The Ford Fiesta may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 300 pounds less than the Chevrolet Sonic.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Fiesta has standard flush composite headlights. The Sonic has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Fiesta Titanium Five-Door Hatchback is quieter than the Sonic Premier Hatchback (75 vs. 79 dB).

The Fiesta Sedan has .4 inches more front headroom and 1.8 inches more front legroom than the Sonic Sedan.

The Fiesta Five-Door Hatchback has .4 inches more front headroom and 1.8 inches more front legroom than the Sonic Hatchback.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Fiesta’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Sonic doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its OnStar® can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Fiesta has standard power remote mirrors. The Sonic LS doesn’t offer either a remote driver side or passenger side mirror. The driver will have to roll down the windows and reach across the car to adjust the mirrors.

The Fiesta Titanium’s standard rear view mirror has an automatic dimming feature. This mirror can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on it, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Sonic doesn’t offer the luxury of an automatic dimming rear view mirror.

The Fiesta (except S)’s optional automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Sonic doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the Fiesta has standard rear heat vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Sonic doesn’t offer rear vents.

The Fiesta SE/Titanium’s available GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The Sonic’s available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.

Insurance will cost less for the Fiesta owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Fiesta will cost $125 less than the Sonic over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Fiesta is less expensive to operate than the Sonic because typical repairs cost less on the Fiesta than the Sonic, including $7 less for a water pump, $146 less for an alternator, $68 less for front brake pads, $8 less for front struts and $146 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford Fiesta will be $126 to $3105 less than for the Chevrolet Sonic.