2020 Chevrolet Sonic Hatchback Interior and Cargo

Despite the Sonic's modern interior aesthetic, the materials used throughout elicit more of a low-budget impression. Both models are bedecked with a leather-wrapped three-spoke sports steering wheel with contrast stitching and a piano black instrument cluster, but most of the dashboard, pillars, and inner door cards are made up of dull-toned hard-touch plastics. Red and Black Deluxe cloth upholster the seats of the LT model with red accented stitching completing the look. The Premier model improves favorably on quality with leatherette seating appointments, featuring red microfibre inserts and RS detailing on the upper backrests.

It's in practicality where the Sonic really shines, offering a massive 19 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seats left in place. That's more than enough room for two mid-sized suitcases and a couple of duffel bags. The rear seats fold down flat in a 60/40 split, expanding capacity to 47.7 cubes, increasing cargo versatility, and turning the Sonic Hatch into an impressively capable one.

As for in-cabin storage, there's a dual-split passenger-side glove box, with either compartment offering very little usable space. The door side pockets are otherwise wide and include slots for larger bottles. There are also two cupholders featured between the front and rear seats, and two small-item storage pockets on either side of the infotainment cluster, with another located beneath the climate controls. A small center armrest compartment is located between the front seats as well.

While the base Sonic LT model comes packed with an impressive list of features as standard, the Sonic Premier brings with it a load of added luxuries. At the base level, there's remote keyless entry, remote ignition, a leather-wrapped tilt-only steering wheel, a four-way manually adjustable driver's seat, two-way manually-adjustable front passenger seat, 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat, and manual air conditioning. The Premier gets six-way power-adjustable and heated front seats, a compass display, and an enhanced driver information display. Covering the safety bases in both models as standard are automatic projector-beam halogen headlights, Chevy's OnStar and Connected Services, and a rearview camera. Unfortunately, the only included driver assist is cruise control; otherwise, all that's available is rear park assist, lane departure warning, and forward-collision warning to add on via the options list.

Both Sonic models are outfitted with Chevrolet's Infotainment 3 system, which is one of the best systems on the market; offering crisp, high-quality visuals, immediate responses, and comprehensive functionality including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard. There's also Bluetooth connectivity and audio streaming, 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capability, and SiriusXM radio, all controlled via the Sonic's seven-inch touchscreen display, which is tethered to a six-speaker audio system in both models. In the dash are two USB ports for device charging and connectivity, an auxiliary input for audio streaming, and a 12-volt power outlet. Though a standard navigation system is omitted from the lineup, the contemporary infotainment system's full smartphone integration makes up for this.