2012 Chevy Sonic Earns Top Safety Pick Zeigler Chevrolet Schaumburg

2012 Chevy Sonic Earns “Top Safety Pick” Status

by Chevrolet in the News on September 14, 2011

The all-new subcompact 2012 Chevy Sonic has just earned the coveted Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick award. Thanks to two more air bags than its competitors, StabiliTrak electronic stability control, and a host of safety features, it excelled in the Institute’s testing.
The IIHS tests vehicles to determine how well they protect occupants in front and side crash tests, in rollovers via a roof strength test, and in simulated rear impacts to evaluate seat and head restraints for protection against neck injuries. In all of these areas, the Sonic achieved “good” scores.
Safety was a priority for engineers, and the “Top Safety Pick” award didn’t come as much of a surprise. In addition to 10 air bags, the Sonic offers a body structure incorporating a single welded side ring unit. Also, more than 60 percent of the vehicle safety cage consists of high-strength steel.
“We developed Sonic to exceed our customer’s expectations of the subcompact market, both in the fun-to-drive performance characteristics and the segment-leading safety features,” said Joaquin Nuño-Whelan, Sonic vehicle line director and vehicle chief engineer. “This designation by IIHS confirms that Chevy customers can buy a subcompact with top safety performance.”
Other unique safety features on the 2012 Sonic include:

• LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Top tethers for Children)
• Six months of complimentary OnStar Directions and Connections service, including stolen vehicle assistance and automatic crash response
• Power-assisted front disc and rear drum brakes with panic brake assist technology

With this rating the Sonic joins the Volt and the Cruze, two other small cars that recently received a 2011 IIHS Top Safety Pick award.