Chevrolet Sonic (Brazil)


The Chevrolet Sonic is an upcoming subcompact crossover coupe SUV produced by the Brazilian division of Chevrolet. Scheduled to enter production in 2026, the model is derived from the Chevrolet Onix family and known internally as Project Carbon.
It was developed to fill the gap between the Onix and the Chevrolet Tracker in the brand’s lineup. Production is confirmed for the Gravataí plant in Rio Grande do Sul, and the commercial debut in Brazil is planned for the first half of 2026, focusing on the South American market. The name revives that of a premium compact sold by Chevrolet in Brazil between 2012 and 2014; however, the new Sonic will be built locally and share its platform, engines and components with the Onix.

History and development

Development of the Sonic SUV began in mid‑2023 under the codename "Carbon", as part of a R$1.2 billion investment in the modernization of the Gravataí factory. In November 2025 General Motors officially confirmed the name "Chevrolet Sonic" for the Onix‑derived utility and announced that the vehicle would be produced in Gravataí, sharing the assembly line and the GEM platform with the Onix hatch and Onix Plus. The same plant, inaugurated in 2000 for production of the Celta and currently dedicated to the Onix, will manufacture the Sonic as a second high‑volume product.
With the release of the name, Chevrolet confirmed that the commercial launch would take place in the first half of 2026. According to the automotive press, the debut is scheduled for May 2026, following the introduction of new generations of the Onix and Tracker in 2025. The model was conceived to compete with entry‑level compact SUVs such as the Fiat Pulse, Renault Kardian and Volkswagen Tera, positioning itself below the Tracker in price and size.

Design

Exterior

Although it shares the doors, windows and C‑pillar of the Onix hatch, the Sonic features its own design at the front and rear. The bonnet is more horizontal and elevated, the front grille is wider, and there is a lighting cluster divided into three levels: LED daytime running lights at the top, main headlights in the centre and fog lights at the base. At the rear, the boot lid has been redesigned and the rear overhang extended, drawing inspiration from the Equinox EV to increase luggage capacity. The tail lights, with LED technology, are expected to be connected by a horizontal bar, and the wheel arches gain plastic mouldings and greater ride height.
The side profile follows a coupe‑like crossover silhouette, with a sloping roof and lengthened rear pillars. Spy shots show that the car will have roof rails and black paint on the roof area, but it is unlikely to offer a sunroof, an uncommon feature in this segment.

Interior

The interior will be entirely new compared with the Onix, with a redesigned dashboard inspired by the new Tracker and other recent GM releases. It is expected to feature two integrated displays: a digital instrument panel of around 8 inches and a multimedia screen of around 10 inches, in addition to more refined trim with new fabric or synthetic leather patterns. Unlike the Onix, the Sonic will have a digital instrument cluster, exclusive dashboard and updated infotainment system, as well as a package of driver‑assistance technologies similar to that of the Tracker.

Platform and dimensions

The Sonic uses the GEM platform, the same used in the Onix, Onix Plus and Tracker. The front suspension is expected to adopt a MacPherson strut layout and the rear will use a torsion beam, combining ventilated discs at the front and drum brakes at the rear—an arrangement already employed by the Onix and Tracker.
No official technical specifications have been released, but projections indicate a length between 4.10 m and 4.20 m and a width around 1.75 m. The wheelbase should repeat the 2.55 m of the Onix and the boot capacity should exceed the 303 litres of the hatch. For comparison, the 2026 Onix hatch measures 4.16 m in length, 1.75 m in width, 1.47 m in height and has a wheelbase of 2.55 m.

Powertrain

The Sonic’s engine range is expected to start with the 1.0‑litre turboflex three‑cylinder engine already used in the Onix and Tracker. This engine produces between 115 hp and 121 hp and approximately 18 kg·m of torque, and can be paired with six‑speed manual or automatic transmissions. Press reports suggest that entry‑level versions may receive the 1.0‑litre naturally aspirated flex engine and that a top version could adopt the 1.2‑litre turbo with direct injection from the Tracker. There is also speculation that the 1.0 turboflex could receive direct injection and a mild‑hybrid system, or even a flex‑hybrid version, to comply with emissions regulations.

Equipment

Detailed equipment lists for the Sonic have not yet been released, but launch versions are expected to include LED headlights and fog lights, alloy wheels and six airbags as standard. Other features will likely include wireless phone charging, connectivity with internet via OnStar/Wi‑Fi and a set of driver‑assistance systems comprising forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, blind‑spot monitoring and, on higher trims, semi‑automatic parking. The presence of a sunroof is not anticipated, as prototypes have shown only a black‑painted roof.

Production and market

The Sonic will be built exclusively at the Gravataí factory in Rio Grande do Sul. GM has confirmed that the model will use the same assembly line and infrastructure as the Onix, and that the plant will become the export hub for the Sonic to other South American countries. According to the press, the initial price is expected to be around R$100,000, positioning it below the Tracker and in direct competition with the Fiat Pulse, Renault Kardian, Citroën Basalt and Volkswagen T‑Cross. The model will be marketed only in South America, and there are no plans for export to other continents.