2018 Volkswagen Golf vs. 2018 Chevrolet Sonic
When comparing the 2018 Volkswagen Golf's and the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic's specifications and ratings, the 2018 Volkswagen Golf has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, reliability, resale value, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. The 2018 Chevrolet Sonic has the advantage in the area of typical lower range of pricing for used cars. Based on this comparison of the 2018 Volkswagen Golf's and the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic's specifications and ratings, the 2018 Volkswagen Golf is a better car than the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic.
2018 Volkswagen Golf vs. 2018 Chevrolet Sonic Pricing
A used 2018 Volkswagen Golf ranges from $15,173 to $22,817 while a used 2018 Chevrolet Sonic is priced between $9,599 to $18,574.
2018 Volkswagen Golf vs. 2018 Chevrolet Sonic Resale/Retained Value
Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the 2018 Volkswagen Golf loses 40 percent of its value and the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic loses 46.8 percent of its value. This means the 2018 Volkswagen Golf retains 6.7 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic.
2018 Volkswagen Golf vs. 2018 Chevrolet Sonic Quality Rating
The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Volkswagen Golf is 8.7 out of 10 while the Chevrolet Sonic's quality rating is 8.2 out of 10. This results in the Volkswagen Golf being ranked 4 out of 28 Best Hatchbacks and the Chevrolet Sonic being ranked 5 out of 28. Out of 43 Best Small Cars, the Volkswagen Golf is ranked 10 and the Chevrolet Sonic is ranked 14.
2018 Volkswagen Golf vs. 2018 Chevrolet Sonic Reliability Rating
iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Volkswagen Golf is 8.2 out of 10. For the Chevrolet Sonic the reliability rating is 7.5 out of 10. This gives the Volkswagen Golf a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Chevrolet Sonic.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison
For engine performance, the 2018 Volkswagen Golf’s base engine makes 170 horsepower, and the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic base engine makes 138 horsepower. The Golf is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 449 miles. The Sonic is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 415 miles. This gives the 2018 Volkswagen Golf the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison
The 2018 Volkswagen Golf, a compact car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front shoulder room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The 2018 Chevrolet Sonic, a subcompact car, has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front leg room and cargo space. The 2018 Volkswagen Golf and 2018 Chevrolet Sonic are comparable in regards to rear head room.
Safety Ratings Comparison
When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the 2018 Volkswagen Golf and the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
Pricing
New Asking Price:
-
Used Asking Price:
15173 - 22817
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.400111
Pricing
New Asking Price:
-
Used Asking Price:
9599 - 18574
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.467566
Volkswagen Golf Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.724282 / 10
Reliability:
8.172846 / 10
Retained Value:
8.0 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Chevrolet Sonic Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.2 / 10
Reliability:
7.5 / 10
Retained Value:
7.1 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Volkswagen Golf Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 28Ranking
5 out of / 26Ranking
8 out of / 43Ranking
8 out of / 26Ranking
10 out of / 43Ranking
10 out of / 43Ranking
10 out of / 43Ranking
10 out of / 28Ranking
16 out of / 28Ranking
16 out of / 26Ranking
17 out of / 26Ranking
20 out of / 28Ranking
20 out of / 26Ranking
21 out of / 28Ranking
21 out of / 28Ranking
25 out of / 26Ranking
29 out of / 43Ranking
31 out of / 43Ranking
32 out of / 43Ranking
33 out of / 43Chevrolet Sonic Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
2 out of / 17Ranking
2 out of / 7Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 43Ranking
5 out of / 28Ranking
5 out of / 28Ranking
5 out of / 17Ranking
6 out of / 17Ranking
11 out of / 17Ranking
13 out of / 43Ranking
14 out of / 43Ranking
15 out of / 28Ranking
15 out of / 28Ranking
15 out of / 17Ranking
17 out of / 17Ranking
20 out of / 43Ranking
22 out of / 28Ranking
23 out of / 43Ranking
23 out of / 28Ranking
29 out of / 43Ranking
31 out of / 43Ranking
35 out of / 43Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Body Styles
Hatchback, Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
2018 Volkswagen Golf Trim Levels
TSI S, TSI SE
2018 Chevrolet Sonic Trim Levels
LT Auto, LT Auto Fleet, LT Manual, Premier Auto, Premier Manual, LS Auto, LS Manual
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
6 years / 72000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 72000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
170 hp @ 4500 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.058 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
138 hp @ 6300 rpm
Torque:
125 foot-lbs @ 3800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.048 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.8 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 34 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
330 / 449 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.8 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 34 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
305 / 415 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple Car Play:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple Car Play:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Equipment
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Equipment
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.9 inches
Cargo Space:
17.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
110.9 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
53.4 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53 inches
Cargo Space:
19 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
109.6 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2945 lbs
Width:
70.8 inches
Height:
58.2 inches
Length:
167.6 inches
Wheelbase:
103.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2848 lbs
Width:
68.3 inches
Height:
59.7 inches
Length:
159.8 inches
Wheelbase:
99.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 6.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
195/65R15
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P195/65R15