Chevrolet Sonic vs. Ford Focus
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Chevrolet Sonic and Ford Focus contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Chevrolet Sonic and the Ford Focus.
When comparing the Chevrolet Sonic's and the Ford Focus's specifications and ratings, the Chevrolet Sonic has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency and interior volume. The Ford Focus has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Chevrolet Sonic's and the Ford Focus's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2018 Chevrolet Sonic ranges from $8,537 to $16,475 while a used 2018 Ford Focus is priced between $7,995 to $16,818.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Chevrolet Sonic’s base engine makes 138 horsepower, and the Ford Focus base engine makes 160 horsepower. The Sonic is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 427 miles. The Focus is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 422 miles. This gives the Chevrolet Sonic the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Ford Focus. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Chevrolet Sonic has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Ford Focus has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room, front leg room and rear head room.
Safety Ratings: The Chevrolet Sonic has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$15,295
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Subcompact Cars)
$17,288
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Subcompact Cars)
$12,110 - $26,700
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$17,950
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$20,571
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$14,395 - $39,785
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$12,642
Price Range:
$8,537 - $16,475
Category Avg Price:
(Subcompact Cars)
$14,812
Category Avg Price Range:
(Subcompact Cars)
$10,846 - $24,309
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
82
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
88,970
# Good or Great Deals:
32
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$12,435
Price Range:
$7,995 - $16,818
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$17,195
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$9,985 - $30,573
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
473
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
78,494
# Good or Great Deals:
155
Chevrolet Sonic Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.7 / 10
Reliability:
7.7 / 10
Retained Value:
8.3 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Ford Focus Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Chevrolet Sonic
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
2.9
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Subcompact Cars)
5
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Subcompact Cars)
1.9 - 7.4
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.8%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Ford Focus
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
3.8
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
5.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
3.1 - 8.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
1.1%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Subcompact Cars)
1.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Subcompact Cars)
0.5 - 7.4
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.4
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
4.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
0.5 - 16.6
Chevrolet Sonic Rankings
Ranking
5 out of / 21Ranking
12 out of / 43Ranking
14 out of / 43Ranking
21 out of / 43Ranking
22 out of / 43Ranking
22 out of / 43Ranking
28 out of / 43Ranking
30 out of / 43Ranking
34 out of / 43Ford Focus Rankings
Available Body Styles
Hatchback, Sedan
Available Body Styles
Hatchback, Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric, Gasoline
Chevrolet Sonic Trim Levels
Not yet available
Ford Focus Trim Levels
Not yet available
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 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
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
138 hp @ 6300 rpm
Torque:
125 foot-lbs @ 3800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.050 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
160 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque:
146 foot-lbs @ 4450 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.055 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):
26 / 35 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
317 / 427 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 34 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
310 / 422 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Alloy wheels:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
53.4 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53 inches
Cargo Space:
14.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
90.3 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.6 inches
Rear Head Room:
38 inches
Rear Leg Room:
33.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
52.6 inches
Cargo Space:
13.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
90.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2773 lbs
Width:
68.3 inches
Height:
59.7 inches
Length:
173.9 inches
Wheelbase:
99.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2928 lbs
Width:
80.5 inches
Height:
57.8 inches
Length:
178.7 inches
Wheelbase:
104.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P195/65R15
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 5.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
195/65R15
Exterior Colors
Black
Mosaic Black Metallic
Blue
Arctic Blue Metallic / Kinetic Blue Metallic
Gray
Nightfall Gray Metallic
Red
Red Hot
Silver
Silver Ice Metallic
White
Summit White
Exterior Colors
Black
Shadow Black
Blue
Not available
Gray
Magnetic
Red
Not available
Silver
Ingot Silver
White
Oxford White
Interior Colors
Black
Jet Black/Dark Titanium
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Not available
Gray
Charcoal Black
