Chevy Sonic Makes 10 Coolest Cars List with Style, Savings

WATERVILLE, MAINE (07/02/2012)(readMedia)-- While there are plenty of cars on the market with affordable pricing these days, only a select few also come standard with the elusive cool factor. Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com recently placed the 2012 Chevy Sonic among the upper echelon of stylish savers on its 10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000 list, honoring the subcompact for its affordability, fuel efficiency and exuberant style.

Aside from being priced lower than $18,000 according to Kelley Blue Book's Fair Purchase Price, each vehicle on kbb.com's 10 Coolest Cars list also needed to be both fun-to-drive and fun-to-own. The Chevy Sonic earned its spot by impressing editors with its sporty exterior looks, motorcycle-inspired gauges and fuel-efficient yet responsive engines that make sure the Sonic has the bite to back up its bark.

"The Chevy Sonic proves that you can get a premium car without paying a premium price," said Bo Hendrick, general sales manager of Waterville, ME Chevrolet dealer Central Maine Motors. "You get standout style whether you choose the hatchback or sedan, but at the same time you also can enjoy an engaging ride and up to 40 mpg on the highway with the Sonic's available 1.4-liter turbocharged engine."

According to a report from GM Authority, the Chevy Sonic will be taking its cool factor to a new level as one the first GM vehicles to integrate with Apple's Siri voice-recognition technology. Though a timeframe has yet to be set, the Sonic and Spark are expected to be the first Chevys to feature Apple's newly announced Eyes Free system, which allows drivers to press a button on their steering wheel to connect by voice with Siri on their iPhone or iPad. Users will be able to complete a number of actions through Eyes Free, ranging from hands-free phone calls and text messages to restaurant searches.

The Chevy Sonic may be making news for its youthful, high-tech appeal, but it is also establishing itself as a top choice for new families. Recently named to the Best Family Cars for 2012 list from Edmunds.com and Parents magazine, the Chevrolet subcompact was not only recognized by editors for its affordability and versatility, but also its safety.

Coming standard with 10 airbags, the 2012 Sonic is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick and has received a 5-Star Safety Rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Parents will also take comfort in the car's standard OnStar Automatic Crash Response system, which can detect crashes and connect with an emergency advisor to determine if help should be sent to the Sonic's GPS location.

"There is a misperception among buyers that larger cars are safer, but the Sonic shows that is not always the case," added Hendrick. "The Sonic is built to protect parents' most precious cargo, all while leaving spare cash for diapers and groceries."

About Central Maine Motors:

Part of the Central Maine Motors Auto Group that has served New England drivers since 1935, Central Maine Motors is dedicated to creating a superior car-buying experience that leads to lasting relationships with their customers. Maintaining high standards of integrity, the staff at their Maine Chevrolet and Buick dealership is fully trained to find the right vehicle for each customer, along with expert service down the road. Visit Central Maine Motors at 420 Kennedy Memorial Drive in Waterville, call them at 888-396-6102 or browse their inventory of new and used Chevy and Buick vehicles online at www.centralmainechevybuick.com. They can also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CentralMaineChevroletBuick.