Chevrolet Sonic Sedan vs Mazda2 Sedan vs Suzuki Ciaz

14 Apr 2016|82,237 views
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We put Suzuki's new sporty compact sedan, the Ciaz, against entrants like the quirky Chevrolet Sonic Sedan and charming Mazda2 Sedan.

In an era where crossovers and Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV) dominate the roads and constantly top sales charts, it's easy to neglect the motoring staple that is the compact sedan.

Though small, these bread and butter mobiles are reasonably sized for a small family, fuel efficient and value for money.

With the technological arms race happening around us today, compact sedans are no longer the mundane boxes on wheels they used to be. Whatever your motoring needs may be, you can bet that there is a compact sedan in the market that will fulfill them.

Here then, are three examples that make interesting choices, the Chevrolet Sonic Sedan 1.4 LTZ, the Mazda2 Sedan 1.5 Deluxe and the new kid on the block, the Suzuki Ciaz 1.4 Premium.

Will Suzuki relive the glory of the Swift with this new compact sedan?

Exterior

Unlike the tamer-looking Mazda2 and Ciaz, the Sonic's playful and anarchistic styling, thanks to its aggressive front snout and somewhat angry-looking headlamps, will tug at the heartstring of younger buyers.

But that doesn't mean that its Japanese competition loses out in this respect as well.

This may have been said many times over, but probably for good reasons. Mazda's 'KODO: Soul Of Motion' design philosophy is, in our opinion, the best thing the marque has come up with since the RX-7. 

The Mazda2's sharp and suave demeanour is evergreen, and it won't have a problem appealing to buyers of all ages and all walks of life. Looks are subject to individuality but with regards to beauty, the Mazda2 is the apple of our eyes.

The Ciaz, on the other hand, isn't as strikingly flavourful as the Sonic or Mazda2, even with the RS aero kit that comes with the car. But simplicity is customarily the key with these compact sedans and the Ciaz's down-to-earth presence does a good job in working to its favour.

No ifs, ands or buts, the Mazda2 is a beauty with brains

Interior

Cabin-wise, the Sonic continues to intrigue with a lively, two-tone design and unique ice-blue motorcycle-inspired instrument cluster.

There is, however, no keyless push button start feature, otherwise found in the Mazda2 and the Ciaz. Construction also feels cheaper than the other two cars, with much of the cabin panels finished in hard plastics.

Asian automakers should take a leaf out of Mazda's interior design book

Plus, the Sonic has the smallest boot at 422 litres compared to the Mazda2's 440 litres and Ciaz's generous 495 litres.

Although the Mazda2's occupant and boot space isn't as ample as the Ciaz's, it does teach the Suzuki a lesson or two on how to design and build a premium-looking cabin.

Not only does the entire cockpit of the Mazda2 look more expensive than most cars in this segment, the Japanese supermini's centrally-mounted Mazda Connect integrated navigation and infotainment system is also the most user-friendly in the test.

Where it loses in panache, the Ciaz makes up in practicality. On top of having the largest boot amongst the three, the Ciaz's rear quarters are also the most spacious and comfortable to be in. 

The Ciaz's modest cabin design may not be as posh as the Mazda2's or as quirky as the Sonic's but fit and finish is above average and users also will be pleased to find lots of intelligently-designed utility spaces all over the vehicle.

The Ciaz (right) wins the boot space battle with a mighty 495 litres, outsizing both the Sonic (left) and Mazda2 (centre)

The Drive

When their tyres grace the tarmac, these humble compacts surprisingly perform better than expected.

Of the three, the Sonic is the least impressive behind the wheel. Making 99bhp and 130Nm of torque from a 1.4-litre engine, the Sonic isn't as gutsy as the Mazda2 or as comfortable as the Ciaz.

Averaged fuel economy of 12.8km/L from the Sonic (left), 14.5km/L from the Mazda2 (centre) and a remarkable 18km/L from the Ciaz (right)

Road and wind noise is more evident in the Sonic as compared to the aforementioned rivals but the driving experience isn't what we'd call terrible. Still, Chevrolet has some catching up to do in terms of refinement.

The fastest and most fun in the test is indisputably the Mazda2. Not only does it have the highest power output - 114bhp and 148Nm of torque from Mazda's 1.5-litre SkyActiv engine - the car's six-speed transmission is also the smoothest and most responsive.

Handling and dynamics in the Mazda2 is class-leading. Point the supermini in whichever direction you wish and the eagerness of the car to please is refreshing for something in this segment.

Suzuki has always had the knack for engineering fun-to-drive cars like the Swift, and the Ciaz is no exception. Although the Ciaz, with 91bhp and 130Nm from Suzuki's 1.4-litre engine, isn't as fast in a straight line as the Mazda2, it puts up a good fight around bends and is every bit as fun at the helm as the Mazda.

The Mazda2 may not be the cheapest nor most efficient but its cleverly engineered and well-tuned powertrain puts the others to shame

Conclusion

At $85,999 (as of 8th April 2016), the Sonic promises the most value but its cheaper tag comes at the cost of feeling less refined than the Mazda2 and the Ciaz.

The $97,388 (as of 8th April 2016) Mazda2 is the prettiest, both inside and out, and may be an absolute hoot to drive, but the $97,900 (as of 8th April 2016) Ciaz stands out from the pack as an exemplary all-rounder, which will comfortably ferry an Asian family of five, and put a smile on their faces as it does, while remaining frugal to run.

In this group test, the Ciaz's remarkable package manages to edge out the competition, and takes home the gold for Suzuki.



In an era where crossovers and Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV) dominate the roads and constantly top sales charts, it's easy to neglect the motoring staple that is the compact sedan.

Though small, these bread and butter mobiles are reasonably sized for a small family, fuel efficient and value for money.

With the technological arms race happening around us today, compact sedans are no longer the mundane boxes on wheels they used to be. Whatever your motoring needs may be, you can bet that there is a compact sedan in the market that will fulfill them.

Here then, are three examples that make interesting choices, the Chevrolet Sonic Sedan 1.4 LTZ, the Mazda2 Sedan 1.5 Deluxe and the new kid on the block, the Suzuki Ciaz 1.4 Premium.Exterior

Unlike the tamer-looking Mazda2 and Ciaz, the Sonic's playful and anarchistic styling, thanks to its aggressive front snout and somewhat angry-looking headlamps, will tug at the heartstring of younger buyers.

But that doesn't mean that its Japanese competition loses out in this respect as well.

This may have been said many times over, but probably for good reasons. Mazda's 'KODO: Soul Of Motion' design philosophy is, in our opinion, the best thing the marque has come up with since the RX-7. 


The Mazda2's sharp and suave demeanour is evergreen, and it won't have a problem appealing to buyers of all ages and all walks of life. Looks are subject to individuality but with regards to beauty, the Mazda2 is the apple of our eyes.

The Ciaz, on the other hand, isn't as strikingly flavourful as the Sonic or Mazda2, even with the RS aero kit that comes with the car. But simplicity is customarily the key with these compact sedans and the Ciaz's down-to-earth presence does a good job in working to its favour.


Interior

Cabin-wise, the Sonic continues to intrigue with a lively, two-tone design and unique ice-blue motorcycle-inspired instrument cluster.

There is, however, no keyless push button start feature, otherwise found in the Mazda2 and the Ciaz. Construction also feels cheaper than the other two cars, with much of the cabin panels finished in hard plastics.

Plus, the Sonic has the smallest boot at 422 litres compared to the Mazda2's 440 litres and Ciaz's generous 495 litres.

Although the Mazda2's occupant and boot space isn't as ample as the Ciaz's, it does teach the Suzuki a lesson or two on how to design and build a premium-looking cabin.


Not only does the entire cockpit of the Mazda2 look more expensive than most cars in this segment, the Japanese supermini's centrally-mounted Mazda Connect integrated navigation and infotainment system is also the most user-friendly in the test.

Where it loses in panache, the Ciaz makes up in practicality. On top of having the largest boot amongst the three, the Ciaz's rear quarters are also the most spacious and comfortable to be in. 

The Ciaz's modest cabin design may not be as posh as the Mazda2's or as quirky as the Sonic's but fit and finish is above average and users also will be pleased to find lots of intelligently-designed utility spaces all over the vehicle.



The Drive



When their tyres grace the tarmac, these humble compacts surprisingly perform better than expected.

Of the three, the Sonic is the least impressive behind the wheel. Making 99bhp and 130Nm of torque from a 1.4-litre engine, the Sonic isn't as gutsy as the Mazda2 or as comfortable as the Ciaz.

Road and wind noise is more evident in the Sonic as compared to the aforementioned rivals but the driving experience isn't what we'd call terrible. Still, Chevrolet has some catching up to do in terms of refinement.

The fastest and most fun in the test is indisputably the Mazda2. Not only does it have the highest power output - 114bhp and 148Nm of torque from Mazda's 1.5-litre SkyActiv engine - the car's six-speed transmission is also the smoothest and most responsive.

Handling and dynamics in the Mazda2 is class-leading. Point the supermini in whichever direction you wish and the eagerness of the car to please is refreshing for something in this segment.


Suzuki has always had the knack for engineering fun-to-drive cars like the Swift, and the Ciaz is no exception. Although the Ciaz, with 91bhp and 130Nm from Suzuki's 1.4-litre engine, isn't as fast in a straight line as the Mazda2, it puts up a good fight around bends and is every bit as fun at the helm as the Mazda.

Conclusion

At $85,999 (as of 8th April 2016), the Sonic promises the most value but its cheaper tag comes at the cost of feeling less refined than the Mazda2 and the Ciaz.

The $97,388 (as of 8th April 2016) Mazda2 is the prettiest, both inside and out, and may be an absolute hoot to drive, but the $97,900 (as of 8th April 2016) Ciaz stands out from the pack as an exemplary all-rounder, which will comfortably ferry an Asian family of five, and put a smile on their faces as it does, while remaining frugal to run.

In this group test, the Ciaz's remarkable package manages to edge out the competition, and takes home the gold for Suzuki.

author
Written by Nigel Yong 
Writing may be my thing, but cars, well, that's just pure passion that I simply cannot get rid off.
Photos by Low Fai Ming
 

Car Information

Chevrolet Sonic Sedan 1.4 LTZ (A)

3.5/5

CAT A|Petrol|15.6km/L

Horsepower

74kW (99 bhp)

Torque

130 Nm

Acceleration

12.9sec (0-100km /hr)

This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Chevrolet Sonic Sedan

Suzuki Ciaz 1.4 Premium (A)

3.5/5

CAT A|Petrol|18.5km/L

Horsepower

68kW (91 bhp)

Torque

130 Nm

Acceleration

12.4sec (0-100km /hr)

This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Suzuki Ciaz

Mazda 2 Sedan 1.5 Deluxe (A)

4/5

CAT A|Petrol|19.2km/L

Horsepower

85kW (114 bhp)

Torque

148 Nm

Acceleration

9.9sec (0-100km /hr)

This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Mazda 2 Sedan
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Tags

chevrolet chevrolet sonic chevrolet sonic sedan mazda mazda2 mazda2 sedan suzuki ciaz comparison head to head

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