Chevrolet has officially declared that its new subcompact SUV, the Sonic, will be launched in Brazil during the second quarter of 2026. The Sonic name, previously used for a hatchback, will now represent the company's anticipated "SUV version of the Onix." This strategic move is part of Chevrolet's effort to expand its SUV portfolio in the Brazilian market.

The Sonic will be manufactured at the Gravataí facility in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, which is one of the five Chevrolet plants in the country. The Gravataí plant currently produces the Onix in both hatchback and sedan versions and will undergo modernization to prepare for Sonic production. The investment slated for this project is significant, with General Motors allocating R$ 1.2 billion for the development and production, expected to take place in 2026.

The introduction of the Sonic SUV comes at a time when the Onix model has been remarkably successful, having surpassed all-time production records for Chevrolet in Brazil, with over 3 million units manufactured. This new model represents exciting growth possibilities for Chevrolet, allowing the brand to tap further into the popular SUV market as consumer preferences continue to shift toward larger vehicles.