North America can say goodbye to the Chevy Aveo and give a big welcome to its replacement, the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. This brand-new 4-door, 5-passenger subcompact is anticipated to outshine the venerable and now somewhat tired Aveo in power, styling, cabin ambiance and plain utility, with its base MSRP of around $14,500 matching up well with not only the defunct Aveo, but much of its expected competition as well. A couple of distinct similarities between the two subcompacts remain, however. Both are available in either sedan or hatchback form, and both are nimble and easy to maneuver in tight spots. Chevy’s Aveo will continue to be available in Europe and Asia, while the Sonic, at least in its formative years, will be offered only in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

For the debutant ball, Chevy expects to offer the 2012 Sonic in three trims, the base LS, midlevel LT and top-shelf LTZ. The sedan version will hold 14 cubic feet of cargo in its surprisingly spacious trunk, while the Hatchback should pack 30.7 cubic feet of cargo area with its rear seats folded. The new Sonic also offers the choice of the standard naturally aspirated inline 4-cylinder engine (I4) or an available turbocharged I4. Exterior styling is eye-catching, with plenty of swoops and curves, not to mention an impressively bold grille. Sonic hatchbacks are given a slightly more aggressive look with a standard integrated rear spoiler. The sedan version is a few inches longer than the hatchback, but the mini-wagon offers, besides more cargo area, a few additional inches of rear seat headroom simply because of its boxlike configuration from front pillars to rear bumper.

Honda’s popular Fit, as well as the Ford Fiesta and the Mazda2, are expected to be the 2012 Sonic’s closest competitors, just as they were with the Aveo. This time around, however, Chevy has raised the bar a good two or three notches with its attractive, powerful and nimble new subcompact.

Standard power for the 2012 Sonic lineup is expected to come from a variable-valve-timed 1.8-liter I4 engine. Paired with either the standard 5-speed manual transmission in the LS or the 6-speed automatic gracing the two higher trims, the naturally aspirated four-banger will put out 138 hp and 125 lb-ft of torque. Should that not be enough oomph, a 1.4-liter turbocharged I4, again with variable valve timing, will be available in the LT and LTZ. The sole transmission with the turbo I4 is a 6-speed manual that’ll help it ring out 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. As is usual with introductory autos, fuel efficiency ratings are unavailable, but Chevy is confident that both powerplants ought to average 36 to 38 mpg. If that’s indeed the case, this little sedan/hatchback will jump to the head of the class.

Everyone knows that the typical subcompact isn’t designed with posh in mind. The base 2012 Sonic LS sedan and hatchback, indeed the entire Sonic lineup, goes against the grain a bit, however, in boasting standard painted alloy wheels. In the case of the LS, these are 15-inch wheels that bear such niceties as standard cloth upholstery, remote power door locks, telescoping tilt-wheel steering, air conditioning and a trip computer. As is traditional in GM vehicles, the LS also is expected to carry OnStar Directions and Connections navigation and communications service, as well as an AM/FM stereo with four speakers and auxiliary MP3 input, all standard.

Moving up a notch to the Sonic LT sedan and hatchback should add standard premium cloth upholstery, power-adjustable heated outside mirrors and power windows. Additional standard entertainment features for the LT are expected to include a single-CD/MP3 player with six speakers and Sirius satellite radio, while phone pre-wiring makes an add-on phone a piece of cake. Finally, front and rear floormats are also touted to come standard with the midlevel LT.

The flagship Sonic LTZ, in both sedan and hatchback versions, is expected to add 17-inch painted alloy wheels, leatherette upholstery, simulated alloy dash, console and door trim, as well as a leather and simulated alloy steering wheel to the list of standard features. Additionally, the LTZ is anticipated to be delivered with standard cruise control, as well as multi-level heated front seats, while a USB connection and Bluetooth streaming audio should add to listening pleasure.

Options for the LS include several standard features found in the higher trims, while the LT can also be delivered with a few of the LTZ’s standard items, plus 16-inch painted aluminum wheels. The LTZ, loaded though it might seem, is anticipated to be available with a power glass sunroof. Finally, all trims are expected to be eligible for Chevy’s Z-Specs Package including body-color ground effects, mirror caps, a roof spoiler, grille surrounds and upgraded 16- or 17-inch wheels. These same optional Z-Spec goodies are also expected to be available separately, along with remote engine start technology.

Standard safety equipment across the 2012 Sonic lineup should include four-wheel antilock brakes (ABS) as well as traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags and front and rear head airbags. Additional standard safety equipment includes daytime running lights, dusk-sensing headlights and OnStar emergency services, including collision notification and stolen vehicle tracking, as well as a remote antitheft alarm and a post-collision safety system. Finally, front fog/driving lights are expected to be optional on the LT and LTZ trims with the Wheels and Fog Lamp Package.

Look for the brand-spankin’-new 2012 Sonic to be available in the early fall of 2011.