Chevrolet: What's New for 2012

What's New for 2012: All Makes

2012 Chevrolet Avalanche: Chevy's StabiliTrak stability control system now includes electronic trailer sway control and hill start assist for the 2012 Avalanche, and the audio system with navigation has been revised. A leather-wrapped heated steering wheel has been added, and heated seats become standard equipment on the Avalanche LT. The body-color grille has been dropped, and two new colors replace two old colors. Sheer Silver Metallic and Mocha Steel Metallic are out, and Silver Ice Metallic will be available later in production, as will Blue Topaz Metallic for an additional cost.

2012 Chevrolet Aveo: The Aveo is dead for 2012. It is replaced by the all-new Chevrolet Sonic (see below).

2012 Chevrolet Camaro: For 2012, the Chevrolet Camaro sees several important improvements. The V6 versions get more power, up to 323 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. The SS coupe gets a revised sport suspension, a rearview camera becomes available and all Camaros benefit from an interior with much needed upgrades. Soft-touch inserts have been added to the dash, and a new steering wheel offers a more comfortable grip.

Later in the model year, the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 debuts with a much anticipated supercharged V8.

2012 Chevrolet Colorado: The Colorado cuts down on its options across the lineup for 2012, with the Vortec 5.3-liter V8 SFI engine, 3.42 ratio rear axle, 5,500-pound GVWR and 145-amp alternator no longer available on 1LT extended and crew cab models. The five-speed manual transmission is no longer offered on LT models, and trailering equipment is included on 1LT and 2LT 4x4 models, and is not available on 3LT trucks.

The good news is the Power Convenience package is now included on regular and extended cab 1LT models, an automatic locking rear differential is now included on 2LT and 3LT models and 1LT 4x4 models. Front bucket seats replace the 60/40-split bench seat on 2LT Colorados, and extended cab trucks get revised rear-seat head restraints.

2011 Chevrolet Corvette: For 2012, the Chevrolet Corvette gets a welcome new seat design with larger side bolsters, along with a new steering wheel and extra padding in the armrests. A new nine-speaker Bose sound system is added to the available features list, along with several customization options. The Z06 can now be had with the ZR1's Performance Traction Management system, while both models are offered with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires for improved handling. In a nod to fuel economy, Chevy has put taller ratios on 5th and 6th gears in the ZR1's manual transmission, resulting in a claimed gain of 2 mpg in highway mileage. Fifth and 6th are overdrive gears on this transmission, so this change merely moves the ZR1 closer to the aggressive 0.74 and 0.50 overdrive ratios on the Z06. Finally, there is a new Chevrolet Centennial Special Edition .

2012 Chevrolet Equinox: For the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, new forward collision alert and lane-departure warning systems are now available. Equinox 1LT models also have the rearview camera as standard equipment this year. However, the optional rear-seat video entertainment system has been dropped.

2012 Chevrolet Express: The big, boxy Chevrolet Express van can now be ordered in Wheatland Yellow (think taxi cab yellow).

2012 Chevrolet HHR: 2011 was the last year for the HHR.

2012 Chevrolet Impala: Both the 3.5-liter and 3.9-liter V6 engines have been dropped for 2012, replaced by a single E85 flex-fuel capable, direction-injection 3.6-liter V6 with variable valve timing mated to a six speed automatic transmission. A new front grille and foglights, coupled with new dual exhaust outlets and a fresh 16-inch wheel design, give the big Impala sedan a slightly updated look

2012 Chevrolet Malibu: Big changes are on the horizon for the 2013 Malibu , so updates to the 2012 model are mostly limited to jockeying around equipment packages. The LS Uplevel package now includes body-side molding, Bluetooth phone connectivity, floor mats, steering wheel audio controls and compact spare tire and jack assembly. The Sunroof and Convenience package for 1LT model includes power tilt-sliding sunroof, power six-way driver seat, remote start, Bluetooth phone connectivity and a 110V three-prong outlet. The Sunroof package for 2LT model includes power tilt-sliding sunroof, premium floor mats and a trunk mat; and a new Crystal Red Tintcoat exterior paint is available at an additional charge.

2012 Chevrolet Silverado/Silverado Hybrid: The popular pickup gains a DVD player, added to its audio and navigation system, and trades Sheer Silver Metallic exterior paint for Silver Ice Metallic.

2012 Chevrolet Silverado HD: The Silverado Heavy Duty pickup's Vortec 6.0-liter variable valve timing V8 SFI engine now includes E85 capability when the Fleetside pickup box is ordered, and a new silver exterior paint replaces the old silver paint. Cruise control and a spare tire lock are added to the base truck's list of standard equipment.

2012 Chevrolet Sonic: The Sonic is an all-new model in Chevy's car lineup. Available as either a sedan or hatchback, the Sonic compact shares its powertrains with the larger Chevy Cruze, including a standard 135-horsepower normally aspirated 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and an optional 138-hp 1.4-liter turbocharged four. The 1.8 can be paired with either a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox, and a six-speed automatic option was added to the 1.4-liter car early in 2012.

Standard equipment on the baby Sonic includes 10 airbags, air-conditioning, power door locks, remote keyless entry and 15-inch alloy wheels. The uplevel LT model includes a six-speaker premium sound system with CD player, XM Satellite Radio, power windows with driver express up/down, power heated side mirrors, a connectivity package with a USB port, Bluetooth for select phones and music and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.

2012 Chevrolet Suburban: Changes for the 2012 Suburban mirror those for the Tahoe, with a couple of additions. Electronic trailer sway control and hill start assist are added to the big SUV's feature list, as is the ability to play different movies or programs on the Suburban's rear DVD screens. A third-row DVD screen is also now included with the rear-seat DVD entertainment system.

2012 Chevrolet Tahoe/Tahoe Hybrid: The Tahoe lineup pretty much stands pat for the new model year, with the exception of a few package changes. The two-speed active transfer is now included and only available with the Off-Road Suspension package and the heavy-duty trailering package on Tahoe LS or LT models. Side blind zone alert becomes standard on the LTZ model, heated driver and front passenger seats are standard on 1LT. Heated seats are now available on the LS trim, and the Regional Value package has been rechristened "All-Star Edition." Lastly, Chevy deletes the body-color grille from the formidable Tahoe, as well has a handful of exterior paint colors including Ice Blue Metallic, Red Jewel Tintcoat, Sheer Silver Metallic, Steel Green Metallic and Taupe Gray Metallic. Only three have been added: Blue Topaz Metallic, Crystal Red Tintcoat and Silver Ice Metallic.

2012 Chevrolet Traverse: Chevy's three-row crossover now gets body-color side-view mirrors that are heated, power-folding and power-adjustable. The driver-side mirror is also auto-dimming on the LTZ trim. Dark Silver Metallic and Crystal Red Tintcoat exterior colors will be added later in the model year.

2012 Chevrolet Volt: For 2012, the Chevrolet Volt gets a $1,000 price cut, but its formerly standard navigation system and Bose audio system are now on the options list. New features for 2012 include optional 17-inch sport alloy wheels with black inserts, standard keyless access, standard AM/FM stereo with CD player and MP3 playback, and the new MyLink system, which provides Bluetooth streaming audio as well as voice control over the audio system and your cell phone. The Volt will be available in two additional interior accent colors: White and Spiced Red, and two new exterior colors: Blue Topaz Metallic and Summit White.