Chevrolet Onix Retakes 20-Year-Old Proposal with New Ethanol-Only Variants

A recent update to the Inmetro's vehicle table, effective August 14, 2026, suggests a possible increase in the production of the Chevrolet Onix Eco, a 100% ethanol-powered variant.

The Onix Eco is the first 100% ethanol-powered car to be produced in 20 years, following the discontinuation of the Chevrolet Classic and Volkswagen Santana 1.8 models. In the past 20 years, the Brazilian market has primarily opted for flex-fuel vehicles that can run on ethanol or gasoline.

The Onix Eco offers several benefits, including lower emissions and improved efficiency compared to its flex-fuel counterpart. Additionally, it may be eligible for tax incentives in certain states, making it an attractive option for those looking to save money.

According to the Inmetro's updated table, four ethanol-only variants of the Onix are now available: 1.0 Turbo AT, LT 1.0 Turbo AT, LTZ 1.0 Turbo AT, and Premier 1.0 Turbo AT. This move suggests that General Motors is committed to popularizing the Onix as a 100% ethanol-powered vehicle, potentially securing Chevrolet's exclusive position in the market.

The Onix's fuel efficiency is impressive, with 9.1 km/l in the city and 11.0 km/l (11.1 km/l in the Onix Plus) on the highway, outperforming its flex-fuel counterparts.

| Variant | Fuel Efficiency (City) | Fuel Efficiency (Highway) | | --- | --- | --- | | 1.0 Turbo AT | 9.1 km/l | 11.0 km/l | | LT 1.0 Turbo AT | 9.1 km/l | 11.0 km/l | | LTZ 1.0 Turbo AT | 9.1 km/l | 11.0 km/l | | Premier 1.0 Turbo AT | 9.1 km/l | 11.0 km/l |

The success of the Onix Eco may pave the way for other General Motors models, such as the Sonic, Montana, and Tracker, to follow suit and offer 100% ethanol-powered variants. Only time will tell if this trend will continue.

The Chevrolet Onix's 100% ethanol-powered variants are a step towards a more sustainable future, and it will be interesting to see how the market responds to this new development.