2006 Chevrolet Cobalt Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

The larger of Chevrolet's two compact cars expands model and engine choices for 2006. Cobalt offers sedans and coupes. It shares its basic design and 4-cyl powertrains with the Saturn Ion, though Cobalt coupes lack Ion's rear access doors. Both Cobalt body styles come in LS, LT, and new SS trim. Also new is the LTZ sedan. SS models have 171 hp, the SS Supercharged has 205; all other models have 145 hp. All come with a 5-speed manual transmission. A 4-speed automatic is standard on LTZ, optional on LS, LT, and SS. Traction control is available with automatic transmission. ABS is optional for LS models, standard otherwise. SS and Supercharged include rear disc brakes, uprated suspension, and sporty styling add-ons. Front side airbags and curtain side airbags are packaged as a single option. All Cobalts come with a 60/40 split folding rear seat. OnStar assistance is optional.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Compact Cars comprise the smallest passengers cars. These vehicles range from tiny economy models to slightly larger, popularly priced sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons.

Our Best Buys include Chrysler PT Cruiser, Honda Civic, Mazda 3, and Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix twins. Our Recommended picks include Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Spectra, and Toyota Corolla.

New or significantly redesigned models include Chevrolet HHR, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, and Volkswagen Golf and Jetta.

News

Detroit gossips think Cobalt will get a freshening of some sort for 2008. There's also talk of an all-wheel-drive performance model for the "sport compact" market, a challenger to the Subaru WRX, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo and VW GTI.

2006 Chevrolet Cobalt Road Test

Pros	Cons

Fuel economy	Engine noise

Acceleration (SS Supercharged)	Rear-seat room

	Rear-seat entry/exit

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

LT sdn w/Spt. Opt. Pkg., auto.	SS Supercharged	Class Average
4	7	4.4

No opportunity yet to test manual-transmission 145-hp model or any 171-hp SS. Responsive automatic transmission made test 145-hp sedan feel peppy enough. Similar 170-hp Saturn Ion with manual not usefully quicker. Chevy says SS Supercharged does 6.1 sec 0-60 mph. Test example felt that quick, but lacked available limited-slip differential, so it suffered marked sideways steering wheel tug, known as torque steer, in full-throttle takeoffs.

Fuel Economy

LT sdn w/Spt. Opt. Pkg., auto.	SS Supercharged	Class Average
7	6	6.7

Test automatic-transmission LT sedan averaged 25.9 mpg with mostly highway driving. No opportunity yet to measure other Cobalts, but similar Ions with manual transmission averaged 25.1, while SS Supercharged's Ion Red Line cousin with manual averaged 19.4 mpg in mostly city use. Chevy recommends premium-grade fuel for SS and SS Supercharged.

Ride Quality

LT sdn w/Spt. Opt. Pkg., auto.	SS Supercharged	Class Average
6	3	4.9

No opportunity yet to test with 15- or 17-inch tires. Cobalts with 16s absorb most bumps quite well, feel stable over swells and dips, but some testers detect undue body motions, coarse-surface vibration. SS Supercharged has stiff suspension, low-profile 18-inch tires, making it feel harsh on rippled pavement; try before you buy.

Steering/Handling/Braking

LT sdn w/Spt. Opt. Pkg., auto.	SS Supercharged	Class Average
6	7	5.6

Models with 16-inch tires slightly above average for class, with moderate cornering lean and quick, informative steering. SS Supercharged has sports car poise on smooth roads, but can bounce over sharp midcorner bumps. On all, stopping power good, but brake pedal has spongy feel.

Quietness

LT sdn w/Spt. Opt. Pkg., auto.	SS Supercharged	Class Average
5	5	4.2

Wind rush, most road noise relatively low for class, though SS Supercharged suffers fair coarse-pavement tire thrum. The 145-hp engine moans when accelerating but cruises calmly enough.

Controls

LT sdn w/Spt. Opt. Pkg., auto.	SS Supercharged	Class Average
5	6	5.9

Neat, logical dashboard, but some testers find gauges a tad small. Simple climate controls, but set too low for easiest adjustment while driving. Supercharged includes boost gauge on left windshield pillar, plus jazzy two-tone leather sport seats and metal-look cabin trim. Nothing looks or feels cheap--a big step up for GM compacts.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

LT sdn w/Spt. Opt. Pkg., auto.	SS Supercharged	Class Average
5	5	5.5

Typical compact-car space and comfort. Seat cushions a bit short for best thigh support, but generous rearward travel gives good leg room for tall occupants. Some taller drivers found that shoulder belt did not adjust high enough for best comfort. SS Supercharged's bolstered sport seats hug well, but don't feel confining. Visibility a bit restricted to right-rear in sedans, fine otherwise.

Room/Comfort (rear)

LT sdn w/Spt. Opt. Pkg., auto.	SS Supercharged	Class Average
3	2	3.9

Sedan matches rivals like Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla for head clearance, but leg room, toe space tighter than in most competitors. Door openings also small. Coupe room, access best left to kids.

Cargo Room

LT sdn w/Spt. Opt. Pkg., auto.	SS Supercharged	Class Average
3	3	4.7

Both body styles have good trunk room that's expandable via folding rear seats. Strut-type lid hinges don't steal space, but trunk openings too small for large cargo. Interior storage just average.

Value within Class

LT sdn w/Spt. Opt. Pkg., auto.	SS Supercharged	Class Average
8	7	6.2

Cobalt earns our Recommended badge as a reasonably priced, well-equipped compact available with many appealing features. Even the SS Supercharged offers good value in an off-the-shelf sport compact that's fun to drive, despite a jarring ride. If you can live with subpar rear-seat room and comfort, Cobalt merits a look.

Total Score

LT sdn w/Spt. Opt. Pkg., auto.	SS Supercharged	Class Average
52	51	52

Scores for all Compact Cars

Low Score		37
Average Score		52
High Score		64

2006 Chevrolet Cobalt Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 05/26/2006

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

LS 2-door coupe	$12,400	$11,718	$590

LS 4-door sedan	$12,900	$12,191	$590

LT 2-door coupe	$14,700	$13,892	$590

LT 4-door sedan	$15,200	$14,364	$590

LTZ 4-door sedan	$17,700	$16,727	$590

SS 2-door coupe	$16,900	$15,971	$590

SS 4-door sedan	$17,400	$16,443	$590

SS Supercharged 2-door coupe	$19,900	$18,806	$590

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Powertrain

2.2-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, interior air filter, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, height-adjustable driver seat, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat w/trunk pass-through, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, outside-temperature indicator, variable-intermittent wipers, passenger-side visor mirror, rear defogger, automatic headlights.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, 195/60R15 tires, wheel covers.

LT adds to LS:

Safety

Antilock brakes.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Cruise control, driver-seat lumbar adjustment, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, map lights, driver-side visor mirror, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Alloy wheels.

LTZ adds to LT:

Powertrain

4-speed automatic transmission, traction control.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather upholstery, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, Pioneer sound system.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Fog lights, 205/55R16 tires.

SS adds to LT:

Powertrain

2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine.

Safety

Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Fog lights, rear spoiler, sport suspension, 205/50R17 tires, alloy wheels.

SS Supercharged adds to SS:

Powertrain

2.0-liter supercharged 4-cylinder engine.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather upholstery, Pioneer AM/FM/CD/MP3 player.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Performance suspension, 215/45R18 tires.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Sport Option Pkg.
LT	$695	$612
Leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, leather-wrapped shift knob, white-faced gauges, body cladding, rear spoiler, chrome exhaust tips, 205/55R16 tires, machine-faced alloy wheels.

Performance Pkg.
SS Supercharged	$1,500	$1,320
Limited-slip differential, Recaro front seats w/unique trim.

Powertrain
4-speed automatic transmission
LS, LT, SS	$850	$765
LT includes traction control. STD. LTZ. NA SS Supercharged.

Safety
Curtain side airbags
LS, LT, LTZ, SS, SS Supercharged	$395	$347
Includes front side airbags. LS requires antilock brakes.

Antilock brakes
LS	$400	$352
Includes traction control when ordered w/4-speed automatic transmission.

Comfort and Convenience Features
OnStar assistance system
LT, LTZ, SS, SS Supercharged	$695	$612
Includes one year service. Requires curtain side airbags. NA LS.

Power sunroof
LT, LTZ, SS, SS Supercharged	$750	$660


Leather upholstery
LT, SS	$695	$612


Leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls
LT	$195	$172


AM/FM/CD/MP3 player
LT, LTZ, SS	$150	$132


Premium speakers
LT, SS	$295	$260


Satellite radio
LS, LT, LTZ, SS, SS Supercharged	$325	$286
Requires monthly fee after 3rd month. NA LS sedan.

Remote keyless entry
LS coupe	$370	$326
LS sedan	$410	$361
Includes power door locks.

Cruise control
LS	$275	$242


Cargo net
LS	$45	$40


Floormats
LS	$80	$70


Smoker Pkg.
LS, LT, LTZ, SS, SS Supercharged	$15	$13
Ash tray lighter.

Appearance and Miscellaneous
Fog lights
LT	$115	$101


Rear spoiler
LS, LT, LTZ	$275	$242


Bodyside moldings
LS	$100	$88


Engine-block heater
LS, LT, LTZ, SS, SS Supercharged	$50	$44

2006 Chevrolet Cobalt Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Chevrolet Cobalt 2-door coupe	Chevrolet Cobalt 4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	103.3	103.3

Overall Length, in.	180.3	180.5

Overall Width, in.	67.9	67.9

Overall Height, in.	55.7	57.1

Curb Weight, lbs.	2730	2780

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	13.2	14.0

Standard Payload, lbs.	--	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	13.9	13.9

Seating Capacity	5	5

Front Head Room, in.	38.7	38.5

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.0	41.8

Rear Head Room, in.	35.7	37.7

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	32.2	33.7

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	dohc I4	dohc I4	Supercharged dohc I4

Size, liters/cu. in.	2.2 /134	2.4 /145	2.0 /122

Horsepower @ rpm.	145 @ 5600	171 @ 6200	205 @ 5600

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	155 @ 4000	163 @ 5000	200 @ 4400

Availability	Standard	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed manual	25/34	25/34	23/29

4-speed automatic	24/32	24/32	--/--

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Chevrolet Cobalt 2-door coupe	Chevrolet Cobalt 4-door sedan

Front Impact, Driver	4	4

Front Impact, Passenger	5	5

Rollover Resistance	4	4

Side Impact, Driver	4	3

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	4	4

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	5/60,000	Aveo, Cobalt and Uplander only.

Bumper-to-bumper	3/36,000	--

Corrosion	6/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	3/36,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: USA

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

< 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt Photos

Also in the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt Review:

Chevrolet Cobalt

Chevrolet Cobalt Road Test

Chevrolet Cobalt Prices & Equipment

Chevrolet Cobalt Specs & Safety

Chevrolet Cobalt Photos

Chevrolet Cobalt Full Review

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