2008 Chevrolet Cobalt Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

The 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE is a new option package designed to offer improved fuel economy. Model-year 2008 also marks the return of the Cobalt SS high-performance model to this compact car's roster. The rest of the Cobalt lineup shuffles some model names and features. This is the larger of Chevrolet's two compact cars, and Cobalt comes as a 2-door coupe or 4-door sedan. All use 4-cylinder engines. LS and LT coupes and sedans are offered with a 148-hp 2.2-liter engine. Manual-transmission Cobalt LS and LT models come with the XFE package, which includes specific tires and powertrain tweaks designed to maximize fuel economy. Note that the XFE package is not available on Cobalts equipped with the 2LT option package. Sport coupes and sedans have a 171-hp 2.4-liter. SS is a coupe only, and it has a 260-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter. This SS replaces the SS Supercharged, which had 205 hp. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard on all models. A 4-speed automatic is optional on all but the SS. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, and curtain side airbags. SS versions have unique styling cues, 18-inch tires, specific suspension tuning, and interior trim. Note that Pontiac sells a retrimmed Cobalt coupe as the G5, though that model does not offer a turbocharged engine.

Competition

Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Compact Cars comprise popularly priced sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons with wheelbases 99.4 inches or longer.

Our Best Buys include the Honda Civic, Nissan Versa, and Scion xB. Our Recommended picks are the Hyundai Elantra and Mazda 3.

New or significantly redesigned models include the Ford Focus, Mitsubishi Lancer, Saturn Astra, Scion xB, and Subaru Impreza.

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2008 Chevrolet Cobalt Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration (SS)	Engine noise

Fuel economy	Rear-seat room

	Rear-seat entry/exit

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

LT sedan, automatic	SS	Class Average
4	8	4.9

Cobalts with the 2.2-liter engine are peppy enough for most daily driving needs. The similar Pontiac G5 GT shares the Cobalt Sport's 2.4-liter engine. With the automatic transmission, acceleration is adequate but not as lively as 171 hp might suggest. Chevy pegs the turbocharged SS at 5.7 seconds 0-60 mph, but it doesn't feel quite that fast. Its manual transmission has positive shift and clutch action, making it much easier to drive than the old SS Supercharged.

Fuel Economy

LT sedan, automatic	SS	Class Average
7	6	6.5

In Consumer Guide testing, automatic-transmission sedans averaged 25.9-28.6 mpg. We've not measured any other Cobalts or G5s. Models with the 2.2-liter engine use regular-grade gas. Premium is recommended for the 2.4-liter engine and SS.

Ride Quality

LT sedan, automatic	SS	Class Average
6	4	5

With its optional 16-inch tires, Cobalts absorb most bumps quite well and feel stable over swells and dips. The G5 GT and similar Cobalt Sport have 17-inch tires and a sport suspension. The G5 GT rides firmly but is never uncomfortable. Cobalt SS is the stiffest of all, yet it's not bone jarring as might be expected from a factory-tuned performance car.

Steering/Handling/Braking

LT sedan, automatic	SS	Class Average
5	7	5.9

Models with 16-inch tires have quick, informative steering. The G5 GT has slightly sharper moves, though some body lean is still evident in turns. The SS is the most nimble, with little lean and firm steering. Stopping control is good, but models equipped with rear drum brakes have spongy brake-pedal feel.

Quietness

LT sedan, automatic	SS	Class Average
5	4	4.4

Wind rush and most road noise is relatively low for the class. The 2.2- and 2.4-liter engines moan unpleasantly when accelerating but cruise calmly enough. Same goes for the SS, which exhibits some turbo whine and a ticking resonance from the engine. It also has more tire noise than other Cobalts or G5s.

Controls

LT sedan, automatic	SS	Class Average
5	5	5.7

Neat, logical dashboard, but some testers find the gauges a tad small and recessed too far into the dashboard for easy reading. The simple climate controls are set too low for easy adjustment while driving.

Details

LT sedan, automatic	SS	Class Average
5	5	5.2

Hard plastics dominate the cabin, but many surfaces are textured so that they don't look cheap. One test model had a rattle in the glovebox area. Some additional trim bits in the SS impart a more sporty atmosphere, appropriate for that car's intentions.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

LT sedan, automatic	SS	Class Average
5	5	5.7

Typical compact-car space and comfort. The seat cushions are a bit short for best thigh support, but generous rearward travel gives good legroom for tall occupants. Some taller drivers found that the shoulder belt did not adjust high enough for best comfort. SS models have sport bucket seats that will feel confining to those of above-average girth. Visibility is a bit restricted to the right rear in sedans. The tall spoiler on the SS really restricts the view out back.

Room/Comfort (rear)

LT sedan, automatic	SS	Class Average
3	2	4.1

The sedan matches rivals such as the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla for head clearance, but legroom and toe space are tighter than in most competitors. The door openings are also small, making entry and exit a hassle. Coupe room and access are best left to kids.

Cargo Room

LT sedan, automatic	SS	Class Average
3	3	5

Both body styles have usefully shaped trunks with good room that's expandable via folding rear seatbacks. Strut-type lid hinges don't steal space, but the trunk opening is too small for really big cargo. Interior storage is subpar, with a smallish glove compartment, center console, and door pockets.

Value within Class

LT sedan, automatic	SS	Class Average
6	6	6

Cobalt and the similar Pontiac G5 are reasonably priced, well-equipped compacts available with many appealing features. The high-performance SS has the moves to hold its own against performance-oriented compact cars, such as the Honda Civic Si and MazdaSpeed 3. Rear seat room and comfort in all models trail class rivals, even in sedans. G5's lack of a 4-door body style limits its appeal, making Cobalt the better choice between the two.

Total Score

LT sedan, automatic	SS	Class Average
54	55	58.4

Scores for all Compact Cars

Low Score		50
Average Score		58
High Score		71

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2008 Chevrolet Cobalt Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 06/27/2008

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

LS 2-door coupe	$14,410	$13,617	$660

LS 4-door sedan	$14,410	$13,617	$660

LT 2-door coupe	$15,120	$14,288	$660

LT 4-door sedan	$15,120	$14,288	$660

Sport 2-door coupe	$19,695	$18,612	$660

Sport 4-door sedan	$19,695	$18,612	$660

SS 2-door coupe	$22,335	$21,107	$660

Price note: LS, LT models ordered w/std. 5-speed manual transmission require XFE Pkg. or 2LT Pkg.

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

Model	Rebate & Incentives	Type	Expires

Cobalt	$1000 cash back or 0%-6.9% financing.	Customer	07/31/08

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, curtain side airbags, tire-pressure monitor, daytime running lights, emergency inside trunklid release.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, interior air filter, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, height-adjustable driver seat, center console, split folding rear seat w/trunk pass-through, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, digital-media player connection, satellite radio, tachometer, outside-temperature indicator, variable-intermittent wipers, rear defogger, automatic headlights.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

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

LT adds to LS:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Driver-seat lumbar adjustment, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, floormats.

Sport adds to LT:

Powertrain

2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, traction control.

Safety

Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, antiskid system.

Comfort and Convenience Features

OnStar assistance system w/one year service, leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, cruise control, Pioneer sound system.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

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

SS adds to Sport:

Powertrain

2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Performance suspension, 225/40YR18 tires.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
XFE Pkg.
LS, LT	$0	$0
Revised engine calibration, special axle ratio, 195/65R15 low-rolling resistance tires. NA w/2LT Pkg. or 4-speed automatic transmission.

2LT Option Pkg.
LT	$1,295	$1,140
Antilock brakes, traction control (ordered w/4-speed automatic transmission), cruise control, OnStar assistance system w/one year service, cargo net, bodyside moldings, 205/55R16 tires.

Performance Appearance Pkg.
LT	$795	$700
Leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, leather-wrapped shift knob, white-faced gauges, fog lights, rear spoiler, chrome exhaust tips, machine-faced alloy wheels. Requires 2LT Option Pkg.

Sport Accessory Pkg.
LS, LT	$1,735	$1,527
Sport pedals, floormats, body cladding, bodyside moldings, rear spoiler, chrome exhaust tips. NA w/Revolution Edition Pkg., Performance Appearance Pkg.

Revolution Edition Pkg.
LT	$995	$876
Antilock brakes, body stripes (coupe), bodyside moldings, rear spoiler, chrome exhaust tips, 205/55R16 tires, alloy wheels.

Weather Protection Pkg.
LS, LT	$550	$484
LS/LT w/Revolution Edition Pkg., Performance Appearance Pkg., Sport Accessory Pkg.	$445	$392
Rubber floormats, hood and side window deflectors, rear spoiler, mud guards.

Protection Pkg.
LS	$180	$158
Floormats, bodyside moldings.

Powertrain
4-speed automatic transmission
LS, LT	$925	$814
LT w/2LT Pkg., Sport	$1,050	$924
LT w/2LT Pkg., Sport include remote engine start.

Limited-slip differential
SS	$495	$436


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

Comfort and Convenience Features
OnStar assistance system
LT	$295	$260
Includes one year service.

Power sunroof
LT, Sport, SS	$750	$660
Includes illuminated visor mirrors. LT requires 2LT Option Pkg.

Leather upholstery
LT, Sport	$695	$612
Includes heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls. LT requires 2LT Option Pkg., upgraded sound system.

Leather-wrapped steering wheel
LT	$195	$172
Includes radio controls. Requires 2LT Option Pkg.

AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer
LT, Sport, SS	$295	$260


Upgraded sound system
LT	$295	$260
Requires 2LT Option Pkg.

Cruise control
LT	$275	$242


Remote engine start
LT	$190	$167
Requires 4-speed automatic transmission.

Smoker Pkg.
LS, LT, SS, Sport	$35	$31
Ash tray, lighter.

Appearance and Miscellaneous
Rear spoiler
LS, LT	$275	$242


High-mounted rear spoiler
SS	$150	$132


Bodyside moldings
LT	$100	$88


Special paint
LS, LT, SS, Sport	$295	$260


Engine-block heater
LS, LT, Sport	$75	$66
NA SS.

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2008 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.	13.9	13.9

Standard Payload, lbs.	--	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	13.2	13.2

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	Turbocharged dohc I4

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

Horsepower @ rpm.	148 @ 5600	171 @ 5800	260 @ 5300

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	152 @ 4200	167 @ 4500	260 @ 2000

Availability	Standard	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed manual	25/36	22/32	22/30

4-speed automatic	21/33	22/31	--/--

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	5

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	5/100,000	--

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

Corrosion	6/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	5/100,000	--

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

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Also in the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt Review:

Chevrolet Cobalt

Chevrolet Cobalt Road Test

Chevrolet Cobalt Prices & Equipment

Chevrolet Cobalt Specs & Safety

Chevrolet Cobalt Photos