2005 Chevrolet Cobalt LS Sedan

Overview:
The Cobalt is the much-anticipated replacement for the outdated Cavalier. A coupe and Sedan are offered in 3 trim lines, base, LS and the upscale LT. A Supercharged SS version is also available. Base models start at $14,190 for both Sedan and Coupe. The Supercharged model is listed at $21,995. Although the Cobalt Sedan is slightly longer and wider than most competitors, interior dimensions are a little smaller, most notably the rear passenger area. The Cobalt is based on the same platform as the Saturn Ion, and like the Saturn, it features electronic steering

Under the Hood:
Power comes from DOHC 2.2 liter 4 producing 145 hp and 155 pound-feet of torque. Acceleration is brisk off the line and in passing situations. Unfortunately, the engine produces an unrefined growling sound under acceleration. The Front-Wheel-Drive Cobalt comes standard with a 5-speed manual. Our test car had the 4-speed automatic with Overdrive, an $850.00 option. Shifting is smooth and predictable. Fuel economy is listed at 25/34 for the stick and 24/32 for the automatic, a little less than most cars in this class. The Civic, for example, is rated at 32 in the city and 38 highway. Of course, the Civic has a smaller 1.7-liter engine with considerably less power. The more powerful Cobalt is also nearly 700 pounds heavier at 3200 lbs. BTW, I have driven the Supercharged Ion and it’s a tire smoker. Cheers to GM for building a high performance model for Chevrolet too.

Ride/ Handling/Hauling:
Ride is a high point for the Cobalt, smoother than other cars I’ve driven in this segment. Bumps are well absorbed and the chassis feels stable over changing road surfaces. While 4-wheel independent suspension is the norm for most competitors, the Cobalt is designed with a semi-independent rear suspension. Handling is predictable but the electric steering robs the driver of feedback. It’s oddly boosted and feels almost disconnected from the road. Drive the Civic or Mazda3 and you’ll know what I’m talking about here. Will most drivers notice? Perhaps not, but the steering takes some of the fun out of driving the Cobalt. The idea is to take the burden of running the power steering pump off the engine to increase fuel economy and power. Good idea but poorly executed in my opinion.

The LS Sedan comes standard with 4-Wheel ABS. You’ll find discs up front and drums in the rear. I thought the brakes worked fine although the pedal feels a little on the spongy side for my taste. 195/60/15 tires are standard on the LS with 16” wheels on the LT. Our LS was ordered with Sport Package 1SB ($595) which includes an wheel upgrade to fatter 205/55/16’s. White faced Sport Gauges, a chrome exhaust tip, spoiler, fog lamps and a leather wrapped steering wheel and shift lever complete the package.

On the Inside:
Thankfully, Chevrolet went with a conventional dash set-up in the Cobalt, unlike the oddly designed Ion with its center mounted gauge cluster. The two-tone look of the dash and door panels is tastefully done but the overall feel of the plastic and the switchgear is somewhat on the inexpensive side. As I recently pointed out in my Dodge Dakota review, Detroit needs to take a look at VW for some guidance here. On the plus side, the height adjustable drivers seat and tilt wheel will enable just about anyone to find a comfortable driving position. A side-by-side comparison with the Focus and Civic on Chevy’s website confirms that the Cobalt is smaller on the inside than it competitors. Front headroom, rear legroom, rear shoulder room and overall passenger volume are less than in both of these cars. Trunk volume is good at 13.9 cubic feet with a low liftover height.

All Cobalt’s come with an AM/FM/CD as standard equipment. Our LS had XM Satellite radio with over 130 channels of programming. It’s a $325.00 option and of course you do have to pay a monthly fee. If you are planning to spend a lot of time on the road especially in rural areas it’s worth considering. Sound quality is good with the 7-speaker Pioneer system upgrade-a $150 option. OnStar is optional and comes in mighty handy in emergency situations. It could save your life. It’s a $695.00 option. The list of standard equipment includes A/C with air filtration, Cruise, Remote Keyless Entry with Power Windows and Locks. The Cobalt has a floor console with 4-cup holders and dual power outlets. The cabin is quiet except under hard acceleration.

Safety/Warranty:
The Cobalt has a good safety ranking. It’s at the top of the list for frontal and rear crashworthiness. With the optional side curtain airbags it gets an acceptable rating for side impact collision. Dual front airbags are included. The LATCH system for child seats is standard along with battery rundown protection and daytime running lights. In addition to the 3/36 bumper-to-bumper coverage, the Cobalt covers the Power train for 60 months or 60,000 miles.

Bottom Line:
The Cobalt is a huge improvement over the Cavalier. Generally speaking it’s a good car. Is it enough to take market share away from the Imports? The competition in this segment is fierce including great cars from Toyota, Honda and Mazda. Chevrolet is on the right track but the deck is stacked against them.

Tom Collins
4-26-05