2009 Chevrolet Cobalt: Competitive Compact

Cars

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Coupe. X09CH_CB009 (United States)

By Tom Keane, Motor Matters

Last update: October 3, 2008 - 3:07 PM

Chevrolet's 2009 Cobalt LS sedan delivers some of the best fuel economy ratings in the market.

Chevrolet says its rivals are the Volkswagen Jetta, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Ford Focus. I consider those cars top-notch competition, but one reason that Chevrolet is able to make this boastful claim is the official EPA fuel rating (see end of article for numbers).

This compact car has a sporty look with its low-slung roofline, curvaceous body and 15-inch wheels wrapped with all-season tires. The Cobalt has a strong foundation plus a rigid body structure. Engineers used Quiet Steel laminated sheet metal, a premium material not normally used on compacts. This accounts for why I noticed that the interior noise level was quite low.

In addition to the LS model, the Cobalt is available in an LT and SS coupe or sedan. A Cobalt version with a 260-horsepower turbocharged engine is also in the lineup, designed for producing dynamite performance.

But back to the LS model. The LS is powered by a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine with 155 horsepower. This compact vehicle has an attractive interior. The tester did not have power seats and windows, but it did have many features to provide comfort, such as air conditioning. It also had an AM/FM stereo radio and CD player with MP3 playback and auxiliary input jack. But the sound I liked best came from the XM Satellite radio, which is standard on all models. Features that are offered as options include Remote Vehicle Start (available only with the automatic transmission).

There are a few features that made this five-passenger sedan inviting, such as a height-adjustable three-spoke steering wheel and adjustable front head restraints. It has adequate seating for five occupants and reasonable storage space, as the 60/40-split rear seat enabled me to slide longer objects through the trunk.

Finally, there is one area that gives the Cobalt a leg-up over its competition: OnStar. This system is available only on General Motors products.

With good fuel economy and a low MSRP compared to many popular competitors, the 2009 Cobalt should be a popular choice with shoppers in the compact car segment.

EPA fuel economy:

City: 25, Highway: 37

Base MSRP: $15,010

(as tested: $16,350)

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt

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