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2008 Chevrolet Cobalt Quality Review

July 8, 2008

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Typical compact-car space and comfort
ConsumerGuide

Interior quality is not quite up to the best in the segment
Car and Driver

Bargain-bin interior materials, mediocre fit and finish
Edmunds

little road noise
Cars.com

comfy front bucket seats
Detroit News

The 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt has good seating space in front and less comfy chairs in the back. And while assembly quality is good, materials are a little inexpensive-looking.

ConsumerGuide describes the 2008 Chevrolet's accommodations as "typical compact-car space and comfort," adding that the "seat cushions are a bit short for best thigh support, but generous rearward travel gives good legroom for tall occupants." Cars.com writes that "with front bucket seats and a 60/40-split folding rear seat, all Cobalts seat five occupants," noting that "higher-than-usual seating positions are intended to give sedan occupants a more commanding view of the road." Of the coupe model, Cars.com says, "Backseat space is awful, with marginal headroom and virtually no legroom unless the front seat is well forward. Getting in and out is a battle." Edmunds agrees, commenting "seat comfort is another area where the Cobalt generally falls short, although the SS model's sport seats are first-rate." However, ConsumerGuide doesn't think much even of the SS model's seats: "Seat room and comfort in all models trail class rivals, even in sedans."

Trunk space in this 2008 Chevrolet is more highly regarded; ConsumerGuide states, "Both body styles have usefully shaped trunks with good room that's expandable via folding rear seatbacks," although they warn, "Strut-type lid hinges don't steal space, but the trunk opening is too small for really big cargo." Cars.com points out, "Occupants can access the trunk area from inside the car," which can be convenient on long road trips, in addition to greatly increasing usable cargo space. Edmunds calls interior storage in this Chevrolet 2008 model "deficient," while Consumer Guide reports, "Interior storage is subpar, with a smallish glove compartment, center console, and door pockets."

The CarConnection.com finds that the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt doesn't receive high marks for quality of materials, either. Edmunds cites, "bargain-bin interior materials" and "mediocre fit and finish." Car and Driver agrees, pointing to "shiny, poorly grained plastic." But ConsumerGuide takes a more positive view, reporting that while "Hard plastics dominate the cabin...many surfaces are textured so that they don't look cheap." And in terms of noise in the Chevrolet 2008 Cobalt, ConsumerGuide reports, "Wind rush and most road noise is relatively low for the class," but does adds that the "2.2- and 2.4-liter engines moan unpleasantly when accelerating but cruise calmly enough."

Conclusion

The 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt gets by with good interior space, but trim quality and rear-seat room are not up to par.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:Typical compact-car space and comfortConsumerGuideInterior quality is not quite up to the best in the segmentCar and DriverBargain-bin interior materials, mediocre fit and finishEdmundslittle road noiseCars.comcomfy front bucket seatsDetroit News The 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt has good seating space in front and less comfy chairs in the back. And while assembly quality is good, materials are a little inexpensive-looking. ConsumerGuide describes the 2008 Chevrolet's accommodations as "typical compact-car space and comfort," adding that the "seat cushions are a bit short for best thigh support, but generous rearward travel gives good legroom for tall occupants." Cars.com writes that "with front bucket seats and a 60/40-split folding rear seat, all Cobalts seat five occupants," noting that "higher-than-usual seating positions are intended to give sedan occupants a more commanding view of the road." Of the coupe model, Cars.com says, "Backseat space is awful, with marginal headroom and virtually no legroom unless the front seat is well forward. Getting in and out is a battle." Edmunds agrees, commenting "seat comfort is another area where the Cobalt generally falls short, although the SS model's sport seats are first-rate." However, ConsumerGuide doesn't think much even of the SS model's seats: "Seat room and comfort in all models trail class rivals, even in sedans." Trunk space in this 2008 Chevrolet is more highly regarded; ConsumerGuide states, "Both body styles have usefully shaped trunks with good room that's expandable via folding rear seatbacks," although they warn, "Strut-type lid hinges don't steal space, but the trunk opening is too small for really big cargo." Cars.com points out, "Occupants can access the trunk area from inside the car," which can be convenient on long road trips, in addition to greatly increasing usable cargo space. Edmunds calls interior storage in this Chevrolet 2008 model "deficient," while Consumer Guide reports, "Interior storage is subpar, with a smallish glove compartment, center console, and door pockets." The CarConnection.com finds that the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt doesn't receive high marks for quality of materials, either. Edmunds cites, "bargain-bin interior materials" and "mediocre fit and finish." Car and Driver agrees, pointing to "shiny, poorly grained plastic." But ConsumerGuide takes a more positive view, reporting that while "Hard plastics dominate the cabin...many surfaces are textured so that they don't look cheap." And in terms of noise in the Chevrolet 2008 Cobalt, ConsumerGuide reports, "Wind rush and most road noise is relatively low for the class," but does adds that the "2.2- and 2.4-liter engines moan unpleasantly when accelerating but cruise calmly enough." ConclusionThe 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt gets by with good interior space, but trim quality and rear-seat room are not up to par.  2008 CHEVROLET COBALT STYLING | [7 out of 10] Car and Driver: "The look of the Cobalt is forgettable and uninspiring" Edmunds: "a much more modern entry in the economy-car segment" Kelley Blue Book: "an attractive small car" Detroit News: "a tastefully designed cockpit with ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

Nearly all of the Cobalt's rivals have been redesigned in recent years, except for the Corolla, which is due for a full face-lift for 2009. And like the Cobalt, the Ford Focus and Honda Civic are available in coupe or sedan versions; the Ford Focus was just restyled for 2008 and has a very refined, attractive, and quite roomy interior, while the Civic feels especially nimble and responsive on the road, though it's tight on backseat headroom. The Sentra, Elantra, and Corolla are each very well-designed small sedans, conservative and basic but more refined and just as roomy, if not more so. Ride comfort is one of few categories where the Cobalt has an edge.

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See the Chevrolet Cobalt in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005

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