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2009 Chevrolet Cobalt Performance Review

February 22, 2009

PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

SS versions are nimble, with little cornering lean
ConsumerGuide

The driving experience? Rental-car boredom at its best
Motor Trend

the engine is a bit coarse, and its exhaust note is even louder
Kelley Blue Book

Both the LS and LT trims of the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt are your typical, forgettable compact coupe or sedan, with what reviewers generally agree is lackluster performance. The Chevrolet Cobalt SS is a completely different animal, offering blistering acceleration and much-improved handling.

The 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt family offers a pair of fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines. Cars.com says that the "LS and LT models use a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine with new variable valve timing" that puts out 155 horsepower, while the Chevrolet Cobalt SS "uses a turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-liter four-cylinder" making 260 hp.

When it comes to driving excitement, the LS and LT are thrilling in the sense that they'll get you to your destination quicker than if you walked or ran, but that's about it. Motor Trend describes the driving experience in these low-powered Chevrolet Cobalts as "rental-car boredom at its best," although Kelley Blue Book characterizes the Cobalt as offering "reasonably spirited performance." Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com unanimously approve of the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS, though, and MyRide.com points out that the Cobalt is "capable of hitting 60 mph in 5.7 seconds and using up every bit of its 160-mph speedometer." One noticeable difference between the engine on the Chevrolet Cobalt and that of its competitors is, according to Kelley Blue Book, "the exhaust note," which gets loud under acceleration and sounds unrefined.

The 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt offers two transmissions for the LT and LS and just one for the Chevrolet Cobalt SS. ConsumerGuide reports that "all Cobalts have a standard five-speed manual transmission," while "a four-speed automatic is available on the LS and LT." Reviews of both transmissions tend toward the positive, with Cars.com commenting that the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt offers "reasonably spirited performance, even with the automatic transmission." Consumer Guide says that, "turbo or not, the manual transmission has positive shift and clutch action." MyRide.com also praises the "five speed manual [that] offers a no-lift feature and short throws."

Fuel economy is a sore point for previous model years of the Chevrolet Cobalt, and many consumers can't understand why a small, light car gets such low mileage ratings from the EPA. For 2009 Chevrolet has addressed the problem by introducing variable valve timing to its 2.2-liter engine, and the results are impressive. The EPA estimates that base Chevrolet Cobalts with the automatic transmission will get 24 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, while manual transmission versions can expect 25 mpg city, 35 mpg on the highway. Even the high-performance Chevrolet Cobalt SS is no slouch in the fuel economy department, returning 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

Reviewers have little to say about the Cobalt’s handling. Car and Driver describes it as "competent," because while "the Cobalt doesn't exactly encourage the driver to flog it," at the same time it "has no glaring dynamic flaws." The lack of feedback through the electric power steering system continues to be an issue. The SS is much more capable, and ConsumerGuide calls it "nimble, with little cornering lean and firm steering." ConsumerGuide also reports that braking isn't a concern since the "standard four-wheel disc brakes provide good stopping control."

Conclusion

Base versions of the Cobalt aren’t at all pulse-raising, but the Cobalt SS brings a lot of performance for a low price.

PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:SS versions are nimble, with little cornering leanConsumerGuideThe driving experience? Rental-car boredom at its bestMotor Trendthe engine is a bit coarse, and its exhaust note is even louderKelley Blue Book Both the LS and LT trims of the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt are your typical, forgettable compact coupe or sedan, with what reviewers generally agree is lackluster performance. The Chevrolet Cobalt SS is a completely different animal, offering blistering acceleration and much-improved handling. The 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt family offers a pair of fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines. Cars.com says that the "LS and LT models use a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine with new variable valve timing" that puts out 155 horsepower, while the Chevrolet Cobalt SS "uses a turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-liter four-cylinder" making 260 hp. When it comes to driving excitement, the LS and LT are thrilling in the sense that they'll get you to your destination quicker than if you walked or ran, but that's about it. Motor Trend describes the driving experience in these low-powered Chevrolet Cobalts as "rental-car boredom at its best," although Kelley Blue Book characterizes the Cobalt as offering "reasonably spirited performance." Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com unanimously approve of the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS, though, and MyRide.com points out that the Cobalt is "capable of hitting 60 mph in 5.7 seconds and using up every bit of its 160-mph speedometer." One noticeable difference between the engine on the Chevrolet Cobalt and that of its competitors is, according to Kelley Blue Book, "the exhaust note," which gets loud under acceleration and sounds unrefined. The 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt offers two transmissions for the LT and LS and just one for the Chevrolet Cobalt SS. ConsumerGuide reports that "all Cobalts have a standard five-speed manual transmission," while "a four-speed automatic is available on the LS and LT." Reviews of both transmissions tend toward the positive, with Cars.com commenting that the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt offers "reasonably spirited performance, even with the automatic transmission." Consumer Guide says that, "turbo or not, the manual transmission has positive shift and clutch action." MyRide.com also praises the "five speed manual [that] offers a no-lift feature and short throws." Fuel economy is a sore point for previous model years of the Chevrolet Cobalt, and many consumers can't understand why a small, light car gets such low mileage ratings from the EPA. For 2009 Chevrolet has addressed the problem by introducing variable valve timing to its 2.2-liter engine, and the results are impressive. The EPA estimates that base Chevrolet Cobalts with the automatic transmission will get 24 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, while manual transmission versions can expect 25 mpg city, 35 mpg on the highway. Even the high-performance Chevrolet Cobalt SS is no slouch in the fuel economy department, returning 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. Reviewers have little to say about the Cobalt’s handling. Car and Driver describes it as "competent," because while "the Cobalt doesn't exactly encourage the driver to flog it," at the same time it "has no glaring dynamic flaws." The lack of feedback through the electric power steering system continues to be an issue. The SS is much more capable, and ConsumerGuide calls it "nimble, with little cornering lean and firm steering." ConsumerGuide also reports that braking isn't a concern since the "standard four-wheel disc brakes provide good stopping control." ConclusionBase versions of the Cobalt aren’t at all pulse-raising, but the Cobalt SS brings a lot of performance for a low price. 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT STYLING | [6 out of 10] Kelley Blue Book: "The interiors...are attractive, if rather basic" Cars.com: "Available Sport appearance package with spoiler, body molding, 17-inch wheels and other items" ConsumerGuide: "Neat, logical dashboard" For 2009, Chevrolet ...

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, and most of them offer a more desirable overall package. Although the Cobalt has a decent ride, many buyers will be happier with the crisper handling provided by the Honda Civic or Ford Focus. 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—and in the case of the Elantra, especially smooth and refined. All of these rivals have a better-appointed interior than the Cobalt.

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See the Chevrolet Cobalt in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005

Comments (5 total)

  1. By Mark #1, Posted: 1/29/2009

    CobaltSSbuilder

    Ford focus does not compare with Cobalt's handling. See Nurburgring results.

  2. By  JennyBart #2, Posted: 4/17/2009

    Make-over needed but...

    Almost everyone agrees that the Chevy Cobalt drives really nice. Some known problems with the cylinders here and there, but at the low price, you get more than what you pay for if it comes to looks.

  3. By Trey #9, Posted: 7/27/2009

    With gas prices on the rise many Americans are adding small cars to their consideration list. Import brands like Honda and Toyota have long held the dominant position in the subcompact category, but what about buyers who prefer to shop the domestic brands? Enter the Chevrolet Cobalt, an American take on the small car.
    While previous small General Motors like the Chevy Cavalier might give you pause, the Chevrolet Cobalt is a different animal. Good fuel economy, attractive styling and high value make the Cobalt worthy of consideration.
    A quick look at the average number of days a Cobalt sits on the lot (around 60) suggests that good deals can be found if you make dealers compete. Tip: When you go into the dealership, use these magic words: "out the door price." It is the price you will pay after all fees, taxes, incentives, etc. The other prices are generally teaser rates. If you want the real deal, use this process: http://excarsalesman.typepad.com/cars/chevrolet-cobalt/

  4. By Mike Emerson #30, Posted: 8/19/2009

    OK, honestly.....
    I made it to the 2nd paragraph, and saw the term, base model and exciting visually.
    We need to get real. One thing I have learned by living in Huntsville, as compared to Detroit, is that people DO NOT CARE about visually exciting cars. These folks drive Camry's and Corolla's. Why? Utilitarianism. There are many down here that buy a white Camry, or Corolla, and just drive them, and refer to them like an appliance, such as the microwave, or a toaster. They wash them maybe twice per year, and only after a dusting of snow where the salt spray has been applied. Visually exciting? Whatever. How about a car that gets 40+ per gallon, has manual windows, and never, ever breaks down, EVER. Oh, and costs around 12K, out the door.
    The perfect appliance.

  5. By Freddy #31, Posted: 10/27/2009

    I just bought a 2009 Cobalt LS one month ago and I love it! Yes, it is pretty plain, but sure is a lot of fun to drive! Great gas mileage! Very comfortable and powerful little engine!

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