2009 Chevrolet Cobalt vs 2008 Hyundai Elantra

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt

2008 Hyundai Elantra

Select style

2-Door Coupe Base

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Cobalt 2-Door Coupe Base	25	35	$14,540	$14,990
Cobalt 2-Door Coupe LS	25	37	$14,955	$15,660
Cobalt 2-Door Coupe LT w/1LT	25	37	$15,719	$16,460
Cobalt 2-Door Coupe LT w/2LT	24	33	$15,719	$16,460
Cobalt 2-Door Coupe SS	22	30	$22,466	$23,525
Cobalt 4-Door Sedan Base	25	35	$14,540	$14,990
Cobalt 4-Door Sedan LS	25	37	$14,955	$15,660
Cobalt 4-Door Sedan LT w/1LT	25	37	$15,719	$16,460
Cobalt 4-Door Sedan LT w/2LT	24	33	$15,719	$16,460
Cobalt 4-Door Sedan SS	22	30	$22,466	$23,525

Select style

4-Door Sedan Automatic GLS

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Elantra 4-Door Sedan Automatic GLS	25	33	$14,547	$14,970
Elantra 4-Door Sedan Automatic GLS PZEV	25	33	$14,547	$14,970
Elantra 4-Door Sedan Automatic SE	25	33	$16,949	$17,670
Elantra 4-Door Sedan Automatic SE PZEV	25	33	$16,949	$17,670
Elantra 4-Door Sedan Manual GLS	24	33	$13,592	$13,970
Elantra 4-Door Sedan Manual SE	24	33	$16,004	$16,670

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$14,540

$14,547

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$14,990

$14,970

Monthly Payment Estimate

$250 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

6.6

Read Our Full Review

7.6

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The price is right for the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt, yet most of its competitors offer a better overall value.

The 2008 Hyundai Elantra doesn’t have a lot of personality, but it’s the undeniable practical choice.

TCC Likes

Smooth ride
Road noise is quite absent
Impressive fuel economy

Very roomy interior, with adult-worthy back-seat space
Huge trunk
Responsive acceleration, even with automatic

TCC Dislikes

Engine noise
Steering feels vague
Drab interior

Conservative exterior styling plays it too safe
Doesn’t feel as sporty as other small cars
Engine noise can be prominent when accelerating

Fuel Economy

City

25 mpg

Highway

35 mpg

33 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Subcompact

Mid-Size

Interior Dimensions

Second Shoulder Room (in)

49.0

55.1

Front Leg Room (in)

42.0

43.5

Front Hip Room (in)

49.5

54.2

Passenger Volume (ft³)

97.9

Second Leg Room (in)

32.2

35.0

Front Head Room (in)

38.7

40.0

Second Hip Room (in)

46.1

54.0

Front Shoulder Room (in)

53.0

55.6

Passenger Capacity

Second Head Room (in)

35.7

37.6

Exterior Dimensions

Height, Overall (in)

55.5

58.3

Track Width, Rear (in)

58.1

60.7

Wheelbase (in)

103.3

104.3

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

67.9

69.9

Track Width, Front (in)

58.7

60.7

Min Ground Clearance (in)

- TBD -

5.9

Length, Overall (in)

180.5

177.4

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

13.9

14.2

Brakes

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

10.3 x - TBD -

Brake Type

Pwr

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

12 x 0.5

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

10.7 x 0.94

10.8 x - TBD -

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Brake ABS System

4-wheel

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

37.4

33.9

Steering Type

Electric Rack & Pinion

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

3.6

3.1

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

16.6

15.4

Tires

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

N2H

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P195/65R15

P195/65TR15

Rear Tire Order Code

N2H

Front Tire Size

P195/65R15

P195/65TR15

Trailering

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

100

150

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

1000

1500

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

2721

2895

Wheels

Rear Wheel Material

Steel

Rear Wheel Size (in)

15 x 6

15 x - TBD -

Front Wheel Material

Steel

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

15 x 6

15 x - TBD -

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

6.9

7.0

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

- TBD -

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

Engine

Fuel System

MFI

- TBD -

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

150 @ 4900

136 @ 4600

Engine Order Code

LAP

Displacement

2.2L/134.3

2.0L/121

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

155 @ 6100

138 @ 6000

Engine Type

Gas 4-Cyl

Gas I4

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.63

3.85

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.98

0.71

Trans Description Cont.

Manual

Automatic w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.58

2.92

Clutch Size (in)

- TBD -

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.35

1.00

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.69

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.31

2.48

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.02

1.55

Trans Order Code

MM5

Summary

Body Style

2 Door Coupe

4 Door Sedan

Vehicle Name

Chevrolet Cobalt

Hyundai Elantra

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear

Premium Ride

Independent

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

Premium Ride

Independent

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

- TBD -

0.67

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

MacPherson Strut

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

- TBD -

0.91

Emissions

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

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