2009 Chevrolet Cobalt vs 2008 Nissan Sentra

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt

2008 Nissan Sentra

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 I4 CVT 2.0

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.0	25	33	$15,483	$16,140
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.0 S	25	33	$16,018	$17,170
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.0 SL	25	33	$17,786	$19,070
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT SE-R	24	30	$18,716	$20,070
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 Manual 2.0 S	24	31	$15,275	$16,370
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 Manual SE-R Spec V	21	33	$19,181	$20,570

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$14,540

$15,483

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$14,990

$16,140

Monthly Payment Estimate

$250 / month

$269 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

6.6

Read Our Full Review

7.8

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 Nissan Sentra is worth a drive, but its CVT may turn off some buyers.

TCC Likes

Smooth ride
Road noise is quite absent
Impressive fuel economy

Roomy, quiet interior
Stand-out styling
Huge glove box

TCC Dislikes

Engine noise
Steering feels vague
Drab interior

Only one body style: a sedan
Continuously variable transmission (CVT)
Inconsistent suspension performance

Fuel Economy

City

25 mpg

Highway

35 mpg

33 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Subcompact

Compact

Interior Dimensions

Second Leg Room (in)

32.2

34.5

Front Head Room (in)

38.7

40.6

Second Hip Room (in)

46.1

53.0

Front Shoulder Room (in)

53.0

56.9

Passenger Capacity

Second Head Room (in)

35.7

37.3

Second Shoulder Room (in)

49.0

55.1

Front Leg Room (in)

42.0

42.4

Front Hip Room (in)

49.5

54.1

Passenger Volume (ft³)

97.4

Exterior Dimensions

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

28.1

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

67.9

70.5

Track Width, Front (in)

58.7

59.8

Min Ground Clearance (in)

- TBD -

5.6

Length, Overall (in)

180.5

179.8

Height, Overall (in)

55.5

59.5

Track Width, Rear (in)

58.1

60.8

Wheelbase (in)

103.3

105.7

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

13.9

13.1

Brakes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

10.7 x 0.94

11.02 x 0.94

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Brake ABS System

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

Brake Type

Pwr

Power

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

12 x 0.5

9.0 x - TBD -

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

14.5

Steering

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

16.6

16.4

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

37.4

35.4

Steering Type

Electric Rack & Pinion

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

3.6

2.9

Tires

Rear Tire Size

P195/65R15

P205/60HR15

Rear Tire Order Code

N2H

Front Tire Size

P195/65R15

P205/60HR15

Spare Tire Size

T125/70D16

Front Tire Order Code

N2H

Spare Tire Order Code

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

100

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

100

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

1000

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

1000

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

2721

2925

Wheels

Front Wheel Material

Steel

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

15 x 6

15 x 6.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

16 x - TBD -

Rear Wheel Material

Steel

Rear Wheel Size (in)

15 x 6

15 x 6.5

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

6.9

7.4

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

650

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

- TBD -

110

Engine

Displacement

2.2L/134.3

2.0L/122

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

155 @ 6100

140 @ 5100

Engine Type

Gas 4-Cyl

Gas I4

Fuel System

MFI

SMPI

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

150 @ 4900

147 @ 4800

Engine Order Code

LAP

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

Transmission

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.69

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.31

1.75

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.02

Trans Order Code

MM5

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.63

5.41

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.98

Trans Description Cont.

Manual

CVT

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.58

2.35 - 0.39

Clutch Size (in)

- TBD -

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.35

Summary

Body Style

2 Door Coupe

4 Door Sedan

Vehicle Name

Chevrolet Cobalt

Nissan Sentra

Suspension

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

- TBD -

0.9

Suspension Type - Rear

Premium Ride

Torsion Beam

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

Premium Ride

Independent Strut

Emissions

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

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