Overview & Reviews

If asked to name an economical, front-wheel-drive, four-cylinder compact car, chances are the average person would come up with an import, probably from Japan. However, the competent Chevrolet Cobalt was an example of America's ability to build a decent compact automobile as well.

True, the Chevy Cobalt didn't really upset the pecking order in the compact car world; the imports, by and large, still offered better driving dynamics and interior build quality. However, the Cobalt did offer some variety. It was available as a coupe or sedan and in a variety of trim levels. Chevy also offered a specialized SS model that was, in later years, quite impressive from a performance standpoint.

Although the Cobalt wouldn't be our first choice for a used small car, it offers respectable performance and an affordable price. As such, it may merit consideration from bargain hunters, but likely won't be on the radar for more discerning small car shoppers.

Used Chevrolet Cobalt Models
There was just one generation of the Cobalt, which ran from 2005-10. It was succeeded by the Chevrolet Cruze for 2011.

The Cobalt itself replaced the long-running Chevy Cavalier, which was both smaller and of much poorer quality. The Cobalt was available as a coupe or sedan. Trim levels (depending on body style) consisted of base, LS, well-equipped LT, luxury-themed LTZ, Sport and high-performance SS.

The base and mid-trim models have mostly stood pat through the years. Apart from the SS and short-lived Sport trims, all Cobalts were powered by a 2.2-liter four-cylinder that initially made 145 horsepower (increased to 155 hp for '09). Transmission choices consisted of a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic. Even with the base engine, the Chevy Cobalt provided decent acceleration along with excellent fuel economy.

Lower and midlevel trims were typically equipped with air-conditioning, full power accessories, cruise control and a stereo with CD player. Upper trims may have leather upholstery, an upgraded Pioneer stereo, a USB port, a sunroof and remote start. Rear disc brakes and ABS were optional except on the highest trim levels. Side curtain airbags were optional.

The most significant changes for non-SS Cobalts were the addition of standard side curtain airbags for '08, the debut of the bare-bones XFE (extra fuel economy) model that same year, and the aforementioned boost in power for the base engine.

The SS was available initially only as a coupe with a 2.0-liter supercharged four that made 205 hp, matched to either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. A sport-tuned suspension, bigger wheels and sport seats were other SS perks. For 2006 the SS line was expanded to include a coupe and sedan powered by a 2.4-liter, 171-hp version of the base 2.2-liter engine. The supercharged coupe was still available, and was called the SS Supercharged to avoid confusion with the lesser SS trims.

For '08, the lower SS versions were dropped, though their 171-hp engine saw duty in the new, one-year-only Cobalt Sport. That year, the SS Supercharged was replaced by a turbocharged SS (just called the SS) making 260 hp. The following year, an SS sedan joined the lineup. These turbocharged SS models were the most desirable of the SS run.

Small Chevrolet cars have never been known for the quality of their interiors, and the Cobalt didn't do much to change this. In editorial reviews, the car received negative commentary for its hard plastics, inconsistent build quality and limited storage. On the positive side, the Cobalt's interior was nicely insulated from road and engine noise, and the front seats were very comfortable. The SS was the bright spot of the line, boasting eye-popping acceleration and truly impressive handling.

User Reviews:

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  2005 POS - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Jay P. - December 30 - 3:32 pm

  I bought my cobalt 2 1/2 years ago used from a dealer. Everything worked well and seemed like a decent car for me. Fast forward about 45,000 miles and Ive put almost 3,500 dollars in it just in the past couple months to keep it on the road. Im not beating the car to death and probably take better care of it than most. And just this week it seems I have more problems developing, on top of my already deteriorating trasmission and its problems. I would stay far far away from cobalts. Ive had to deal with multiple recalls - due to chevys incompetence and leading to many people getting in accidents and in some cases, dying. Im in the process of trying to sell this demon child.

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  Engine is dying - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Greg - November 28 - 9:29 pm

  Bought this car almost new. Now were up to over 150K miles. Check engine light came on a couple of years ago. When I took it in, my repair shop said that one of the cylinders was misfiring. Apparently it was a flaw in the engine. (I think they said the cylinder was warped which caused it to lose compression which caused the misfire. I may be wrong. Im not a car guy so please dont laugh if that doesnt actually make sense.) Anyways, about 9 months ago, my car started to stall out when idling at traffic lights. I took it back to the shop and they said that another cylinder had gone. There is nothing they can do to fix it apart from putting in a whole new engine. Now Im driving around on 2 cylinders praying that someone rear ends me so I can collect the insurance money.

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  Terrible vehicle - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By cindt - January 20 - 11:33 pm

  I bought this car for my daughter in 2007 and it was horrible. The interior was cheap plastic and paint chipped off the radio buttons making it look terrible. Initially, it had mechanical failures that the dealer wouldnt fix under warranty. I dont know why: maybe getting over on my teenage daughter. It had recalls that I tried to have fixed a few years later, but the dealer refused to fix them because they said it wasnt worth fixing (by then it was about 6 years old). I complained to Chevrolet and they wouldnt do anything either, so I guess they dont stand by their vehicles. Owning this car turned this Chevy family away from buying Chevy cars....at least for a few years.

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  Biggest Mistake Ever - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By backb - January 10 - 9:15 am

  I thought it would be a good first car, and it was okay, but anything but okay. The day after I got it home it started grinding going to fourth gear every shift and I know how to shift so it wasnt me, and the front speakers didnt work. Took it back into the dealership next day and they had to rebuild third and fourth gear, and put new speakers in. A year later had to go back in for more transmission work because it was hard to get into second, come to find out, second and fifth gear were shot. suspension sounding like it was falling apart on bumps, and hitting brakes made steering wheel shimmy. Do yourself a favor and dont waste your money on this car, so glad I traded it in.

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  Nevermind... - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By mikearcure - August 27 - 12:49 am

  Im late writing this, but after having this car for 14 months I have to say it was worst car Ive ever owned. My initial review was good, but I mustve spoken too soon because not a few weeks later I started having major problems. First, the rear passenger exterior door handle broke off during normal use. Then, the car made this terrible clunking noise under the passenger seat. I took it to multiple repair shops and no one knew what was wrong. Finally, the transmission went for no reason (mind you this was an 8 year old car). It was worse than my 13 year old Cavalier! As the cost to get a new trans cost more than the car was worth, I just junked it and bought a new 2013 Kia Rio.

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  Expensive Mistake - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By cmbear - July 11 - 4:29 am

  I purchased this car used with 10k miles. Loved it at first, then the it revealed its true colors. I have replaced the wheel bearings, sway bars, control arms and bushings three times. The second time the repair was under warranty. The first and third were quite expensive. Additionally, the inside door handles have peeled. I have just paid it off and am ready to get rid of this monster. Learned my lesson. Chevy wont get my business again.

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  Six years, Too long, Never again. - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By sanwich - June 16 - 3:01 am

  I bought it with 3 miles, It was good on gas, Never should of traded my truck for it. I will start this with how big of a P.O.S this car is and build like so.. 2 days in the Door panels get ripped off by other Interior pieces. 3 months in the trunk no longer latches properly, 4 months random shifting times (lag to shift up or fail to shift down when needed). 6 months all Cobalts reduced to 9995 after I paid 15,995 for mine lol.. Speakers, stuts, Exhaust, and hood prop failures.. and then All the recalls started. "faulty ignition switch linked to 33 crashes and 13 deaths" No thanks, I have since traded and only got 5k for it

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  Stay away if you want to live. - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By addybabyface - March 25 - 8:48 pm

  I bought this car back in September w/ 40,000miles. Every month starting a week after I bought it, it flashed "low engine power," I went from going 70mph on the free way with my speed dropping dramatically when I was in front of a semi truck. Ive taken it in about 8x for this problem, 5 different part have been put in yet low engine power keeps coming up at the worst times. Im scared to even drive my car. My car keeps telling me to check my air bags yet when I take it in there fine. Three different shops and the chevy dealer to looked at my car. Its a money pit. Im now having to trade it in take a loss and buy a new car. But I feel karma will come back at me when someone else buys it.

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  what happened? - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By karamel20001 - December 7 - 5:24 pm

  Well its like this..purchased car in 2006 brand new. Had fair credit at the time so being a unknowledgable I went for the high int rate. Had some set backs, but any about the car. Excellent when I first purchased. Didnt start having major problems until 110,000 miles. Took it to the dealership and sears only to be serviced. I had a transmission flush at 75,000 miles, a fuel thing for the recall, a steering issue for the recall, belt replaced, 3 rotors changed. And a long list of other things done as time went own. Now have 174,500 miles and the engine didnt pass the compression check and now they say I need a new engine at the dealership and it cost 3,100 dollars. I still owe. :(

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  Clunking and rattling everywhere...beware - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By edgexpro - October 9 - 8:07 pm

  I have a 2005 Cobalt with only 67,000 miles on it. Since 40,000 miles there has been a horrible clunking in the front and rear suspension as well as a rattle from the steering column. I have taken it to a GM dealer and told to replace the struts, which I did with an independent shop, as well as sway bar links and bushings. This did not help anything and since then it has gotten significantly worse. Today, I replaced the lower control arms and that didnt help either. The moral of the story is this shouldnt happen on a car with lower miles.