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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  SS = Super Sport or Super Steal - 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By R.D. Hesler - September 1 - 1:51 am

  WOW what a fun car! Turbo kicks in FAST! Bought a stage 1 kit to boost HP another 30 HP from 260 HP to 290 HP! I love the RPD (reconfigurable performance display) allows the driver manipulation of traction control, stability control, "shift points", and the engagement of Competition Mode, as well as information regarding the cars engine torque and horsepower, g-force, boost, wideband air fuel ratio, barometric pressure, temperature, and battery voltage. This little rocket ship will fly. I love beating those wanna-be fast & furious car!! Fun for a old guy like me. I see GM performance is dropping this turbo engine( refined to 275 HP) into their 2016 base Camaro.

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  Love This Car - 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By bjdittberner1@madisoncollege.edu - August 14 - 11:04 am

  I bought this Car with 75,000 Miles on it. Car Has Never Had an warranty submissions on it. I am A certified mechanic so I know cars in and out. There is a few minor problems like water getting in threw the front windows seals causing the front speakers to go in and out at times. And The Seal On The Front Headlights Can Go out letting moisture fill up the lens. Only 50$ to replace and I did it myself. NOTHING MAJOR. THese cars are bullet proof. Nothing mechanically has ever went wrong with this car at 85,000 miles already.

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  Its a real POS - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Phillip Najarian - August 6 - 4:41 pm

  I fell in love with this car when I was in high school, I loved yellow cars and it seemed like the best thing ever, a cute little bright yellow coupe. Unfortunately, I was better off loving it from afar. I purchased this car used, and it is the base model so other models may not be this bad, but IT IS HORRIBLE. Its so loud inside the car with road noise that you cant have a conversation, the doors are MASSIVE, if you are in a close parking spot you cannot get into the vehicle because the door opens 8 feet. The doors also weigh a TON, multiple times I have been bruised massively because I stick my leg out of the car to get out and the door comes back and pins my leg. The seats are the most uncomfortable things Ive ever sat on, if I ride in my car for over 30 minutes in a single day my back will be killing me, and I live out in the country so if I go anywhere beyond the gas station by my house it is over 30 minutes. The interior set up is stupid, if you push your seat all the way back you cannot reach the radio and climate controls, but if you move it closer then you feel like youre sitting at a desk because of the huge dash board. The back seat is basically nonexistent, I can fit one of my dogs back there. For such a small car it gets awful gas mileage, I usually average 25 or so, my old Dodge Neon got upwards of 40 mpg. Chevy itself is very rude about fixing the recalls on this car, and basically just acted like I didnt deserve to have a working, safe vehicle. It does what a car basically should do, it goes, it stops, it has seat belts and it has a radio which works (although the CD player does not). But it loses me on all of the little things that matter in a car, comfort, design, fuel consumption. It just doesnt make any sense as a car.

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  Best car experience ever - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By K. Bristol - July 23 - 5:18 pm

  To be fair, I drove my Cobalt 323,624 miles, no extra maintenance, 37 lifetime combined mpg, 40 mpg in final two years, beautiful blue paint in great shape after 10 years in the Colorado sun, interior decent given its use, engine in perfect condition. Transmission finally gave after 2-3 car-lives. I get paid for driving, and this car not only paid for itself, but then 4 more times! There is nothing wrong with these cars. Miles were approximately 50/50 miles city/highway. And no, Im not slow, I drive assertively, but not aggressively. Two occasions I scored 44 mpg round trip Denver to Gr. Junction.

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  Good Cars With a Few Issues - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Jerry in Missouri - July 10 - 4:26 pm

  Overall, I think Chevy Cobalts are good cars. The issues they have are similar to ones the Cavalier had, which are a cheap front suspension which will most likely require a few repairs, and a few safety issues, namely side crash test scores (poor without side curtain airbags). I would recommend getting a 2008-2010 Cobalt if you are concerned about the side crash test scores because they automatically came with side curtain airbags as a standard feature. Its possible that an 05-07 could have gotten them as an option, but most likely not. The Cobalt is a solid, attractive car that gets good gas mileage. Reliability is pretty good. If you do buy any year Chevy Cobalt, make sure you check that it has had the recalls taken care of, as all Cobalts were subject to a few recalls pertaining to the ignition/steering column. These cars have a smooth enjoyable ride but if you go over a raised bump you will definitely feel it, and do your best to avoid bumps as the front suspension is somewhat fragile in my opinion. I have noticed that the Cobalts have really good body integrity--usually even the 10 year old Cobalts still look good with no rust or bumpers falling off, etc. UNLIKE the Cavalier, which tend to fall apart piece by piece unless they are babied. A few random cons for the Cobalt are: Trunk is hard to open, and lid is heavy mouth of trunk is too small to take in larger items that might otherwise fit backseat is very cramped with little legroom so plan on anyone other than a child or dwarf hating it. All in all, I might consider buying another of these cars if it had the features and appearance I wanted on one.

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  A cheap, but reliable daily driver. - 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Bob Porter - April 29 - 9:59 am

  I bought this car, an LS Coupe when GM was offering deep discounts to clear inventory in its final production year. In that regards, I got an excellent price on a mediocre vehicle. My son like the sporty looks of the coupe, but its tiny trunk opening and wide doors are significant drawbacks and I would have preferred the 4 door. However, after 5 years of driving, it has been very reliable and gets pretty good fuel economy. As it likely has little trade in value, we will likely keep it for another winter, as equipped with proper winter tires, it gets us through the cold Canadian snowy season. It is very comfortable for 2 hour drives but would not be our choice for a long road trip.

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  2009 Chevy Cobalt - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By kayly - February 12 - 7:45 pm

  I have been driving my cobalt for the last two years with out any significant problems. This is the first and only car I have ever had, and it has served me well. I find it to be very comfortable, even for long car rides. I especially enjoy how quick it accelerates. ) In my opinion the vehicle has held up really well against all my wear and tear.

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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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  A terrible, terrible excuse for a car - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By shadetreegiant - January 3 - 11:18 pm

  I finally traded in my 2005 Cobalt, and I couldnt be happier. The engine and transmission are good, but the rest of the car is absolute junk. The body has several spots of rust bubbling up through the paint. The interior of this car is made of the same plastic used to construct VHS tapes. The suspension is miserable and unsafe. Oh yeah, I almost forgot... Nearly all Cobalts will have a clunking noise coming from the steering column. Thats because the steering column uses a plastic gear that breaks in EVERY Cobalt. At idle, the engine rattles loudly. The blower motor has chirped since 40,000 miles. The door handles are painted with chrome paint that flakes off and stabs me.