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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  You dont get what you pay for - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Marie - August 21 - 11:16 pm

  Cheaply made. Interior is uncomfortable and made of substandard materials. Visibility out the back window is horrid. It angles upward so you dont get a clear view of what is behind you. For everyday commuting in a flat area it is a fine car. It performs horridly in hilly areas and mountains. Definitely does not handle winding roads well as it does not hug the road on turns. I am trading this in for a either a Ford Focus or a Toyota Corolla.

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  Last time I go car shopping alone. - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Jc - April 28 - 12:04 pm

  I bought my LS on a whim. Just went to look at cars and test drive some and well, it just kinda happened. Within 2 weeks, I had to take the car to the dealer, there was some major squeaking going on. Found out it was just the hubcaps, apparently theyre horrible. They lubed them, but nothing else can be done. Im now at month 13 of ownership and sitting at home with no car. It has 12,000 miles on it. Went to start it and it just wouldnt do anything. Called GMAC Roadside assistance and they sent "Big Dawgs" towing. We almost needed a tow truck for the tow truck. The car has been at the dealer all day. No courtesy car like my selling dealership promised, No response yet.

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  Piece of Junk! - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By TerBear1968 - January 6 - 12:20 am

  I have owned my Cobalt for about 6 months. In that time I have had issues with the heating and cooling system and have had them repaired. I am now having issues with it again. There are loud griding noises coming from under the hood that the mechanics there say are "normal" from the air conditioning unit. Im sorry but there is nothing "normal" about the noise I am hearing. The gas mileage is currently running at about 13mpg in town and, if Im lucky, 27 on the freeway. A far cry from the touted mileage on this car. I do not feel this car is reliable and though I was assured I would not need a new car for many years to come, I am currently seeking another form of transportation.

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  Horrible Quality - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By B - October 31 - 9:23 pm

  This car has horrible build quality. I have to be back to the dealer at least one time per month to have something fixed. My car has leaked water inside of it already and it didnt even have 9000 miles on it! Do not buy this car at all. Do yourself a favor an buy an import!!! Also have you even seen the safety ratings for this car, side impact is terrible without side- airbags, which the 08s most have on them, I wonder why that is.............

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  Dangerous car with huge blind spot - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Ryan - September 24 - 6:56 pm

  The coupe gets great gas mileage and I should have got the sedan. This car is very dangerous to switch lanes as the rear window is extremely small and you can barely see out of it when checking your blind spot. Youll probably want to get one of those small round mirrors to put on the side mirror or cut off the roof (of course not possible, but sure would be safer) as Im hesitant to drive freeways unless my girlfriend is with me to check the traffic in the right lane.

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  Gas Mileage - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Don Stroud - September 3 - 5:30 am

  Getting 14 to 22 miles to the gallon of gas. Have taken vehicle back to dealer and they say they cannot do any thing about the problem because there are no codes showing. GM will not even talk about the gas mileage.

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  Junk - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Cathy McCort - August 9 - 7:21 am

  Watch out! You get a warranty and they refuse to cover the warranty. This car has a suspension problem that they will not acknowledge. In 6 mo we had to put on new tires and 1 year later we are on our 2 nd set of tires. The passenger side doors have slipped they hit each other. If the back door is open you cant open the front door. They claim we are responsible for this problem because of the mileage. we have been fighting with the car dealership and GMAC. We do not recommend this vehicle to any one. We do let people know in public when they inquire about the vehicle not to get one. I thought it would be a great family and economy car.

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  Chevy Junk - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By dale3568 - October 23 - 5:40 am

  I bought this car on July 3rd 06 and it has been in the shop most of the time since. It is the sorriest made car I have ever had. The first day I had it the door lock broke and the temp gauge went crazy. I have had the seat worked on several times. I will never buy another American made car they are junk.

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  Auto Pilot - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By DaveH923 - February 12 - 5:06 pm

  This car has tried to kill my wife and I on several occassions. The cruise control kicks on when it wants. The car shuts off if it doesnt feel like running anymore and service doesnt see a problem with it. The alarm will unlock the car for no reason. The carpeting on the doors peeled off at 6000 miles! The gas gauge quit working twice. The dash lights come on when the car wants them to, not when you turn on the headlights. The car rattles worse than a city bus in the cold. Personally, I am fed up with American cars! This is the last American car I buy! You turned me off. My father warned me about GM. He was right. Never again!

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  Its an economy car, but there are better options - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Joe J - November 26 - 5:13 am

  The biggest thing to know about this car is that it is a cheap, barebones machine. It is a basic, boring, machine that gets you from point A to point B. The interior is beyond basic. Everything is plastic, and going down the road you can hear the pieces smacking against each other. The instrument cluster shows speed, tachometer, and gas. That is all. Its almost impossible to know if there is anything wrong with this car. The engine (2.2L) seems to be reliable so far, but is too underpowered. It is almost impossible to force this car to downshift. Once its in third gear, even if I press the pedal all the way to the floor, this car refuses to downshift. This has left me in some scary situations at times when I really need the car to accelerate and it refuses to. This car will also rust like crazy. The hood is falling apart, and occasionally pieces of rust will fall from the hood and smack into the windshield. I would have expected a car to last a little longer than this. I applied some rust preventers where I could, so time will tell how much longer shell last. My biggest problem with this car is how small of an opening the trunk is. Even putting a backpack is a hassle. You just cant fit anything. The other large issue is the doors. They are weirdly large, and parking in a normal parking spot makes it almost impossible to get out of the vehicle because of just how big the car is. I only bought this car because it was cheap, and it supposedly got great gas mileage. After owning it for a while, I really wish I would have gone with something else. I plan on trading it in for a Mazda 3 after this Michigan winter is over. Overall, Id AVOID this vehicle unless you can deal with something so barebones.