*** Specifications and prices contained in this article are based on US products ***
We are always skeptical of compact cars when they are compared to sports cars because they frequently ride like pedal cars and have engines that sound just as tinny. However, the Chevrolet Cobalt positively glows as a commuter car and a sporty. It has superior handling, a firm chassis, and enough standard features to placate those who endured through Cavalier and Opel ownership.
Everywhere there is improvement in this Chevrolet. The trunk is positively huge. The rear seats fold down and that enables you to carry a five-foot ladder. The engine revs freely, and the fit and finish are above average. Overall, with a price around $15,000(US) for a well equipped version, this 145 horsepower Cobalt may be just the tool to fight the high cost of daily travel as it can easily top 30 mpg even with the optional four speed automatic.
What comes immediately to an informed consumer's attention is how the Cobalt relates to the competition in the form of the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. First, in terms of value it is difficult to compare because the Cobalt comes with a lot of standard features that the others don't offer or are available only as options. Secondly, resale would favor the Japanese cars but the Cobalt is too new to have developed a valid residual value index. We recommend you check www.nada.com for the latest prices. Next, concerns for reliability and dealer satisfaction must also be decided by the potential consumer due to the newness of the Cobalt and the large differences in individual dealership customer relations. Overall, the Honda has the shortest drivetrain mileage warranty as the others offer 60,000-mile coverage. Finally, each vehicle has a distinct advantage. The Chevrolet is a great handler and well equipped for the money since Cobalt is built on the dandy GM Delta platform. It has not yet been crash tested. The Honda has proven high crash scores and reliability. The Toyota has equally good crash test scores and excellent fuel mileage. There isn't a loser in the bunch.
So where does that leave the consumer? Well, in need to some statistical comparisons for a start. The Chevrolet is way more powerful, with a 2.2-liter engine producing 145 horsepower compared to 115 for the Honda and 130 for the Corolla. As expected, this much more potent Cobalt engine results in less gas mileage for the Chevrolet. The Cobalt gets 32 mpg on the highway versus 38 for both competitors. In real life we found that the Cobalt averaged 28 mpg and the other two 33 on the highway. However, it must be realized that the Chevrolet is 400 pounds heavier than the Toyota and Honda at 3000 pounds. You can feel the difference in heft when you are driving the three. The Cobalt feels much more connected to the road. Clearly, this reflects the fact that the Cobalt has the newest chassis. So if handling, hauling, and performance are your interests test-drive this new Chevrolet.
Interior space is quite impressive for all three thanks to a split and folding rear seat that provides a fairly flat floor open into the trunk. In terms of interior room, luggage and cargo capacity, the three are quite equal.
As for value, it is clearly all Chevrolet. Cruise control is standard, power steering is electric and speed-proportional, and all but the base model get four-wheel disc ABS. Other standard features are keyless entry and power windows. The Chevrolet also offers traction control, available dual front air bags with head protection as an option. A driver's information center, available OnStar, satellite radio, and even a SS version with supercharged engine make the Chevrolet in its various forms the most interesting as well as the best initial value. However, because of the Cobalt's rather bland styling it is easy for potential buyers to walk right by this model. It does not demand your attention and until you get behind the wheel and experience its handling and potency, the Cobalt might well remain a wallflower just because its mother couldn't afford a fancier dress to attract suitors. Shame, for this is quite a date. So the advantage here would go to the Japanese vehicles. Unfortunately, we cannot predict how the Cobalt is going to stand up to the rigors of commuter driving. The record is unproven, whereas the Civic and Corolla are at the top of the class.
We are always skeptical of compact cars when they are compared to sports cars because they frequently ride like pedal cars and have engines that sound just as tinny. However, the Chevrolet Cobalt positively glows as a commuter car and a sporty. It has superior handling, a firm chassis, and enough standard features to placate those who endured through Cavalier and Opel ownership.
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What comes immediately to an informed consumer's attention is how the Cobalt relates to the competition in the form of the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. First, in terms of value it is difficult to compare because the Cobalt comes with a lot of standard features that the others don't offer or are available only as options. Secondly, resale would favor the Japanese cars but the Cobalt is too new to have developed a valid residual value index. We recommend you check www.nada.com for the latest prices. Next, concerns for reliability and dealer satisfaction must also be decided by the potential consumer due to the newness of the Cobalt and the large differences in individual dealership customer relations. Overall, the Honda has the shortest drivetrain mileage warranty as the others offer 60,000-mile coverage. Finally, each vehicle has a distinct advantage. The Chevrolet is a great handler and well equipped for the money since Cobalt is built on the dandy GM Delta platform. It has not yet been crash tested. The Honda has proven high crash scores and reliability. The Toyota has equally good crash test scores and excellent fuel mileage. There isn't a loser in the bunch.
So where does that leave the consumer? Well, in need to some statistical comparisons for a start. The Chevrolet is way more powerful, with a 2.2-liter engine producing 145 horsepower compared to 115 for the Honda and 130 for the Corolla. As expected, this much more potent Cobalt engine results in less gas mileage for the Chevrolet. The Cobalt gets 32 mpg on the highway versus 38 for both competitors. In real life we found that the Cobalt averaged 28 mpg and the other two 33 on the highway. However, it must be realized that the Chevrolet is 400 pounds heavier than the Toyota and Honda at 3000 pounds. You can feel the difference in heft when you are driving the three. The Cobalt feels much more connected to the road. Clearly, this reflects the fact that the Cobalt has the newest chassis. So if handling, hauling, and performance are your interests test-drive this new Chevrolet.
Interior space is quite impressive for all three thanks to a split and folding rear seat that provides a fairly flat floor open into the trunk. In terms of interior room, luggage and cargo capacity, the three are quite equal.
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