Vehicle: 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt LT sedan with 4-speed automatic transmission
Price as tested: CDN$23545
Handling: The Cobalt is based on the same chassis as the highly regarded European Opel Astra. The level of stiffness and ridigty are impressive for a vehicle of this price range. Its stiff, solid, refined and completely free of chassis flex. The dynamic quality is as impressive as the chassis itself. When pushed through corners, it has a very inspiring and confident feedback through the chassis. The most surprising dynamic trait is Cobalt’s electric power steering has the right feel and responsiveness that are lacked in similar steering system of other GM products, despite it still has the featherweight during transition. The body rolls and understeer are under very well-controlled. While Cobalt still exhibits some safe understeer that is typical of most econocars, it got the fun and entertaining feel through twisties due to GM engineers’ smart use of damping rates and suspension stiffness. Although the rear suspensions remain beam axle, it has to be considered as one of the better beam setting I have ever driven. Thanks to the excellent use of damping, Cobalt’s ride comfort has to be rated with cars that are 2 times more expensive. It absorbs bumps and expansion joints with a touch of firmness that are usually found in European sports sedan, while combining the level of suppleness that is usually find in Lexus.
Performance: As impressive as the dynamic quality, Cobalt’s Ecotec 2.2L is another piece of fine engineering. Its not only this Ecotec feels much more refined and quiet than all the Ecotecs units I have driven before. It also has the level of responsiveness that you never been able to find in most domestic econocars. The throttle response is typical GM quick. With 155 lb/ft of torque arrives at 4 grand, it doesn’t look impressive on paper but certainly feel quick in real life. The only drawback is the roughness at the top of the rev range. The engine note sounds unrefined and noisy compares to more refined powerplants in Corolla, 3 and Civic. As usual, GM’s 4-speed automatic is quick to adapt up and downshifting. The fuzzy logic is smart and won’t let driver hunts gears.
Brakes: The front discs/rear drums with standard ABS provide pedal feel that could only dream about in its predecessor. It has the kind of firm and solid pedal feel which are very European-like. The modulation is easy while the stopping distance is short. Unfortunately, its only standard on our uplevel LT and performance SS. GM should make ABS standard across the board if they want the Cobalt to be more competitive in this segment.
Interior: The use of materials and build quality are nothing like its predecessor. Everything from the power window switch to climate control knobs have a tactical, high-quality feel. The instrumentation gauges are clear and analog, with a standard trip computer that is unusual in this class. The driving position is easily found with tilt and height adjustable seat. The seats are comfortable and very well-supported. My only drawback, however, has to do with where GM placed the remote trunk button. Instead of place it on the driver’s door or on the floor, they decided to put in it the cubbyhole!. As for the backseats, there are decent head and legrooms.
The cargo space, however, has been hammered with extremely high trunk liftover. When you need to load a heavy cargo into Cobalt’s trunk, good luck! The use of uninstrusive trunk hinges and 40/60 split fold-down rear seats can certainly make the grades as long as you can load them in.
Conclusion: The Chevy Cobalt, as well as its corporate twin, Pontiac Pursuit, have made a significant forward over their crappy predecessors in every areas. They also prove GM is able to engineered great econocars that are not sold for cheap price alone. These twins have enough merits to go against the best from Japanese and Koreans without using any factory rebates or low lease rates. Those who think GM is never able to produce excellent cars certainly never driven Cobalt.
OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT LT SEDAN
============================================
Performance: 4/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 4.5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 2/5
Value-for-money: 4/5
Overall rating: 4/5