2008 Chevrolet Cobalt Review Summary & Specs
LS Coupe
Highly competent compact coupes and sedans.
Summary & Specs
reviewed by
The Chevrolet Cobalt will satisfy the needs of drivers looking for economy of price, economy of operation, and a nice, quiet ride. We think it's a handsome, well-equipped car. It carries four people comfortably, five only in a pinch, on a minimal outlay for fuel and monthly payments. The standard engine could offer more responsive low-end power. The Sport model is more fun to drive.
NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Jim McCraw reported from Dearborn, Michigan, with Mitch McCullough reporting from Los Angeles and John F. Katz from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Specs
| Vehicle Category |
Compact Cars |
| Editor |
New Car Test Drive |
| Model Lineup |
Chevrolet Cobalt LS ($13,675); LT ($14,375); Sport ($18,875) |
| Engines (standard) |
2.2-liter DOHC 16-valve inline-4 |
| Transmissions (standard) |
4-speed automatic |
| Engines (optional) |
148-hp 2.2-liter DOHC 16-valve inline-4; 171-hp 2.4 liter DOHC 16-valve inline-4 with VVT |
| Transmissions (optional) |
5-speed manual; 4-speed automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) |
front airbags, head-curtain airbags, tire pressure monitor |
| Safety Equipment (optional) |
ABS, stability control, traction control |
| Basic Warranty |
3 years/36,000 miles |
| Assembled In |
Lordstown, Ohio |
| Manufacturer Phone |
800-862-4389 |
| Manufacturer URL |
www.gm.com/chevrolet |
| Base Price MSRP |
$13,675 |
Specs as Tested
| Model Tested MSRP |
Chevrolet Cobalt LT sedan ($14,375) |
| Standard Equipment |
air conditioning, power windows, power locks, keyless entry, power mirrors, height and lumbar-adjustable driver's seat, AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo, XM Satellite Radio; driver information center |
| Destination Charge |
620 |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) |
automatic transmission ($925); 2LT package ($1295) includes ABS, body-color side moldings, 205/55R16 tires, fascia spoke wheels, cruise control, OnStar, trunk cargo net; heated leather front bucket seats ($695); rear spoiler ($275) |
| Gas Guzzler Tax |
|
| Price as Tested |
$18,185 |
| Layout |
front-wheel drive |
| Horse Power |
148 @ 5600 |
| Torque |
152 @ 4200 |
| Fuel Economy |
22/31 |
| Wheelbase |
103.3 |
| Length/Width/Height |
180.5/67.9/57.1 |
| Track Front/Rear |
|
| Turning Radius |
37.4 |
| Seating Capacity |
5 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room |
37.7/49.6/33.7 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room |
|
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room |
|
| Trunk Volume |
13.9 |
| Payload |
|
| Towing Capacity |
1000 |
| Front Suspension |
independent, MacPherson struts, L-shaped lower arms, coil springs, anti-roll bar |
| Rear Suspension |
semi-independent, torsion beam with trailing arms, coil springs, anti-roll bar |
| Ground Clearance |
5.4 |
| Curb Weight |
2793 |
| Stock Tires |
P205/55R16 |
| Brakes Front/Rear |
vented disc/drum with ABS |
| Fuel Capacity |
13.2 |