Phillips Chevrolet

 
Despite being a carbon copy of last year's model, the 2010 Chevy Cobalt will still be a fairly popular model with consumers and rental fleets. The car's broad appeal stems from its affordable base price and respectable fuel economy -- two pretty important things for an economy-minded car -- as well as its smooth and quiet ride.

Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:

The 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt is available in compact body styles, each split into XFE, LS, LT and SS trim levels. The base XFE (extra fuel economy) model includes 15-inch steel wheels, OnStar, a tilt steering wheel, a 60/40-split rear seat with a trunk pass-through, a trip computer and a four-speaker stereo with CD/MP3 player, satellite radio and an auxiliary audio jack. XFE models achieve slightly better fuel economy by using low-rolling-resistance tires along with taller transmission gearing. Most LS and LT models can also be XFE-badged, but must be specified with the 15-inch wheels and manual transmission. The LS trim level is nearly identical to the base XFE, but adds air-conditioning. The LT adds full power accessories, upgraded front seats and a front center armrest. A second LT trim level -- the 2LT -- has the above equipment plus 16-inch alloy wheels, antilock brakes and cruise control. The Cobalt LT coupe has the widest choice of available options, including the MyLink package, which adds 16-inch aluminum wheels, antilock brakes, Bluetooth, a USB port for the audio system and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and cruise controls. The Sun and Sound package adds a sunroof and a premium Pioneer seven-speaker sound system. LT coupe buyers can also opt for the Sport Appearance package that includes a rear spoiler, front foglamps, 17-inch alloy wheels, reworked front and rear fascias, Bluetooth, white-faced sport gauges and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with remote audio and cruise controls. Most of these add-ons are available on the LS or LT trims as individual options. Leather upholstery with heated front seats is available on the Cobalt 2LT only. Finally, the SS kicks the standard features into overdrive with a turbocharged engine, 18-inch wheels shod with performance tires, an exclusive sport-tuned suspension, Brembo front brakes, unique exterior and interior styling cues, a sunroof, sport seats covered with a suedelike material, the premium Pioneer stereo, Bluetooth and a turbo boost gauge. A limited-slip front differential and sport pedals are optional for the SS.Powertrains and Performance:The 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE, LS and LT models are powered by a 2.2-liter inline four-cylinder that's good for 155 hp and 150 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual is the standard transmission, with a four-speed automatic available as an option for the LS and LT. Fuel economy with the manual is 25 mpg city/35 mpg highway and 29 mpg combined. Opting for the XFE raises highway fuel economy to 37 mpg. The automatic-equipped LS and LT achieve 24 mpg city/33 mpg highway and 27 mpg combined. We managed to accelerate a base model XFE from zero to 60 mph in a respectable 8.5 seconds. The Cobalt SS gets a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 that makes an impressive 260 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, but the only transmission available is a five-speed manual. In testing, we launched a Cobalt SS coupe from zero to 60 mph in a blistering 5.8 seconds. Fuel economy doesn't suffer much either, as it rates 22 mpg city/30 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined.


Safety:

Full-length side curtain airbags are standard on all Cobalts. Most Cobalts have a front-disc/rear-drum brake setup; SS models have performance-tuned four-wheel disc brakes. Antilock braking (ABS) is optional on the LS and LT and standard on the 2LT and SS. ABS-equipped models with automatic transmissions come equipped with standard traction control.  In frontal government crash tests, both Cobalt body styles received four out of five stars for driver protection and a perfect five stars for front passenger protection. In side impacts, the Cobalt sedan got only three stars for front seat passengers but five stars for the rear. The Cobalt coupe yielded four stars for the front and rear seats. In the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's frontal-offset crash test, the Cobalt sedan received the highest score of "Good," while in side crash tests, the Cobalt sedan received the second-highest score of "Acceptable." It's worth noting that the XFE-badged Cobalts, while fuel-efficient, suffer in terms of braking. Stopping from 60 mph required a very long 146 feet -- no doubt a side effect of the XFE's low-rolling-resistance tires' lack of grip. The Cobalt SS, with stickier tires and ABS produced exceptional braking figures, needing just 115 feet to stop.


edmunds 2010, 2010