2005 Chevrolet Cobalt Review

Specifications

New Cobalt Promises to Deliver Premium Compact Quality and Features

All the talk surrounding General Motors positioning the new Chevrolet Cobalt higher on the pecking order than its previous Cavalier is true, made apparent by its much higher $14,190, compared to the Cavaliers $10,135 base price.

Just what makes the Cobalt worth more will be made all too apparent as soon as prospective buyers sit inside the new model, which has been upgraded and refined in every way over the long-in-the-tooth Cavalier. According to a General Motors press release, “a high level of refinement is apparent in the quality of materials, appointments and styling cues used throughout the cabin.”

Available in 2-door coupe and 4-door sedan iterations, just like Cavalier, the new Cobalt improves on styling, interior layout and materials and driving dynamics.

The new model will be available in six trim levels, including base, LS, LT and SS designations for the sedan, and base, LS, SS and SS supercharged trim levels. Over and above the $15,495 base model, the LS will start at $16,485, the LT sedan at $18,760 and the supercharged SS coupe at $21,995 - all including freight and PDI.

“We believe this exciting introductory offer will provide consumers an added incentive to get to know our all-new Chevy Cobalt before it hits the market,” said Brent Dewar, Chevrolet general manager.

That value starts with attractive distinctively Chevrolet inspired styling, especially apparent in the sporty coupe that features four circular taillights inspired by classic Chevys from the past, including the Impala SS and, of course, the legendary Corvette.

The sedan looks a little less sporty yet more sophisticated, while featuring a higher seating position for what General Motors says is a “more commanding view of the road”.

Chevys value proposition continues inside, where the much improved interior receives a standard air conditioning, electric rear defogger, CD player, driver information center and split-bench rear seat with pass-through to trunk area. Standard on the LS, LT and SS Supercharged models are ABS brakes, power door locks with keyless entry, cruise control, and power windows and exterior mirrors. Optional features include heated leather seats, a power glass sunroof, OnStar, XM satellite radio and an MP3 player integrated into the audio system.

With regards to driving dynamics, the Cobalt comes standard with electric power-assist rack-and-pinion steering plus 15-inch wheels and tires. Available 16-inch, 17-inch, and 18-inch wheels alloy wheels, all featuring unique styling, enhance the cars overall appearance while increasing performance capabilities.

The large diameter rims and rubber will be put to better use in the Cobalt than the outgoing Cavalier because of its much more capable Delta architecture and rigid body structure. This additional strength will make the Cobalt a safer vehicle too, not only able to withstand greater forces during crash related impacts but also more agile, and therefore more capable of avoiding an accident altogether. If the unmentionable should occur, the Cobalt features standard dual-stage front airbags, with side head curtain airbags available.

The Cavaliers Ecotec DOHC 4-cylinder engine has never been considered a weakness, therefore the new Cobalt will carry forward with the 2.2-liter powerplant in base, LS and LT trim levels. For the SS coupe and sedan, a new 2.4-liter version of the engine comes standard, developing 170 horsepower. The SS Supercharged coupe will get the same “blown” 2.0-liter 4-cylinder first featured in the new Saturn ION Redline. There it makes 205 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque, making it capable of 0 - 100 km/h in only 7.0 seconds.

Due to the Cobalts many improvements over the Cavalier, Chevy shouldnt need to discount it or add as many profit eroding incentives at point of sale, at least to the level of the outgoing model. The Cobalts added features and premium compacct quality should help reduce the need for incentives too.

The Cobalt is due to go on sale this later this year, with production beginming in the fourth quarter in Lordstown, Ohio.