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2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
Date Published: 11/23/08

2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
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MSRP:
$13,625 - 21,430

Invoice:
$12,739 - 20,037

Class:
Compact Car
2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
Expert Rating Summary
Category LS sdn w/Sport Option Pkg., auto. Rating (See All
Ratings)
Compact Car Average Rating
Acceleration 4 4.1
Fuel Economy 7 6.7
Ride Quality 6 4.6
Steering/Handling/Braking 6 5.4
Quietness 5 4
Controls 5 5.5
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front) 5 5
Room/Comfort (rear) 3 3.6
Cargo Room 3 3.9
Value within Class 7 5.8
Total Score: 51 48.6
Ratings: Maximum 10 points per category
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2005 Chevrolet Cobalt Review
Cobalt replaced Cavalier during 2005, becoming Chevrolet's first new compact design in 10 years. Larger and costlier than Chevy's Korean-built Aveo, Cobalt offers sedans and coupes that share underskin architecture with the Saturn Ion, though coupes don't have Ion's rear access doors. Trim levels are base, LS, and LT for sedans; base, LS, and SS Supercharged for coupes. All share Ion's 4-cyl engines. Base, LS, and LT Cobalts have 145 hp. The SS Supercharged coupe has 205 hp. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard on base and LS models, mandatory on the SS Supercharged. A 4-speed automatic is standard on the LT, optional on base and LS. Base and LS models come with 15-inch wheels; 16s are standard on the LT, optional on the LS. SS Supercharged models have 18s, sport suspension, and 4-wheel disc brakes. Air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, CD player, and 60/40 split folding rear seat are standard. ABS is optional on base models, standard elsewhere. Traction control is standard on LT and SS Supercharged, available on base and LS. Other options include head-protecting curtain side airbags with front side airbags, sunroof, OnStar assistance, and satellite radio.
Competition
Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Compact Cars comprise the smallest passengers cars. These vehicles range from tiny economy models to slightly larger popularly priced sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons.

Our Best Buys include the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Honda Civic, Mazda 3, and Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix twins. Our Recommended picks include the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Spectra, and Toyota Corolla.
News
Chevy touts Cobalt as a "premium subcompact" that's superior in every way to the old Cavalier, hence the new name. Cobalt shares GM's Delta platform with the Saturn Ion. Next summer, Chevy is due to start building a Delta-based "retro wagon," the 2006 HHR (short for "heritage high roof"--don't ask). It's a four-door styled to resemble a 1949 Chevy Suburban and is about the same size as the Chrysler PT Cruiser that probably inspired it. Powertrains come from Cobalt, including the supercharged engine, we understand. GM officials hint at a base starting price of around $23,000 and say they're aiming for 100,000 sales per year. We'll have more details soon, so keep checking back with us.
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