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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2008 Chevrolet Cobalt

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt

Overview

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2008 Chevrolet Cobalt Review

By KBB.com Editorial Staff

Soaring fuel costs have changed the face of the compact-car customer. First-time buyers and budget-conscious consumers are no longer the only market for small cars—SUV drivers looking for an economical second car are also flooding showrooms. But these people have a bit more cash on hand and, although they want something that's good on gas, they don't want bare-bones transportation. Enter the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt, an attractive small car with a bit more size, style and equipment than its entry-level competitors, but with a reasonable price tag and good gas mileage. Available as either a coupe or sedan, the Cobalt definitely merits a test drive.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you're looking for a small car with an upscale interior, a smooth ride and an all-American nameplate, the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt is a worthy alternative to the Ford Focus. The Cobalt is also easy on gas, a key point of interest for many new car shoppers.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you're looking for a small car with a big back seat, the Cobalt can't compare to the Dodge Caliber or Scion xB. The Cobalt's engine is a bit coarse and its exhaust note is even louder.

What's Significant About This Car?

Trim names change to LS, LT and Sport, while XM Satellite Radio, head-curtain airbags and a tire-pressure monitoring system are made standard across the line. SS and SS Supercharged models are temporarily off the order menu.

Driving the Cobalt

Driving Impressions Clearly a cut above previous-generation GM smaller cars, the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt delivers reasonably spirited performance and a surprisingly good ride for a generally enjoyable experience—apart from the exhaust noise....

Suspension is more effective than in some other GM automobiles, with a firm, direct feel. Only the nastier bumps and holes are likely to be bothersome. With the easy-shifting automatic transmission, this sedan accelerates enthusiastically enough for its class. Nimble handling is accompanied by well-assisted, confident steering, which enhances agility in around-town driving, and the Cobalt is stable on the highway.

Favorite Features

XM Satellite Radio
Standard XM Satellite Radio is rare in this price range. Once you've tried it on a long trip, you're likely to become a satisfied customer.

Glovebox Size
In many recent vehicles, a large glovebox door opens onto a constricted storage space, but the Cobalt's glovebox is ample in size.

2008 Chevrolet Cobalt Details

Interior

The 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt sedans have a high seating position for a more commanding view of the road, and all-around visibility is impressive. The interiors, crafted to offer five-passenger seating, are attractive, if rather basic. The only gauge on the instrument panel is for fuel level, but digital readouts deliver other data. Front passengers enjoy good head, leg and elbow space, but rear-seat passengers must accept a confining experience. An average-size person may have trouble getting in and out of the rear of the coupe. The 60/40-split rear seatback includes a pass-through to the trunk, which holds 13.9 cubic feet of luggage.

Exterior

Chevrolet claims the 2008 Cobalt's rigid body structure contributes to benefits in quality, ride and handling. Based on GM's global Delta architecture, its dimensions are comparable to the old Cavalier's, except that the Cobalt is more than two inches taller. Each trim level has specific 15-, 16- or 17-inch wheels and appearance touches, though an overall kinship to the Cavalier is discernable. Coupes mimic the sedan's profile from the A-pillar forward, but a tapered reverse C-pillar leads back to Chevrolet's signature quartet of round tail lamps. Chevrolet claims a turning radius, curb-to-curb, of just 37.4 feet.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The base LS Cobalt comes equipped with air conditioning, a CD audio system with auxiliary input jack, a tilt steering column, head-curtain side airbags, XM Satellite Radio, driver information center and electric rear-window defroster. Speed-sensitive electric power steering is tuned to match the tires and suspension. Brakes are front discs and rear drums. Stepping up to the 2LT adds anti-lock braking (ABS), StabiliTrak stability control, keyless entry system, cruise control and power windows and mirrors. The Sport coupe and sedan get a larger 2.4-liter engine, 17-inch wheels, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (ABS), FE3 suspension and more standard features.

Optional Equipment

The Cobalt offers a number of nice optional features, including GM's OnStar communications system (standard on 2LT and Sport), AM/FM stereo with six-disc MP3-compatible CD player, remote start, a four-speed automatic transmission, heated leather seats, power glass sunroof, cruise control, rear spoiler and 16-inch alloy wheels.

Under the Hood

Both the base 2.2- and 2.4-liter engines lack the refinement and quiet operation that has become the trademark of the Honda and Toyota powerplants. On the positive side, these engines are strong performers, offering good acceleration and passing power while returning better-than-average fuel economy.

2.2-liter in-line 4
148 horsepower @ 5600 rpm
152 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/31 (manual), 21/29 (automatic)

2.4-liter in-line 4
171 horsepower @ 5800 rpm
167 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/32 (manual), 21/29 (automatic)

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2008 Chevrolet Cobalt Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

7.9

Out of 10

Based on 1185 Ratings for the 2005 - 2009 models.

Review this car

Value

8.3/10

Quality

8.0/10
Reliability

8.5/10

Performance

8.4/10
Comfort

8.0/10

Styling

8.4/10

Great car if all you need is cheap transportaion

By pandazzrule29 (MI) on Thursday, February 21, 2013

I owned and sold this car
Reason: needed a bigger and better car - My approximate mileage is 108,000

10 5.0

overall rating 5 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 5/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 5/10
Quality: 2/10
Performance: 2/10
Styling: 5/10
Comfort: 2/10

Pros: "cheap, reliable"

Cons: "basic, poor ride"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 4

"We bought a 2005 cobalt sedan new. These cars are inexpensive to own and operate. It always got from point a to b. however, thats pretty much it. The ride is very uncontrolled and noisy with an engine that makes it hard to pass people on the freeway. The interior is a total fail for GM with a creaky dash, seats that take nothing to stain, manual windows/locks, and mirrors,and the lack of a center armrest. We did have an issue with the power steering which is normal for this car. We also had problems getting the shifter to shift from park to reverse which the dealer couldn't find. The exterior isn't anything special. The body is super thin as we experianced multipule dents at different times in parking lots. Although I have bought GM my entire life, im looking at larger, better quality cars from ford."

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I Put 76 miles a day on this car

By jamie (ME) on Thursday, February 21, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 110,012

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 6/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "run forever with low maitence"

Cons: "sticky igniton switch"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"I bought this car when it had 30,000 miles on it and in 3 years i have added over 70,00 miles on this car .... i have yet had to replace rotors i have replaced brake pad ounce and pad are close to being changed and still have a lot of meat on the pads. I have replaced bearings for the first time last week. car is still quiet when it runs . Only irritating problem i have had is sometime the key will stick but sure it's just due to getting new ignition switch but it has been a great commute car for me still running strong"

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