Mar 14, 2005,
Autoblog.com
by David Thomas

There are some interesting contrasts inside the Chevy Cobalt. The color schemes are pleasing and the majority of the plastic that makes up the dash and doors is above par. But in the end, the little things that deal with ergonomics stick out more than the looks.

The best example of the poor layout resides in the three buttons to the right of the gauge cluster. The hazards button, along with the trip info and reset buttons, all reside spread out in this area. Now this isn’t a bad location necessarily, but if you’re driving there’s this thing called the steering wheel that completely blocks the view of these three buttons. Sure, it’s not hard to feel around for them. But hit the reset button instead of the info button by mistake and you lose your trip statistics. Plus, every car I’ve been in recently has a huge hazard button, while the Cobalt’s is tiny and hidden. Not really a safety feature.

Ok, first off, the first thing I DON'T want to look at is a huge hazzard button. Because god knows thats the first thing you go for everyday, so it needs to be huge. Second, the info buttons are in easy reach, and you have to hold the reset button for a couple seconds before it will re-set anything. So if in a couple seconds time you can't tell you have the wrong button then you deserve whats going to happen. I haven't ever had a problem with that, and I am sure anyone with the IQ level of a small monkey won't either.

The lighting controls on the left side of the steering wheel are similarly hidden but easier to adjust. In an odd twist of fate the easiest controls, radio volume, are also set in the steering wheel. I’ve been using the old fashioned knob on the deck instead though. The rest of the stereo functions are simple enough as are the climate controls.

I can't really say anything here as I don't have steering wheel radio controls thank god. As for the light controls, don't ever use them. GM was nice enough to include a nifty feature called auto for the people who don't understand when to use headlights.

Cup holders are predictability shallow. No ability to grasp a water bottle here. Sigh.

If I put anything larger then what they hold just fine (including a large soda from McDonalds) then I can't shift anyways, so whats the problem there? At least it has cup holders, and 4 of them at that. My '89 Z24 didn't have a single one.

Buttons, like in the Mercury Montego, for the windows and other controls offer a nice resistance to the touch and don’t feel flimsy. Unlike the Montego, I like the small and curvy door handles. At least they attempt to blend into the door’s shape.

The worst offenses of the entire interior are the five cent air vents. Could Chevy have spent any less attention to a feature? Most of today’s new vehicles, even the Chevy Aveo, have distinctive vents. These are the lamest I’ve seen in anything I’ve tested in memory.

Yeah, I can kinda see their point there, they are pretty boring, but they look good and look in place in the car.

It’s too bad such a feature was overlooked. Besides the lame fake wood, that is optional, poor button placement and those vents the interior is not so bad. The black design with the brushed steel is actually pretty sleek.

Space will also be a huge factor for those who have extra passengers as the rear legroom is very limiting as shown in the image here. I wouldn’t recommend a rear ride-along for more than a short drive.


Someone needs to show them how to move the seat up. Ok I am 6'3, and my buddies are all 6' or above. I can fit myself, and 2 buddies in the car, with neither of them touching their knees on anything. There's plenty of room up front, and when the seat is properly adjusted, there's plenty for the person sitting in the rear as well.


Overall, I like the way the interior is laid out. Its simple and doesn't feel overpowering.

 

My i sat in the backseat when I had my dad drive the cobalt that we were testing and I didnt notice any problems with the leg room, head room or any of that and that was with me sitting behind the driver (my 6'2" dad)...I am only 5'9" so that may be why.

I drove a tiburon and i couldn't stand to sit in its back seat...i had to tilt my head the whole time

I also drove an accord coupe (which is a very nice car) and its back seat didnt seem to have any more room than the cobalt. The accord had the nicest interior of all the cars I have looked at by far. It also cost 28,xxx since i was looking at the EX-V6 version.

 

I agree with every point in that review.

The fog light switch and trip switches are completely hidden. The cupholders are weak, and the vents don't meet nicely with the rest of the dash. When i'm driving (6'7) its impossible for someone to sit behind me. I'd also add that the leather sucks ass and the steering wheel is ugly as hell. It looks like its out of a truck. The lock of a centre console in the SS was brutal too, but I got one

I do love the silver centre stack and silver across the dash though. The colour scheme is nice. I like the guages, but the backlighting sucks and the white should be whiter a la Honda.

 

gm couldnt even get the cup holders right in the cavaliers in the whole life span for them , either you couldnt adjust the radio , or you cant adjust the heater depending on the year , plus the older 1's having a single cup holder


gm needs to use the blue lighting form the impala in the cobalts , its easier on the eyes ( i just had a rental 06 impala) , and the shifter in the impala blocked 1/3 of the radio while in drive(column shift), it sucked

gm seams to put the steering wheel in bad places , LOL

 

I have no problem with the interior. Only thing is im tired of my seat getting in my arms way when I shift. Or do you guys ever get that thing when your buddy is sitting in the passenger seat and u keep rubbing your hand on his leg every time you shift?

But I guess GM can't fix that problem.. Unless... nm

 

my only bitch about the interior of my Cobalt was when it was brandy-new... the seat was like a park bench. Now that it has close to 20,000 miles on it, the seat is just the way I want it.

so far, i haven't had a gripe with the cupholders (of all things...)

Scott

 

The only thing I don't like about the interior is that you can't use the outlet below the climate controls and the driver side cup holder at the same time.