Cobalt Impresses
11-24-2004, 02:01 PM
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Cobalt Impresses
Cobalt impresses
DAVID BOOTH
Canwest News Service
Monday, November 22, 2004
2005 CHEVROLET COBALT
Price: $22,995 to $26,400
Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder
Power: 145 horsepower
155 pound-feet of torque
Fuel economy:
9.9 litres per 100 km (city)
6.6 litres per 100 km (hwy.)
First, a few caveats regarding this road test of Chevy's new Cobalt. Though ostensibly not a replacement for the Cavalier, consumers will nonetheless compare it with GM's popular, budget-priced subcompact. So they're unlikely to ever fork over the 26,400 loonies required for the fully loaded LT model ($22,995 for the base, leather-equipped LT) tested.
All-dressed versions tend to flatter any model of car. Loaded with extra sound-deadening material, enough cowhide to outfit the Calgary Stampede and blasting tunes from a top-level audio system, they always show off new cars in their best light. Only later do we sometimes discover that all that is chromed does not shine.
Nonetheless, this new Cobalt impresses.
In fact, it impresses people usually predisposed to be uncomplimentary about domestic cars. One Volkswagen Phaeton driver (possibly the only one in Canada) and a BMW 325 owner were both sufficiently taken with the lowly Chevrolet that their comments actually bordered on praise.
Most impressive is the exterior look, which, by any standard, is contemporary. Of course, the LT's 16-inch alloy wheels don't hurt the exterior allure, but there's no doubt the new Cobalt has the style to compete in the budget segment.
It also has the chassis. General Motors is getting to be the world's expert on constructing enormously rigid platforms for inexpensive cars. The Delta architecture is an impressive piece of kit. Seemingly as tough as a BMW platform, the Cobalt's chassis shows no signs of flex no matter what size of bump.
The suspension, too, is a bit of a surprise, as the front MacPherson struts and semi-independent trailing arm rear systems are set European firm. It's an unusual departure for GM's "everyman" division, but it stands out among the bland performance Chevrolets normally pump out. It's also unusual to have fairly weighty steering - the Cobalt does not feel as parking-lot light as other Chevys - instead, it is much more stable at speed and when cornering. Overall, it's an exemplary effort by GM.
The only fly in the overall performance ointment is that the Cobalt soldiers on with GM's 2.2-litre DOHC four-cylinder. A decent engine with a creditable 145 horsepower, it has nonetheless been superseded by the 2.4-litre, 170-horsepower variant. However, the latter is only available in the top-of the-line SS model.
Chevrolet is going to have its hands full persuading consumers they should pay so much more for the Cobalt than the Cavalier despite its obvious advantages.
If I were GM, I'd be firing everything in my arsenal at consumers in order to entice them into this new, higher- sticker car.
With caveats mentioned in the first paragraph, it's hard not to be impressed with the Cobalt's interior.
The tester's leather was impressive and there's an enormously powerful audio system that plays both CDs and MP3s. There's even a big, 10-inch subwoofer in the trunk when you want to have Tony Bennett drown out that annoying rap music from the Civic beside you.
Even the base versions get air conditioning, CD player, electric rear window defroster, tilt steering and a split-bench rear seat with pass-through to the trunk. It's not a bad deal for the $15,500 GM Canada wants for its latest budget sedan.
If the fully loaded tester is any indicator for the cheaper, more popular trim levels, then Chevy may have found a worthy successor to the ageing, but still sales-formidable Cavalier.
National Post
DAVID BOOTH
Canwest News Service
Monday, November 22, 2004
2005 CHEVROLET COBALT
Price: $22,995 to $26,400
Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder
Power: 145 horsepower
155 pound-feet of torque
Fuel economy:
9.9 litres per 100 km (city)
6.6 litres per 100 km (hwy.)
First, a few caveats regarding this road test of Chevy's new Cobalt. Though ostensibly not a replacement for the Cavalier, consumers will nonetheless compare it with GM's popular, budget-priced subcompact. So they're unlikely to ever fork over the 26,400 loonies required for the fully loaded LT model ($22,995 for the base, leather-equipped LT) tested.
All-dressed versions tend to flatter any model of car. Loaded with extra sound-deadening material, enough cowhide to outfit the Calgary Stampede and blasting tunes from a top-level audio system, they always show off new cars in their best light. Only later do we sometimes discover that all that is chromed does not shine.
Nonetheless, this new Cobalt impresses.
In fact, it impresses people usually predisposed to be uncomplimentary about domestic cars. One Volkswagen Phaeton driver (possibly the only one in Canada) and a BMW 325 owner were both sufficiently taken with the lowly Chevrolet that their comments actually bordered on praise.
Most impressive is the exterior look, which, by any standard, is contemporary. Of course, the LT's 16-inch alloy wheels don't hurt the exterior allure, but there's no doubt the new Cobalt has the style to compete in the budget segment.
It also has the chassis. General Motors is getting to be the world's expert on constructing enormously rigid platforms for inexpensive cars. The Delta architecture is an impressive piece of kit. Seemingly as tough as a BMW platform, the Cobalt's chassis shows no signs of flex no matter what size of bump.
The suspension, too, is a bit of a surprise, as the front MacPherson struts and semi-independent trailing arm rear systems are set European firm. It's an unusual departure for GM's "everyman" division, but it stands out among the bland performance Chevrolets normally pump out. It's also unusual to have fairly weighty steering - the Cobalt does not feel as parking-lot light as other Chevys - instead, it is much more stable at speed and when cornering. Overall, it's an exemplary effort by GM.
The only fly in the overall performance ointment is that the Cobalt soldiers on with GM's 2.2-litre DOHC four-cylinder. A decent engine with a creditable 145 horsepower, it has nonetheless been superseded by the 2.4-litre, 170-horsepower variant. However, the latter is only available in the top-of the-line SS model.
Chevrolet is going to have its hands full persuading consumers they should pay so much more for the Cobalt than the Cavalier despite its obvious advantages.
If I were GM, I'd be firing everything in my arsenal at consumers in order to entice them into this new, higher- sticker car.
With caveats mentioned in the first paragraph, it's hard not to be impressed with the Cobalt's interior.
The tester's leather was impressive and there's an enormously powerful audio system that plays both CDs and MP3s. There's even a big, 10-inch subwoofer in the trunk when you want to have Tony Bennett drown out that annoying rap music from the Civic beside you.
Even the base versions get air conditioning, CD player, electric rear window defroster, tilt steering and a split-bench rear seat with pass-through to the trunk. It's not a bad deal for the $15,500 GM Canada wants for its latest budget sedan.
If the fully loaded tester is any indicator for the cheaper, more popular trim levels, then Chevy may have found a worthy successor to the ageing, but still sales-formidable Cavalier.
National Post
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