2009 Chevrolet Cobalt Review Summaries

What reviewers liked most about the Chevrolet Cobalt:

Handling is quite good for a car in this class, with reasonably good manners in corners and a compliant ride around town.

-- Edmunds.com

The Ecotec four-cylinder is a thoroughly modern and refined engine that provides good power and a smooth delivery.

-- Edmunds.com

What reviewers liked least about the Chevrolet Cobalt:

Despite its impressive specs, the 2.2-liter engine often sounds like it's laboring to produce that power, especially under full throttle, even with only two adults on board.

-- Cars.com

Stopping power good, but pedal felt spongy...

-- Consumer Guide

All models suffered fair coarse-pavement tire thrum.

-- Consumer Guide

Chevrolet Cobalt Comparisons:

[T]he Focus, while lacking any significant power since the SVT model died, still has a suspension that is more sophisticated and responsive than the Cobalt's front-strut, twist-beam-rear setup.

-- AutoWeek

The exterior is a yawner, one more universal small sedan, but the interior is a mini-Lexus in its shapes, tones, and textures. Chrome touches are back, in the bezels and door handles.

-- Car and Driver

While it is miles ahead of the Cavalier, which is finally being put out to pasture, the Cobalt is by no means the segment leader.

-- Cars.com

Best one-liner about the Chevrolet Cobalt:

[In the Cobalt SS] we would have no problem...drag racing a few punks at red lights in Atlanta.

-- AutoWeek