Segment: Compact
Production years: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Chevrolet Cobalt replaced the Cavalier in 2004, and it was a compact sedan that dreamed big and offered little for its customers unless they were a rental company.
GM tried to wash away the bad reputation gained by the Cavalier and changed the car's name, and improved it in every way. The era of Bob Lutz started, and he didn't want to cut corners anymore. The carmaker already had a low-budget econobox built on top of a Korean platform (the Aveo), so it didn't want to make another low-budget car in the compact segment.
From the outside, the Cobalt featured angled headlights with sharp, angular lines on the inner side, and the wrapped-around, body-colored bumper made a good impression on a market where the Asian cars already gained their reputation. The reversed trapezoidal grille sported a horizontal slat adorned with the golden Chevy badge. Despite being on the budget side of the compact segment, it featured body-colored door handles and mirrors. Its profile resembled the European Opel/Vauxhall Astra, especially on the C-pillars. The carmaker tried to manage the big-taillights vs. wide trunk opening situation and handled it fine in the back.
The Cobalt could look like a cheap economy car or a premium wanna-be inside, depending on the trim level. The base levels featured cloth upholstery and a cheap-looking instrument panel saved only by its white dials. Still, the carmaker provided the vehicle with standard AC, power windows, and power mirrors. The customers could enjoy the artificial leather, the sunroof, and the wood trims on the dashboard for the top-spec version.
Under the hood, GM offered the Cobalt with two engine versions. Its coupe sibling also received a supercharged four-banger made to compete in the boy-racer segment.
ENGINE SPECS - 2.2L 4AT FWD (141 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 2189 cm3 |
Power: | 104 KW @ 5600 RPM 141 HP @ 5600 RPM 139 BHP @ 5600 RPM |
Torque: | 150 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM 203 Nm @ 4000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Electronic Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 12.9 gallons (48.8 L) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 195/60 R15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 180.5 in (4585 mm) |
Width: | 67.9 in (1725 mm) |
Height: | 57.1 in (1450 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 58.7/58.1 in (1,491/1,476 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 103.3 in (2624 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.4 in (137 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.8 cuFT (391 L) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 23.8 mpg US (9.9 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 35.6 mpg US (6.6 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 28 mpg US (8.4 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.2L 5MT FWD (141 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 2189 cm3 |
Power: | 104 KW @ 5600 RPM 141 HP @ 5600 RPM 139 BHP @ 5600 RPM |
Torque: | 150 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM 203 Nm @ 4000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Electronic Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 12.9 gallons (48.8 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 140 mph (225 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 6.2 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 195/60 R15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 180.5 in (4585 mm) |
Width: | 67.9 in (1725 mm) |
Height: | 57.1 in (1450 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 58.7/58.1 in (1,491/1,476 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 103.3 in (2624 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.4 in (137 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.8 cuFT (391 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2868.7 lbs (1301 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 24.8 mpg US (9.5 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 38.6 mpg US (6.1 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 29.4 mpg US (8 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.4L 5MT FWD (174 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 2384 cm3 |
Power: | 128 KW @ 6200 RPM 174 HP @ 6200 RPM 172 BHP @ 6200 RPM |
Torque: | 163 lb-ft @ 5000 RPM 221 Nm @ 5000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Electronic Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 12.9 gallons (48.8 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 137 mph (220 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 6.7 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 195/60R15 - 205/55R16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 180.5 in (4585 mm) |
Width: | 67.9 in (1725 mm) |
Height: | 57.1 in (1450 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 58.7/58.1 in (1,491/1,476 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 103.3 in (2624 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.4 in (137 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.8 cuFT (391 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2906.2 lbs (1318 kg) |