If all you want is an inexpensive car that's quick on its feet and quiet on the highway, the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt might satisfy you. The SS models feel tighter in the turns but still don't measure up to cars like the Acura RSX and Mazda 3. Body roll is excessive around turns, and the electric power steering is slow with little feedback. Unfortunately, the car's handling characteristics are nothing special. Even the doors close with a solid "thunk." And crash protection is very good in front- and side impacts.
The vehicle's stiff structure does wonders for noise and vibration control, and makes for a solid-feeling ride regardless of terrain. Other Cobalts come with a solid-performing 145-hp, 2.2-liter four-cylinder, while a midgrade SS coupe and sedan feature a peppy 171-hp version. The Chevy Cobalt is available as a coupe or sedan, with a sporty SS Supercharged coupe filling the top spot with a 205-horsepower supercharged engine. Inside, materials quality, styling and comfort are much improved over the Cavalier, but compared to most competitors, the plastics are cheap, the seats are flat and unsupportive, and there's almost no interior storage. Though we're still not sold on the coupe's quad round taillamps, the overall look should offend no one.
Unfortunately, we don't think the Cobalt is quite ready to make a run at the leadership in the economy car segment.īased on the platform used for the Saturn Ion, the Chevrolet Cobalt features a conservative and uncluttered appearance inside and out. Chevy is pinning its hopes on the new Cobalt to win back small-car buyers accustomed to the first-class accommodations and driving dynamics of cars like the Civic and Mazda 3.
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