2005 Chevrolet Cobalt

What’s new for the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt: New model.

When the time came to replace the not-exactly-lustworthy Chevrolet Cavalier in 2005, GM came up with a clean-sheet design based on an all-new platform, and supposedly poured their hearts and souls into it. GM felt the result to be such a superior product that Chevy even ditched the Cavalier name.

The Cobalt did improve on quite a few things. It inherited GM's then-new "Ecotec" 4-cylinder engines, which even by today's standards are pretty peppy and punchy. An improved suspension delivers a refined ride, and its interior is blessed with neat ergonomics, good materials (at least on the seats), and possibly the most kickass sound system (the optional Pioneer) anywhere near the price. Attention to physical detail in the doors, hood, and trunk make the Cobalt feel almost expensive.

The problem is that everywhere you look, the Cobalt houses flaws that call attention to themselves. Many drivers dislike the "coarse" sound of the engine (for the record, it sounds fine to me), and the dead steering takes away any trace of driving enjoyment. As nicely padded as the seats are, they're just too low and flat, and the ones in back are the most cramped and uncomfortable in the entire segment despite the Cobalt having one of the biggest bodies. For what it's worth, a few too many things also went wrong in the car I tested (rattles, trim pieces falling off) to give me much confidence in its durability.

Given that small cars are expected to sip fuel, some consumers might also take issue with the Cobalt's rather large engines. Even the smaller of the two is 2.2 liters in displacement (the other is 2.4), and while 148 horses come in handy, a 24 MPG average is on the low side. We say keep the 2.4 as a step-up option, but downsize the 2.2 to a 1.8 to get in line with the competition.

On the other hand, those who like power should be getting excited about the new-for-2008 Cobalt SS, which replaces the old supercharged 205 HP engine with a turbocharged 260 HP engine. It will battle it out with the MazdaSpeed 3 and Dodge Caliber SRT4 for the honor of being the most wicked fast car for $23,000.

Aside from the SS, though, the Cobalt is a little too reminiscent of its predecessor's mediocrity.