Picture Gallery: 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt LS XFE | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Discuss
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Or maybe, instead of spartan we can call it “hardcore.” That is what many call the Lotus Elise, a sports car with no compromises: very little in the way of amenities on the inside; something surely nobody could live with day in and day out — heck, the Elise doesn’t even have carpets! But the Cobalt does have carpets, so that’s a huge plus for the Cobalt right there — yet it is so “hardcore” it doesn’t have power windows (something the Elise does have).
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But let’s be fair: my Cobalt LS XFE tester does have some features to list, like air conditioning for an extra $1,150 over the base starting price of $15,325, as well as ABS ($600), front and rear side-impact curtain airbags ($395) and Onstar ($395). As standard equipment, you get the tweaked 2.2L “ECOTEC” engine and a 5-speed manual transmission and AM/FM Stereo with CD, two 12V power outlets in the front and 60/40 split folding rear seats.
2009 Chevrolet Cobalt LS XFE
MSRP as tested (including destination): $19,190
For more information on Chevrolet and the Cobalt visit GM Canada
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What I do really miss is a telescopic steering wheel, though, as I find my arms a little far from the steering, but all body types are different, and you may not require this feature. The missing armrest in the centre console is another negative, though it means you end up resting your hand on the shifter — not usually the best place to put your hand while cruising.
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And power windows — well, I was eating my apple and I ripped off the little stem. My first inclination was to chuck it out the window (I know, I know; I shouldn’t do this), but then I had to shift and hold my apple and how the heck was I to roll down the window? I ran out of hands rather quickly… and forget about throwing it out the passenger side.
It’s all like living without a microwave: you used to do it but geez-Louise, the microwave really makes life a lot simpler. But my tester does have a few advanced features. Oddly enough, it has automatic headlights — a great feature that you quickly learn to like. It does have adjustable intermittent wipers, which were very useful today, and of course, it has the driver’s information computer.
Yes that is right, the Cobalt LS is spartan/hardcore as can be, but it has a computer readout to tell you your fuel consumption, distance to empty, outside temperature and average speeds.
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I reviewed the 2007 Cobalt LT back in April of ‘07, and at the time I said “Only good things can be said about the ride and handling. Bumps are soaked up smoothly, providing a quiet ride with some good road feel. On the highway, the Cobalt is extremely quiet for a vehicle in this class with virtually no wind or tire noise.
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Fast forward to 2008: an LS model and XFE designating and things do not change one bit — the mechanical grip generated by the Cobalt chassis is impressive and it makes it extremely fun to drive as well as comfortable, smooth and quiet.
The other tweaks incorporated into the XFE model to reduce fuel consumption include updated ECU mapping and a lower final drive ratio of 3.63. Not only does this lower final drive reduce fuel consumption, but it also reduces engine noise on the highway as well as in the city while cruising in fourth gear.
The last piece to the fuel saving formula is a shift light. This is kind of hokey if you ask me — the light illuminates basically as soon as you hit 2,200 rpm in each gear and does become annoying after a while of it staring you in the face. It does work, though: it really reduces your urge to rev the car up and go fast. Interesting how a simple light can change your driving behaviour.
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I was tempted to wind the engine out, but I kept my foot on the light side all week, shifting when the shift light illuminated and driving economically to see if I could get some amazing fuel economy. I was a little disappointed though, as I have achieved better in the past without being this cautious.
The Cobalt is a quiet vehicle, although the package I was offered to test is very limited in its market. A manual transmission, no power amenities and nearly $20,000 as equipped is not a great combination. The XFE model is great in concept, but to only offer it with a manual transmission limits the number of potential customers greatly, making the XFE model somewhat of a exclusive car.
*Rating out of 5:
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*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2009 Chevrolet Cobalt LS XFE
MSRP as tested (including destination): $19,190
For more information on Chevrolet and the Cobalt visit GM Canada
October 26, 2008, 11:38:58 pm
Are you serious?? You don't consider eating while driving a distraction? I guess talking on a cellphone or texting is OK too, right? Where do you draw the line?
October 26, 2008, 11:51:44 pm Mmmmmm.....
http://www.drivers.com/article/705/
October 27, 2008, 12:27:12 am I'm not talking about eating a burger, fries and such from McDonald. I'm talking about normal people who grab a coffee from Tim's or maybe eat a chocolate bar. Some things are more dangerous than others, but if we are going to worry about everything, we better take away the radio too. Also take out the passenger seats, because passengers are clearly a distraction.
My point is that we do not live in a bubble society. Life is dangerous, and most of us make it through just fine, so there is no sense panicking over dumb things you can't control.
October 27, 2008, 02:00:47 am I don't eat while driving. But I am not everybody.
October 27, 2008, 06:45:38 am Eating a burger and fries is, IMHO, less distracting than drinking hot coffee. Burgers don't burn you if you drop them.
October 27, 2008, 07:47:43 am But more distracting than an apple. Fries are hard to eat, getting them out of the bag is a pain hahaha
October 27, 2008, 07:58:44 am Wing - so what do you do with the core? My dad used to eat the entire thing, which as a kid I thought was gross (seeds and apple 'gristle').
Of course, as I got older, I realised that my dad as a little kid grew up in post-war Europe, where NOTHING was wasted from a food persective.
The core is edible, of course....also like orange peels, banana peels.....
Did you 'plant' and apple tree that day - which is probably more environmentally friendly than the XFE - on the side of the road?
October 27, 2008, 08:07:02 am I put it in the cup holder and put it in the trash when I got out...
October 27, 2008, 09:12:02 am Back to the Cobalt. I drove the Aussie equivalent 3 yrs ago in Perth with an auto transmission for a week. Not very fuel efficient but the Holden Astra was a decent car but a far cry from the Holden Commadore we had just driven from Adelaide to Perth ( now a Pontiac G8 )
As for eating, drinking, listening to the radio, and using the cell phone while driving, while riding my motorcycle I find that distracted drivers are often doing a combination of these and except for listening to the radio for background noise, none of these is wise.
October 27, 2008, 09:53:38 am
The Chevy Cobalt is not the same car as the Opel/Vauxhall/Holden/Saturn Astra. Different platforms.
October 27, 2008, 10:04:48 am Is this a North American first ? A domestic econobox that is only offered with a manual transmission ?? I'm intrigued by what type of pilot focus group Chevrolet used to determine the optimum product feature mix.
October 27, 2008, 10:24:50 am Only the XFE model is manual, you can still get a regular cobalt with auto.
October 27, 2008, 12:13:27 pm ” over the course of the week I averaged a very respectable 7.8L/100km, but that was mostly highway driving with a little of in town, but certainly no city driving or bumper-to-bumper traffic.
I was tempted to wind the engine out, but I kept my foot on the light side all week, shifting when the shift light illuminated and driving economically to see if I could get some amazing fuel economy. I was a little disappointed though, as I have achieved better in the past without being this cautious."
This is very disappointing indeed. My average for 20000 km is a similar 7.84 L/100 km but it includes a full winter and all my commuting to work, etc. Mostly highway tanks would return around the 7L mark or less.
You should have gotten in the low to mid 6's with the light foot mainly highway driving you did with the Cobalt.
October 27, 2008, 12:28:29 pm
My point is that we do not live in a bubble society. Life is dangerous, and most of us make it through just fine, so there is no sense panicking over dumb things you can't control.
Maybe so, but why should my life be in danger because some moron is too distracted to drive safely? Is your phone call really that important that you have to take it in the car? Life is dangerous because some people make it so. WHat's the old saying; guns aren't dangerous, it's the people that use them? Or something like that.
October 27, 2008, 01:01:50 pm I don't know, but for that kind of money and fuel economy I might as well pick up a City Golf, just as unequiped for 15 grand. But for the 19 grand that the tester costs the Golf can have an automatic transmission, automatic windows, and central locking with a key fob. Better car and better value IMO
October 27, 2008, 02:16:37 pm ..IT depends whose eating who and what...................cannibalised from I'll come quietly officer............
October 27, 2008, 02:21:43 pm ” over the course of the week I averaged a very respectable 7.8L/100km, but that was mostly highway driving with a little of in town, but certainly no city driving or bumper-to-bumper traffic."
FAIL.
October 27, 2008, 02:26:49 pm
My point is that we do not live in a bubble society. Life is dangerous, and most of us make it through just fine, so there is no sense panicking over dumb things you can't control.
Maybe so, but why should my life be in danger because some moron is too distracted to drive safely? Is your phone call really that important that you have to take it in the car? Life is dangerous because some people make it so. WHat's the old saying; guns aren't dangerous, it's the people that use them? Or something like that.
I guess they should remove armrests, disable the ability to roll windows up and down while moving and discontinue all manual tranny cars. After all those things require you removing your hand from the wheel. I'm sure all the people who are against eating or drinking in the car pull over to the side of the road every time they take a sip of water and never drive one handed with there arm on the armrest.
October 27, 2008, 03:28:19 pm This is a good idea, but I think they needed to be more aggressive with the gearing. Make the final drive taller even and possibly shorten 1st so at least you can get it moving. Once underway you would just get used to the taller gearing.
You can't gain fuel economy without either reducing the size of the engine or reducing the weight of the car. And since neither of those are going to happen that really only leaves gearing.
Why not offer an automatic, if anything taller gearing would be easier to control with the torque convertor. It couldn't be made any worse than an older vehicle with a 3-speed automatic and the enormous gaps between gears.
Of course, you could offer a Diesel but again not likely to happen anytime soon.
October 27, 2008, 05:00:41 pm Might they make more money, if they offered the upgrade model's options? Maybe there is a shortage! - Have too many bean counters taken early retirement. Tom Wallace (Corvette) would have thought of this.
October 27, 2008, 05:33:18 pm ..BEAN-FEAST...............stay well back from the counters..................................makes Fartfernuggen look like a field of daisies.................
October 27, 2008, 06:48:12 pm
October 28, 2008, 06:04:28 pm
I draw the line if utensils are required!
KenM
October 29, 2008, 02:34:38 pm Here in Ontario, there's a $3500 extended term finance cash on the XFE model (5 spd with a/c costing $17,800 incl freight). So, that puts you down to $14,300 (just add fees and taxes).
You can option up to the Cobalt LT and get a $5000 extended finance term incentive on it. Base LT with manual transmission (let's compare apples to apples here) prices out at $19,520 including freight. Do the math = $14,520. So you'd have to ask yourself if pwr windows, locks, remote keyless entry, arm rest, power mirrors, standard air conditioning, etc. are worth $220. PLUS, the best part, you can have automatic transmission *with* a/c on this model.
If you can't drive a stick on the XFE and have to opt for the auto tranny, you can't get a/c.
That's like a really bad April Fools joke.
ss
October 29, 2008, 03:10:12 pm