2009 Chevrolet Cobalt

XFE Means Extended Fuel Economy

LS and LT models are offered, along with the SS editions. Chevrolet has dropped the Sport model for 2009, but a Sport Appearance Package for the 2LT version is available. That option group includes a rear spoiler, larger body-color fascias and rocker moldings, 17-inch polished aluminum wheels, white-faced gauges, and steering-wheel audio controls.


To promote its impressive gas-mileage figures, Chevrolet now gives all LS and 1LT coupes and sedans with manual shift an XFE badge, signifying "Extended Fuel Economy." Chevrolet claims the XFE coupe has the highest fuel-economy estimate in its class.


An automatic-transmission Cobalt gets an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel-economy estimate of 24 mpg in city driving and 33 mpg on the highway—almost as good as the smaller Aveo. With its manual gearbox, a Cobalt XFE coupe scores higher yet: 25 mpg city and 37 mpg highway. With the turbocharged engine in SS models, fuel-economy estimates dip to 22/30 mpg.


In NHTSA frontal crash testing, the two-door Cobalt earned a four-star rating for the driver and five stars for the front passenger. Side-impact testing produced four-star scores for both front and rear occupants. The four-door Cobalt got the same frontal-impact rating, but side-impact testing produced a three-star score for front occupants and five stars for those in the rear. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the Cobalt a Good rating for frontal impact, and Acceptable in side-impact testing. Side-curtain airbags are standard, but anti-lock braking is standard only on 2LT models–optional on the others.

Driving Impression

More shapely than some smaller automobiles, the Cobalt suggests a sporty nature that's only partially accurate in standard form. Regular Cobalts combine reasonably brisk performance with ride comfort that's better than expected. This suspension soaks up more bumps than some compacts, making only the rougher patches troublesome. Exhaust noise is an issue, but the well-behaved automatic transmission responds nicely. While accelerating, the Cobalt can sound almost like a mini-foghorn, a note that may entice some drivers but annoy others. On the plus side, road noise is minimal.