Another Look

2005 Chevy Cobalt LT: GM finally gets it right

The ongoing lamentation of auto reviewers is that there are no longer any truly horrible cars being made, so the opportunities to spew venom are few and far between. Yes, some cars are overpriced, others underpowered, some too small, some too large, some just so obnoxious as to not deserve to live, but where are the Yugos of yesteryear? It’s almost worth it to invite French carmakers back into the US market just so we can make fun of Citroens and Renaults (Remember the Renault Alliance?). Think what it would be like to review movies if the most horrible of them at least kept you from falling asleep! How boring would restaurant reviews be if the very worst you could say was that you got lots of food and no food poisoning?

I’m sure you can sympathize with my plight. Fortunately, as a survival measure, smart auto reviewers have developed a workable workaround over the years. Whenever the need to make snide comments became overwhelming, simply call GM and have them send you one of their small cars. I’ve never been disappointed by the Cavalier for example – lawnmower engines, uncomfortable seats, mismatched trim, doors closing with that unmistakable thunk, er, chiiink of cheap tin, trunks refusing to close – the Cavalier was great, a worthy addition to a long line of Chevy small car luminaries, a line that peaked with the Vega, a line we loved to hate.

Or so it was. GM’s been touting its new “American Revolution,” seemingly based on the revolutionary idea that propelled GM in its glory days – make good vehicles at different price points. But who thought they were serious? Sure, GM surprised us when they made world-class luxury cars out of the previously moribund Cadillac brand. Yes, Pontiac’s GTO and Chevy’s SSR, especially now that it’s got the Corvette engine, are as good as it gets. But a small car from Chevy worth driving? No way!

Way! It is my sad duty to report that with the new Chevy Cobalt LT sedan, the good old days are officially over. Unless Chevy resurrects the two-door Blazer, we won’t have Chevy to kick around any more.

So before I tell you more about the Cobalt, I’m asking you to join me in a campaign to save the dignity of the American auto reviewer. Please, please, right now, go to your PC and send an e-mail to Tom Delay and Bill Frist. Demand they pass a law forcing American automakers to once again make cars like the aforementioned Vega, or the Ford Pinto, or almost anything from Chrysler’s Corinthian leather period. Do it before it’s too late, before we dissolve into tears, consumed from the inside out by vitriol we want to spew but can’t. Save us from good cars.

Like this bloody Chevy Cobalt. And while you’re at it, please send some money to our new political action committee – Cash for Auto Reviewers (CAR). Send me an e-mail letting me know how much you’d like to contribute and I’ll have the Rev. Al Sharpton stop by and pick it up. Cash only, please, and remember to sign that video release.

Anyway, on to the almost unbearable task of praising the Chevy Cobalt. Let me at least get one smartass comment in. The Cobalt wouldn’t get noticed in South Beach. By that I mean the styling, while fine for what it is, is no standout. Styling has, I think, been GM’s sole weak spot in its new lineup, and it continues here. GM still seems dedicated to the “least objectionable” concept, trying to avoid turning people off rather than turning buyers on. I don’t think that’s the way for GM to go (as Cadillac proved), but hey, it’s their money.

So that’s the downside. The upside is almost everything else. The Cobalt comes in base, LS and top of the line LT models, and my top of the line LT just barely made it over $20K with the destination charge built in. For this you get a 2.2 liter DOHC engine, automatic transmission with traction control, antilock brakes, lots of airbags, 16-inch wheels, fog lamps, leather seats, cruise control, XM satellite radio and, of course, OnStar. This is to say this is not a stripped down economobile, but a comfortable, well-equipped transporter.

Inside, the Cobalt, based on GM’s Delta architecture, is larger than you would expect were you basing those expectations on the Cavalier. While the instrumentation and décor aren’t up to Cadillac standards, the Cobalt’s dashboard and trim do not give reason to be ashamed. Actually, while it may rank slightly below best in class, the look is far better than GM’s previous attempts in this class. As for function, the instruments are well laid out and easy to use.

Handling is also a little different that one might expect. The Cobalt feels larger than I thought it would, and while that means it’s no barnburner (the Cobalt SS is there for those who have the need for speed), acceleration of this relatively heavy sedan for its class is more than adequate, and the ride’s comfort is on par with that of a larger, more upscale vehicle. The engine feels (again a surprise for old Cavalier hands, given that it’s a carryover) refined, pushing out its 145 horses smoothly and quietly. Steering is solidly middle of the road, not sports car quick (again go with the SS for that), but responsive and compliant. Mileage is estimated by our friends at the EPA as 24 in the city, 32 on the highway.

That thing I mentioned about a Cavalier’s trunk not opening – it really happened. That was never a concern with the Cobalt. Build quality was very high, and both trunk and doors closed with a solid thunk. In this as in all else, the Cobalt is a far superior replacement for the Cavalier.

If that seems like damning with faint praise, it isn’t. It’s simply a way of pointing out how far GM has come in making quality cars at all the points in their lineup. If you had a Cavalier, it’s almost unfair to both cars to compare the old Chevy to its replacement. Think of the Cobalt as a next step instead. It is a far more upscale model than its predecessor, and a pleasant surprise to those of us who haven’t had the highest of expectations of Chevrolet. The 2005 Chevy Cobalt LT sedan is an affordably priced, well equipped, finely engineered compact sedan that takes GM firmly into the top level of this market segment.

posted by Andy Mais @ 9:18 AM