2010 Chevy Cobalt Review
2010 Chevy Cobalt Review





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Used Cobalt for sale
Appraise This CarChevrolet Cobalt model years
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Respectable fuel economy, smooth ride, quiet cabin, excellent performance in SS trim.
Cons
- Cramped backseat, mediocre fit and finish, missing common safety features, lack of interior storage, dull handling (except for the SS), poor braking on XFE models.
What’s new
The 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt remains unchanged from last year, except for a few swaps of standard and optional feature content.
Edmunds says
Besides the sporty SS model, the 2010 Chevy Cobalt trails the competition in terms of handling, rear-seat comfort, build quality and overall refinement.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.57 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$147/mo for Cobalt XFE
Cobalt XFE
vs
$182/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
Model year 2010 likely marks the end of the line for the Chevrolet Cobalt nameplate. If all goes according to plan, GM plans to replace its compact sedan with the all-new Cruze. Not surprisingly, Chevy's abandonment of the model has resulted in a halt to the Cobalt's development as well. In all probability, this is why the Cobalt returns this year with little or no improvements or added features.
Despite being a carbon copy of last year's model, the 2010 Chevy Cobalt will still be a fairly popular model with consumers and rental fleets. The car's broad appeal stems from its affordable base price and respectable fuel economy -- two pretty important things for an economy-minded car -- as well as its smooth and quiet ride. The Cobalt also comes in sedan and coupe body styles and can be had in the genuinely fun-to-drive 260-horsepower SS trim level.
However, the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt is pretty much stuck with the same list of faults that the car had at its 2005 debut. The interior tops our list of complaints. From the cramped rear seats to the liberal use of cheap and ill-fitting plastics, the look and feel of the Cobalt's cabin pales in comparison to the many choices in this segment. In general, you'll never escape the feeling that you're driving a cheap car.
This isn't the case with other compacts like the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, Mazda 3 and Mitsubishi Lancer, as each bests the Cobalt in terms of interior and exterior styling, materials quality and construction. They also deliver comparable fuel economy and more driving enjoyment. The lone exception to that would be the Cobalt SS coupe, which should be seriously considered by driving enthusiasts for its impressive performance. However, the rest of the buying public will likely be happier with one of the above alternatives.
Performance & mpg
The 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE, LS and LT models are powered by a 2.2-liter inline four-cylinder that's good for 155 hp and 150 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual is the standard transmission, with a four-speed automatic available as an option for the LS and LT. Fuel economy with the manual is 25 mpg city/35 mpg highway and 29 mpg combined. Opting for the XFE raises highway fuel economy to 37 mpg. The automatic-equipped LS and LT achieve 24 mpg city/33 mpg highway and 27 mpg combined. We managed to accelerate a base model XFE from zero to 60 mph in a respectable 8.5 seconds.
The Cobalt SS gets a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 that makes an impressive 260 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, but the only transmission available is a five-speed manual. In testing, we launched a Cobalt SS coupe from zero to 60 mph in a blistering 5.8 seconds. Fuel economy doesn't suffer much either, as it rates 22 mpg city/30 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined.
Safety
Full-length side curtain airbags are standard on all Cobalts. Most Cobalts have a front-disc/rear-drum brake setup; SS models have performance-tuned four-wheel disc brakes. Antilock braking (ABS) is optional on the LS and LT and standard on the 2LT and SS. ABS-equipped models with automatic transmissions come equipped with standard traction control. Side airbags and stability control aren't offered.
In frontal government crash tests, both Cobalt body styles received four out of five stars for driver protection and a perfect five stars for front passenger protection. In side impacts, the Cobalt sedan got only three stars for front seat passengers but five stars for the rear. The Cobalt coupe yielded four stars for the front and rear seats. In the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's frontal-offset crash test, the Cobalt sedan received the highest score of "Good," while in side crash tests, the Cobalt sedan received the second-highest score of "Acceptable."
It's worth noting that the XFE-badged Cobalts, while fuel-efficient, suffer in terms of braking. Stopping from 60 mph required a very long 146 feet -- no doubt a side effect of the XFE's low-rolling-resistance tires' lack of grip. The Cobalt SS, with stickier tires and ABS produced exceptional braking figures, needing just 115 feet to stop.
Driving
The performance from the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt's base 2.2-liter engine is rather peppy when compared to that of other small-engine compacts. Day-to-day commuting is also made much more tolerable thanks to the Cobalt's compliant suspension and quiet cabin. But drivers looking for excitement will be disappointed. Handling is hampered by an abundance of body roll and a slow and numb steering feel. XFE-badged models compound the handling woes with the inclusion of low-rolling-resistance tires that limit cornering ability and lengthen stopping distances.
Buyers seeking any level of athleticism from the Cobalt line would best be served by the SS trim. The turbocharged engine significantly improves acceleration, as do the upgraded suspension and brakes for cornering and stopping. Among sporty compacts, we rank the 2010 Cobalt SS almost as high as the staff-favorite Mazdaspeed 3.
Interior
In lower trim levels, the Cobalt's interior leaves little doubt that it is an economy car. Besides a rather dated and bland cabin design, materials are as bargain-basement as you'll find. Hard plastics abound, and some of these elements seem to have been assembled in the dark. Panels have uneven gaps and tend to emit audible groans and squeaks when pressed.
Comfort fares a bit better, despite the flat, featureless seats. The front seats are adequate for long drives, but rear passengers may take issue with the low and flat seat cushions. On a positive note, the Cobalt does a good job of insulating occupants from the outside world with a smooth ride and quiet cabin. The Cobalt also gets a thumbs-up for its simple and logical layout for the stereo and air-conditioning controls.
Upgrading to the Cobalt SS or springing for the Sport Appearance package will spice up the interior, and we're particularly fond of the support from the sport seats. The range-topping trim levels also add plenty of attractive interior accents and gauges, but even these suffer in terms of material quality and fitment.
2010 Chevrolet Cobalt models
The 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt is available in compact sedan and coupe body styles, each split into XFE, LS, LT and SS trim levels.
The base XFE (extra fuel economy) model includes 15-inch steel wheels, OnStar, a tilt steering wheel, a 60/40-split rear seat with a trunk pass-through, a trip computer and a four-speaker stereo with CD/MP3 player, satellite radio and an auxiliary audio jack. XFE models achieve slightly better fuel economy by using low-rolling-resistance tires along with taller transmission gearing. Most LS and LT models can also be XFE-badged, but must be specified with the 15-inch wheels and manual transmission.
The LS trim level is nearly identical to the base XFE, but adds air-conditioning. The LT adds full power accessories, upgraded front seats and a front center armrest. A second LT trim level -- the 2LT -- has the above equipment plus 16-inch alloy wheels, antilock brakes and cruise control.
The Cobalt LT coupe has the widest choice of available options, including the MyLink package, which adds 16-inch aluminum wheels, antilock brakes, Bluetooth, a USB port for the audio system and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and cruise controls. The Sun and Sound package adds a sunroof and a premium Pioneer seven-speaker sound system. LT coupe buyers can also opt for the Sport Appearance package that includes a rear spoiler, front foglamps, 17-inch alloy wheels, reworked front and rear fascias, Bluetooth, white-faced sport gauges and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with remote audio and cruise controls. Most of these add-ons are available on the LS or LT trims as individual options. Leather upholstery with heated front seats is available on the Cobalt 2LT only.
Finally, the SS kicks the standard features into overdrive with a turbocharged engine, 18-inch wheels shod with performance tires, an exclusive sport-tuned suspension, Brembo front brakes, unique exterior and interior styling cues, a sunroof, sport seats covered with a suedelike material, the premium Pioneer stereo, Bluetooth and a turbo boost gauge. A limited-slip front differential and sport pedals are optional for the SS.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt.
5 star(47%)
4 star(38%)
3 star(11%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(4%)
45 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4 out of 5 stars
Good Value for a Commuter Car
Troy Crawford, 01/04/2016
2010 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
I purchased this car as a commuter vehicle and it has not disappointed. I needed to be able to squeeze 3 kids in the backseat in a pinch, but knew that 95% of the time it would me driving to or for work alone. To be clear, it is a cheap car - the interior is not fancy, it comes with very few features and it does not have the performance of the 250hp sports car. However, it does get … from A to B reliably and I have had no maintenance issues and my actual mileage is around 34 mpg.
To be clear, if you are attempting to impress dates or beat people of the line, it is not the car for you. If you are looking to for a cheap sedan which for a daily driver which can fit a few passengers in a pinch, you are going to be hard pressed to find a better value.
4.88 out of 5 stars
Cobalt LT Coupe
Gregory Butta , 08/04/2010
2010 Chevrolet Cobalt LT 2dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
I'm 18 years old and needed a reliable car to go back and forth to college. I looked at the usual, the civic, corolla, or the focus. I liked the Cobalt better then all of them and the build quality on my 2010 is just as nice as the foreign cars. I would recommend this car to anyone.
3 out of 5 stars
A cheap, but reliable daily driver.
Bob Porter, 04/29/2015
2010 Chevrolet Cobalt LS 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
I bought this car, an LS Coupe when GM was offering deep discounts to clear inventory in its final production year. In that regards, I got an excellent price on a mediocre vehicle. My son like the sporty looks of the coupe, but its tiny trunk opening and wide doors are significant drawbacks and I would have preferred the 4 door. However, after 5 years of driving, it has been very … reliable and gets pretty good fuel economy. As it likely has little trade in value, we will likely keep it for another winter, as equipped with proper winter tires, it gets us through the cold Canadian snowy season. It is very comfortable for 2 hour drives but would not be our choice for a long road trip.
4 out of 5 stars
Good value
Chuck Johnson, 02/09/2018
2010 Chevrolet Cobalt LT 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
We needed a new car after the previous one was totaled. I didn't do much research, we were just looking for a good buy on a low mileage used car. We found the Cobalt at a dealership. It was a loaner car with just 2211 miles on it, but a significantly reduced price for a mostly new car. It has been a great car. We're retired and have taken a lot of road trips. It's been to 47 states … and 3 provinces for about 42,000 miles of travel. I just put on tires for the second time. Other than oil changes, that has been my only maintenance expense! The back seat is pretty cramped for adults, but the front seats are comfortable, and I'm a BIG guy. With the cruise control, it practically drives itself. Handling is great. I've gotten as high as 38 MPG on the freeway. It's usually about 33-34. 24 MPG is local driving. Oh, it also has a very small radar profile.
2010 Cobalt Highlights
Coupe
XFE
Base MSRP | $14,990 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 30 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $147/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 13.9 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalPoor
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
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