Background: General Motors’ volume-leading Chevrolet division returns to a ‘divide and conquer’ strategy for its entry-level offerings in 2005.
Fading into the sunset is the long-running Cavalier, a vehicle that served the world’s largest automaker well since its 1982 model year debut. The compact offering caught on with buyers on a limited budget looking for decent styling and better-than-average fuel economy. But competition in the compact segment greatly increased from all corners of the globe throughout the 1990s. Chevrolet needed to refresh its entry model just to stay in step with worthy rivals.
During the 2003 model year, Cavalier represented the only small car in Chevy’s stable. A year earlier, the well-respected Prizm (an automotive twin of the Toyota Corolla) was dropped to clear assembly space for the newly arriving Pontiac Vibe (a twin of the Toyota Matrix, and built on the Corolla platform). With Prizm gone and Cavalier aging, Chevy began a two-prong approach to regain lost momentum starting in the 2004 model year. That’s when Chevrolet launched Aveo, a front-wheel-drive entry-level alternative from GM’s newly formed South Korean automotive subsidiary. Aveo is intended to battle the likes of Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, Suzuki Forenza and other lower cost entry competitors starting under $12,000. To battle the mainstream competitors including the Ford Focus, Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, Chevy introduces the all-new 2005 Cobalt, a slightly larger offering than Aveo with more refinements and trim selections.
The front-wheel-drive Cobalt is based on GM’s “Delta” automotive platform shared with the Saturn Ion. Production of the 2005 Cavalier has stopped, although some dealers may have a few dotting the landscape.
Cobalt is built in Lordstown, Ohio as was the Cavalier. The all-new 2005 Cobalt starting arriving to dealers last November.
Engine/trim levels: Cobalt is available in base, LS, LT and supercharged SS editions. Base and LS editions are available in coupe or sedan body styles. The LT is a sedan-exclusive model while SS is coupe only.
Base, LS and LT versions include an Ecotec overhead cam 2.2-liter in-line four cylinder engine cranking out 140 horsepower, slightly better than Toyota Corolla, Dodge Neon and Ford Focus base offerings. This engine is basically a carry over from the Cavalier. The supercharged model features a 2.0-liter double overhead cam in-line four-cylinder engine cranking out 205 horses. A five-speed manual transmission is standard in base, LS and SS models. A four-speed automatic transmission is standard in the LT sedan and optional in base and LS editions.
The naturally-aspirated engine with five-speed manual transmission generates 25 miles per gallon city and 34 m.p.g. highway. When mated with the four-speed automatic, figures check in at 24 m.p.g. city and 32 m.p.g. highway. A common critique of the out-going Cavalier was the amount of ‘tinny’ engine noise seeping into the interior. Cobalt utilizes more insulation, eliminating that nagging trait.
The comparatively small fuel tank holds 13.2 gallons of gas. Both engine recommend regular unleaded 87-octane fuel.
Equipment: All Cobalt trim levels include: rear window defroster, intermittent front wipers, air conditioning and AM/FM radio with compact disc player. The mid-level LS adds cruise control along with power windows, locks and mirrors. The LT sedan adds speed-proportional power steering along with secondary audio controls and cruise control functions found on the steering wheel.
Optional in all editions are a $725 sunroof and XM Satellite radio ( $325 plus monthly subscription fees).
Price: The folks at Chevy dropped off two Cobalt sedans for testing; an LS and LT. The LT version had a starting price of $18,195. After figuring in options including OnStar ($695), head curtain air bags ($395), XM radio ($325), rear spoiler ($275) and upgraded radio ($150), the bottom line added up to $20,600 after adding in the $565 destination charge. The LS entry with manual five-speed transmission had a $15,920 starting price and included $2,985 worth of options for a $19,470 bottom line including the $565 destination charge.
Base sedan and coupe editions start at $13,625. The sporty SS coupe checks in at $21,430.
Comparison wise, the lowest-priced Ford Focus, a ZX2 coupe/hatchback with a 2.0-liter engine and manual transmission generating 136 horsepower starts at $13,315. The sedan-exclusive Dodge Neon starts at $13,700 with a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine joined to a manual transmission that cranks out 132 horses. The 2005 model year is the last for Belvidere-Illinois- built Neon as Chrysler Group prepares for a 2006 replacement. Toyota’s Corolla, also a sedan-exclusive vehicle, checks in at $13,780 for the lowest-priced CE trim with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine linked to a manual transmission and generating 130 horsepower.
Inside: Leather seating comes standard in the SS coupe and LT sedan. Cloth upholstery is the norm in base and LS editions. Rear seat backs fold down in a 60/40 split once two truck-located tabs are pulled to unlock the back from its base. While Chevy promotes this vehicle as a five-seater, two adults fit with optimal comfort in back; three would be a crowd. Headroom in front and back is average at best.
A simplistic, flat instrument panel includes two large circular gauges and a small circular fuel gauge between the two near the top. Headlights switch on by twisting the end of the turn signal stalk. The front wipers operate from a right-hand side steering column stalk. The front of the driver’s door arm rest is home to power window, lock and side-view mirror controls.
The stereo system in the center of the front dash sits above the ventilation system with three easy-to-grab dials monitoring fan speed, direction and temperature. Between the front bucket seats are side-by-side beverage holders, the transmission shifter, hand-operated parking brake and a small arm rest/storage bin combo.
Outside: The new Cobalt measures about two inches shorter than Cavalier. However, it’s approximately three inches taller. The base section of the rear C pillar is wider than Cavalier’s. The tri-angular-shaped side-view mirrors are designed to cut down wind noise at higher speeds, but could be slightly larger to have a better view of what’s going on to the sides. These side-view mirrors are designed to fold in when brushing against an object. Triangular-shaped tail lights flank the short, but high rear deck lid. A whip antenna for the conventional radio is on the rear right fender. Those models opting for XM radio get a second small stub antenna on the car’s roof.
The trunk design includes shock-absorber type hinges outside the cargo area eliminating the ‘crunch’ factor of interior goose-neck hinges. At 14.0 cubic feet, Cobalt’s trunk volume is slightly above average. Under the flat cargo floor is a temporary spare tire and the battery.
Styling is subjective, but the four-door test-drive Cobalt has more of an understated elegance not found in the Cavalier. Chrome, strap-shaped door handles adorned all four doors of the LT. In front, the grille slants at a 45-degree angle with a gold Chevy bow tie logo front and center. Large, jewel-like headlight housing stretches up to the side fenders.
The sporty SS coupe includes a rear spoiler standard. The decklid spoiler is optional in other trims.
Warranty: Cobalt’s drivetrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles (whichever comes first). The basic warranty (covering many parts outside of the drivetrain) is good for three years or 36,000 miles. The rust/corrosion coverage is six years or 100,000 miles.
Safety features: Dual front air bags, daytime running lights and rear-door child safety locks (sedans only) come standard across the board. Anti-lock brakes are standard in all but the base edition. Side head curtain air bags ($395) and OnStar Satellite safety and security system ($695) are optional in all editions.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a research group with ties to the insurance industry, recently rated Cobalts with optional side curtain air bags as one of the better-performing small cars in crash test protection.
Final thoughts: While Cavalier has been around for decades, Cobalt is a welcome change. Cobalt rides smoother with less engine noise than its predecessor whose chassis was aging. To the many drivers who once owned a Cavalier (including this scribe) Cobalt will not disappoint. With Chevy’s mass-market appeal, the low-priced Cobalt has the potential to become one of the best selling cars in GM’s stable. |