2009 Chevrolet Cobalt Overview Change Vehicle

This 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt review explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2009 Cobalt, and includes Chevy Cobalt safety, reliability, and fuel economy information.

Adios, Sport. After just one year, the Cobalt Sport is discontinued. The remaining LS and LT models have more horsepower and standard OnStar communications with a free year of service for 2009, and a new Cobalt SS Sedan with the amazing 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and a unique reconfigurable dash display is for sale. The Cobalt LT can also be optioned with Bluetooth and a USB port this year, items that are now standard on the SS.

If you’ve decided the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt is what you want to park in your driveway, you can choose between a coupe or a sedan in LS, LT or SS trim.

The least expensive path to ownership is the LS, which comes with a stereo that has a CD/MP3 player, satellite radio, and an auxiliary audio input jack. Air conditioning is also standard, along with a tilt steering wheel, cloth seats, and a height-adjustable driver’s seat. Chevy also includes OnStar telematics with a free year of service, an outside temperature indicator, and automatic headlights. Cobalt LS models with a manual transmission are known as XFE models, which stands for Xtra Fuel Economy, achieved with powertrain tweaks and low rolling-resistance 15-inch tires. Models equipped with the optional automatic receive traction and stability control. Antilock brakes are also available on the Cobalt LS.

The most popular Cobalt is the LT model, not surprising since it adds power door locks with remote keyless entry, power mirrors, power windows, and floor mats to the LS. Choose the LT Option Package to get antilock brakes, 16-inch alloy wheels, and cruise control. Choose the Sport Appearance Package receive polished 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, a rear spoiler, white-faced gauges, a leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and Bluetooth cell phone connectivity. Get the Sport Appearance Package with an automatic transmission, and remote engine starting is also included. Additional options for the Cobalt LT include leather seats, a power sunroof, leather seats that are heated up front, and a premium sound system.

Add a 260-horsepower, turbocharged engine, a performance-tuned suspension, performance brakes, big 18-inch alloy wheels with sticky performance tires, and stability control to the Cobalt LT with the Sport Appearance Package, and you have the Cobalt SS Coupe or Sedan – models that are capable of backing up their looks with impressive acceleration, braking, and handling. Sport-bolstered front seats with UltraLux upholstery are also included. Options include a limited-slip differential, a power sunroof, and taller rear wing spoiler.

This year, the standard 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine is cranking out 155 horsepower, delivered to the front wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox or four-speed automatic transmission. Cobalts with a clutch pedal are designated XFE models (Xtra Fuel Economy) and ride on low rolling-resistance tires to get better gas mileage. Get the optional four-speed automatic, and your Cobalt comes with traction and stability control. The Cobalt XFE is expected to return 25 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. The Cobalt LS and LT with the automatic transmission are rated 24 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.

For a significant increase in power and performance, try the direct-injected, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in the Cobalt SS. With 260 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, the SS gets down the road in hurry. A manual gearbox is the only transmission choice, and the SS is rated to deliver 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway burning premium fuel.

Every 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt includes six standard airbags. Antilock brakes, traction control, and stability control are standard on the SS and optional on the LS and LT models.

In National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests, the Cobalt earns a 4-Star rating for the driver in a frontal impact, a 5-Star rating for the front passenger in a frontal impact, and a 4-Star rollover resistance rating. In side-impact testing, the Cobalt Sedan gives the driver 3-Star protection and the rear seat passenger 5-Star protection, while the Cobalt Coupe achieves 4-Star ratings for both seating locations.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives every Cobalt a Good frontal-impact crash-test rating and an Acceptable side-impact crash-test rating (applicable to Coupes only if they were built after May of 2009). For rear-impact injury prevention, the Cobalt Coupe rates Acceptable while the Cobalt Sedan scores Good. The IIHS has not performed a roof crush strength test on the 2009 Cobalt.

Whoops. It seems that the Cobalt has slipped again with regard to reliability. Predictions made by Consumer Reports and J.D. Power and Associates indicate that owners can expect below average dependability over time.

Last year, we gave the Cobalt the benefit of the doubt thanks to improvements on the safety and reliability fronts. But now that the car is five years old and because reliability predictions have slipped back below average, we think you’d be better served by one of the Cobalt’s numerous competitors. In fact, there’s only one reason we can support for buying this Chevy: choosing the SS model for its impressive turbocharged engine and low-volume exclusivity.

By Christian Wardlaw