Model year 2010 likely marks the end of the line for the Chevrolet Cobalt nameplate. 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.Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt is available in compact sedan and coupe body styles, each split into XFE, LS, LT and SS trim levels.
XFE models achieve slightly better fuel economy by using low-rolling-resistance tires along with taller transmission gearing. 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. Leather upholstery with heated front seats is available on the Cobalt 2LT only.
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. 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. 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.
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. 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. It's worth noting that the XFE-badged Cobalts, while fuel-efficient, suffer in terms of braking. The Cobalt SS, with stickier tires and ABS produced exceptional braking figures, needing just 115 feet to stop.
In lower trim levels, the Cobalt's interior leaves little doubt that it is an economy car.
Driving Impressions
Among sporty compacts, we rank the 2010 Cobalt SS almost as high as the staff-favorite Mazdaspeed 3.