2005 Chevrolet Cobalt Review

The supercharged Chevrolet Cobalt SS is the youth-oriented, high-performance version of the regular compact Cobalt, which almost drives like a different car.

The SS seems perfect for members of the "fast and furious crowd'' who prefer a professionally built fast small car -- not one hopefully modified correctly by a self-styled pro with aftermarket go-fast parts that void a warranty. The SS has a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The $21,430 SS comes only as a coupe, whereas the regular $13,625-$18,195 Cobalt is offered as a coupe and sedan. That makes the SS less practical than the Cobalt sedan because the SS has only two long, heavy doors that are a bother in tight parking spots. However, they allow easier entry to the rear-seat area, which is tight for two 6-footers. Shoulder belts also get in the way when entering or leaving the rear.

The SS feels large and heavy, although it has the same 103.3-inch wheelbase as the standard Cobalt coupe and only weighs 2,806 pounds. It has plenty of the comfort and convenience equipment found on regular Cobalts and an uplevel sound system with CD/MP3 player and seven Pioneer premium amplified speakers. However, heated front seats aren't available, and curtain side air bags with front side air bags are a $395 option.

The top SS feature is its supercharged, twin-camshaft 205-horsepower 2-liter four-cylinder engine with 16 valves and an intercooler that helps cool pressurized air sent to the cylinders to build more power. The standard Cobalt is powered by a 2.2-liter, non-supercharged 145 horsepower four-cylinder with much less torque.

The SS engine has such exotic items as oil-jet piston cooling, forged steel crankshaft and sodium-filed exhaust valves. It whisks the SS to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds with a five-speed manual gearbox, which is the only SS transmission available.

The transmission has a nice shifter, despite its fiddly reverse lock-out ring used when reverse gear is selected.

A heavy, long-throw clutch makes changing gears more of an effort than it should be, but such drawbacks often are found on relatively inexpensive fast cars.

A 4.05:1 axle ratio enhances acceleration, but causes excessive engine revs and drivetrain noise when you hit about 75 mph. The ratio doesn't help fuel economy, either, with the SS rated at 23 mpg in the city and 29 on the highway.

Premium fuel is recommended.

The SS has a sport suspension partly developed on race tracks. It provides a firm ride and doesn't absorb sharp impacts well. But it lowers the car a bit and delivers sharp handling that almost makes you feel as if you're not in a nose-heavy front-drive car with a 60/40 weight distribution. Large 18-inch wheels and wide 45-series performance tires partially negate that uneven distribution and help keep the SS glued to roads.

The electric power steering is rather heavy, but is also quick and precise.

The brake pedal has a firm feel, and good stopping power is provided by four large anti-lock disc brakes with performance brake pads.

Recommended is the $1,500 Performance Package, which has a limited-slip differential that reduces wheel spin during high-performance driving and body hugging Recaro front bucket seats trimmed with the SS logo and Recaro name.

The SS looks like a high-performance car with its special front and rear fascias, rocker panels, body color mirrors, fog lights and "SS'' and "Supercharger'' body emblems.

There's also a large wing-type rear spoiler, which might help aerodynamics but interferes with vision out the back window.

There's decent room for tall occupants up front. The location of the supercharger boost gauge on the left windshield pillar is trendy in the fast-and-furious market, but the gauge could be more easily read on the dashboard, which has a unique instrument cluster and metal-look cabin trim.

The standard front bucket seats are supportive, and there's leather upholstery with color-keyed inserts and a leather-covered steering wheel and shift knob.

Regular gauges are small, as are inside door handles, but climate controls are large.

The fairly spacious trunk is nicely shaped, but has a high opening. Rear seatbacks flip forward to enlarge the cargo area, but should sit flatter when moved forward.

The Cobalt SS isn't as comfortable as the regular Cobalt, but is reasonably priced for a small high-performance car and is a definite kick to drive. 
2005 CHEVROLET COBALT SS
PRICE
$21,430

LIKES
Very fast. Sharp handling. Solid construction. Generally fun to drive.

DISLIKES
Long, heavy doors. Stiff clutch. No automatic transmission. Spoiler obstructs rear vision.