2009 Sport Compact Comparison
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2009 Sport Compact Comparison
Yeah baby, the 4 year old Volkswagen MKV platform is still swinging hard! I'm happy with 2nd place. 
The CSRT4 was included on the MotorTrend comparison tests and came out last. Sorry.
Discuss or nominate your own.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...son/index.html
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...omparison_test
As a consolation prize for you (us) GM Fanboys, the 2009 CTSV did make it into C&D's 10 best for 2009.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...rs_10best_cars
The CSRT4 was included on the MotorTrend comparison tests and came out last. Sorry.
Discuss or nominate your own.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...son/index.html
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...omparison_test
As a consolation prize for you (us) GM Fanboys, the 2009 CTSV did make it into C&D's 10 best for 2009.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...rs_10best_cars
Last edited by 97QuasarBlue3.8; Jan 8, 2009 at 05:29 PM.
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midpack. That's where the volkswagen gti resides in almost every objective measurement, be it 0 to 60 (6.0 seconds), quarter mile (14.6 at 94.9 mph), lateral acceleration (0.87 g), lap time (1 minute, 3.1 seconds), torque (207 pound-feet), cargo volume (14.7 cubic feet), curb weight (3183 pounds), or as-tested price ($26,839). In fact, there's not one specification or calculated piece of data in which it ranked the highest
at the track, the cobalt was the quickest, lapping 0.4-second ahead of the next-closest wrx and over three seconds faster than the civic si; even with a relatively small 2.0-liter turbo, the cobalt handed over the shortest 45-65 mph passing time (2.4 seconds); on the skidpad, it posted the highest lateral acceleration (0.91 g) and through the figure-eight test, it knocked out the best time (25.4 seconds at 0.68 g), nearly a second ahead of the wrx and almost two ticks in front of the caliber srt4. And the cobalt ss holds the lap record for front-drive compact cars at the nurburgring as well as nearly beating the mitsu evo mr around laguna seca in our october 2008 handling test. There are no doubts about it: The cobalt ss is the real deal.
(and I owned a modded out GTI for quite a while)
Last edited by slt; Jan 8, 2009 at 08:01 PM.
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vs.
IMO, if you want a nice car, you dont buy a sport compact. You buy a sport compacts for cheap fast fun. In that respect nothing touches the Cobalt SS (especially taking into account the GMPP stage kit that widens the gap even more.) If your more concerned about a daily driver with a nice interior, there are many more better choices than all of thes cars.
(and I owned a modded out GTI for quite a while)
IMO, if you want a nice car, you dont buy a sport compact. You buy a sport compacts for cheap fast fun. In that respect nothing touches the Cobalt SS (especially taking into account the GMPP stage kit that widens the gap even more.) If your more concerned about a daily driver with a nice interior, there are many more better choices than all of thes cars.
(and I owned a modded out GTI for quite a while)
It's okay dude. I'm in it for the whole car, not just the performance. But I understand others have a different point of view.
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From: Hartford, CT
I made my choice... see the sig.
My only complaints are that the suspension could be a bit tighter, and that the car doesn't make power past 5500rpms. I swear it feels like it has more torque than my sister's 05 Mustang GT though!
I liked the Cobalt on paper, but the interior was just too cheap. It's interior just looks completely dated next to everything else in the class. It is fast though, has a great engine, strong brakes and a well tuned suspension. I am going to have to make it down to the Chevy dealer and test drive one one day.
My only complaints are that the suspension could be a bit tighter, and that the car doesn't make power past 5500rpms. I swear it feels like it has more torque than my sister's 05 Mustang GT though!
I liked the Cobalt on paper, but the interior was just too cheap. It's interior just looks completely dated next to everything else in the class. It is fast though, has a great engine, strong brakes and a well tuned suspension. I am going to have to make it down to the Chevy dealer and test drive one one day.
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From: Perrysburg, OH
I just don't understand why they do a performance test if they're just going to place a car lower because it has a "boring" interior. I'd seriously consider a new Cobalt SS if not for trying to buy a house and just buying a Jeep. I wouldn't buy a car like that for it's looks, they're all 4banger weiner cars in my mind. I'd buy it for fun. According to the test the SS had the best engine/suspension/brakes but it gets third because the interior is boring?? If they have to make the interior "boring" to make up for the awesome performance that's perfectly acceptable in my book. Put money where it counts.
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From: The Golden State
The new Cobalt supercharged SS sedan is the ultimate sleeper. I had no idea the thing existed until the LA show. The seats are excellent, the shifter seems pretty good. It seems a perfect tossable size.
It looks like any other invisible Cobalt sedan that would be ignored by everyone from ricers to cops, yet the thing will not only blast out at LT1+ velosity, carve up Nurburgring where it was tuned, and brings new definition aggression to the term "Point & Shoot".
The person at GM who got the bright idea of putting the Cobalt SS package in Cobalt's nondescript sedan (the sedan at LA had only SS badging, a small spoiler, and rims to identify it) has a sick sense of humor.
And I love it!
It looks like any other invisible Cobalt sedan that would be ignored by everyone from ricers to cops, yet the thing will not only blast out at LT1+ velosity, carve up Nurburgring where it was tuned, and brings new definition aggression to the term "Point & Shoot".
The person at GM who got the bright idea of putting the Cobalt SS package in Cobalt's nondescript sedan (the sedan at LA had only SS badging, a small spoiler, and rims to identify it) has a sick sense of humor.
And I love it!
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From: oshawa,ontario,canada
The new Cobalt supercharged SS sedan is the ultimate sleeper. I had no idea the thing existed until the LA show. The seats are excellent, the shifter seems pretty good. It seems a perfect tossable size.
It looks like any other invisible Cobalt sedan that would be ignored by everyone from ricers to cops, yet the thing will not only blast out at LT1+ velosity, carve up Nurburgring where it was tuned, and brings new definition aggression to the term "Point & Shoot".
The person at GM who got the bright idea of putting the Cobalt SS package in Cobalt's nondescript sedan (the sedan at LA had only SS badging, a small spoiler, and rims to identify it) has a sick sense of humor.
And I love it!
It looks like any other invisible Cobalt sedan that would be ignored by everyone from ricers to cops, yet the thing will not only blast out at LT1+ velosity, carve up Nurburgring where it was tuned, and brings new definition aggression to the term "Point & Shoot".
The person at GM who got the bright idea of putting the Cobalt SS package in Cobalt's nondescript sedan (the sedan at LA had only SS badging, a small spoiler, and rims to identify it) has a sick sense of humor.
And I love it!
then add the stage package when it comes out......
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From: Indianapolis, IN
**** Car and Driver. I hate that goddamn magazine.
The Cobalt dominates so bad in hard numbers. Then they bring in scores like "rear seat comfort", "exterior styling", and "gotta have it"
Which of course they give it disgustingly low numbers.
If we were comparing the non-sport models of these cars, I could see taking those numbers into consideration.
**** that stupid magazine, I hate them so much. They also only count only 1/4 mile ET and not MPH.
Had we used the no-lift shift feature built into the Cobalt SS, it would have been quicker than the Mazda through the quarter-mile, but our test procedure requires using the clutch pedal and lifting off the throttle to shift.
The Cobalt dominates so bad in hard numbers. Then they bring in scores like "rear seat comfort", "exterior styling", and "gotta have it"
Which of course they give it disgustingly low numbers.
If we were comparing the non-sport models of these cars, I could see taking those numbers into consideration.
**** that stupid magazine, I hate them so much. They also only count only 1/4 mile ET and not MPH.
Had we used the no-lift shift feature built into the Cobalt SS, it would have been quicker than the Mazda through the quarter-mile, but our test procedure requires using the clutch pedal and lifting off the throttle to shift.
And yet, they damn well use "launch control" features on cars like Ferraris (with their F1-style autoclutch gearboxes) and the dual-clutch Nissan GT-R, and on that car it voids the warranty!
The Cobalt's no-lift shift feature is probably easier / no worse on the gearbox / clutch than a typical driver trying to shift quickly and get back on the power.
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From: Indianapolis, IN
After all, buying a car is all about dash fondling, not driving...
It won't be long before someone puts some smooth, rounded protrusions and open orifices on some luxo-car dashboards so the dash fondlers can take it to the next level and start humping the instrument panels.
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 176
From: Cleveland, OH
GM did the cobalt so right it's not even funny. Just could use more interior refinements.
I'd buy one. Wish the exhaust sounded better though. An uncorked Ecotec on youtube doesn't sound all that great, IMO.
I'd buy one. Wish the exhaust sounded better though. An uncorked Ecotec on youtube doesn't sound all that great, IMO.
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 224
From: Lincolnwood IL
IMO, styling (exterior as well as interior) as well as fit and finish mean A LOT. Performance counts too, of course, but it is far easier (and more fun!) to increase power, handling and braking than it is to change the looks or the fit and finish of the car.
Having said that, I think the Cobalt SS is not a bad looking car and would definitely consider it a contender amongst it's competitors.
Honestly though, if I was shopping in that class, I would likely get a Mini Cooper S. I think the styling (both exterior as well as interior) is really cool. Plus, with all the personalization (including performance) options you can order for it straight from the dealership, it just works for me. I really like that little car!
Having said that, I think the Cobalt SS is not a bad looking car and would definitely consider it a contender amongst it's competitors.
Honestly though, if I was shopping in that class, I would likely get a Mini Cooper S. I think the styling (both exterior as well as interior) is really cool. Plus, with all the personalization (including performance) options you can order for it straight from the dealership, it just works for me. I really like that little car!
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,600
From: Pewee Valley, KY
The new Cobalt supercharged SS sedan is the ultimate sleeper. I had no idea the thing existed until the LA show. The seats are excellent, the shifter seems pretty good. It seems a perfect tossable size.
It looks like any other invisible Cobalt sedan that would be ignored by everyone from ricers to cops, yet the thing will not only blast out at LT1+ velosity, carve up Nurburgring where it was tuned, and brings new definition aggression to the term "Point & Shoot".
The person at GM who got the bright idea of putting the Cobalt SS package in Cobalt's nondescript sedan (the sedan at LA had only SS badging, a small spoiler, and rims to identify it) has a sick sense of humor.
And I love it!
It looks like any other invisible Cobalt sedan that would be ignored by everyone from ricers to cops, yet the thing will not only blast out at LT1+ velosity, carve up Nurburgring where it was tuned, and brings new definition aggression to the term "Point & Shoot".
The person at GM who got the bright idea of putting the Cobalt SS package in Cobalt's nondescript sedan (the sedan at LA had only SS badging, a small spoiler, and rims to identify it) has a sick sense of humor.
And I love it!