Motive Mag: X-Philes: GM Pulls 37 MPG Out of it's Hat.

[coaster.n3rd]

Full story after the link.

Driving the Pontiac for a week has led us to believe that the XFE might just be a marketing gimmick — GM reps have admitted as much — but the G5 is a pretty nice ride for the coin. The base G5 is the way to go, taking a small hit in economy for better rubber and more attractive 16-inch wheels. It's still a 155 hp coupe with a 5-speed and better fuel economy than most cars in its class. And if the ability to make vehicles with such competitive performance, features, and efficiency carries over to the rest of GM's line-up, we might just witness the return of a globally-competitive American brand.

[coaster.n3rd]

Good review of the Chevy G5.

[poncho1982]

I actually prefer the G5 over the Cobalt. The front clip looks better. Yeah, I know, its a Cobalt, and I would indeed take a Cobalt as well, but given a choice between the two, I'll take a G5.

[MaxLegroom]

Odd thing is that among the cars that Motivemagazine discussed, I probably would have considered neither of the other two. The Hyundai just looks wrong, the Focus coupe isn't really my cup of tea, either. While the G5 or Cobalt may not have the greatest interior in the world, it's actually not bad. I'd lose little in the way of technology by owning one. What they don't discuss is that it's relatively easy to get that sort of mpg out of this car. I tried out the Cobalt XFE, and got over 35 mpg with little or no effort.

[ponchoman49]

I still can't believe Pontiac dropped the higher output 2.4 engine for the GT. That would have been one of the few areas left to seperate it from the Cobalt. And I don't even want to talk about the lack of the 2.0 liter turbo from the Cobalt with 260 HP that is totally missing in this car from the supposed performance division of GM!

[usa1]

Nice review, but if I were in the market, I think I'd get a Focus instead.

Mark

[A Bum In A Bus]

I stopped at Walgreens last week and a young couple was getting into a G5. I told them I liked their car and bang, they went into a sales pitch that a lifelong salesman would have envied. They told me about the mileage, the ride, how smoothe it was, and the guy said, "buddy this this will haul ass". Then his wife said "you better not be roughriding my car". They had just bought it the week before, and they were so proud. They are going to Gatlinburg, Tennessee the last of October and they were excited. It made me want to rush out, buy a car and take a trip.

I really like the Cobalt and if I didn't have more vehicles that I can afford gas for now, I would consider buying one.

[marinerbc]

This is an interesting dream.

First of all, it's in colour.
Second of all, there is not the normal negativity associated with anything Cobalt or G5.
Thirdly, nobody is calling for the death of Pontiac...yet.
Finally, it's waaaaayyy too reasonable.


It's gonna suck to wake up and read the non dreamworld GMI.

[Cphelps]

Originally Posted by ponchoman49

I still can't believe Pontiac dropped the higher output 2.4 engine for the GT. That would have been one of the few areas left to seperate it from the Cobalt. And I don't even want to talk about the lack of the 2.0 liter turbo from the Cobalt with 260 HP that is totally missing in this car from the supposed performance division of GM!

The Cobalt was available w/ the 2.4L in SS trim for a while (alongside the SS/SC and along side the SS/TC for '08), I guess the 2.4 isn't available in either car anymore (since the XFE?)? Either way yeah I've always thought that it's odd that Pontiac which is supposed to be the performance/excitement division doesn't get the hotter engine options of its platform twin...

[ZillaZ]

Originally Posted by ponchoman49

...I don't even want to talk about the lack of the 2.0 liter turbo from the Cobalt with 260 HP that is totally missing in this car from the supposed performance division of GM!

I don't know about the 2.0 turbo. I've got one in my Saab and the G5 GT with the 2.4L is much faster... but the saab has much better fuel economy.

[ZillaZ]

Originally Posted by usa1

Nice review, but if I were in the market, I think I'd get a Focus instead.

If you're going to contribute to the discussion, at least contribute to the discussion... tell us why you'd go with the Focus.

[hercman]

I rented a G5 GT for two weeks. Didn't care for it at all. Only thing I did like was the intown mileage. Out on the freeway it didn't do any better then my 98 GTP.

[Citation84]

It's a very pretty car. Not sure about sharing rear taillights with the Cobalt sedan [but since those were ripped from the G6 in the first place, I guess they're more Pontiac than Chverolet anyway], but it's very handsome and the ones I have seen have a real "road prescence". An amazing transformation for very little money.

This Delta platform and the Eco engines as well as GM's transmissions are so underrated. My 05 ION automatic easily gets 37mpg and ranges between 35-36 on long trips. 25-27 in my LA commute to work and back.

Quiet, rides well, will probably still be running after the entire body has disintegrated. That couple had a right to be pleased with their new G5.

The much maligned "only a 4 Speed" auto is smooth, seamless and unobtrusive. But it's GM, so it must be bad and that means Pontiac must die. [That was for you MarinerBC, just so you know you're still in the real world].

Damn, I wish Pontiac would offer the sedan in the US as well.

[marinerbc]

Originally Posted by Citation84

The much maligned "only a 4 Speed" auto is smooth, seamless and unobtrusive. But it's GM, so it must be bad and that means Pontiac must die. [That was for you MarinerBC, just so you know you're still in the real world].

Damn, I wish Pontiac would offer the sedan in the US as well.

Thank you, my friend.

Look guys, I'm not saying this is a Ferrari F50 that gets 80 mpg; I'm saying that the perception of so called GM fans on this site will not allow them to even test drive one, let alone contemplate buying one.

They're relatively quick, especially compared to the Corolla and Civic;
They get the mileage noted above when driven properly;
The fit and finish is good, but of course not CTS territory;
In my opinion, they are in the thick of competition with Corolla, Civic, and the rapidly aging Mazda 3;
They look better than all 4, especially the coupe;

We in Canada buy a poopload of them, because they're a good deal, at around 14,000 Nucky Pesos. Add in a 5 year 160,000 km (100,000 mile) limited warranty, and hands down a better deal than a Civic, IMO.

They aren't super cars, they're one above an entry level Aveo/Wave. And many people here aren't willing to buy a Wave or Aveo that gets virtually the same mileage, and is of less quality overall.

Let's just see the G5 and Cobalt for what they truly are; that's all I'm saying. And yes they desperately need an MCE.

[Citation84]

Originally Posted by marinerbc

Thank you, my friend.

Look guys, I'm not saying this is a Ferrari F50 that gets 80 mpg; I'm saying that the perception of so called GM fans on this site will not allow them to even test drive one, let alone contemplate buying one.

They're relatively quick, especially compared to the Corolla and Civic;
They get the mileage noted above when driven properly;
The fit and finish is good, but of course not CTS territory;
In my opinion, they are in the thick of competition with Corolla, Civic, and the rapidly aging Mazda 3;
They look better than all 4, especially the coupe;

We in Canada buy a poopload of them, because they're a good deal, at around 14,000 Nucky Pesos. Add in a 5 year 160,000 km (100,000 mile) limited warranty, and hands down a better deal than a Civic, IMO.

They aren't super cars, they're one above an entry level Aveo/Wave. And many people here aren't willing to buy a Wave or Aveo that gets virtually the same mileage, and is of less quality overall.

Let's just see the G5 and Cobalt for what they truly are; that's all I'm saying. And yes they desperately need an MCE.

People like to use that line "there are better cars out there" in referring to Cobalt and G5 or any offering from GM. Well yeah there are. And better than the ones they themselves have chosen. We can take it out there to inifinty with arguments like that. This G5 would make a lot of people happy. [and comparisons to some beat down rental unit don't count!] This is not your Father's Pontiac Phoenix either.

I'd like to make a case for the Aveo, but can't when the G5 and Cobalt get better mileage, are roomier and are better looking for not much more money.

The Civic and Corrolla may be better cars in some ways but I would have to look at them while paying them off and they've both become eye sores over the years.

Can't imagine what sort of horrible things they'd do to the the G5/ Cobalt in a mid cycle update except make them worse as GM did with the Aveo, Cavalier/ Sunfire and the 05-07 ION and VUE and L Series re hashes. Perhaps just concentrate on interior, ride and NVH improvements, some new interior fabrics and colors, and leave the exterior alone [unless they could put the 2 round tail lights on the Cobalt sedan so it can look like a proper Chevy as the coupe does].

MarinerBC, you took the unpopular stand of actually seeing the G5 for what it is : competent, economical transportation that looks good and drives well. Heretic.