Consumer Reports: Cobalt & Ion

[Perian]

Consumer Report's May 2005 issue contains a full road test on the Cobalt and Ion. It is mostly a sad read for those pro-GM.

Some quotes:

"The Chevy Cobalt doesn't bring anything (besides side curtains) notable to this (small sedan) category."

"The Cobalt shares its platform with the Saturn Ion, but is a better car all around. Quick acceleration and a relatively comfortable ride are strong suits."

"However, the engine is noisy and handling, seat comfort, and interior space are all subpar."

"Fuel economy of 23 mpg overall is umimpressive too."

"While it's quick, the Ion's engine is noisy, steering is inconsistent, and the seats are uncomfortable."

"The Saturn suffers from wide body-panel gaps, flimsy doors, and mismatched interior trim."

"The Ion scored POOR in IIHS side-impact tests. Reliability has been below average too."

The results of the testing:

First Place: Ford Focus ZX4
Second Place: Honda Civic EX
Third Place: Hyundai Elantra CT
Forth Place: Chevrolet Cobalt LS
Fifth Place: Saturn Ion

Source: May 2005 issue of Consumer Reports; Page 48.

[Darc Requiem]

Those biased b a s t a r d s strike again. I would say boycott them but I don't think any of us subscribe to CR anyway. I know he's got the global tag now but hopefully Lutz will ream them like he did the Wall Street Journal. Jeez...the language filter on these boards is a bit extreme.

[AdmiralViscen]

""The Chevy Cobalt doesn't bring anything (besides side curtains) notable to this (small sedan) category.""

Nothing notable? Best in class safety, tied with Corolla?

The Corolla wasn't included in the test? The Focus WON?

[dav305z]

That's a joke. "Subpar handling"? Why did every major auto publication say that it handled superbly? Ah, well. They are a strange magazine.

[Darc Requiem]

I was so pissed I missed that part Admiral. They gave first place to the recall king!? The Focus is dated as hell. It near the bottom of the class. Its got terrible safety ratings to boot. Did they test the new Euro Focus? Thats the only conceivable way I can see the Focus ranking first. D a m n, I really hate CR.

Their musing regarding the Cobalt are the exact opposite of the other reviews. Sorry CR but when it comes to ascertaining the handling of the Cobalt I'll take Car and Driver's word over yours.

[91 s-10baja]

Originally Posted by AdmiralViscen

""The Chevy Cobalt doesn't bring anything (besides side curtains) notable to this (small sedan) category.""

Nothing notable? Best in class safety, tied with Corolla?

The Corolla wasn't included in the test? The Focus WON?

Exactly, "Best Pick" by the IIHS for side impact protection....for a compact!!
I HATE CR.

[the prix]

These guys must really stay off of the drugs when they go to test cars.

It's exactly the opposite of what the other mags say about the Cobalt.

[91 s-10baja]

Originally Posted by the prix

These guys must really stay off of the drugs when they go to test cars.

It's exactly the opposite of what the other mags say about the Cobalt.

I meant to say that too, no other media has complained about engine noise.

[AdmiralViscen]

Other publications have talked about the success of GM's Quiet Steel, and gone into detail on how much care GM took to seal up all those little areas that let sound creep in.

[dindak]

CR is not likely biased but the reviewers are inconsistent, far too practicle and haven't got a clue about a lot of things. Essentially they are all pocket protector type geeks.

[TiburonJT]

Focus

Highs: Agility, ride comfort, spaciousness, access.
Lows: Interior quality, IIHS side-impact-crash test.

The Focus small sedan has an accomplished ride, braking, and interior accomodations. The seating position is high and commanding, controls are clear and logically laid out, and cabin access is easy. The ride is firm, steady, and well-controlled, and provides comfort associated with more-expensive cars. Two new, more-refined engines, a 2.0-liter and a 2.3-liter from Mazda, improve acceleration, but fuel economy is not as impressive. Interior quality is still on the cheap side.

Civic

Highs: Handling, fuel economy, ergonomics, brakes.
Lows: Road noise, ride.

Good performance, fuel economy, and interior space help make the Civic one of the better small sedans. The standard 1.7-liter, 115-hp four-cylinder and the EX's 127-hp version are sprightly. The automatic works very well. Handling is fairly nimble, though not quite as agile as the Ford Focus or Mazda3. The ride is a bit too firm, and road noise is pronounced. The controls are clear.

Elantra

Highs: Ride, quietness, relatively roomy, long warranty.
Lows: ABS may be hard to find, IIHS side-impact-crash test.

The Elantra competes well overall with the Mitsubishi Lancer and Nissan Sentra. The Elantra rides relatively comfortably and quietly, its cabin is fairly spacious. The engine feels refined and provides adequate acceleration, but fuel economy is unimpressive. The automatic transmission works well. Handling is secure but not particularly agile.

Cobalt

Highs: Acceleration, ride.
Lows: Fuel economy, noisy engine, seat comfort, IIHS side-impact-crash test without side air bags.

The Cobalt shares its standard 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine with the Malibu, but is noisier and less fuel-efficient. The ride is steady, but handling isn't particularly agile. The steering is too light at low speeds. The rear seat is not roomy, even by small-car-class standards.


All cars receive a final score at the end of the road test so the cars that were previously tested can be compared to cars tested in the future. Testers and testing procedures remain the same.

The list start at the best
1 Focus
2 mazda3
3 Prius
4 Civic Hybrid
5 Corolla
6 Civic EX
7 Elantra
8 Spectra
9 Impresa RS
10 Sentra
11 xB
12 Aerio
13 Cobalt
14 Lancer
15 xA
16 Ion
17 Forenza
18 Accent
19 Aveo
20 Neon
21 Cavalier

[TiburonJT]

Other reviewers have also found the engine to be noisy.

Detroit News:
“engine to be noisy on acceleration and going uphill”

Newsday:
“the Cobalt has a fairly noisy four-cylinder engine”

Washington Times:
“the engine is a noisy affair, rasping loudly as the automatic transmission shifts up through the gears”

Cars.about.com:
“it's still pretty noisy”

[Infiniti Z350]

Originally Posted by 91 s-10baja

Exactly, "Best Pick" by the IIHS for side impact protection....for a compact!!
I HATE CR.

They acknowledged the IIHS crash test results and the fact that it was the best for any small car.

Some other positives about the Cobalt:

"The Cobalt's ride is relatively comfortable."

"The Cobalt rides well at low speeds and does a good job of isolating bumps. It is well-controlled and is settled on the highway."

"In corners, body lean is well controlled and the car felt predictable at its handling limits."

"...the 145-hp, 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine made the Cobalt quicker than the others in this group."

"The four-speed automatic transmission is smooth."

"Braking performance was very good overall..."

"The interior shows some attention to detail. Visibility is good..."

"...well-placed instruments and controls..."

"We liked the lighted cruise control on the steering wheel and the radio tuning knob."

"The climate-control system features a handy outside temperature display."

"Cabin storage includes some handy recesses. There are two strudy cup holders serving the front..."

CR isn't as biased as you guys are so ready to believe.

At least you aren't defending the ION.

[bowtie8_3]

Originally Posted by TiburonJT

Other reviewers have also found the engine to be noisy.

Detroit News:
“engine to be noisy on acceleration and going uphill”

Newsday:
“the Cobalt has a fairly noisy four-cylinder engine”

Washington Times:
“the engine is a noisy affair, rasping loudly as the automatic transmission shifts up through the gears”

Cars.about.com:
“it's still pretty noisy”

Just put a Borla exhaust on it and enjoy it
I know if I got a Cobalt SS that would be my first upgrade

[Darc Requiem]

Originally Posted by Infiniti Z350

They acknowledged the IIHS crash test results and the fact that it was the best for any small car.

Some other positives about the Cobalt:

"The Cobalt's ride is relatively comfortable."

"The Cobalt rides well at low speeds and does a good job of isolating bumps. It is well-controlled and is settled on the highway."

"In corners, body lean is well controlled and the car felt predictable at its handling limits."

"...the 145-hp, 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine made the Cobalt quicker than the others in this group."

"The four-speed automatic transmission is smooth."

"Braking performance was very good overall..."

"The interior shows some attention to detail. Visibility is good..."

"...well-placed instruments and controls..."

"We liked the lighted cruise control on the steering wheel and the radio tuning knob."

"The climate-control system features a handy outside temperature display."

"Cabin storage includes some handy recesses. There are two strudy cup holders serving the front..."

CR isn't as biased as you guys are so ready to believe.

At least you aren't defending the ION.

If they've acknowledged the Crash test results then every car outside of the Corrolla and Cobalt should have lows for there crash rating. I mean on the Cobalt they noted poor crash rating without side airbags. Every compact outside of the Corrolla and Cobalt have poor crash ratings. With side airbags the Cobalt and Corrolla do not. I also find it funny how they say that the Cobalt's 2.2 Ecotec is less refined than the Malibu's when its the same d a m n e d engine.