DecodedCarsChevrolet Cobalt
6 model years from 2005 to 2010, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.
- Model years
- 2005–2010
- Class
- Subcompact Cars
- Latest engines
- 2.2L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Best MPG
- 25–30 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 6 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2006 (465)
The 2010 Cobalt in brief
The 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt is a subcompact car offered with 2 engines (2.2L 4-cyl and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 180 inches long and 68 inches wide on a 103-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,732 lb (Ls/Lt/Xfe 2dr Coupe FWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 30 MPG combined (25 city / 37 highway), 36% better than the 2010 subcompact car average of 22 MPG, for an estimated $2,250 a year in fuel.
It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 278 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the fuel/propulsion system.
The Chevrolet Cobalt has 6 model years in our data, from 2005 to 2010.
Its most efficient year was 2010 at 30 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 25 to 30 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the steering (810), fuel/propulsion system (766), electrical system (359).
2010 has the most recalls (5); all years together count 6 campaigns and 2,220 owner complaints.
How the 2005 Cobalt compares
The 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt is a subcompact car offered with 2 engines (2.2L 4-cyl and 2.0L 4-cyl) and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 180 inches long and 68 inches wide on a 103-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,868 lb (Ls 4dr Sedan FWD).
2010 Cobalt pros & cons
Full 2010 details →What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 30 MPG combined — 36% better than the average 2010 subcompact car (22 MPG).
Watch out for
- Many owner complaints278 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 92 for similar models — most often about the fuel/propulsion system.
Cobalt changes by model year
- 2009
- Engine dropped: 2.4L 4-cyl
- 2008
- Engine added: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Engine dropped: 2.0L 4-cyl
- Best combined MPG up from 25 to 29
- 2006
- Engine added: 2.4L 4-cyl
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 6 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2.2L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 30 MPG | 180.3 in | 2,732 lb | Not rated | 5 | 278 |
| 2009 | 2.2L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 30 MPG | 180.3 in | 2,732 lb | Not rated | 4 | 410 |
| 2008 | 2.2L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 29 MPG | 180.3 in | 2,732 lb | Not rated | 4 | 408 |
| 2007 | 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.2L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl | 25 MPG | 180.3 in | 2,789 lb | Not rated | 4 | 423 |
| 2006 | 2.2L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl | 25 MPG | 180.3 in | 2,789 lb | Not rated | 3 | 465 |
| 2005 | 2.2L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl | 25 MPG | 180.3 in | 2,868 lb | Not rated | 3 | 236 |
Alternatives to the 2010 Cobalt
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Toyota Corolla | 30 MPG | Not rated | 15 |
| 2010 Honda Civic | 42 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
| 2010 Toyota Camry | 34 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
| 2010 Nissan GT-R | 17 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2010 Toyota Prius | 50 MPG | Not rated | 10 |
| 2010 Hyundai Elantra | 29 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →