2005 Chevrolet Cobalt Trims and Specs

The front-wheel drive 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt Base Coupe is similar to its sedan version, with about an inch less in rear legroom and two inches less in headroom. A 2.2-liter, 145-hp DOHC I4 sits under the hood, matched to a standard 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic. The two-door coupe rides on 15-inch wheels. Daytime running lights, automatic headlights, and dual front airbags are standard, with the option to add front-side and side curtain airbags, ABS brakes, and traction control.

The totally new 2005 Cobalt Base Coupe features air conditioning, intermittent wipers, a CD player, tilt steering wheel, adjustable seat height, tachometer, and rear defrost. It's not a lot, but certainly more than some economy subcompacts give you. Split-folding rear seats add extra room to the large trunk. On the option list are power locks, wheel-mounted cruise control, remote entry, and satellite radio. A rear spoiler is also available. Great 24/35 gas mileage and overall styling please owners, and the biggest complaints are about the small trunk opening and the shallow cupholders.

The 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt Base sedan is all-new this year. Under the hood sits a 2.2-liter, 145-hp Ecotec I4, delivering 155 lb-ft of torque when paired with either a 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic. Riding on 15-inch wheels, the 2005 Cobalt Base front-wheel drive sedan comes with a nice set of features for its low subcompact price. Dual front airbags, automatic headlights, and daytime running lights are standard safety features. Front-side and side curtain airbags are optional, along with ABS brakes and traction control. The 2005 Cobalt earns crash ratings ranging from two stars for front-side impact to four and five stars for frontal impact.

Other features include air conditioning, height-adjustable front seats, intermittent wipers, a tachometer, and a CD player. Rear seats split-fold 60/40 to open up the 14 cubic-foot trunk. Options add on features from the higher-end trims, such as cruise control, remote entry, power locks, and a rear spoiler. Aside from the inadequate cupholders and small trunk opening, drivers seem to like the fun ride packed into a budget compact car.

The new 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt LS Coupe is a sporty-looking version of the sedan, that sacrifices a few inches in rear leg and headroom with its sloping roofline and lack of rear doors. Powered by a 2.2-liter, 145-hp DOHC Ecotec I4 engine and choice of 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic, the front-wheel drive coupe upgrades from the base with full power features, keyless entry, 15-inch alloy wheels, and wheel-mounted cruise control. Safety features include automatic headlights and daytime running lights, ABS brakes, and dual front airbags. Side curtain airbags, traction control, and foglights are extra.

A CD player, air conditioning, intermittent wipers, and tachometer are other standard features in the 2005 Cobalt LS Coupe. Despite its small opening, the trunk is a spacious 14 cubic feet and the rear seats split-fold 60/40. Though considered an economy compact, the LS Coupe can be dressed up with leather seats and steering wheel trim, a sunroof, heated front seats, satellite radio, OnStar, and an upgraded sound system with MP3 capability and wheel-mounted controls. On the outside, you can add 16-inch wheels and a rear spoiler. Owners are impressed with the performance and acceleration of the I4 (credit the lightweight body) and they love the optoinal leather seats and high fuel economy. Problems with a stuck ignition key, blind spots, and a small backseat top the list of complaints.

Boosting up to the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt LS Sedan adds power windows, locks, and mirrors, wheel-mounted cruise control, remote entry, and 15-inch alloy wheels (steel wheels on the Base sedan). The engine is the same -- a 145-hp, 2.2-liter DOHC I4 that delivers 155 lb-ft of torque and is matched with a 5-speed manual transmission. A 4-speed auto tran is also available. ABS brakes, automatic headlights, daytime running lights, and dual front airbags help earn four-star crash ratings, and you can add side curtain airbags for both rows, foglights, traction control, and larger 16-inch wheels.

Aside from the added features you get with the 2005 Cobalt LS Sedan, the front-wheel drive economy compact car also offers intermittent wipers, a tilt steering wheel, tachometer, CD player, air conditioning, rear defrost, and 60/40 split-folding rear seats. The large trunk fits 14 cubic feet of storage and comes standard with a cargo net. There are a lot more options offered on the LS, including a sunroof, an MP3 compatible audio system with wheel-mounted audio controls, leather upholstery and trim, heated front seats, OnStar, satellite radio, and a rear spoiler. Downsides appear to be uncomfortable seats, a small backseat, and tiny trunk opening. There are also reports of stalling. But drivers say the ride is fun, with great handling and superior fuel economy.

On the upper end of the lineup for Chevy's new compact sedan sits the 2005 Cobalt LT. The front-wheel drive sedan seats four and holds 14 cubic feet in its trunk (more with the split-folding rear seats down). A 2.2-liter, 145-hp DOHC Ecotec I4 sits under the hood, matched to either a 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic. As with the other trims, the LT features ABS brakes, automatic headlights, daytime running lights, and dual front airbags, but it also adds traction control and foglight, and it sits on larger 16-inch alloy wheels. Side curtain airbags for both rows is available.

Interior luxury is ramped up in the 2005 Cobalt LT with leather upholstery and steering wheel trim and heated front seats. Other standard equipment includes power windows, locks, and mirrors, intermittent wipers, a CD player with wheel-mounted controls, cruise control, a tachometer, and keyless entry. The cargo area comes standard with a cargo net, and there are front and rear cupholders. Options add a sunroof, satellite radio, OnStar, and MP3-compatible audio system. A sporty rear spoiler is also available. Safety ratings range from two stars for front-side impact, to a decent four stars for driver and passenger frontal impact. Owners feel the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt LT is well-equipped for a budget economy sedan, and they like the roomy trunk, fuel economy, and sound system. The trunk opening and shallow cupholders are a problem.

Its supercharged 200-hp 2.0-liter DOHC I4 engine and 5-speed manual transmission take advantage of the light body weight to propel the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Coupe from 0-60 in six seconds. Stronger brakes and shocks and larger anti-sway bars also improve performance. The sporty version of the Chevrolet's new front-wheel drive coupe also dresses up its package with chrome exhaust, rocker panels, and ground effects. Like the LS Coupe, the 2005 Cobalt SS Coupe comes with ABS brakes, dual front airbags, automatic headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, and daytime running lights. It adds foglights and a large rear spoiler. Traction control and side curtain airbags are optional.

The coupe loses a bit of leg and headroom, but maintains the split-folding rear seats and roomy 14 cubic foot trunk. The SS adds leather upholstery and trim, heated front seats, and sporty alloy accents on the dash. It comes with full power features, cruise control, wheel-mounted audio controls for the CD player, a trip computer, tachometer, and front and rear cupholders. OnStar, satellite radio, and a sunroof are available as options. Handling, performance, and good fuel economy get high marks from owners, but they wish a 6-speed manual transmission was available. The rear spoiler can cause blind spots.