Chevrolet simplified the lineup for its front-wheel-drive Cobalt compact car for 2008 and added a few minor updates. The supercharged SS is gone, a victim of 2008 federal emissions requirements, and a new Sport model takes its place in the lineup.

A 171-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine provides power for the new Sport model -- hardly up to the pop and sizzle provided by the Cobalt SS's 205-horsepower supercharged four-cylinder, but adequate enough to provide the necessary get up and go, with good fuel economy to boot.

The 2008 Cobalt comes in both four-door sedan and two-door coupe versions, with a 148-horsepower, 2.2-liter four-cylinder as the standard powerplant for the LT and LS models. New features for all Cobalts include side curtain airbags and a satellite radio system.

The Cobalt gets high marks overall for its economy, build quality, and interior comfort, though naturally legroom suffers due to its compact nature, and access to the backseat can be tricky in the coupe due to its long doors.