2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Coupe Road Test Video

By Edmunds Video Productions | Published October 14, 2009

2:38 min

It might look the same as last year's car, but the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt coupe is very different. The changes go beyond a simple switch from supercharger to a turbocharger. GM Performance Division also made heavy modifications to the chassis and they completely alter the character of the car on back roads. Increased compression damping provides better control over mid-corner bumps. New steering knuckles, thicker antiroll bars and revised spring rates reduce body roll during hard cornering, and a wider set of Continental ContiSportContact2 tires provide more grip. Finally, updates to the electric steering, including a quicker ratio, give the '08 Cobalt SS a much sharper feel as you turn in. These changes also translate to better numbers at the track. The 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS goes through the slalom at 69.2 mph, which is almost 2 mph quicker than the old SS. Its 0.89g on the skidpad is also slightly better than before. Although we're most impressed by the Cobalt's handling, there's no denying that it's a quick car. Its turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-liter Ecotec four-cylinder makes use of direct injection technology. The result is 260 horsepower at 5,300 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at only 2,000 rpm. Last year's five-speed manual carries over as the sole transmission choice. GM has included a neat "Launch Control" feature for amateur drag-racers. It automatically revs the engine to 5,100 rpm when you put the clutch in, select first gear and push the gas pedal to the floor. However, our best launches come at 2,500 rpm. The 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS uses up just 5.8 seconds accelerating to 60 mph. It goes through the quarter-mile in 14 seconds flat at 103 mph. This makes it the quickest car available under $25,000. When you're carrying this kind of speed, you don't want to skimp on brakes and GM Performance Division has this angle covered as well. With bigger rotors all around and four-piston Brembo calipers up front, the Cobalt SS is capable of stopping from 60 mph in as little as 115 feet. Although we really like the way the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS coupe drives, we think GM might have difficulty selling it. The car is stuck in a Cavalier-style body and despite its super long doors, its cabin doesn't feel very spacious or useful. Access to the backseat is poor because neither of the front seats has an easy-entry feature. A full-blown Chevrolet Cobalt SS sedan is coming for 2009, and we expect that body style will prove more popular. But if it were up to us, we'd put all the SS upgrades on the more functional, five-door Saturn Astra. If you can get past its outdated shell, though, the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS coupe promises to be a very entertaining drive.