Once in a while, a car comes along that just doesn't get the recognition that it deserves. Everything about it sits right, from price to performance. Yet, buyers go elsewhere. The Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo is one such car.
It met with the fierce competition when it was released. The MK5 Golf GTI was the reigning king hot hatch, while several other contenders all vied for its crown. Notably, the Cobalt SS Turbo fell into their domain. Running against Hondas Civic Type-R and the Subaru Impreza WRX hatchback, beating them all on the street, but losing out in the showroom.
A fantastic used car purchase, the Chevrolet Cobalt SS deserves more praise. It's even as good as any European or JDM contender, and these are 10 things you probably didn't know about the Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo.
10 The Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo Is Very Subtle
There was little to get excited about a standard Cobalt. A plain-looking car, it hardly set the pulse racing. The SS version did little to elevate this. Some subtle tweaks made it somewhat sportier, but it still looked rather bland. A great sleeper car, but not a vehicle to pose about in.
Available as either a sedan or coupe, the Cobalt SS packed a lot into a compact body with plenty of horsepower, practicality, and ability. It was also very well priced at $24,095. Looking more like an import than a homegrown machine, the Cobalt SS just wasn't bold enough.
9 The Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo Is Very Fast
Drab, but very exciting. The previous Cobalt SS lineup had failed to deliver. Both a 2.4-liter engine and a 2.0-liter supercharged unit got used. Neither provided the fireworks needed to make the SS a standout vehicle. That all changed with Chevrolet's third attempt.
Packing a 2.0-liter turbocharged Ecotec unit, the Cobalt got 260hp and 260lb/ft of torque. That allowed the Cobalt SS Turbo to hit 60mph in 5.7 seconds. That level of performance put it toe-to-toe with more expensive vehicles. Making it a real hot hatch killer, and a very fast car.
8 The Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo Is Great Fun
All that lovely horsepower gets thrown to the front wheels. Torque steer was present but wasn't an issue. The Cobalt SS Turbo had a great chassis. And it coped admirably with the forces getting generated. Proving to be sharp, and responsive, it loved to cut up a track or road.
Able to dispatch a favorite road with ease, the Cobalt SS Turbo begs to get driven hard. It laps up the experience and provides plenty of feedback to the driver. It's a car that rewards in spades. Push past the perceived limits, and the Cobalt SS delivers more than expected.
7 The Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo Can Be Bought Cheap
The Chevrolet Cobalt SS wasn't an expensive car when it was new. It was also not very popular with buyers. So, very few got sold. Just over 3,000 coupes and around 470 sedans. Despite the obvious rarity and impressive performance on offer, SS used values remain very low.
High mileage examples are available from $4,000. That's a very capable car for the money. The Cobalt SS is also a reliable car. Its unit has proved to be reliable in many European-based hot hatches. A lack of electronics also benefits the SS. There is less to go wrong.
6 The Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo Can Be Modified
Fixing the bland exterior of the Cobalt SS will likely be high on the list of driver improvements. Smarter body kits, more aggressive spoilers, and alloy wheels are readily available. Creating a one-off bespoke Cobalt SS won't be a headache. It needs to stand out.
The Cobalt SS engine gets shared with several Euro-based cars. These have a huge following and a strong third-party parts supply. Off-the-shelf ECU remapping can push power over 300hp. Additional engine tweaks can improve throttle response and in-gear acceleration.
5 The Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo Loves A Twisty Road
Keen is an understatement, the Chevrolet Cobalt SS is an ideal canyon blitzing tool. Responsive steering and anti-roll bars. Both ensure the Cobalt SS reacts well to direction change. Turn-in is sharp and controllable. It's a car that makes a driver relish the experience.
Even today, the Cobalt SS still impresses. The power output is respectable, beating many newcomers. As is the ferocious way the Cobalt SS will attack a road, well-balanced and honed. Jumping into a Cobalt SS will make people wonder why more examples didn't sell.
4 The Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo Is Pretty Frugal
The low displacement turbocharged engine gives the Chevrolet Cobalt SS character. On boost, the power is linear and intoxicating. But, it is a unit with two personalities. One that will chew through asphalt with fury, and one that will settle into a comfortable cruise, saving gas.
Keep off the throttle and stay away from the redline. This may be a recipe for a more sedate drive, but it also proves that the Cobalt SS can save on fuel. Driven sensibly, it will return an average of 33mpg on the highway. Sink into the sports seats, and enjoy the drive.
3 The Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo Package Is Impressive
What it lacks in dynamic visuals, the Cobalt makes up for with the sum of its parts. The engine is a gem. Torquey and tuneable. Brembo brakes get fitted as standard. And much needed to get the most out of the car. They scrub off speed with ease, and that adds to the thrill.
The Cobalt SS Turbo also gets launch control as standard. A rather basic system, it works well to harness the power and aids standing start acceleration. Well-sorted suspension. Decent equipment levels, and a bold rear spoiler round off the package. All in all a great car.
2 The Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo Is Missed
It may not be the flashiest used car out there, but it's one of the most exciting for the price. Sometimes basic is better. And in this case, the lack of complex electronic aids enhances the Cobalt SS. Get in and drive. No selecting a driver mode. It's all full-fat fun from the off.
If released today, the Cobalt SS would do much better. In a world of high gas prices, it delivers a two-pronged attack; being fast and remaining easy on the fuel fund. The 2022 Honda Civic Si channels the spirit of the Cobalt SS Turbo, but with fewer horsepower.
1 The Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo Is A Sleeper
Being boring has its advantages. As no one would expect the firepower on offer from a Cobalt SS Turbo. Ditch the discreet badging and the SS can blend into the crowd. Fading into a sea of cars with no distinguishing features, the ideal basis for any effective sleeper car.
Tuned, stripped of badges, and prowling the backstreets. A Chevy Cobalt SS could upset many performance or muscle cars. A cost-effective project just waiting to blindside some rivals. It's one of Chevy's rarest cars. Undervalued and just waiting to get discovered.