2008 Chevrolet Cobalt Safety Review [ 2007 ]
Based on analysis of 59 Cobalt reviews and test drives.
Safety - What the Auto Press Says
The Chevrolet Cobalt is "as good as, if not better than, most of its competition on the safety-equipment front," according to Motor Trend. The 2008 also scores well in government crash tests.
In frontal crash tests, the government's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the base model sedan four out of five stars for driver safety and a perfect five stars for passenger safety. In side crash tests, the Cobalt gets three stars for the front seat and four for the rear. The base model coupe has similar scores, but receives four out of five stars for both the front and rear seats in side crashes.
In frontal-offset tests, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 2008 Cobalt models a score of "Good." However, in side-impact tests, models with optional front and rear head curtain air bags get a score of "Acceptable" USA Today notes that "IIHS says: 'Taken together with ratings in the side-impact test, the Cobalt and (Toyota) Corolla equipped with optional side air bags now are the highest-rated small cars overall in the institute's crash-worthiness ratings.'"
Accident Avoidance
To help drivers avoid an accident, the Cobalt's standard brake configuration puts large vented discs up front and composite drums in the rear. The 2LT Cobalt has front disc rear drum anti-lock brakes as standard equipment, and it's a recommended option on the base model. The Cobalt Sport has four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes. For 2008, GM's StabiliTrack Electronic Stability Control System is now standard on the Cobalt Sport model.
A 2005 USA Today article reported a blemish on the Cobalt's safety record: "GM recalled 1,378 Cobalts last November because their headlight reflectors might loosen, tilt and blind oncoming drivers. That's according to files at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. GM and potential Cobalt buyers hope that's an aberration, not a harbinger."
Crash Protection
AutoMedia.com notes that "Cobalt offers a comprehensive package of safety and security features." Crash protection features include front and rear energy management crumple zones, impact protection in the pillars and roof, dual-stage air bags designed to help protect occupants in 30-degree angled frontal impacts, front belt pretensioners, and locking open-front headrests. AutoMedia.com further notes that "the roof can take a crushing force 1.5 times the weight of the car, and the rear structure is designed to absorb a 50-mph impact to help protect the fuel tank." On the child safety front, USA Today especially likes that fact that "The back seat has three sets of child-seat connectors, not just two. You can strap the kid chair in the middle, which is the safest spot and gives junior a good view forward between the front bucket seats."
Dual front air bags are included across the board, and side curtain air bags are now available standard on all models for the 2008 model. GM's OnStar security and communications system is also optional.
