CD Article: 2008 Pontiac G5 sedan

[Serniter]

I spent considerable time with the Civic and Cobalt. To me the Cobalt is much closer to the Civic than Cavalier. It seems most of criticism of the Cobalt/G5 is based on pictures and specifications. Sure, it is not as good looking inside or out than the Civic, but drive it and you'll see it is almost there. The Civic is real good to drive but so is the Cobalt. Its almost as efficient as the Civic too. A $3000-$4000 (US) difference in cost will easily sway the choice in favor of a Cobalt if I was choosing.

[Honda Owner]

Greg, before I let you have the last word, take a drive by your local GM store before it goes broke. Go along the back fence. Have a look at what the employees drive.

[Mitlov]

I spent considerable time with the Civic and Cobalt. To me the Cobalt is much closer to the Civic than Cavalier. It seems most of criticism of the Cobalt/G5 is based on pictures and specifications. Sure, it is not as good looking inside or out than the Civic, but drive it and you'll see it is almost there.

Let's just talk aesthetics for a moment.  Do you really think that the Civic is better looking, inside and out?  I don't, though I'll admit I don't like my cars to look like Star Trek shuttles inside and out.  The Cobalt is bland as unsweetened oatmeal, but inoffensive.  The Civic, to my eyes, is downright offensive.

[Serniter]

From a purely aesthetic point of view, its probably difficult to make a case for either car (I prefer the Civic).

However, I'm referring more to the appearance of quality than design per se (quality of paint and panel fit seems better on a Civic than Cobalt). Even inside, the Civic dashboard is unconventional but appears to be of high quality. I'm not sure how either car will hold up in a few years, but what I'm trying to say is the Cobalt feels like a much higher quality car than the Cavalier and is closer to the Civic.

[safristi]

  wot happened ta tha COBLATS.... .............."world's most smartest NOT challenger"

[Mitlov]

From a purely aesthetic point of view, its probably difficult to make a case for either car (I prefer the Civic).

However, I'm referring more to the appearance of quality than design per se (quality of paint and panel fit seems better on a Civic than Cobalt). Even inside, the Civic dashboard is unconventional but appears to be of high quality.

"See where the red arrow's pointing? That swath of plastic, which extends around the digital speedometer, is the only soft-touch surface in sight.  As for the dashboard surfaces that one actually touches on a regular basis, they're as hard as finding a filling station that carries natural gas."

Edmunds long-term Civic GX: Soft-touch where you don't touch

I'm not sure how either car will hold up in a few years, but what I'm trying to say is the Cobalt feels like a much higher quality car than the Cavalier and is closer to the Civic.

I haven't been in a Cavalier, but having been in both a Civic and a Cobalt, I can say that interior materials didn't impress me in either.  In the Cobalt, everything felt a little hollow.  In the Civic, I even remember a sharp edge on one of the plastic knobs from the molding process.  So to the extent that you're arguing that they're similar, I agree...but I'd say they're similarly bad instead of similarly good.

[Honda Owner]

I haven't been in a Cavalier, but having been in both a Civic and a Cobalt, I can say that interior materials didn't impress me in either.

Cavaliers are auto masochism. I used to dread even having to drive on up to a customer. But in 2005 we sold a ton of them at $8995. Many were made from parts that had been rejected previously, buy that is another story....

The materials in the interior of the Cobalt are cheap and flimsy. Take a look at the fabric on the  doors.

The Civic dash is also not the greatest but all these cars are built to a price point. If you want a Lexus interior, you have to buy a Lexus. The interior parts in the Civic are made by Magna in their Ontario plants.

[Mitlov]

The Civic dash is also not the greatest but all these cars are built to a price point. If you want a Lexus interior, you have to buy a Lexus. The interior parts in the Civic are made by Magna in their Ontario plants.

Not true.  Older VWs and older Toyotas had fantastic interior quality at middle-class prices (both have taken a dip in recent years).  So it IS possible.

[Zoo]

The Civic dash is also not the greatest but all these cars are built to a price point. If you want a Lexus interior, you have to buy a Lexus. The interior parts in the Civic are made by Magna in their Ontario plants.

Not true.  Older VWs and older Toyotas had fantastic interior quality at middle-class prices (both have taken a dip in recent years).  So it IS possible.

True... Our 1993 Jetta had an amazing interior in fit and finish as well as panel gaps. If only the electical systems were more reliable.

To be back OT, the trunk hinge system is very high end for this price point. Our Jetta had this system, our Civic has very intrusive goose neck hinges that pinch luggage.

From the pics the G5 has a decent looking interior. The audio package, while way more than I need, is a nice option  for those looking for this. Man, oh man though, that MSRP sure added up quickly on that tester.

[Serniter]

I remember being pleasantly surprised by the interior in the last generation VWs.  However, that quality in an economy car seems more the exception than norm. Also, weren't Jettas of that time more expensive than Civics?

Currently, I can't think of any economy car with Audi-class interiors. The point is Civic and Cobalt may be compared now while the Cavalier was a clear loser. Here is a picture of the Cavalier's interior:

[UmroAyyar]

The Civic dash is also not the greatest but all these cars are built to a price point. If you want a Lexus interior, you have to buy a Lexus. The interior parts in the Civic are made by Magna in their Ontario plants.

Not true.  Older VWs and older Toyotas had fantastic interior quality at middle-class prices (both have taken a dip in recent years).  So it IS possible.

I agree with that. The 2002 Corolla had better feeling softer interior materials than the current 2007 Camry I drive now. (Perception)

[Serniter]

Maybe, but does it compare to Lexus or Audi interiors?

In any case, all that matters is Cobalt/G5 interiors measure up favorably to competition from Japan.

[Mitlov]

Maybe, but does it compare to Lexus or Audi interiors?

No, but they're proof that you don't have to have lousy interior materials in an economy car.  It still refutes the spirit of the comment "if you want a Lexus interior, buy a Lexus," even if it doesn't technically contradict it.

[Wolfe]

I haven't been in a Cavalier,

Consider yourself lucky.

[Greg B.]

The Civic dash is also not the greatest but all these cars are built to a price point. If you want a Lexus interior, you have to buy a Lexus. The interior parts in the Civic are made by Magna in their Ontario plants.

Or you can buy the Acura Civic CL, and pay luxury car prices for an econobox.

[Zoo]

I can add something to this about Honda's standards. Guelph Products were making some Honda interior pieces here at one time. They made all sorts of Chrysler dashes, door panels etc. My aunt and uncle complained about how "fussy" Honda was as they required a clean room like environment and rejected tons of parts that usually passed for Chrysler. Obviously Honda asked for a higher level of quality and consistently than they were used to producing.

Based on my experiences driving Hondas this generally bears out in the cars. I do not have a lot of seat time in a Cobalt (none in a Pursuit/G5); but the Cobalt is leagues better than the Cavalier they replaced and are reasonably competitive in the compact segment. A mid cycle refresh is a good idea at this point.

Hopefully GM will put the resources into the next gen Cobalt/G5 like they did with the Aura and Malibu. They can build good/great cars when they choose to put the effort, engineering, and care into the designs.

[The Mighty Duck]

I agree with that. The 2002 Corolla had better feeling softer interior materials than the current 2007 Camry I drive now. (Perception)

  I had a Corolla of that vintage (I believe) as a loaner once.  I found the interior just dreadful: the sun visors and window crank handles felt like they were about to fall off in my hands...  My Civic feels far, far better.  Some of that might be because it's my car and I'm attached to it, but I remember getting into that Corolla and just going "OMG...  this thing is a piece of ".

[UmroAyyar]

I agree with that. The 2002 Corolla had better feeling softer interior materials than the current 2007 Camry I drive now. (Perception)

  I had a Corolla of that vintage (I believe) as a loaner once.  I found the interior just dreadful: the sun visors and window crank handles felt like they were about to fall off in my hands...  My Civic feels far, far better.  Some of that might be because it's my car and I'm attached to it, but I remember getting into that Corolla and just going "OMG...  this thing is a piece of ".

You are hereby barred from entering a Camry then. 

[PJungnitsch]

Sure, it is not as good looking inside or out than the Civic, but drive it and you'll see it is almost there. The Civic is real good to drive but so is the Cobalt.

My neighbor just got a Cobalt and I find myself admiring it when I go by. Not flashy but tastefully done. GM's styling has always been one of their strong points IMO.

Its almost as efficient as the Civic too. A $3000-$4000 (US) difference in cost will easily sway the choice in favor of a Cobalt if I was choosing.

From what I understand mileage is much worse, going by CR's testing, and owner satisfaction (% of owners who would buy one again) is bottom of the pack, just above the Aveo. Couple that with very low resale...and it really is a Cavalier MK2.

But it still sells in large quantities for the same reasons the Cavalier did.

[Serniter]

From what I understand mileage is much worse, going by CR's testing, and owner satisfaction (% of owners who would buy one again) is bottom of the pack, just above the Aveo. Couple that with very low resale...and it really is a Cavalier MK2.

I probably did not notice bad fuel economy because of highway driving. EPA economy numbers are indeed quite bad: 22/31 mpg vs 26/35 for the Corolla, both 08 models, automatic.

Wonder if there are any other reasons for the owners' lack of satisfaction...

I thought this car was a big step up from the Cavalier and hoped it would do well. Oh well.