By James Bergeron
Photo Gallery:
2009 Chevrolet Cobalt LS XFE
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Back to basics this week, with the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt LS XFE. Those last three letters are not a sport designation or an indication of any extra features; what they stand for is Extra Fuel Economy. Chevrolet has taken the Cobalt LS and made a few tweaks to achieve some pretty amazing fuel economy numbers: 8.0L/100km (city) and 5.4L/100km (highway). But when I say back to basics, I am not kidding — I can’t recall the last time I drove a vehicle so spartan.
Or maybe, instead of spartan we can call it “hardcore.” That is what many call the Lotus Elise, a sports car with no compromises: very little in the way of amenities on the inside; something surely nobody could live with day in and day out — heck, the Elise doesn’t even have carpets! But the Cobalt does have carpets, so that’s a huge plus for the Cobalt right there — yet it is so “hardcore” it doesn’t have power windows (something the Elise does have).
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Usually, I list the features on my tester, and that’s good for a paragraph or two of text, but for the Cobalt, let’s try something a little different. How about a list of features the Cobalt LS XFE does not have: power windows, power mirrors, power doors locks, cruise control, an arm rest, automatic transmission and traction control. Honestly, I can’t remember driving a vehicle without power mirrors, and I didn’t even think vehicles without a central locking system were still made!
But let’s be fair: my Cobalt LS XFE tester does have some features to list, like air conditioning for an extra $1,150 over the base starting price of $15,325, as well as ABS ($600), front and rear side-impact curtain airbags ($395) and Onstar ($395). As standard equipment, you get the tweaked 2.2L “ECOTEC” engine and a 5-speed manual transmission and AM/FM Stereo with CD, two 12V power outlets in the front and 60/40 split folding rear seats.
2009 Chevrolet Cobalt LS XFE
MSRP as tested (including destination): $19,190
For more information on Chevrolet and the Cobalt visit GM Canada
