Chevy Cobalt XFE Bests Segment, 36 mpg

How badly are fuel prices impacting car sales? So badly Chevy has gone under the hood of the Cobalt economy car and magically found 3 more mpg on the highway. Dubbed the XFE — Xtra Fuel Economy — the revised Cobalt is on sale now and delivers 25/36 mpg equipped with a manual transmission. The XFE replaces the base offering in both coupe and sedan versions of the LS and LT1 trim packages. Prices still start at $14,885.

Hitting the magical 36 mpg number propels the Cobalt XFE past the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Ford Focus in terms of mileage for their manual transmission and represents a 9% gain in highway fuel efficiency. The Honda Civic with an automatic also gets 36 mpg.

How was the magic done? According to Chevy, “it uses revised engine calibration, low-rolling-resistance tires, a new, 3.74:1 final drive ratio and other technologies.” Meaning, they didn't have to do too much.

We’re glad automakers are adding more efficiency, but we’re not sure how we feel about slapping a special badge on what isn't a dramatically different vehicle. It will save confusion on the lot, though, where older 2008s that didn't receive the tweaks will look identical to the XFEs.

Comments

[Amuro Ray]

It would have been nice to know what kinda "features" this base model now has. I mean, it's good to know that it has the best fuel economy, but
(1) this is just GM's estimate, and not real world driving, right? Almost all of today's data (EPA) from Civic, Corolla, Sentra, etc. are based on real world driving feedback;
(2) In addition to the engine calibration, is it possible that the better mileage is achieved by NOT offering stuff like a/c, CD player, more than 2 airbags, ABS, cheaper/lighter materials, less sound proofing foam, etc. that are "heavy" stuff which affects fuel economy? I'm not saying that the Cobalt has none of the above, but even for other brands, if u do the above + more, u get better fuel economy too.
(3) What 'bou a relatively equipped model comparison - base model of whatever brands, but with same type of features? IOW, u can have a based Civic with all the stuff that Cobalt doesn't have in the XFE, but when u put all those thgs back in to the Cobalt, does it still have the same good mileage?
(4) Another trick is to decrease hp hence increase fuel economy. Is that what the "engine calibration" means? Since it's a manual transmission, and with potentially lower hp, drivers are more likely to gas the Cobalt - hence unlike to obtain the 36 mpg rating.

If only GM will do this on an auto tranny, where most people buy anyhow. This will greatly benefit the environment...

[Red]

Bully for General Motors for showing some adaptability and quick thinking. It's about time they get some good news on their small cars - too often people criticize the Cobalt and other American small cars.

[Dave T.]

AR,
It's the same car as the current base models so nothing has changed. A/c, side-curtain airbags etc are standard.

[Zerf]

Good for them to react this quickly. It may not be the slickest way to gain more fuel economy but at least it seems like a step in the right direction. If someone else wants to beat them at it then that just seems all the better for consumers.

[Spanky]

I think this is great, why didn't they do this sooner. Their city mileage is still iffy. My big question is why didn't they do this is the Aveo first? Isn't that their "ultra-economy car?" Now this XFE get's 2mpg better highway than the Aveo and also better city.

[cody]

the ecotec in the cobalt is more modern than the engine in the current aveo, which is a korean engine (daewoo) based on an older design from GM australia (i'm pretty sure). according to press releases, the new aveo hatchback is coming with a new 1.6L engine, with improved fuel economy. we'll have to see if it's better than the cobalt's.

[Anonymous]

Nice job by Chevy. Its about time. For the article though, there should be some fact checking. 25/36 does not propel the cobalt past the Civic and Corolla. The automatic Civic gets the same while the standard Corolla gets 28/37. The article should say that this now makes this model of the Cobalt competitive with the Honda and Toyota. That is saying something considering the past offerings from GM.

[Rick]

Comaring any Cobalt to a Corolla or Civic is like comparing rotten apples to ripe oranges.

So, at 70,000 or 80,000 miles, when the Cobalt belching out huffs of blue oily smoke, clinging and clanging like a custodian's key ring and nickling and diming you to death in repairs while the Corolla and Civic still run and ride smooth as silk, how would the Cobalt compare? Please. Fuel economy is just one piece of the pie.

GM is (finally) on the right track, but they have a long way to go before you can truly compare their cars to japanese cars. This is out of real-world experience, having owned both GM and Japanese cars.

[LM]

It really makes you wonder how many other "calibration" tweaks could be made to so many other cars to eek out another 1, 2 or 3 mpg.

Car companies are so lazy sometimes. This IS why they get NO sympathy when they bitch and moan at the Fed for wanting to increase CAFE standards.

[Dave T.]

Anonymous,
Sort of... Check Honda's own site if you don't believe us the Civic gets 36 mpg highway. with an automatic though! 34 with the manual. So it's tricky. I'll revise the post.

[cody]

every calibration is a compromise between performance and economy. if horsepower ratings came down, mpg would go up, but everyone bitches today when a 2.0L 4-cylinder doesn't blow the doors off a mid-90s sports car...

[cody]

...and if any modern car is belching blue smoke and 'clinging and clanging', it probably has more to do with how you performed the maintenance.

First let me say everyone here hits the nail right on the head.

Did they remove the A/C, that could get the 3mpg? That was how others have done it.

They could have offered a 6 speed or put a dual range differntial (like the 79'-84' Colt/Champ) and probably could have got more. You only need the extra grunt to get on the highway and a extra lower gear to put it into when you get into the moutains. It is sure not for towing.

[Sparky]

Dave T: Please remember that the base Civic DX ($15,010 + freight) does not include air conditioning, not is it an option.

If you want a/c, you have to fork out $16,960 + freight for the LX.

The base Cobalt LS does have a/c for $14,885 +freight. To be fair you have to add $400 to the Cobalt for the ABS option. So you end up at $15,285. If you just don't want to sweat in the heat, the Cobalt saves quite a bit.

When you throw on the fact that Chevy is giving a $1500 rebate for owners of competitive brands, that price can drop to $13,785. You're looking at saving $3200 if you just want a/c.

Even if you go up to the loaded LT, you're looking at 14,495 (with ABS), after rebate vs. 16,960; a savings of almost $2400.

Like Ford, Chevy is trying to woo customers by charging less than Toyota and Honda - with rebates. They're also giving a better warranty simply by throwing in free roadside assistance and towing. If the American companies can get people into their cars, and they prove reliable, they may regain market.

Remember that the Japanese gained their market share by providing cheap, efficient cars. Then buyers found out they were reliable.

[Dave T.]

Sparky,
You're completely right. I just posted a new story about the XFE clarifying how it does come with the same standard options like A/C as the previous base cobalt.

It also has the identical rebates to other Cobalts. $1,000 nationally, more in Florida, $1,800. Before any loyalty, military, grad cash.
http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2008/04/more-on-the-200.html

[George]

This seems like such a waste when the 2.2 liter engine is getting variable intake & exhaust valve timing for the 2009 model year.

[J]

Sparky,
Please do factor in that the Cobalt offer only a dated 4AT when the Civic offers a 5AT.
There are a lot of drivers that do not like to live with a third pedal in every day driving.

[Radar696]

Well I for one have always been partial to the U.S. name plates.

I want to remind everyone about what G.M. used to build. My mother-inlaw had a 1980 Chevy Citation, with a 2.0 four cyl., stick shift. This car may not have been the best riding or the best looking but it had over 200,000 miles on it when it was wrecked in an accident. It was still getting 32 mpg on the highway.

I have always felt that the U.S. auto makers could build high mileage cars and trucks. If they would forget about high performance and get back low rpm high torque engines I think they would have much better success!

[Radar696]

The Cobalt XFE that my brother just purchased last Friday has a 5 speed stick in it.