The new 2022 Chevrolet Cobalt: how the sedan plans to conquer the Russian market?

2023 Author: Charles Youmans | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-20 18:41

The demand for budget cars in Russia is colossal, and therefore, it is not surprising that even a model like the Chevrolet Cobalt 2022 in the second generation, produced since 2013, still finds buyers, even despite its outdated appearance and not the most impressive equipment. This car can be called a direct rival for Renault Logan, Lada Vesta, Hyundai Creta and Kia Rio. At the moment, the model is presented in Russia in three trim levels with a price tag from 819,900 to 945,900 rubles for LS and LTZ generations, respectively.

Specifications

The Chevrolet Cobalt 2022 model, presented in Russia in a new body, has a mediocre appearance, as can be seen from the photo in the article, affordable prices and not the most impressive configurations, however, the model is still popular with compatriots because of its technical characteristics and its reliability. As before, the "American" is sold in Russia in two main modifications:

• with a 1.5-liter gasoline "aspirated" with 106 horsepower and 134 N * m of torque and with a 5-speed manual transmission;
• with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine, with the same efficiency, but paired with a 6-speed "automatic".

In Russia today, only front-wheel drive cars are sold, which are assembled on the territory of Uzbekistan. The model for its class received quite standard dimensions. The car reaches 4,479 mm in length, 1,735 mm in width and 1,514 mm in height. The wheelbase of this model is exactly 2 620 mm. Clearance - 160 mm. The five-seater sedan has a spacious trunk of 563 liters. Its curb weight is 1,095 - 1,170 kg.

Despite the fact that the model is equipped with rather weak units, it cannot be said that the car has poor dynamics. The sedan accelerates to the first "hundred" in 11, 7 - 12, 6 seconds. "Maximum speed" is limited to 169 km / h. The current version of the car can be distinguished due to its moderate fuel consumption. On average, per 100 km of run in the combined cycle, an "American" of the Uzbek assembly will spend 6, 2 - 6, 7 liters of AI-92 gasoline. In the current version, the model meets the requirements of the Euro-5 standard.

Options and prices

Currently, this model is available to motorists in Russia in three trim levels LS, LT and LTZ. The prices for cars in the presented versions do not vary so significantly from 819,900 to 945,900 rubles. If necessary, the Chevrolet Cobalt 2022 model can be retrofitted with various "special stages", but in this case the price tag changes noticeably. Also, the prices are influenced by the power unit chosen by the potential buyer.

LS

"Budgetary" in this generation can be bought only with a 1.5-liter engine and a manual transmission. Such a car costs 819,900 rubles in the database. The equipment of the model includes such options as:

• power steering;
• stamped 14-inch wheels;
• electric drive and heated side mirrors;
• cloth interior;
• central locking;
• headlight control unit;
• two airbags;
• speaker system for 4 speakers;
• mirrors in sun visors;
• immobilizer.

Also, the basic equipment of the car includes a crankcase protection and child locks on the rear doors. The model is equipped with two systems responsible for motion control - ABS and EBD.

LT

Chevrolet Cobalt 2022 in this configuration can be bought with a 1.5-liter engine in generations with a manual or automatic transmission at a price of 886,900 and 930,900 rubles, respectively. Unlike the most affordable version, the car's equipment adds such options as: front fog lights, an adjustable steering column, electric heated front seats, manual adjustment of the front seats in two directions, power windows in the front, a rear-view mirror with anti-glare effect, standard alarm.

LTZ

In the top generation, the car will cost the buyer 945,900 rubles. This model is only sold with a 1.5-liter engine and automatic transmission. The equipment of the car is supplemented by such options as: aluminum 15-inch rims, power windows at the rear, manual air conditioning, a spare full-size wheel.

Options and prices (summary table)

#	Equipment	Model years	Cost, rub.	Drive unit	Transmission	Engine, cc cm	Acceleration from 0 to 100, s	Max. speed, km / h	Power, max., H.p. (kW) at rpm	Combined fuel consumption in l / 100 km
1	1.5 MT LS	06. 2020 -	819 900	Front	Manual transmission 5	1485	11.7	169	106 (78) / 5800	6, 2
2	1.5 MT LT	06. 2020 -	886 900	Front	Manual transmission 5	1485	11.7	169	106 (78) / 5800	6, 2
3	1.5 MT LT	2013 - 2015	571000	Front	Manual transmission 5	1485	11.7	170	106 (78) / 5800	6, 5
4	1.5 AT LT	06. 2020 -	930 900	Front	Automatic transmission 6	1485	12.6	170	106 (78) / 5800	6, 7
5	1.5 AT LTZ	06. 2020 -	945 900	Front	Automatic transmission 6	1485	12.6	170	106 (78) / 5800	6, 7
6	1.5 AT LT	2013 - 2015	637000	Front	Automatic transmission 6	1485	11.7	170	106 (78) / 5800	7, 6
7	1.5 AT LTZ	2013 - 2015	668000	Front	Automatic transmission 6	1485	11.7	170	106 (78) / 5800	7, 6

* - information on prices is for reference only. Check with your local dealer for the exact cost.

Safety

The Chevrolet Cobalt 2022 sedan is a standard “budget employee” with a rich history. That is why you should not expect outstanding performance from him in terms of safety. For all the time, the model in the second generation was tested on different systems, however, the crash tests according to the EuroNCAP version showed the most accurate indicators. As usual, the model is judged in four main areas here. We are talking about the safety of the driver and adult passengers, where the sedan scored 76%, the safety of children-passengers - the result of 71%, the protection of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users - 51%, the equipment with systems responsible for traffic control - 43%. The overall rating of the model was barely able to fit into the "Five Stars" rating.

Handling and off-road performance

This car of the Chevrolet brand was developed specifically for not the most favorable operating conditions that are present in Russia, as well as in other developing countries. That is why the manufacturer has made a special emphasis on the reliability and unpretentiousness of the suspension. As a result, the sedan with a ground clearance of 160 mm feels great on dirt roads and rough terrain, easily overcoming serious obstacles in its path. Of course, off-road driving such a car is nothing to do, given that the car is equipped only with front-wheel drive.

In the city, this model behaves like a standard average outdated "state employee". Cobalt is not the most impressive handling, as well as mediocre maneuverability.

Advantages and disadvantages

In order to fully appreciate this car, you should pay attention to its pros and cons. At the same time, there are not so many others, given the price segment to which the car belongs. Of the advantages, it is worth highlighting a spacious cabin with a fairly high seating position and a capacious trunk of 563 liters, which is more in comparison with any "classmate". Also, the advantages include the availability of service. The Cobalt is perhaps the cheapest car to maintain today.

Not without disadvantages in this case. Chief among them is the dashboard, which transmits the readings digitally. Most motorists note that it is extremely inconvenient to perceive data from an electronic speedometer, especially since they are shown with a serious error.

Design

In terms of design, the Chevrolet Cobalt is very outdated in comparison with its "classmates". The car has not changed the exterior over the years, and is still sold in the same form in which it was officially released in 2013. For its time, the appearance of the sedan was very attractive and to some extent impudent and brutal, unlike the rest. However, at the moment, the design of the car causes only negative emotions. It is noteworthy that such a combination of circumstances applies not only to the external design, but also to the arrangement inside.

Here, apart from practicality, there is nothing to pay attention to, since the whole performance looks like an outdated version. In turn, we must pay tribute to the fact that we are talking about almost the cheapest car in Russia. Therefore, many compatriots simply do not notice such trifles as the exterior and interior.

Sales start

As an independent model, the second generation Chevrolet Cobalt was presented to the Russian market in January 2013, and free sales began a few weeks after the show. In the initial generation, cars were sold on the domestic market for two years, after which there was a five-year lull. In June 2020, the same car was put on sale, but with slightly improved trim levels and a changed price. In addition to Russia, this car was sold in Europe and the United States.

Competitors

The "American" has a lot of direct competitors, but among them it is worth highlighting such models as:

• Kia Rio;
• Hyundai Solaris;
• Renault Logan;
• Lada Vesta.