Though the Chevrolet Cobalt isn’t a great vehicle, the SS Turbo edition made gearheads appreciate the little car before its discontinuation.
Chevrolet is one of those automakers that has produced practically every type of vehicle known to humanity. However, not all of its offerings have been successful. One example of a less-than-stellar car from Chevrolet is the Cobalt. Though people bought it, not very many consider it a good car. Luckily, the automaker introduced the Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo in 2008. This car came after a hiatus for the Cobalt and also before discontinuing the lineup in 2010.
The 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo was a well-received vehicle. However, due to negative feelings towards the regular old Chevrolet Cobalt, not many people wanted to give it a chance. Unfortunately, it’s one of those cars automakers tend to use to try to save a dying vehicle. Despite the inclusion of a turbocharged engine, and using the iconic SS distinction on the car, few felt it deserved it. As history tells us, this attempt on the part of Chevrolet was unsuccessful.
Despite this, some gearheads fondly look back at the Cobalt SS Turbo. There is much to appreciate about this little car from Chevrolet. The Cobalt is not the most attractive vehicle, but this higher performance version makes it a worthy option for gearheads in search of a small but fast and powerful ride.
Here is a detailed look at the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo.
The 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo may not be the fastest car from the automaker, but it is easily the most fun a person could have in a vehicle from its lineup. The 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo has an inline 2.0-liter turbocharged engine under its hood. This front-wheel drive car has a maximum output of 260 horsepower at 5,300 rpm and a torque of 260 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm. It uses a five-speed manual transmission to deliver its power.
The 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in an impressive 5.5 seconds. However, potential buyers should note that the non-turbo version of the Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo will be slower than the turbo. The Chevy Cobalt has never been an overwhelmingly respected vehicle, which means that this level of performance is groundbreaking for a car of this type. Again, it didn’t make people want to buy it, but these changes for the vehicle have made it a car discussed by gearheads to a small extent.
The 2008 Chevrolet SS Turbo has a sporty interior that lends itself to practically all driving situations. The inside of the car is compact yet provides a decent amount of space. First, the seats in the car have SS embroidered on them. The vehicle also comes available with heated seats. This car came out before infotainment systems were all the rage, which means it only has a regular radio with a CD player. The vehicle also has knob control AC/heat. Behind the steering wheel is a traditional instrument cluster. The steering wheel in the 2008 Chevrolet SS Turbo also contains button controls. For storage, the car has a glove compartment, cup holders in the front, and a small amount of space in the center of the vehicle.
Overall, the interior of the 2008 Chevrolet SS Turbo is a great aspect of the car. No, it’s not super modern, but buyers could add packages to make it more advanced. The car’s cabin is comfortable, driver-focused, and represents the times. We can’t help but think that if Chevrolet produced the car today, it’d have a much better interior, but this one is more than passable for a car that not many people like.
Given the overall history of the Chevrolet Cobalt SS, the turbo version also doesn’t fetch very much on the used car market. According to J.D Power, the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo, has an average asking price of $5,500. This means that any gearheads looking for a low-cost car should look into this one. This price also makes the Cobalt SS Turbo the perfect vehicle for a first-time car owner. Though not the dominant Chevrolet Cobalt on the used car market, the SS Turbo isn’t hard to find.
Chevrolet is an automaker most people trust due to its long history on the market. However, not very many people like the Cobalt. For many, it simply looked like a vehicle that wouldn't be great. However, the Turbo version actually delivers pretty awesome performance for a car of this type. It’s fast, has a good interior, and isn’t too expensive on the used market. The Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo may not be for everyone, but it’s a fun little car with which some people may have fun. We just wish the car had a different exterior because it’s nowhere near being the most attractive small vehicle.
Barnell Anderson is a writer from Louisiana, USA with a real passion for cars and motorcycles. His biggest areas of expertise are car history and concept cars. Barnell’s favorite car is the Ford Mustang. He also wants to one day own a Tesla!
