Consumer Reports reviews small sporty coupes

[ifcar]

And they place in that order. Total order of all small sporty cars tested by CR:

1. WRX STi
2. RX-8
3. Lancer Evo
4. WRX (pre-2006)
5. Cobalt SS S/C
6. Mini Cooper base
7. RSX base
8. tC
9. Tiburon V6
10. Eclipse GS 2.4

(All Recommended but the Evo and Cobalt, for which CR has no reliability data, and the Eclipse, for which there is no reliability data and too low of a Rating.)

Details of cars tested for this month:

Cobalt SS S/C 5-speed manual: $24,135
Acceleration: 5/5 (7.3 seconds to 60)
Transmission: 4/5
Fuel Economy: 3/5 (23 mpg)
Routine Handling: 4/5
Emergency Handling: 4/5
Braking: 5/5 (132 feet from 60)
Ride: 3/5
Noise: 3/5
Driving Position: 3/5
Front Seat: 4/5
Rear Seat: 2/5
Access: 3/5
Controls and Displays: 4/5
Fit and Finish: 4/5
Trunk: 3/5

RSX Base 5-speed manual: $20,940
Acceleration: 4/5 (9.1 seconds to 60)
Transmission: 5/5
Fuel Economy: 4/5 (28 mpg)
Routine Handling: 4/5
Emergency Handling: 4/5
Braking: 4/5 (143 feet from 60)
Ride: 2/5
Noise: 3/5
Driving Position: 4/5
Front Seat: 4/5
Rear Seat: 1/5
Access: 3/5
Controls and Displays: 5/5
Fit and Finish: 4/5
Trunk: 2/5

tC 5-speed manual: $17,365
Acceleration: 4/5 (8.8 seconds to 60)
Transmission: 4/5
Fuel Economy: 4/5 (26 mpg)
Routine Handling: 4/5
Emergency Handling: 3/5
Braking: 4/5 (136 feet from 60)
Ride: 3/5
Noise: 3/5
Driving Position: 3/5
Front Seat: 4/5
Rear Seat: 2/5
Access: 3/5
Controls and Displays: 5/5
Fit and Finish: 4/5
Trunk: 2/5

Eclipse 2.4 5-speed manual: $17,365
Acceleration: 4/5 (9.3 seconds to 60)
Transmission: 3/5
Fuel Economy: 3/5 (23 mpg)
Routine Handling: 4/5
Emergency Handling: 3/5
Braking: 4/5 (139 feet from 60)
Ride: 2/5
Noise: 3/5
Driving Position: 2/5
Front Seat: 3/5
Rear Seat: 1/5
Access: 2/5
Controls and Displays: 4/5
Fit and Finish: 4/5
Trunk: 1/5


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[SJ_GTI]

Its funny to me that C&D preferred the RSX, but CR preferred the Cobalt SS.  :o

Is this the Non-Supercharged version BTW? The Cobalt SS has two version now.

[ifcar]

It's the s/c version, I'll specify that.  

[SaltyDog]

They liked the Cobalts front seat, something you really criticized it for.  Although maybe the SS has upgraded seats.  

I'm surprised the tC, Mini, and RSX didn't score higher.  They're usually mag favorites.

Where's the SRT4?  Come on.

[ifcar]

The high-end SS has terrific seats IMO, though CR says that they lose support over a few hours, something I haven't judged. They didn't like the standard car's seats much more than I did though.

[TBR]

I pretty much agree with the order (that's a first)

[SJ_GTI]

The LT, SS, and SS SC all have above average seats.

I think the regular Cobalt seats are fine as well, but nothing special.

[SaltyDog]

The LT, SS, and SS SC all have above average seats.

I think the regular Cobalt seats are fine as well, but nothing special.

I agree.  I was just remembering Ifcars economy comparo where the Cobalt really got hit for what he called bad seats.

[ifcar]

The non-SS models all have the same seats, the non-S/C SS might as well.

[SJ_GTI]

The non-SS models all have the same seats, the non-S/C SS might as well.

That's not true.

[ifcar]

Yes, it is. LS and LT seats are entirely identical, and the LTZ (and possibly the standard SS models) are the same, just with leather.  

[SJ_GTI]

Yes, it is. LS and LT seats are entirely identical, and the LTZ (and possibly the standard SS models) are the same, just with leather.

Nope.

[Raza]

Wow, Cobalt SS over an RSX?  I thought CR was in love with that car.

[MrH]

GUys, keep in mind C&D tested an RSX type S against the Cobalt and CR just tested a base RSX.

[ifcar]

CR didn't love their 02 RSX-S test car either.  

[Raza]

CR didn't love their 02 RSX-S test car either.

That didn't stop them from giving it a Recommended status in the Fall 2005 magazine.

Yes, I broke down and bought one.  Damn grocery store aisle magazines.

[ifcar]

If a car has average or better reliability, it generally gets Recommended as a decent, if not great choice. Very few cars rate poorly enough that they wouldn't get recommended even with good reliability.

They didn't rank it anywhere near the top of its class though.