The 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt lasts around 200,000 miles with some relatively minor ignition and engine sensor issues. At $4,613 to $8,367, it’s a good value for a basic small car to get you from A to B.
Is the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt a Good Used Car?
- Yes, 2010 is a good year for the Cobalt earning an average overall rating of 7/10. Owner reviews praise the durable engine, responsive steering, and efficiency.
- Interior materials are worse than the competitors, with a low interior quality rating of 6/10. There’s a lot of hard plastic and cheap cloth used throughout the cabin, and the stereo system is basic.
- Reliability ratings are average for a compact car at 7/10. We recommend avoiding models from 2005–2007 since they have more mechanical issues, and go with a 2008-2010 which are more reliable.
- Performance is similar to other small cars from the standard engine, but the turbo motor provides excellent power.
- The 2010 Cobalt is less safe than other compact cars with a 4-star overall crash test rating, but unfortunately only gets a 3-star rating in the driver side impact test.
- Fuel economy is good at up to 30 MPG, which should get owners about 390 miles of range out of the 13 gallon gas tank. Fuel costs are around $38 lower than other compact cars at $164 per month for 15,000 miles/year.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Chevy Cobalt?
- Consumer Reports says the 2010 Cobalt is quieter than older models, and has average owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds gives the Cobalt a 4.2/5 praising the smooth suspension, but doesn’t like the long braking distances.
- Kelley Blue Book users rate the Cobalt 4.5/5 and enjoy the fuel-efficient engines, but owners don’t like the cramped back seats.
What Common Problems Does the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt Have?
The most common problems found on the 2010 Chevy Cobalt include keys getting stuck in the ignition, the engine running at higher RPMs than normal, and rusted fuel lines. Overall, these problems are similar to other budget-friendly compact cars from 2010, and repair costs are average as well.
The key getting stuck in the ignition is the most widespread complaint from owners at around 25,000 miles. The issue was addressed by a recall which replaces the ignition cylinder and allows the key to be removed.
The engine revving higher than normal is another issue reported by owners at around 80,000 miles. The problem is usually caused by a failing mass airflow sensor on the engine. Replacing the sensor is a simple process, and costs around $150.
Rusted gas lines also show up on some Cobalt models in the first 90,000 miles. The fuel lines on some vehicles have weak welds that rust and fuel can leak from those areas. Replacing the lines costs about $600.
There are 6 recalls, which is similar to other compact cars from 2010. The most serious recall is for the electronic power steering motor which can fail, and is fixed by Chevy replacing the part. Other recalls cover air bags and are not very serious once they have been replaced.
How Long Will the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt Last?
A well-maintained 2010 Chevy Cobalt can last around 200,000 miles, giving it an average durability score of 7/10. It lasts around 50,000 miles less than top-rated competitors like the Honda Civic. Regular annual maintenance costs are comparable to other compact cars, according to data from Repair Pal, at $453 per year.
Since most 2010 Cobalt models will have over 100,000 miles buyers should be prepared to replace items including the A/C compressor for $900, the fuel filter costing $500, and the valve cover gasket, which costs $200.
No problems except a small recall. We got that fixed easily thanks to the helpful guys at the dealership though.
Yes as I mentioned before the cobalt is reliable. Even though it is small it has a nice amount of space. Maintenance for the car is not expensive. Because it is a Chevy parts are readily available for the car. It drives smooth on the road. The only major problem I had was a recall on the passenger air bag. But I took it in to a Chevy dealer and they fixed it.
It has its own set of problems yea but as do all vehicles. If service is maintained and good gas put in it runs like a champ.
It is very reliable. I have only had 2 major issues with my car in the 7 years that I have owned it. It is the most reliable car I have ever owned.
The Chevy is very reliable. I have not had any problems with this at all. Even in the cold winter days, just get in and starts right up
No. Transmission issues at 50,000 miles and again at 95,000. 5 safety recalls, electrical problems, and not as good on gas as they say.
It's very reliable it will get you where you need to go whenever you need to get there.it's a very good car to have
The cobalt has been very reliable. I have only had two expensive problems, one was the battery in 2014, and one was the engine in 2016.
Is the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt a Good Value?
Yes, the 2010 Cobalt is a good value. Blue book values range from $4,613 to $8,367, making the Chevy Cobalt cheaper than other compact cars including the Toyota Corolla and Nissan Sentra. When new, the price range was $14,990 to $24,535. Depreciation is similar to other compact cars, losing about 10% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Chevy Cobalt?
There are four models of the Chevy Cobalt offered for the 2010 model year. The first generation of the Cobalt was introduced in 2005, and discontinued after 2010 when Chevy started making fewer cars.
XFE is the entry-level model with:
- 15-Inch Steel Wheels
- Manual Transmission
- Cloth Seating
- OnStar
- 4-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo With 3.5mm AUX
LS is a step up, adding:
- Automatic Transmission
- Air Conditioning
- Upgraded Interior Trim
LT has additional features including:
- 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Antilock Brakes
- Power Windows & Locks
- Cruise Control
- Optional Bluetooth & USB Connectivity
- Optional Leather
SS is the sport-focused model and adds:
- 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
- High Performance Tires
- Sport Suspension
- Brembo Front Brakes
- Suede Seats
- Limited Slip Front Differential
What Engines Come In the Chevy Cobalt?
- The base engine is a run of the mill 2.2L 4-cylinder which makes 155 horsepower and gets up to 30 MPG.
- A step up found in the SS model is the strong 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo, which produces 260 horsepower while getting up to 25 MPG. Performance is great, taking only 5.5 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Chevy Cobalt Come In?
How Big Is the Chevy Cobalt?
The 2010 Chevy Cobalt is a compact car similar in size to the Mazda3 and Hyundai Elantra, and is offered as a 2-door coupe or 4-door sedan. It gets an average rating of 7/10 for passenger and cargo space. Passenger room is worse than other compact cars from 2010 in both models, and the back seats are uncomfortable.
Cargo space is good for a compact car, with enough space for 2-4 suitcases in the trunk.
How Does the Chevy Cobalt Compare to the Competition?
The 2010 Chevy Cobalt is not our first choice for a compact car, but it’s affordable and isn’t plagued by the problems found on the 2005–2007 Cobalt models, making it a decent option for buyers.
The Honda Civic is another competitor, which costs about $1,200 more. Passenger room and technology are both better in the Honda Civic, but the SS model of the Chevy Cobalt has more power. We recommend the Honda Civic since they last longer, and are more affordable to own.
The Toyota Corolla is a competitor that costs around $2,500 more. Build quality is significantly better in the Toyota Corolla, but the Chevy Cobalt has more responsive steering and power. We recommend the Toyota Corolla for a used car since it will last substantially longer than the Chevy Cobalt.
Do Owners Recommend the Chevy Cobalt?
Yes. It is lightweight and drives nicely. It is simplistic, yet it meets my needs. I love Chevrolet in general.
Yes it is. Gas mileage is good as well and the maintenance to keep the car up is affordable. It is very easy to get into the compact parking spaces, I like how smooth it is on the road, when you go over bumps you don't feel it so much, more do you feel every bump on the road. It is a reliable car. Great starter car for a small family or young adult.
Yes it is a good and reliable vehicle also good on gas mileage. Cobalt runs good is cold weather and on snow as well. I am a two time owner of a cobalt.
It is a great vehicle. I have only had major issues with it two times in seven years. It is great on gas mileage, so it is great to drive on vacations.
It’s okay. It’s a good first car but it starts to tear apart after 100,000 miles. Makes a lot of noises.
Yes I love my car. So easy to drive, so easy to take care of. it's just the right size for me. Also it's pretty good on gas
It drives great and is good on gas but the maintenance is awful! At 50,000 miles the transmission had to be rebuilt even though I kept up on oil maintenance and it was taken care of and driven correctly. There have been 5 recalls on safety. Not even at 100,000 miles yet and the transmission is acting up again. Poor attempt at a Cavalier upgrade.
Yes, I have had it for 9 years and it has always been dependable and needed very few repairs. The upkeep is inexpensive and the gas mileage is very good.
