2010 Chevrolet Cobalt

small car / 2-door coupe

2010 Chevrolet Cobalt 2-door coupe
2009 Chevrolet Cobalt 2-door coupe shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria Rating
Moderate overlap front: original test
G
Side: original test
A
Head restraints & seats
A

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    Poor
  • Superior
  • Advanced
  • Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2005-10 models

Tested vehicle: 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt LS 2-door

The Chevrolet Cobalt was introduced in the 2005 model year, and the Pontiac G5 (available only as a 2-door) was introduced in the 2007 model year. The Pontiac G5 was discontinued after the 2009 model year and the Cobalt after the 2010 model year.

Evaluation criteria Rating
Overall evaluation
G
Structure and safety cage
A
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Leg/foot, left
G
Leg/foot, right
A
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
G

Action shot taken during the frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained reasonably well.

Smeared greasepaint indicates where the dummy's head hit the roof rail and head restraint during rebound. Head accelerations from these hits were negligible.

Forces on the lower right leg were high enough to indicate the possibility of injuries.

Technical measurements for this test

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2009-10 models built after May 2009

Tested vehicle: 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt LT 2-door with standard front and rear head curtain airbags

The Chevrolet Cobalt was introduced in the 2005 model year, and the Pontiac G5 (available only as a 2-door) was introduced in the 2007 model year. Beginning with 2008 models, side airbags were made standard (they were optional in 2005-07 models). The Pontiac G5 was discontinued after the 2009 model year and the Cobalt after the 2010 model year.

Starting with 2009 models manufactured after May 2009, the side curtain airbags of the 2-door models were modified to improve occupant protection in side-impact crashes (note: information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on or near the driver door). The tested car was manufactured after the modifications had been made.

Evaluation criteria Rating
Overall evaluation
A
Structure and safety cage
M
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
A
Torso
G
Pelvis/leg
G
Driver head protection
G
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
G
Torso
G
Pelvis/leg
G
Rear passenger head protection
G

View of the vehicle and barrier just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with door removed, showing the side airbag and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side curtain airbag.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag.

Technical measurements for this test

About the original side crash test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Manual cloth seats

Overall evaluation
A
Dynamic rating
A
Seat/head restraint geometry
G
Technical measurements for this test

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.