Chevrolet Cobalt MPG by year — every rating on record

The Chevrolet Cobalt has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 5 model years, from 2005 to 2009. Across those years its best rated version returned 29 mpg (2009) and its thirstiest returned 23 mpg (2005). The EPA record holds 21 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Subcompact Cars.

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Chevrolet Cobalt placed highest in 2005 at #5 of 29, and lowest in 2008 at #10 of 59. It spent 5 of its 5 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 21 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 2 of 2 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

What Cobalt fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt burns 397 to 460 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.

EPA’s own estimate for the 2009 model year is $2,150 to $2,500 a year in fuel, or $1,250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Subcompact Cars

Across the 461 nameplates EPA classifies as Subcompact Cars, the median best combined rating is 24 mpg. At 29 mpg the Chevrolet Cobalt is 5 mpg better the median, which is worth about $289 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

• All Subcompact Cars rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.

Other Chevrolet nameplates

Every Chevrolet model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.