In survey, Cobalt scores well in cost of ownership

Consumer Reports says General Motors overall score also improved.

By DON SHILLING

VINDICATOR BUSINESS EDITOR

The Chevrolet Cobalt fares well in a new ranking in Consumer Reports’ upcoming car issue.

The April issue, available Tuesday, includes a cost-of-ownership ranking for the first time and gives the Lordstown-made car its top rating — a full red circle.

The magazine rankings range from a full red circle to a full black circle, which is the lowest rating.

Gabriel Shenhar, manager of the magazine’s special automotive issues, said smaller cars such as the Cobalt tend to fare well in the cost-of-ownership ranking. Part of the reason is that they often are low-cost cars that aren’t affected by depreciation as much as high-cost vehicles.

Also included in the new rating were fuel costs, insurance, taxes, maintenance and interest costs.

The Cobalt didn’t fare as well in ownership satisfaction. The car dropped to a full black circle in this year’s ratings, down from a half black circle last year.

Shenhar said the satisfaction ratings are made from a survey question that asks car owners if they would buy the car again.

Vehicles sometimes decline in satisfaction ratings as their designs age, he said. The Cobalt, which is made at General Motors’ Lordstown complex, was introduced in 2004. The complex is slated to begin building a new model next year and a second new model in 2010.

Shenhar said Cobalt’s overall rating is based on a full test that the magazine performed in 2005.

“Its 2.2-liter engine is spirited. ... The ride is steady and relatively comfortable,” the review says.

Shenhar said an updated review of the Cobalt will be in the magazine this summer.

Overall, Honda makes the best cars sold in the U.S., the magazine said. Every model in Honda’s lineup is listed as “recommended.”

Also, Honda led all automakers in an overall score, which is derived from road tests and predicted reliability for each model. Honda models posted an average score of 78 out of 100. Toyota was next at 75.

GM’s average test score was 61, which was an increase of four from last year.