CHEVROLET COBALT LT COUPE XFE

For me, it isn’t the lack of so-called luxury features that makes economy cars less desirable than more expensive vehicles. It’s the rough ride, noisy passenger cabin and sketchy build quality often associated with low pricing.

And so, when my Chevrolet Cobalt test vehicle was delivered — base price $16,460 without destination charge — my first thought was “this thing is going to have Category 5 cabin noise.”

Getting into the car for the first time, I was impressed by the solid feel of the door, and then by the attractiveness and quality of the materials used inside, and then by how meticulously everything had been put together.

But the clincher was the driving.

Cobalt’s interior is remarkably quiet, even at top freeway speeds. It has enough road feel to deliver a good sporty ride, but not enough to damage vertebrae. Seats are comfortable, with proper bolstering and good support. Head room and leg room are generous.

The compact, front-wheel-drive Chevy Cobalt comes in two-door coupe and four-door sedan versions, with three trim levels for both: LS, LT and SS. A sedan version of the SS is new for 2009.

LS and LT models have a 2.2-liter Ecotec inline four-cylinder engine whose horsepower is increased to 155 (up from 148) for 2009 with the addition of variable valve timing. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, a four-speed automatic is optional.

When equipped with a manual transmission, the LS and LT models receive GM’s XFE (Xtra Fuel Economy) designation. The 2.2-liter engine paired with a manual transmission has an EPA rating of 25 mpg city, 37 mpg highway. With an automatic, the rating is 24/33.

The sport-model SS comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine generating 260 horsepower, and is available only with a manual gearbox. Its EPA rating is 22/30.

My tester was an LT Coupe XFE. The smooth-shifting manual transmission added to the pleasure of driving the Cobalt, especially on Snohomish County’s twisty roads, where it was a great car to have — lots of fun.

Regular sedan versions of the Cobalt are attractively styled, but the SS version gives it more panache. Coupe form cranks it up yet another notch. My Cobalt Coupe in Imperial Blue Metallic (a nice dark blue, not as garish as it sounds) turned many heads during the test week.

Standard-equipment items on the tester included air conditioning, driver-seat manual lumbar adjustment, power windows and door locks, remote keyless entry, power outside mirrors, intermittent windshield wipers, split folding rear bench seat, 15-inch wheels with all-season tires, tilt steering wheel, tachometer, driver information center, OnStar communication system, and an AM/FM audio system with CD player, XM satellite radio, and auxiliary input.

Front and rear stabilizer bars, head curtain side airbags for front and rear passengers, and a theft deterrent system are also standard.

Options on the tester totaled $1,390 and included anti-lock brakes, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, Bluetooth, and a spare tire and wheel (replacing the standard tire sealant and inflator kit).

In National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests comparing Cobalt to other vehicles in its class — with five stars being the highest rating — Cobalt scored five stars for front passenger safety and four stars for driver safety in a frontal crash, four stars for all occupants in a side crash, and four stars for single-vehicle rollover protection.