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The Chevrolet Cobalt is a good option for inexpensive, high-value transportation. The Cobalt is quiet and refined for a small car and it delivers crisp handling and a smooth ride, all benefits of its strong, rigid platform. With its all-around competence, the Chevy Cobalt compares well with the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Ford Focus. That's an impressive achievement, considering how long those three have dominated the compact car market.

We find these cars enjoyable to drive and their economy makes for a compelling package.

The 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt is available in two bodystyles: a two-door coupe and a four-door sedan. Both styles are available in Base, LS, and LT trim levels, powered by a 2.2-liter Ecotec 4-cylinder engine producing 155 hp. A 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmission is available. Models featuring the 5-speed manual and 15-in wheels receive an XFE badge which indicates improved fuel-efficiency. Coupe models are also available in SS trim, featuring a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with 260 hp and a sports-tuned suspension. A heavy-duty five-speed manual is the only transmission available on SS coupes.

Premium features such as heated leather seats, a sunroof, a seven-speaker Pioneer sound system, and a remote vehicle starter are available.

For 2010, the Chevrolet Cobalt SS comes standard with a power sunroof and performance display. The previous SS sedan is not available anymore. LT models get a MY LINK package that bundles AM/FM radio with CD player, MP3 playback, and USB port; Bluetooth phone connectivity; cruise control; leather-wrapped steering-wheel with radio controls; leather-wrapped shift knob; OnStar with Directions & Connections plan; ABS; and 16-inch aluminum wheels.

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The Chevrolet Cobalt base sedan and coupe ($14,990) come standard with come standard with cloth upholstery, height-adjustable driver's seat, 60/40 split fold-down rear seat, automatic headlights, electric rear defogger, tilt steering column, PASS-Key III Plus theft deterrence, driver information center, two 12-volt power outlets, and a four-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo with a new USB input jack and XM Satellite Radio. These are basic models with wind-up windows and manually operated mirrors. Tires are low-rolling-resistance 195/60R15s on 15-inch steel wheels. Options are limited, but include an automatic transmission ($925).

The Chevrolet Cobalt LS sedan and coupe ($15,670) add air conditioning on top of the base models' equipment.

The Chevy Cobalt LT ($16,460) sedan and coupe get upgraded upholstery, adjustable lumbar support for the driver, power windows and door locks, and other amenities, including woodgrain trim.

Options on LT models include a MY LINK package ($995) featuring AM/FM radio with CD player, MP3 playback, and USB port; Bluetooth phone connectivity; cruise control; leather-wrapped steering-wheel with radio controls; leather-wrapped shift knob; OnStar with Directions & Connections plan; ABS; and 16-inch aluminum wheels. The 2LT option package ($1,370) bundles ABS; 205/55R16 tires on more stylish, plastic-faced wheels; cruise control. The Sport Appearance Package ($995) includes a rear spoiler, larger body-color fascias and rocker moldings; 17-inch polished aluminum wheels with performance tires; chrome exhaust tip; fog lamps; white-face sport gauges; leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob; and steering wheel audio controls. A Chrome Exterior Package ($395) includes a chrome grille, bodyside moldings and door handles.

The Chevrolet Cobalt SS coupe ($24,535) is powered by a 260-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and comes with upgraded suspension and brakes, sport seats with suede-like inserts, additional gauges, fog lamps, and spoilers and air dams all around. A heavy-duty five-speed is the only transmission offered. Tires are 225/40R18 summer-performance Continentals on 18-inch forged aluminum wheels. For 2010, a power sunroof is standard, as is a configurable LCD display that allows the driver to select from a variety of performance measurements, including 0-60 mph and quarter-mile acceleration, braking performance and cornering grip (g load).

OnStar comes standard on all models. It's a good safety feature because operators will direct emergency crews to your exact location should your airbag go off and you fail to respond. It also includes the General Motors Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) system, making crash data available to participating 911 centers to help them dispatch the appropriate live-saving personnel and equipment.

Safety features include dual-stage front airbags, front seatbelt pre-tensioners, rear center shoulder belts, and the LATCH child seat retention system. Head-curtain side airbags are standard on all models, as is a tire pressure monitor. SS and 2LT come with StabiliTrak electronic stability control. Anti-lock brakes (ABS) are standard on SS and 2LT, optional ($400) on LT and LS; the system includes traction control on Cobalts with automatic transmission.