2008 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE: MPG and fuel economy
The 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE is rated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at 29 combined MPG, with 25 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway. That puts it well above the average for cars in the Subcompact Cars class in the same model year.
This page collects every fuel-economy figure the EPA publishes for the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE. Below you will find the headline combined, city, and highway MPG, the estimated annual fuel cost at three different driving levels, the tailpipe CO₂ emissions, and a full breakdown of the engine and drivetrain. If you want to know whether this generation got more or less efficient over the years, the year-over-year table further down covers every model year the EPA has rated.
Key takeaways
- Returns 39% better combined MPG than the average car in the Subcompact Cars class for the 2008 model year (20.8 MPG class average).
- The most efficient car in the Subcompact Cars class for the 2008 model year is the MINI Clubman at 32 MPG.
Fuel economy at a glance
These are the EPA's official ratings for the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE. The numbers come from a standardised laboratory test cycle and are the same figures that appear on the window sticker of every new car. Real-world mileage varies with driving style, weather, fuel quality, and how heavily loaded the car is.
Combined MPG is a 55/45 weighted blend of the city and highway test cycles. The EPA uses it as the single number you can compare across the entire dataset, including hybrids and EVs (which use the equivalent MPGe figure).
| Combined MPG | 29 MPG |
| City MPG | 25 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 36 MPG |
| Annual fuel cost | $2,050 |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 306 g/mi |
| Fuel type | Regular |
How the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE compares
The 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE returns 29 combined MPG. Cars in the Subcompact Cars class for the same model year average 20.8 MPG, which puts this car ahead of the class average by about 39%.
The most efficient car in the Subcompact Cars class for the 2008 model year is the MINI Clubman at 32 MPG. The bar chart below puts the Chevrolet Cobalt XFE alongside the class best and the class average so you can see the full picture.
For broader context, the average new car of the 2008 model year (across all classes) returns 19.1 MPG. Larger vehicles pull the all-cars average down, so do not use that figure on its own to judge a small car or a hybrid. The full list of the most efficient cars of the 2008 model year is on its own page.
Annual fuel cost across driving patterns
The headline annual fuel cost the EPA publishes assumes 15,000 miles of driving per year and a fuel mix of 55% city and 45% highway. The dollar figure is calculated using the EPA's current reference price for regular gasoline, which is $3.99/gallon. EPA updates that reference periodically rather than tracking live pump prices, so treat it as a window-sticker estimate rather than today's pump number.
The table below scales the EPA's number to three common driving patterns. The combined MPG and the reference fuel price stay constant, only the annual mileage changes. To get a current-prices estimate, take your local gas price and multiply by 517.2 gallons (the car's annual consumption at the rated MPG).
| Driving pattern | Estimated annual fuel cost |
|---|---|
| Light driver, 7,500 miles per year | $1,025 |
| Average driver, 15,000 miles per year | $2,050 |
| Heavy driver, 25,000 miles per year | $3,417 |
Year-over-year MPG for the Chevrolet Cobalt XFE
The EPA has rated the Chevrolet Cobalt XFE across 2 model years, from 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE through 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE. The numbers below are the best combined MPG figure the EPA published for each year, which lets you see when the car was at its most efficient and how recent generations stack up.
Combined MPG has stayed in roughly the same range across the run, hovering close to 30 MPG.
| Year | Combined MPG | Open year page |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 30 MPG | 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE |
| 2008 | 29 MPG | this page |
Compare against other Subcompact Cars for 2008
If you are cross-shopping the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE, the most useful comparison is against the other cars in the Subcompact Cars class for the same model year. The list below shows the highest-MPG peers, ranked from most to least efficient. Click any of them to open its full page.
The MINI Clubman leads this group at 32 MPG, 3 MPG ahead of the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE.
Specifications
The 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE runs a 2.2-liter 4-cylinder engine paired with a manual 5-spd, sending power through front-wheel drive.
Engine, transmission, and drivetrain together drive most of the variation in fuel economy across trims. A larger engine moves the car with less effort but burns more fuel. A turbo lets a small engine punch above its weight, often without much MPG penalty. All-wheel drive adds traction and weight, and usually costs a couple of MPG compared with two-wheel drive of the same engine.
- Vehicle class
- Subcompact Cars
- Engine
- 2.2L 4-cylinder
- Transmission
- Manual 5-spd
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel type
- Regular
- Annual petroleum use
- 10.3 barrels per year
Common questions about the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE
Quick answers to the questions people most often search for when looking up the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE.
-
Is the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE fuel efficient?
Yes. The 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE returns 29 combined MPG, which beats the average car in the Subcompact Cars class for the same model year by about 39%. -
What MPG does the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE get?
The EPA rates the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE at 29 combined MPG, 25 MPG in city driving, and 36 MPG on the highway. Real-world numbers depend on your driving style, the weather, and how loaded the car is. -
How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE per year?
The EPA estimates an annual fuel cost of $2,050 for the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE. That figure assumes 15,000 miles of driving per year, a 55% city and 45% highway split, and the EPA's published average fuel price for the rated fuel grade. -
What fuel does the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE use?
The EPA lists the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE as running on regular gasoline. Using a different grade than the manufacturer specifies can affect fuel economy and engine longevity. -
How much CO₂ does the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE emit?
Tailpipe CO₂ emissions are 306 g/mi. Multiplied across a typical year of driving (15,000 miles) that works out to about 4,597 kilograms of CO₂. -
What is the difference between the city and highway MPG of the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE?
City driving returns 25 MPG and highway driving returns 36 MPG, a gap of 11 MPG. A spread that wide is typical of cars with conventional automatic or manual transmissions, where stop-start city traffic eats more fuel than a steady highway cruise. -
What engine is in the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE?
The 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE has a 2.2-liter 4-cylinder engine. -
What transmission and drivetrain does the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE have?
The 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE comes with a manual 5-spd transmission and front-wheel drive. -
How does the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE compare to the best car in its class?
The most efficient car in the Subcompact Cars class for the 2008 model year is the MINI Clubman at 32 combined MPG. The Chevrolet Cobalt XFE returns 29 MPG, a gap of 3 MPG. If you are comparing on fuel economy alone, the class leader is worth a look. -
How much petroleum does the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE use per year?
The EPA estimates the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE consumes about 10.3 barrels of petroleum per year, based on the standard 15,000 miles of driving. A barrel is 42 U.S. gallons of crude oil, which is refined into gasoline plus other products.
Source: U.S. EPA fuel economy dataset. Annual fuel cost figures assume 15,000 miles of driving per year and a 55% city, 45% highway split. Real-world mileage varies with driving conditions, vehicle maintenance, fuel quality, and driver behaviour.