Is a 2010 Chevy Cobalt rear wheel drive?
No. The 2010 Chevy Cobalt is a front-wheel-drive compact car. This article confirms the drivetrain layout, notes there are no factory rear-wheel-drive variants, and outlines the engine and trim options available that year.
Drivetrain layout and what that means
Understanding why the Cobalt is not rear-wheel drive helps explain its handling, maintenance, and market position during its production years. The model uses a transverse front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout typical of GM's small cars of the era.
Key drivetrain facts
The following items describe the core drivetrain characteristics for the 2010 Cobalt.
- Front-wheel-drive configuration with the engine mounted transversely
- No factory all-wheel-drive option in 2010 Cobalt models
- Transmissions included a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic, depending on trim and options
- All trims, including the high-performance Cobalt SS, are front-wheel drive
In short, every 2010 Cobalt sold in North America used front-wheel drive, with no rear-wheel-drive variant from the factory.
Engine options by trim
The 2010 Cobalt lineup offered a few gasoline engines across its trims, all connected to the same front-wheel-drive architecture. The base and mid trims used an Ecotec 2.2L inline-4, while higher trims could use a larger 2.4L Ecotec. The performance-oriented Cobalt SS employed a turbocharged 2.0L engine for markedly more power.
Engine lineup overview
- 2.2L Ecotec inline-4 for base/LS/LT trims
- 2.4L Ecotec inline-4 available on higher trims (roughly in the low-170s horsepower)
- Cobalt SS uses a turbocharged 2.0L Ecotec (LNF) producing about 260 horsepower
- All engines drive the front wheels; no AWD option
These engines and configurations illustrate that the Cobalt family remained front-wheel drive across all variants, with the SS offering performance enhancements but not a change in drivetrain layout.
Bottom line for buyers
For buyers seeking a rear-wheel-drive Chevrolet, the 2010 Cobalt is not the right choice. All 2010 Cobalts are front-wheel drive, and there are no factory rear-wheel-drive versions. If RWD is a hard requirement, you would need to explore other models or platforms outside the Cobalt lineup.
Summary
The 2010 Chevy Cobalt is a front-wheel-drive compact with multiple engine options across trims, including a high-performance turbocharged SS variant. There are no factory rear-wheel-drive versions, and production of the Cobalt ended after the 2010 model year.
