EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

    We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-86667) of The Cobalt Group, Inc. of our report
dated January 25, 2000 relating to the financial statements, which appears in
this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

    PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

    Seattle, Washington

    March 30, 2000