And even though you know all of that already, be prepared to be blown away. The new Malibu's really that good. The Malibu's "new face of Chevrolet" may seem like the third or fourth new face the brand has had in years, but it makes an impression thanks to stellar build quality, a world-class interior, and road manners that don't scream "rental car." A new hybrid-electric model also debuts for '09.
A deep grille with a Chevy horizontal bar and bowtie lead the way and dominate the front aspect. The Malibu's front bumper blends neatly into the body for a smooth, show-car look. The greenhouse is larger than before, but lower as well, giving the Malibu a sportier side aspect. At the rear, twin round taillamps continue the easily recognized theme that's marked Chevrolets for a decade or so. My test car was painted a handsome hue Chevrolet calls Imperial Blue. The color was nice, but the quality of the paint was even more so. With precise, narrow panel gaps, this Malibu doesn't feel indifferently built.
The interior's laid out in a twin-cockpit style and full of innovative, clever cubbies. The Malibu's seats are comfortable, and the blue-backlit dash feels like it came out of a more expensive car--but not like it was cribbed from a Buick or a Cadillac. The Malibu's crowning achievement is that it manages all of this upscale feeling without losing its essential Chevrolet-ness. This is still a car that the masses can afford; it just knows how to treat ‘em a little better. An available two-tone interior offers elegant-sounding color combinations like "ebony and brick" or "cocoa and cashmere," and ups the luxury quotient considerably, as do the subtle ambient lights in the door handle pockets and overhead console. Head-curtain side airbags and XM satellite radio are standard equipment. Luxury-car touches like a rear-window sunshade are available.
On the road, the Malibu is quiet and reserved. Part of the reason's hidden beneath the skin; Chevrolet makes extensive use of spray-on sound deadeners, laminated steel and rattle-absorbing "quiet glass" in the doors.
The ride is comfortable bordering on dull, like a good family sedan's should be. MacPherson struts are used up front, and a multi-link layout at the rear; it's a conventional layout that offers predictable handling slightly above par thanks to the Malibu's strong, stiff unibody. Lightweight aluminum components are used at all four corners to reduce unsprung weight and improve handling response. StabiliTrak stability control is standard across the board. Four-cylinder Malibus use an electronic power steering system to further enhance fuel efficiency.
A 169 horsepower 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine is standard equipment, and when hooked up to the six-speed automatic transmission the Malibu returns impressive fuel economy ratings of 22 city/33 highway. That silky-smooth transmission is at its best when hooked up to the 252-horse 3.6 liter V6. Both engines use variable valve timing to reduce fuel consumption. As is usually the case, the more entertaining performance offered by the V6 comes at a fuel economy cost; I drove the four-cylinder and found it to be an acceptable compromise between outright horsepower and fuel efficiency. The four-cylinder Malibu's no neck-snapper when it comes to off-the-line acceleration, but it is comfortably above average.
Will the Malibu silence those voices insisting that Chevrolet and its parent General Motors are on the way out? Probably not. But this vehicle is strong evidence that there's life yet in the world's largest car corporation, in spite of the unfriendly economic climate. And if there's one thing the Malibu is sympathetic to, it's tough financial times. With a base price of $21,395, the Malibu is one of the more affordable cars in its class. My tester was a Malibu LTZ, with a starting price of $26,795 and an as-equipped price of $26,620, after the credit for the four-cylinder engine.
Specifications:
Base price: $26,795
Price as tested: $26,620
Engine: 2.4 liter DOHC inline four-cylinder
Drivetrain: six-speed automatic transmission, front-wheel drive
Horsepower: 169 @ 6400
Torque: 160 @ 4500
Est. mileage: 22/32
