Last week, I was scheduled to go to the Malibu short-lead but, as so often happens in a newsroom, events precluded my attendance, so I am without initial driving impressions. Others in the automotive critic fraternity, however, have been spending a lot of time on the road with this new Malibu.
So here is a partial roundup of their assessments. Many are quite positive but by no means are they withholding criticism of a vehicle that Chevy is touting as the best-ever domestic rival to the all-conquering Toyota Camry and Honda Accord:
New Car Test Drive
Jim McCraw
“The all-new Chevrolet Malibu has all the size, room, features and conveniences a middle-of-the-market sedan needs to be competitive, and the fits and finishes inside and out are world-class. They have indeed built a car we can’t ignore. We think the new Chevy Malibu stands up well to the best in its class, including the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.”
Go here for the full review.
Edmunds.com
Dan Edmunds
“On looks alone, the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ represents a giant step in the right direction.
“Sleek and handsome in the Dark Gray that Chevrolet has chosen as the car’s signature color to help reinforce its upmarket aspirations, this car looks like the fitter, hipper younger brother when parked beside a dowdy ’07 Malibu (still to be sold to commercial fleets as the 2008 Malibu Classic). And its straightforward design makes some of the Japanese competition seem downright quirky.
“Much the same can be said for the interior, where a sweeping bi-level design theme replaces the featureless wasteland of the current Malibu. GM designers have succeeded in creating visual interest without crossing into distraction.
“Opinions split over our test car’s two-tone Ebony-and-Brick interior treatment, partly because the Brick dash panels seem a tad too orange and don’t look as authentic as the matching leather seat inserts. Still in all, the Malibu shows us that improving interior design has become a broad priority at GM.”
Go here for the full review.
Autoblog
Chris Tutor
“So, are we gushing about this car? Yes, and we’re as surprised as you. My last GM-made car was 13 years ago, and was awful. I swore I’d never step foot inside another GM showroom. This car could very well change my mind about that. It’s got the looks, the character and the interior to challenge Camry’s reign, and it’s about time. If the Malibu can be built to the same quality standards as Toyotas ‘supposedly’ are, GM is back.”
Go here for the full review.
Patrick Bedard
Car & Driver
“The driver details are nicely worked out. You get a tilting-and-telescoping steering column. The dash lights dim uniformly to low levels for rural driving at night. Chevy could lose the oddly green-shaded background illumination in the dials, and indeed it does in models below the LTZ. The microwave-oven blue digital displays are so 1980s; still, you can read them all day long through your sunglasses. Maybe the ’80s weren’t so bad. The sun visors overhead are sturdily molded plastic, and they extend on their pivot shafts to cover the whole door window when swung to the side. There’s a 12-volt outlet handily located forward on the console for the all-important radar detector.
“Finally, GM has taken the small things seriously. The bin atop the dash has a crisp latch and a solid-feeling lid. The drop-down glove box is smoothly molded plastic with an exceptionally rigid feel. The central console is nicely made of slide-together cubbies and cup holders. Remove them to gain a big space if that’s your pleasure. A plastic tambour-style door slides out of the tunnel should you want to cover your cup holders. It seems unnecessary, but it’s a nice touch. You might be frustrated by the simple latch, which must be pushed perpendicular to the direction of door travel. You’ll get used to it.”
Go here for the full review.
Ron Kiino
Motor Trend
“Peruse the test data, and the Accord and Malibu perform about as similarly as possible: 0 to 60 is a push; the quarter mile goes to the Accord by a tenth; 60 to 0 to the Malibu by four feet; lateral acceleration separated by a scant 0.01 g; and a figure-eight advantage to the Chevy by 0.4 second. It’s plausible that the numbers represent two runs by the same car. But that’s where the similarities end.
“Whether it’s the curvaceous sheetmetal and 18-inch alloys or the paddle shifters and ergonomically sound layout of the luxurious interior, the Malibu emerges as the more engaging of the two. On a curvy road, the Chevy heightens the fun factor, providing superior ride composure, the ability to perform fingertip shifts, and communicative, albeit slightly heavy, steering that carves tighter, crisper lines. Hop on the highway, and the Malibu continues to separate itself, delivering a softer, quieter ride and power that, while down 14 horses, seems to pull more strongly and naturally. Can’t afford a CTS? Visit your Chevy dealer.”
Go here for the review.
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