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After decades of building lackluster, uninspiring, mix-and-max, interchangeable parts cars that not too many people actually wanted to buy, General Motors (GM) finally “got it” with the Cadillac CTS, which is a certified mega-hit. It looks like success will repeat itself in a big way with GM’s all-new 2008 Chevy Malibu, and make GM’s Bowtie division a serious contender once again.
The totally new Malibu — unveiled at last January’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and hitting showrooms right about now — just screams, “America is back!”
Quite simply, this car is everything the previous Malibu wasn’t. It’s extremely stylish inside and out, every bit as roomy, powerful, and smoother than the recognized class leaders in its crosshairs — Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.
Chevy built its reputation on being America’s value leader, and this Malibu lives up to that, starting at $19,995. Fully loaded, with every possible option, it just bumps $27,000. Stripped down Camry and Accords start where?
I had the opportunity recently to put all versions of the new Malibu through its paces at a press introduction in Memphis, Tennessee. Sharing the wheel with longtime friend and renowned driving champion Sue Mead (who was recently inducted into the Off-Road Hall of Fame), we had fun giving the Malibu a serious workout. It withstood the challenge.
Walkaround: All-new sheetmetal flows elegantly upwards from the aggressive, chrome-trimmed twin-slot grille, over the body, gently sweeping up to the classy roofline. The hood fits flush into the body, its narrow gap aligned perfectly, without continuing down into the grille and interrupting the flowing lines with added seams. A gas strut, not a flimsy prop rod, holds it open. Believe it or not, the Malibu actually looks better in person than in photos. While other manufacturers are busy figuring out how to rip off Mercedes and BMW design, like the CTS, the Malibu brands itself as uniquely American. You know this is a Chevy as soon as you see it.
Interior: The Malibu comes in three versions — LS, LT and top-of-the-line LTZ. The interior offers a sporty a dual cockpit design, with tasteful two-tone color combinations. It’s such a dramatic improvement it makes the base-model Camry and Accord look cheap by comparison. Standard equipment includes XM satellite radio and OnStar Gen 7, which incorporates an integral GPS with turn-by-turn audible navigation.
The dash features rich, soft-touch plastic, sporting an elegant ribbon of wood trim that circles the driver and passenger (LS and Hybrids get aluminum instead). Leather seating is optional. GM’s signature aqua-green hued cabin lighting, including an ambient glow around the shifter and door handles, matches the graphics of the pod-like instrumentation. The center console armrest has two levels, and storage abounds with plenty of places to store small items. All the storage spaces have a thin rubber coating that prevents contents from rattling.
A tilt/telescopic wheel is standard, with available adjustable pedals. Six airbags, including full side curtain and front side torso bags in the seats are standard, and all but the base LS come standard with GM’s StabiliTrak electronic stability control.
The front seats are extremely comfortable with great legroom. There’s also a wealth of foot and legroom in back due to the wheelbase being extended six inches and the scalloped plastic backs of the front seats. Three adults can be comfortable, although the center offers less headroom. There’s also an available 110-volt outlet alongside the regular “cigarette lighter” power port. The Malibu features split folding rear seatbacks with a trunk pass-through, but there’s no center headrest or folding armrest. Also, cupholders are near floor level and kind of shallow.
The trunk’s cargo area is deep, though somewhat shallow for a front-wheel drive car. One nice touch is the space saving hinges that won’t crush luggage.
Under The Hood: The 2008 Malibu remains a front-wheel-drive vehicle, and offers two engine choices: a surprisingly strong 164-hp 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder, and a 252-horse DOHC 3.6-liter V6 with variable valve timing. Both four and six-speed automatic transmissions are available depending on the engine and trim level.
GM expects 70 percent of buyers to order the 4-cylinder, which delivers an impressive 26/city and 31-mpg on the highway according to the EPA. The 4-speed automatic is a gear shy of the five used by Camry and Accord. However, engine refinement, and most notably, acceleration, can match the Camry, although Accord has a very slight edge. Six-speed transmissions will be available in 4-cylinder LTZs in the spring of ’08. Having driven both transmissions married to the 4-cylinder, power addicts may want to wait for the 6-speed.
There’s also a hybrid available, featuring the same powertrain as GM’s Saturn Vue Greenline. They’re both built on GMs Epsilon platform, and use the same 4-cylinder Ecotec as the regular Malibu. Other than shutting down the engine when coming to a stop, performance seems the same as the 4, but adds a few miles per gallon. Trunk space is also reduced because of the battery pack. After the government’s hybrid tax credit, it costs $500 more than the standard Malibu. At that price, greenies can buy it simply for the badge, and still brag to their FutureWise and Sierra Club buddies.
Behind The Wheel: It’s hard to say exactly what impressed me most. Was it the stylish design? The fashionable interior? The surprising, less than 7-second 0-60 acceleration? The great handling mirroring more expensive European sports sedans? The short stopping distances? Or was it the amazing quiet on both the highway as well as winding, two-lane country blacktops?
The Malibu features MacPherson strut front, and mulit-link rear, suspension systems. Its much-stiffer body shell and careful suspension tuning, combined with the abundant use of sound deadening materials — including laminated glass to reduce wind and road noise — give it a smooth, refined, ultra-quiet ride.
I had the opportunity to drive all versions and powertrain combinations of the new Malibu, and frankly, was blown away. Being a performance maven, I’d personally opt for the V6, with the optional paddle shifters.
Whines: Reportedly, there’s no SS performance version in the pipeline. Automatic climate control is single zone only. Side view mirror controls located on the windshield pillar may be a stretch for shorter drivers.
Bottom Line: Auto writers are always asked which car is best. When asked about mid-sized sedans, there’s lots of great cars out there, but the safe answer is always Camry and Accord. But let’s face it, the Camry is boring, and the Accord only slightly less so. The Malibu is great fun to drive, and when compared head-to-head — especially with price, standard equipment, style, and the 5-year, 100,000-mile warranty all factored in — the new answer is Camry, Accord and Malibu. GM says Chevy isn’t launching the Malibu, as much as Malibu is re-launching the Chevy brand. The trick is going to be getting Camry and Accord buyers into Chevy showrooms. But the Malibu proves Detroit can build the dragon slayer. It also proves the “Heartbeat of America” is still beating strong. I say, “Welcome home Chevy!”
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