Chevrolet Malibu

Chevrolet Malibu Models

The Chevrolet Malibu comes in two trim lines, base and LS. Both come standard with a 3.1-liter V6 engine.

The base model offers a respectable line of standard equipment features: air conditioning, anti-lock brakes, 4-speed automatic transmission, rear-seat child security locks, battery rundown protection, AM/FM stereo, tilt steering column and tachometer. Power door locks and electric rear defogger now come standard on the base model.

The LS comes with a nicer cloth interior. It also comes standard with a lot of equipment we take for granted nowadays: power windows with driver's side Express-Down feature, dual remote electric outside rear view mirrors, cruise control, 6-way power driver's seat, remote keyless entry, and custom cloth bucket seats.

Driving the Chevrolet Malibu

Chevrolet's goal with the revived Malibu was to provide full-size ride quality and quietness in a mid-size car. On that front, Chevrolet succeeded. Separate steel subframes for the front and rear ends protect the cabin and its inhabitants from engine vibration and from harsh bumps. We were impressed with how well Chevrolet has reduced wind noise at high speeds with recessed door handles, a special windshield seal, and other anti-noise measures.

Chevrolet engineers also gave the Malibu a suspension that's significantly firmer than that of previous mid-size Chevy sedans. That means the Malibu handles more crisply-and minimizes body roll-in corners and during abrupt lane-changing maneuvers. The Malibu feels light and agile. Its steering responds quickly in hard-cornering situations. Overall, the Malibu rewards the driver with good feedback and sporty, predictable handling response. It handles as well as a Toyota Camry and nearly as well as an Accord. It handles much better than the previous-generation Taurus, which felt ponderous by comparison, but we haven't driven a Malibu back-to-back with the new Taurus.

Malibu's independent rear suspension is attached to a rear subframe, which yields a smoother ride as each rear wheel responds individually to varying road surfaces. That definitely made a difference when we took the Malibu out onto some suburban-Detroit dirt roads, which were freshly rutted after a post-blizzard thaw. Ordinarily, this would be a molar-rattling experience, but the Malibu fended off the bumps like a bigger sedan.

The Chevrolet Malibu provides plenty of power for merging briskly onto the freeway. The 3.1-liter V6 boasts 170 horsepower and 190 foot-pounds of torque.

The automatic transmission that comes on both Malibu models shifts smoothly. This highly efficient transmission monitors temperature, altitude and throttle position to determine optimum shift points.

Both models come standard with front disc and rear drum brakes with ABS. In both normal and emergency-stopping situations, the brakes are solid and firm, with no discernable fade or grab. ABS allows the driver to maintain steering control during severe braking situations by reducing wheel lockup.