Chevrolet Malibu Part 1: Design Review

While many potential buyers remain skittish about General Motors' fragile financial condition, the company is quietly building some of the best cars in its history. That's not to say that it's all good, because there are still some inexcusably bad cars in its lineup, but there are also more than a few very good cars. The Chevrolet Malibu is arguably the most important one.

From a design point-of-view, it is not the type of thing most people have come to expect from GM. Its design is uncluttered - even disciplined in its execution. And its proportions - something that GM's had difficulty getting right in this category - are right on.

That this Malibu is better looking than the previous version is obvious to anyone who enjoys the sense of sight. After all, the last one was about as desirable as a parasite in your stomach lining. That it sold in any relevant quantity is due partially at least, to fleet rates that saw a good number of them go to rental car companies.

One look at this Malibu confirms that it should no longer have to rely on fleet sales to make its numbers. Where other cars in this class appear busy and discombobulated, the Malibu's clean design is quietly confident - without any of the silly, contrived flourishes of past efforts and even some of its competitors.

From the corporate dual-port grille that is the face of Chevrolet cars, the modest snout leads a cleanly surfaced hood, a large greenhouse and a nicely tapered C-pillar down to a deck lid that, once again, shows restraint in its simplicity. The taillights incorporate round graphic elements, but are housed in shapes that follow the lines of the car. At the other end, the round main-lamp is housed within a simple shape that contains all of the front-end lighting.

Contributing to its excellent large-car proportions is a wheelbase that is six inches longer than the previous Malibu, with an overall-length increase of only three inches. The lengthened Epsilon platform on which the Malibu sits also lends the car a planted stance, with the wheels further out towards the corners of the car.

Those wheels play a critical part in the look of the Malibu. As always, larger wheels - within reason of course - can help offset a vehicle's visual mass as well as aiding the cars stance, and even its proportions. Recognizing this, GM sets the Malibu on 17-inch wheels in all trim levels, with the more sporty LTZ model sitting on 18s with correspondingly shorter sidewalls. As if to accentuate the large wheels, the Malibu's clean body-sides are interrupted only by gently flared fender-forms that - again - illustrate a level of sophistication and elegance not associated with this brand for a long time.

In terms of size, build quality, exterior and interior design, powertrain and category-correct driving performance, this is the car GM should have been building all along. It's frustrating that it's taken them this long to offer a legitimate contender in this hugely important category, but at least its here now.

Its 2008 North American Car of the Year award completely deserved, the Malibu is the competitive mid-size family sedan that Chevrolet hasn't been able to deliver for far too long. Unlike past efforts from GM, it doesn't rely on excessive use of chrome or body-cladding to catch the eye, but rather on good, clean, contemporary Design with a capital D.

If potential buyers can look beyond the past to notice the Chevrolet Malibu, it should work wonders for GM's future.

Watch the video
Read Part 2: Interior & User Experience
Read Part 3: Performance

Chevrolet Malibu LT

Performance
- Acceleration: Perfectly adequate within this category - V6 sounds more refined than expected
- Handling: Again, given the category, the handling is at or near the top - a Camry couldn't dream of changing direction like the Chevy
- Braking: Mushy initial pedal, but stopping power is there whenever you need it

Design
- Exterior: Subjective though these things are, the Malibu is easily among the most handsome cars in its class - only the bowtie badge and its image hurts it
- Interior: Perhaps the single largest area of improvement and finally up to the standards set by the class leading imports - two-tone is especially attractive

Utility
- Comfort: Long wheelbase means a smooth ride - comfortable (if not the most supportive) seats and still one of the best climate control systems in the business
- Space: Another big advantage of the long wheelbase... tons of rear seat room - trunk is pretty generous as well

Safety
- Dynamics: Skip the all-season tires unless you truly need them and you'll help yourself if ever you need to avoid an impending accident
- Technology: Everything you'd expect in terms of airbags, stability control, etc.

Value
- Price: Value pricing is the name of the game at GM, which means the same price as competitors but with much more content - true value
- Mileage: 6-speed automatic eager for its top gear helps the Malibu achieve good mileage numbers

Emotional Appeal
- Heart thumpin' factor: Not really an option in the mid-size family sedan segment - although it is a looker
- Fun to spank: Not in this category

SPECIFICATIONS

Layout: Front engine / Front-wheel drive
Engine: 3.6-liter, V6
Power (SAE): 252 hp
Torque: 251 lb-ft
Gearbox: 6-speed automatic
Curb Weight: 3650 lbs.
0-60 mph: 6.7 sec.
Top Speed: n/a
Mileage: 17 city / 26 highway
Base Price: $25,425
Competitors: Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion