Does the new Malibu Really Matter?

This bigger and more powerful Chevy Malibu helps clear the way for a size increase and switch to rear-wheel-drive for the 2009 Impala, which will be moving decidedly upstream, and away from the current rental car, fleet targeted market positioning. More important, the new Malibu replaces today's dowdy rental-car-special with a dynamic, more desirable family sedan. Given its basis on the entertaining Pontiac G6 and impressive Saturn Aura foundation, Chevy loyalists will find plenty to like about the redesigned Malibu. Chevy intends for the new Malibu to win over Honda, Nissan and Toyota intenders, and from what we have seen so far, this car just might be able to do that!

What's it got Under the Hood?

Choose between a 164-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder combined with electric assist power steering that should get 31 mpg on the highway and a 252-hp, 3.6-liter V6 with variable valve timing and conventional hydraulic power steering good for 26 mpg on the highway. A six-speed automatic with driver shift control is standard on all but LS and LT with the four-cylinder engine. Every Malibu comes with a powertrain warranty good for five years or 100,000 miles, four-wheel-disc antilock brakes, and traction control. GM's industry leading Stability control system is standard on LT and LTZ models.

What does the new Malibu look like?

Chevy has done a great job differentiating the appearance of the Malibu from the Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura on which it's based. The resemblance is obvious only in the greenhouse, door skins, and roofline – otherwise, the Malibu looks unique and is its own car. Malibu's dual-port grille design debuts the new face of Chevrolet while its twin round taillights are clear heritage cues – almost bring back a déjà vu feeling of looking at the rear of a 2004 Impala. Shown here is the Malibu LT; the LTZ gets LED taillights, polished 18-inch wheels replacing the chromed 17s, and fog lights. All V6 versions have twin chrome exhaust outlets, and a panoramic four-panel sunroof is optional on the Malibu LT and LTZ.

What's inside the 2008 Malibu?

Chevrolet is trying to take the new Malibu upscale, especially in LTZ trim. It reports that premium materials are used throughout, and that great strides have been made toward making the Malibu one of the quietest cars in its class. Two-tone interior décor and leather are available, while all Malibus have blue-backlit gauges and ambient cabin lighting. Metallic or woodgrain trim decorates the interior and LTZ versions stand out with unique black chrome accents. Safety equipment includes standard side-impact front airbags and two-row side curtain airbags, as well as one year of free OnStar Generation 7 telematics with automatic crash notification.

What does Courtesy Chevrolet in Phoenix say about the new Malibu?

"The 2008 Malibu rewrites Chevy's midsize car strategy, offering a stylish, uncompromising package that stacks up against the most popular competitors," says Scott Gruwell, Courtesy Chevrolet's New Vehicle Director in Phoenix. "We know the competition is very good, and this new Malibu has the goods to assert a leadership position in the segment."

What do we think about the new Malibu?

GM is well aware that the 2008 Chevy Malibu's competition is great rather than very good, and midsize sedan shoppers buy as much for brand prestige as they do safety, reliability, style, and value. It's not enough to simply stack up against the competition – this new Malibu is designed to drill a right hook upside the jaws of Honda, Nissan and Toyota, and then get the media and Malibu owners to overwhelmingly praise the car. A test drive, at Courtesy Chevrolet rather than through a rental car company, will prove that this redesigned Chevy really does have "the goods to assert a leadership position in the segment."

Photos courtesy of General Motors
 

2008 Chevy Malibu

Riding the Refinement Wave within the GM Design Renaissance

What is it?

2008 Chevy Malibu: Blurring the lines between midsize and full-size, the completely redesigned and reengineered 2008 Chevy Malibu gets a longer wheelbase than and almost identical head and legroom measurements as the traditionally larger Impala. Based on the same internationally targeted platform as the 2007 Saturn Aura which took Motortrend's Car Of The Year honors, the new Malibu is the Chevy version of the Aura and will be offered in typical Chevrolet trim levels of LS, LT, and LTZ.  The sporty SS model and the funky Maxx hatchback will not initially be offered by Chevrolet, but look for an SS variant by the second model year of this vehicle's lifecycle.  What is being initially offered is a sleek sedan wearing what GM design studios are calling the new face of Chevrolet: a dual-port grille.