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Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
This means that it’s also moved up in popularity, surging ahead of Chrysler’s 200 and Hyundai’s Sonata which it trailed last year, although it’s important to note that buyers have punished these two models so far this year, with the “Imported from Detroit” Chryco freefalling from 10,961 units in 2015 to a mere 6,387 up until October 31, 2016 (the ghostly date reference of this near dead model seems fitting), whereas the once ultra-hot South Korean did its best impression of the tumbling Won during the 1997 Asian financial crisis by deep-diving from 13,497 deliveries last year to 8,519 year-to-date 2016 sales.
It’s
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Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
For the record, there are eight additional models in this class and each has something to offer. They range from the bestselling (by a long shot) Toyota Camry, next most popular Ford Fusion, and third-place Honda Accord, to cars that really should find more success than they do, such as the Kia Optima and last-place Mazda6. Pundits like me can play favourites, with many of my auto scribe
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Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
On the contrary, the Malibu hasn’t experienced many likes, thumbs up or even complimentary mentions over the past decade or so. You won’t find much negative said about the first-generation 1964–1967 models (a four-door sedan, two-door hardtop, two-door convertible, and station wagon were made), while the fastback styled 1968–1972 Malibu (sedan, hardtop, and convertible) is also highly collectable by classic car enthusiasts. I learned to drive at the wheel of my mom’s ’76
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Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
That’s when Detroit iron lovers tend to lose interest and those who appreciate well-conceived products capable of going up against Japanese mid-sizers begin, the 1997–2005 P90-based model really showing what Chevy was capable of and enjoying decent success for a well fought fight. I was fairly new in the auto journalist game when the 2004–2008 sixth-gen Malibu arrived, and let’s just say I was
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Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
The new Malibu pulls styling cues from the larger Impala, which is a handsome sedan, although the lines aren’t quite as graceful due to a tougher, more assertive looking front fascia. Chevy’s staying true to its unique horizontally split grille that seems inspired by the bowtie’s SUV and truck lines, and for the most part it works nicely
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Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
Still, as big an improvement as the exterior is the Malibu’s interior will likely impress you more. There’s an overall sense of occasion that immediately pleases, especially when done out in optional saddle brown perforated leather upholstery, or what Chevy calls Loft Brown which is available as part of its Dark Atmosphere taupe grey motif. This is a no-cost option with my tester’s top-line Premier trim,
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Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
Then again in this particular move upmarket there was a bit of a tradeoff, because the grey surfaces that would more than likely be soft synthetic with competitors, such as the dash top and door uppers, are moulded
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Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
Along with the perforated leather upholstery my Malibu Premier test car was loaded with almost as many features as possible, which meant it came with an upgraded 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, an eight-speed automatic instead of the base model’s six-speed (take note because the 2017 version gets a new state-of-the-art nine-speed autobox), a dual exhaust system with polished tips, 19-inch alloys on 245/40R19 all-seasons, auto on/off halogen headlamps, LED DRLs, LED taillights, heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals, chrome trimmed exterior door handles, solar tinted glass, an acoustic windshield and front-side windows,
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Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
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Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
Along with the unique brown and grey interior combination my tester was upgraded with Nightfall Grey Metallic exterior paint for $495, while other extras included a $1,450 Driver Confidence Package featuring auto high beams, front and rear parking sensors, a following distance indicator, forward collision warning, low-speed autonomous emergency braking, front pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, and rear cross-traffic alert; plus a $1,350 Driver Confidence
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Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
The just noted Driver Confidence Package earns the Malibu a best possible IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus rating, while all other trims get a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA. Also positive, Malibu is the highest ranked mid-size car in J.D. Power’s latest
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Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
Some Malibu Premier details deserve recognition, however, starting with the nicely laid out primary gauge cluster and its full-colour high-resolution multi-information display, which along with the impressively large and colourful tablet-style fixed infotainment touchscreen pull the Malibu out of the dark ages and onto the path of enlightenment. Its graphics are fabulous, especially to those who like the simple layout of an iPad, its contrast and colours rich, and functionality excellent, while text messaging capability and traffic info was helpful, plus the backup
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Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
My only complaint was a driver’s door panel that didn’t line up with the dash top, made more apparent by a front passenger’s door panel that did. Additionally the centre armrest was loose and wiggly, not the expected premium experience the Malibu’s
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Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
The absolute jewel in this top-line Malibu’s crown is the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, which is as smooth and refined is this type of motor gets. Really, go ahead and compare it to BMW’s 2.0-litre turbo or the same from Mercedes-Benz, neither of which delivers 250 horsepower in their respective 328i and C300. That Chevy now includes a particularly smooth- and quick-shifting premium-level eight-speed auto to make the most of the engine’s 260 lb-ft of torque is an unexpected bonus, the front-wheel drive car only needing AWD to ice the proverbial cake.
Of course, the Malibu doesn’t need to measure up to such lofty standards, but this impressive
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Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
Still, I was kept happily entertained when at the wheel of this Malibu Premier, its body feeling rigid and fully independent suspension nicely balanced over the types of harsh bumps and dips a circuitous two-lane backcountry road can dish out when pushing hard. There were no steering wheel paddles to flick through when wanting to downshift, but Chevy includes a toggle switch atop the shift lever that does the job when called upon. Most of the time I simply left it in Drive to deliver brilliantly
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Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
Driver’s seat comfort is also worth noting, its multiple power adjustments including a two-way lumbar support that came very close to meeting the exact spot on my back for ultimate comfort, unlike the Camry, for instance, that doesn’t come anywhere near. The rear seating area is large and accommodating with good visibility out the front and side windows, which is expected in this class but not always delivered (bye-bye Chryco 200), and the outboard positions were very comfortable with excellent lower back support. For reasons unknown Chevy forgot to include rear seat warmers in this top-line model, these available with most rivals, but dual charge-only USB ports smartly placed on the backside of the front console
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Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
You’ll likely appreciate the Malibu’s sizeable trunk that can swallow up to 447 litres (15.8 cubic feet) of gear, while the previously noted 60/40 split rear seatbacks can expand its usefulness when required.
Practicalities in mind, this top-line Malibu is very thrifty on fuel with a claimed rating of 10.6 L/100km in the city and 7.1 on the highway, while the base 150 horsepower 1.5-litre variant is even better at 8.7 city and 6.3 highway. If you’re looking
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Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
Chevy gives you lots of ways to enjoy the new Malibu experience, its base model starting at just $21,745 plus fees, and I stress the word “enjoy” when I say this. If the bowtie brand’s previous misdeeds have caused you to look elsewhere, I recommend you take a new unbiased look at the latest Malibu, as Chevy has hit the restart button and a thoroughly fresh and exciting new mid-size option is available. Whether or not it’s best in class is debatable, but the very fact its one of the best says everything about the new Malibu.
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