The Malibu is a good example of how to make physical controls and touchscreen technology coexist.įor 2018, the LT trim includes the $995 Convenience package, which means 18-inch wheels now come standard, along with an 8.0-inch touchscreen, wireless device charging, two USB ports for rear-seat passengers, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, remote start, and a 4.2-inch info screen in the gauges.įront-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan The HVAC controls are easy to reach and well marked, and below the infotainment screen is a small row of buttons flanking a central volume knob. The dashboard isn’t as highly styled as those seen in competitors such as the Mazda 6 and the Honda Accord, but it is commendably simple. The interior of the Malibu is cleanly designed and ergonomically sound, although our test example was a festival of black in the form of matte plastic, patches of padded leather, and layers of textured rubber, with only a little brightwork to break things up. Although the Redline package’s 19-inch wheels introduce some harshness to the ride, the Malibu feels light and tight. The steering complements the reasonably crisp handling, and body motions are well controlled and never unpredictable. It strikes a nice balance between the lethargic sedans at the bottom of the class and the more sporting four-doors such as the Mazda 6. The steering is quick and direct with an acceptably light effort for a family machine. Where the Malibu makes its case as a segment contender is beyond straight-line performance. HIGHS: Lively steering, balanced chassis, roomy cabin. A 250-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four is available on upper trims, while a 1.8-liter four-cylinder hybrid rounds out the lineup.
Its standard turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four makes 163 horsepower at 5700 rpm and 184 lb-ft of torque at 2500 and is linked to a six-speed automatic transmission. That’s because, while many moons ago Chevys wearing Malibu badges could be ordered as muscled up as you like, today’s ’Bu is a docile creature that slots between the Cruze and the Impala in Chevy’s sedan lineup. Not only do the aftermarket-like changes serve to undermine the elegance of the regular car, making it come across as hokey and more than a little desperate, they don’t offer any performance upgrades to legitimize the visuals. Jet Black is the only option for the interior, with cloth as standard and leather available as part of a $2140 package, while the Malibu LT’s 18-inch wheels are swapped out for 19-inchers painted in black with two red hash marks. The package consists of black bow-tie emblems, black Malibu badges with a red outline, a blacked-out grille, and black side mirrors.
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