Your Chevy Malibu Questions Answered
Last week we asked you to submit questions about the redesigned Chevy Malibu. Today, we’re going to try and answer the ones we’ve already received and any new ones you can think of.
What’s the interior quality like? I’d be most interested in a Saturn Aura vs. Chevy Malibu comparison. — Scott J.
The overall quality is quite good. Compared to the Aura, Chevy has improved on the feel of the bulky plastic covering the doors and dash. It is a softer type of plastic and in almost every shade looks and feels better than the Aura. To me that were the glaring issue with the Aura’s interior. One thing they didn’t change was the center stack which I talk about later.
Is the new Malibu a Chevy version of the Pontiac G6? — Anonymous
The simple answer is no. The G6 is based on the platform that preceded the one underpinning the new Malibu. The Malibu does share that platform with the new Saturn Aura. It would be a safe guess that the next G6 would move to this new, better-handling platform.
I would like to see comparisons to the Accord, Camry and Fusion. — Hwy driver
We’re working on a Cars.comparison with the big players in this segment right now. However, you can compare specs and dimensions using our side-by-side comparison tool. I’ve configured one for the models you’ve listed above here.
Are the armrests better in the Malibu than the Aura? — Sheth
Unfortunately there wasn’t an Aura there on hand to test side-by-side. They are very similar, though, from my memory of the Aura.
Where is the final assembly? — J
The Malibu is assembled in Kansas City, Kan.
I’d like to see a nice, detailed review of the interior. — JM
See my full review here. I’m also posting some more interior shots below that I took of materials and buttons that wouldn’t have a place in a formal review.
Two days ago, Bob Lutz said, "Right now, we don't know how to do better than this." So, Dave (& company), could they have done better than a re-skin of the Aura? — starlightmica
In short, yes. While the Malibu is very well done, there were a few things I would have liked addressed. Chief among them is the center stack of controls, done in the same light-silver finish that turned me off in the Aura. That’s really the most glaring aspect I noticed. Otherwise, the door and dash materials are much improved from the Aura, as I stated above. However, if you ask me, I still think the Accord comes out ahead on overall interior material quality.
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I hope GM has fixed the problem of interior/exterior plastic chrome from premature peeling. Some noticable peeling occurs on the painted plastic door handle trim on some HHR models. Design flaw or poor workmanship? You decide, but for GM to compete it has to continue to built quality along with quantity.
From what I have read and seen for my self, it looks like this new Malibu could take a good chunk out of the Camry's and possibly the Accord's sales...I dont know aobut the Passat though. Standard leather, power seats, and a six speed transmission with a well-performing engine could give it the edge over the Malibu (and the Accord for that matter, and when comparably equipped).
BTW the review overall was a very good one.
I thought that the Epsilon I platform included the Malibu (prior gen and new gen), G6, and Aura. The upcoming Epsison II will be the next generation of the aformentioned cars.
Correct me if I am wrong.
It'll take a LOT more to take significant sales away from Camry and Accord. The name Chevy and Malibu are synonymous with cheap rental car. It takes a lot to change public perception.
The 450,000 Camry and 400,000 Accord buyers every year aren't going to switch when it comes to replacement time unless they have a damn good reason, and a few minor issues with quality won't change minds. Now if major headline grabbing recalls appear (transmissions falling out, people dying, then you'll see a shift. Look at the Ford Explorer - and sales didn't even decline after the bridgestone/firestone disaster. It took $2.50/gal gas and the shift from truck SUVs to car-based ones to cause the shift.
chevy cant outsell camry or Accord- not enough capacity. right not they can make about 150k a year I believe. There will be an expansion to a 2nd plant that may give them another 100k units. 250k isnt enough to unseat Accord, much less camry. I dont think success or failure is measures on whether or not the camry is unseated as best selling car.
If the "it aint broke dont fix it" mantra was true no one would buy the Fusion, Sonata, Altima, etc. People will give new products a chance if the price, quality and styling is there. The camry and accord are largely designed to cater to an aging demographic. I dont get why people think whats hot now will be whats hot in the future. The Olds Cutlass used to be the best selling car and I'm sure in the 80s many people thought "why would anyone buy a Camry when you could have a perfectly capable cutlass?".
Perhaps new buyers will consider this new Malibu, but all this hype gives me a sense of déja vu. Does anyone else remember how the GM-10s were supposed to GM's great leap forward?
That's not all: When the Lumina was redone in '95, it was supposed to have been fixed at last. The '97 Malibu was likewise supposedly a renaissance, "The Car You Knew America Could Build." And the Saturn--I owned one of those. The hype was tremendous, GM swore up and down that they had finally reached parity with the Japanese. And they're still telling the same story today, sixteen years later. I find it a little absurd.
If long-term experience shows the new Malibu to be a decent car, then I'll be glad for those who will buy it. But I'm satisfied with my Honda, and I'm not about to switch back. Today's market is full of U.S.-made cars that don't come from GM, thank goodness.
Can we see a shot at how deep the trunk is?
There is a little drawback on some minor details, like the cup holder, better have it in darker color, so it doesn't look so plastic; plus, it would be nice to be able to put in a 44oz cup, but from what I see, it can only fit a 20oz diet coke. (BTW, who in the world is drinking that Pellegrino?)
I'm in the market to replace my '95 Maxima and have driven the '08 Accord, Camry, and Fusion. Still need to drive the Malibu. I think the Malibu has them all beat on exterior appearance. I'd love to get the LTZ, but what is up with the brick colored two tone interior? Almost looks pink in the photos. GM missed the mark by not given more options to interior color and I'm thinking many people will opt for the LT(2) just to keep away from the ugly LTZ interiors. Looks like GM could have placed the cub holders a little better. Too far back in my opinion. Gauges look great and I've always thought GM had the best looking factory stereos (in recent years). I've never owned American cars before but looking to finally jump over. It seems you can get a pretty good bang for your buck with the Fusion and Malibu over the Camry/Accord. Fusion does have the new, slick Sync system which will be a big hit. Malibu has the better engines and exterior looks.