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March 19, 2008
Chevy Malibu: Don’t Laugh, It’s a Great Car!
By Mike Musto
AKA Mr. Angry
When most people think of the Chevy Malibu they think bland styling, crappy interior, and an engine made of left over Geo Metro parts. The car used to be a POS. But times have changed, my friends, times have changed.
For 2008 Chevy spent some big money, not only on the car but on revamping the Malibu’s image. The took a once-bland, no-talent sedan and gave it some dancing shoes—and nice ones to boot. Gone is the boxcar silhouette that has plagued the lazy Chevy’s existence since the early 1980’s. In its place is a new 4-door sedan that encompasses good looks with some good performance. The interior appointments are well done, too: nice two-tone leather seats with a much-needed updated gauge cluster. What does this all mean? It means the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry should start looking over their shoulders.
Comments
Oblio_A
Mar 24, 2008 at 1:03 pm
The Malibu debuted as a box on wheels in the year 1964, not in “the early 1980’s, as the article accidentally implies. Three generations of boxy Malibu’s were sold up until 1983, when the Malibu was discontinued. A more rounded-looking design arrived when the Fourth Generation Malibu resurrected the Malibu name in 1997. However, the boxy styling returned with the solidly built Fifth Generation Malibu, sold from 2004-2008.
Anonymous
Mar 21, 2008 at 6:39 pm
rip off from the Quatroporte
jim
Mar 20, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Guh- wha? I like the 2-tone seats (Ford’s been doing that for a while) but that steering wheel is a BIG turn-off. The shifter is odd, the seatbacks look cheap with the cargo nets, the gauge cluster is a straight-up rip off from Ford (tunneled gauges ala Mustang). The dash into center console has a pleasing shape, though. I like that American companies are using brown as an exterior/interior color as well- it classes the car up more than silver or maroon ever could. I think GM could really be on to something big in the next couple of years if they keep on keepin on- good for them. In the mean time, I recommend a Volvo sedan. Any Volvo sedan produced within the last 5-7 years is eons ahead of any purely American brand in looks and quality. Having said this, I’m a Ford guy, and although Volvo is owned by Ford, you’d never know it. Anyhow, kudos, GM- you may be getting yout mojo back. Let’s just hope it’s not too late.
RatsEatChildren
Mar 19, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Cool, tho I’d like it a lot better if that 2-tone interior was vinyl.