2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx LT Price, Review, Specs & Road Test

Everyone is looking for a fresh, appealing way to repackage the classic American station wagon. Chevrolet makes an attempt with the Maxx, a stretched, wagonified variant of the Malibu sedan introduced this year. The Maxx's wheelbase is six inches longer than the conventional four-door's, but its overall length is a half inch shorter. The rear seat slides fore and aft for nearly seven inches of limo-like legroom. Our Galaxy Silver metallic Maxx came equipped with OnStar Safe and Sound for $695, which includes Advanced Automatic Collision Notification, a system that senses when you may have been in an accident. Last year, during our "Car of the Year" instrumented testing, the OnStar operator called asking senior road-test editor Chris Walton if he was okay; it seems the system had sensed the possibility of an accident during our closed-course slalom testing and triggered the call. We hope we'll never need to use this service, but there's peace of mind knowing it's on the job just in case. Other options include a staff favorite--XM radio--at $325 and a rear entertainment system for an additional $995. Destination and delivery add $625 for a grand total of $27,045. Mad Maxx has completed its break-in miles. We'll let you know how this roomy, practical semi-sport wagon plays in real life.

FROM THE LOGBOOK
"The Maxx part of this Malibu offers a more premium experience for the aft cabin dweller with plenty of spread-out room, optional DVD video, and reclining seatbacks. My teenage son had no interest in moving up front."
--Ron Sessions