Midsize Sedans - Chevrolet Malibu - Comparison

The Deputy

Peruse the test data, and the Accord and Malibu perform about as similarly as possible: 0 to 60 is a push; the quarter mile goes to the Accord by a tenth; 60 to 0 to the Malibu by four feet; lateral acceleration separated by a scant 0.01 g; and a figure-eight advantage to the Chevy by 0.4 second. It's plausible that the numbers represent two runs by the same car. But that's where the similarities end.

Whether it's the curvaceous sheetmetal and 18-inch alloys or the paddle shifters and ergonomically sound layout of the luxurious interior, the Malibu emerges as the more engaging of the two. On a curvy road, the Chevy heightens the fun factor, providing superior ride composure, the ability to perform fingertip shifts, and communicative, albeit slightly heavy, steering that carves tighter, crisper lines. Hop on the highway, and the Malibu continues to separate itself, delivering a softer, quieter ride and power that, while down 14 horses, seems to pull more strongly and naturally. Can't afford a CTS? Visit your Chevy dealer.

Of course, the Chevy isn't without fault. The brake pedal was deemed mushier than the others'. Its observed fuel economy of 16.3 mpg was the worst of the bunch, possibly a byproduct of its portly 3684-pound curb weight. The back seat, while roomy, suffered from lackluster comfort, no headrest for the middle passenger, and the least shoulder room. And when shifting into manual mode, the transmission doesn't automatically drop down to a lower gear.

With the ballots in, though, the Malibu's shortcomings faded. "To my eyes, the Malibu is the best-looking car in the test," declares St. Antoine. "Possibly the finest interior I have seen in a Chevy product," says Mortara, who sums up the Malibu most appropriately -- "This is a great car, period."