All that notwithstanding, everyone knows that long-term comfort and convenience mean more than large, raw numbers. Smaller drivers of previous-generation large General Motors sedans frequently felt shortchanged when attempting to find a comfortable seating position, read the instruments, and reach various controls. With the adjustable steering column, the Malibu's elliptically shaped analog instrument cluster, featuring big needles and wide gauge faces, is a snap to read for drivers of all sizes and shapes. Another thoughtful interior-design item is the left-side position of the glovebox door handle, where it's easily reached by the driver. The cruise-control switches are located on the steering-wheel spokes, and the ignition switch has found its way back to the old handy spot just to the right of the column. There it's easy to eyeball the cylinder and target the slot for a quick start.
The Malibu's nicely contoured standard reclining cloth buckets hold riders comfortably in place for everything but racetrack workouts. In the Malibu LS, these seats feature six-way power adjustment. The standard LS rear bench is a split-folding type, allowing long items to stretch through from the trunk.
Responsive Power-In Four-Cylinder Or V-6 StyleToday's sedan buyer wants performance, and Chevrolet delivers responsive powertrains for the Malibu. The standard engine is an eager 2.4-liter/150-horsepower DOHC four-cylinder. And with the car's low curb weight and this engine's low- and midrange gusto, the base-level Malibu is a great performer. Zero to 60 mph zips by in 9.3 seconds, and the quarter mile passes in 16.9 seconds at 81.9 mph.
There's also considerable refinement in the four-cylinder. One noise and vibration attenuation strategy was to mount the air-conditioner compressor and alternator directly on the block. (Normally mounted on long brackets that can flex, these heavy rotating components often result in noticeable vibrations at idle and at high rpm.) Other smoothness and idle-stability secrets include an engine-driven counter-rotating balance shaft spooling inside the oil pan, hydraulic engine mounts, sequential multipoint fuel injection, and some downright clever ignition electronics. All this may be enough to send some competitors back to the drawing board.
Standard in the Malibu LS and optional in the base-level Malibu is a 3.1-liter OHV V-6. Unquestionably, its pushrod design means fewer parts and lower manufacturing costs, relative to the overhead cam V-6 engines found in the Malibu's import competition. That definitely helps Chevy provide its price advantage. Mechanical simplicity doesn't put you in second place in power or quietness, however: With a 9.0-second sprint to 60 mph and strong part-throttle torque delivery, the Malibu has no trouble keeping up with traffic or pulling a long, steep grade with four adults on board. Fuel economy is another Malibu strong suit, with 24/38 city/highway mpg for the four-cylinder, and 22/36 mpg for the V-6. Combined with its 15-gallon fuel tank, the V-6 Malibu up to 540 miles of highway cruising range.
Both the four-cylinder and the V-6 are mated exclusively with the corporation's 4T40-E electronic automatic transaxle. This is a new-generation transmission designed exclusively for use in light, front-drive GM cars. We found gear shifts to be nearly seamless, thanks to a powertrain computer that monitors the engine, transaxle, and environmental conditions to provide precise control of the various functions and help reduce harshness.
The Malibu's good power-to-weight ratio-with either the four-cylinder or V-6 engine-and well-tuned suspension endow this slick four-door with a well-rounded dynamic personality. It offers solid proof that "family sedan" and "fun to drive" need not be mutually exclusive targets.
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