I was present at the launch of this car in 2007. We started off a short distance south of San Francisco and made our way along the West Coast all the way to
Los Angeles for the Auto Show. I recall that the hype was palpable, the mood was cheery and the feedback from us auto journos was all positive: This car was to become No.1 in midsize car sales.
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| As tested, my LTZ retailed for $36,790 with options. A base LS goes for $23,995. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com) |
It didn't happen, unfortunately, and it had nothing to do with the car itself. Although it sold fairly well, the downturn in American consumer confidence, which had begun well before the arrival of the current Malibu as a 2008 MY, and the constant onslaught of new Japanese products are what ultimately hurt this otherwise good car. All that and one other car called the Impala...
In the recent past, the Malibu has fared very well in the US, turning segment-leading numbers this past June and coming in fourth in Canada for the same period. By comparison, the Impala landed in No.1 position for both countries. In the US, the Malibu outsells the Impala, whereas in Canada they are practically in a dead heat. The similarities in size and vocation, despite the basic price difference, are mostly to blame. The real thorn in the Malibu's side is the
Ford Fusion, leading or trailing directly behind it.
Sales numbers are a big thing and say much about a car's worth, most of the time. In the case of the Malibu, they signify that the car meets a large quantity of the buying public's needs. I'm here to tell you that they're right.
The Malibu may not have the most youthfully inspired cabin but the fact remains that everything is there and generally speaking, in the right place. Some controls are smallish, namely the audio buttons, but in the short run their location becomes intuitive. The large steering wheel provides a firm grip, especially useful when the big V6 roars to life. The redundant controls on said wheel are far too lilliputian for easy reference.
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| Some controls are smallish, namely the audio buttons, but in the short run their location becomes intuitive. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com) |
