There were also shiny bits inside, but they were tastefully applied
with moderation, only appearing like cuffs on the steering wheel, trimming the gauges, around the power window controls on the armrest and in a long thin strip that ran from door to door, interrupted only by the centre console.
That console houses the usual AM/FM stereo, complemented by a 6-disc stacker and a variety of audio personalization features. Right below it are the dials for the climate control, but my favourite button of all was the one on the key fob.
The Maxx Sport features remote start, a feature I have been itching to try out, but which, in the end, was sadly wasted on me. Despite wanting nothing more than to start the car from the comfort of my toasty living room and be able to make a mad dash to a cozy pre-heated Malibu during the mid-winter week in which I had it, the nearest parking to my apartment is over a block away, well outside of the fob's impressive 60 m (almost 200-ft) range. The best I could do was use it once I got to the end of the block, then walk slowly the rest of the way. In the end, it just felt weird getting into a car that was already started and being confused for a second as to why the key was still in my hand.
At
that point, I drove away without hesitation, easily managing morning traffic thanks to Chevy's very appropriate, but nowhere near awe-inspiring, 3.9-litre V6 powering the front wheels. I don't think I stopped to listen to the engine even once, or sat at a light in neutral and gunned it just to listen to the roar, and I don't think 20 years from now anyone will tell their kids about epic drag races or life-changing nights at the drive-in. It does peel away the layers of traffic thanks to great jump off the line, and those big wide tires allow deft, balanced maneuvering between other cars and around corners, so I suppose it deserves some Sport-oriented credit.
Its 240 horsepower may not be legendary, but combined with 241 lb-ft
of torque and variable valve timing, the Maxx always had power on hand to keep me happily accelerating. That combination also helped me forget that it was all hooked up to Chevy's "makes you say what" 4-speed auto transmission. Yeah, I said four-speed. Not very impressive on paper, but taking into account all the above factors, it did the trick, and gear-downs were just a wrist flick away with tap-down shifting using thumb buttons on the shifter. Once again, not super, but sporty enough to keep me hooked up for onramps and making short work of highway passing.
Speaking of the highway, that is another area that this sportiest of Maxxes excelled. I put in a big chunk of highway driving in the week I had it in my employ, and it ate up the kilometers for lunch, then spit them out at dinner, and it didn't break the bank at the pumps because I only had to fill it up once on an 800-kilometre round trip. Now that's clever. Aside from its economic values, its friendly suspension was forgiving, and there wasn't much in the way of wind rush worthy of comment or tire noise considering that big fat rubber connecting to the road. Other things I learned on my road trip were that the seats offer excellent support, the stereo rocks and when I met Justin (Couture) at the destination (Windsor), he took the first fifteen minutes to describe in detail the amount of punishment inflicted on him by his Mini Cooper S tester. Sucker!
 |
| Sorta Systematic: Centre stack is crammed full of knobs and buttons, but in true Chevy style, they're all clearly marked. (Photo: Jonathan Yarkony, Canadian Auto Press) |
That console houses the usual AM/FM stereo, complemented by a 6-disc stacker and a variety of audio personalization features. Right below it are the dials for the climate control, but my favourite button of all was the one on the key fob.
The Maxx Sport features remote start, a feature I have been itching to try out, but which, in the end, was sadly wasted on me. Despite wanting nothing more than to start the car from the comfort of my toasty living room and be able to make a mad dash to a cozy pre-heated Malibu during the mid-winter week in which I had it, the nearest parking to my apartment is over a block away, well outside of the fob's impressive 60 m (almost 200-ft) range. The best I could do was use it once I got to the end of the block, then walk slowly the rest of the way. In the end, it just felt weird getting into a car that was already started and being confused for a second as to why the key was still in my hand.
At
 |
| Somewhat Silent: Aceeleration yields a gutteral V6 murmur, rather than a full-bodied V8 roar. (Photo: Jonathan Yarkony, Canadian Auto Press) |
Its 240 horsepower may not be legendary, but combined with 241 lb-ft
 |
| Super Supple? Maxx's wide tires and low-profile tire don't ruin its long-distance abilities. (Photo: Jonathan Yarkony, Canadian Auto Press) |
Speaking of the highway, that is another area that this sportiest of Maxxes excelled. I put in a big chunk of highway driving in the week I had it in my employ, and it ate up the kilometers for lunch, then spit them out at dinner, and it didn't break the bank at the pumps because I only had to fill it up once on an 800-kilometre round trip. Now that's clever. Aside from its economic values, its friendly suspension was forgiving, and there wasn't much in the way of wind rush worthy of comment or tire noise considering that big fat rubber connecting to the road. Other things I learned on my road trip were that the seats offer excellent support, the stereo rocks and when I met Justin (Couture) at the destination (Windsor), he took the first fifteen minutes to describe in detail the amount of punishment inflicted on him by his Mini Cooper S tester. Sucker!