If you're careful and the fates are kind to you, these safety systems will never come into play, but your entertainment systems will every day. On this front, Chevrolet offers multiple levels of stereo offerings at various prices, and an optional rear DVD entertainment system that mounts into the rear of the center console and includes a 178-mm flip-up LCD screen, two sets of infrared headphones, video game jacks, remote control and independent audio selection.The final convenience feature with mentioning is integrated remote start, which allows you to pre-heat or pre-cool your Maxx without leaving the house or worrying about someone stealing it. It may sound like a gimmick, but it's a killer feature.
All of this is pulled around by GM's new 3.5L V-6 that sends 200 hp at 5400 rpm and 220 lb.-ft. of torque at 3200 rpm to the front wheels through a Hydra-Matic 4T45-E four-speed electronic-shift automatic transmission.
This package won't stun anyone off the line, but it will allow you to keep up and you'll have more than enough juice for those dangerous on-ramp and passing moments. The engine's also pretty quiet and smooth and is supposed to be good on gas, which is important.
On the road is when you really get to take advantage of the common architecture theory, since the Epsilon body structure gives Maxx a high degree of structural stiffness, which greatly enhances both vehicle handling and interior acoustics.
Malibu Maxx is just a great vehicle to be in under any circumstances.
There are two trim levels of Maxx, with a well-equipped LS going for $26,320 and the LT version at $30,770, and it's hard to spend much more than that no matter how hard you try.
My bet is that thousands of Canadians will see Maxx for the unique charmer that it is and step away from all those tedious mid-size sedans, of which Toyota Camry is the Lord Mayor.
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