I quickly grew to appreciate the exceptional smoothness of GM's latest ECOTEC iteration, finding it very quiet and unassuming during routine driving chores, however, expecting it to propel the Malibu with urgency is expecting too much. Yes, it scoots the car around town quite competently but drivers intending to confront mountainous terrain while hauling multiple occupants and their gear may be let down by the genteel I-4.
For the those purchasers, Chevrolet supplies an optional V6 engine that ups the pony brigade to 252-horsepower. This mill is fused to a six-speed autobox. The smaller engine is mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. While not as advanced as the five and six-speed autoboxes making the rounds these days, it performed admirably during my testing.
Ride and handling
The Malibu's civilized treatment of its occupants extends to its on-road performance as well. The vehicle delivers comfortable yet composed ride dynamics sure to please all aboard; and it does so without sacrificing handling ability.
No, the Malibu isn't anywhere near a BMW or Audi when it comes to aggressive cornering. That said, the Malibu is more roadworthy than any typical owner is ever likely to wish for or need. I'm no slouch when it comes to moving a car through a turn, and I found the Malibu quite pleasing in this regard.
Worthy of specific mention is the absence of road and wind noise- irritations that are often more invasive in this moderately priced automotive genre. Occasionally marring the "hush" was minor suspension noise evoked by some forms of pavement roughness.
Safety and protection- it's all there
Smart. That's my response to learning that Chevrolet supplies front airbags, seat-mounted side-impact airbags for driver and front passenger and front to rear, side head-curtain airbags all as standard equipment. Electronic traction control is also standard equipment across the board as is four-wheel antilock disc brakes.
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| The base engine powering the Malibu is a wonderfully refined, 2.4-liter DOHC ECOTEC unit. |
For the those purchasers, Chevrolet supplies an optional V6 engine that ups the pony brigade to 252-horsepower. This mill is fused to a six-speed autobox. The smaller engine is mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. While not as advanced as the five and six-speed autoboxes making the rounds these days, it performed admirably during my testing.
Ride and handling
The Malibu's civilized treatment of its occupants extends to its on-road performance as well. The vehicle delivers comfortable yet composed ride dynamics sure to please all aboard; and it does so without sacrificing handling ability.
No, the Malibu isn't anywhere near a BMW or Audi when it comes to aggressive cornering. That said, the Malibu is more roadworthy than any typical owner is ever likely to wish for or need. I'm no slouch when it comes to moving a car through a turn, and I found the Malibu quite pleasing in this regard.
Worthy of specific mention is the absence of road and wind noise- irritations that are often more invasive in this moderately priced automotive genre. Occasionally marring the "hush" was minor suspension noise evoked by some forms of pavement roughness.
Safety and protection- it's all there
Smart. That's my response to learning that Chevrolet supplies front airbags, seat-mounted side-impact airbags for driver and front passenger and front to rear, side head-curtain airbags all as standard equipment. Electronic traction control is also standard equipment across the board as is four-wheel antilock disc brakes.
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| Electronic traction control is standard equipment across the board as is four-wheel antilock disc brakes. |