It's
hard not to see Malibu advertisements. With its keen redesign for 2008,
Chevrolet has seemingly put everything it has into the marketing of the
car named after the southern California beach city.
The
promotion began in earnest during the 2007 World Series and it hasn't
waned. Chevrolet wants the Malibu to compete with the Honda Accord and
Toyota Camry, and that's a hefty task.
With
it hybrid version, new for 2008, the Malibu features GMC's "mild hybrid
system" rather than its dual mode full hybrid system.
The
hybrid's configuration is a 36-volt electric motor coupled with a 2.4
liter Ecotec VVT four-cylinder engine with a four-speed manual
transmission. Using an integrated starter-generator, mild hybrid
approach the gasoline engine shuts off at stoplights or other stopping
situations.
With
its well-touted exterior redesign, the new Malibu also features a sharp
new interior that features chrome outlines on gauges, center vents and
the console shifter. Wood and several two-tone trims are also available.
Beyond
cosmetics, the Malibu's interior leg and body room is spacious, but
head room remains only adequate. Its average head clearance can be
overlooked considering the vast trunk, expansive access area and the
spacious pass-through from the rear-seat to the trunk.
As
a hybrid, the Malibu won’t win any acceleration contests. It
maneuvers through city traffic and excels adequately in freeway
conditions. And like most hybrids, it’s quiet at
intersections. But it’s not going to catapult you down the
road with par
ticular authority. And likewise, the hybrid’s
braking is not at the same level as other vehicles in the same class.
The
new Malibu has a good selection of standard features: 16-inch alloy
wheels, AM/FM stereo, CD player, XM radio, rear window defogger, tilt
and telescopic steering wheel with inset cruise and audio controls,
remote keyless entry and navigation system (with one-year of Oonstar
directions included), power windows, doors, locks and outside mirrors.
The
redesign’s, exterior color options and the coordination with
interior is another strong point for the new Malibu. My test car, for
instance, combined and Amber Bronze Metallic exterior with a two-tone
interior of Cocoa and Cashmere.
It’s
a handsome combination and more than one friend and passerby made the
comment, “That’s not a bad-looking car.”
And then when told it was a hybrid, the follow-up comment was usually:
“A hybrid, four-door sedan? Really? A Malibu? Not
bad.”
In
fact, the new Malibu has received a good share of accolades. And the
hybrid option offers an enticing price point in an exciting, attractive
new version of a near-classic car that's been around since 1964.
But
whether Chevrolet’s mass marketing pays off and the
manufacturer can claim it’s met its goal against the Camry
and Accord, remains to be seen.
Safety Features — Dual-front, front side and side curtain airbags.
