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The V6 Malibu is a very
good car at impressive prices. It rides and handles well, has a comfortable
interior, gets very good acceleration and fuel economy, and did quite well in
crash tests. It’s not as roomy, refined, fun to drive, or inexpensive as some
of the other cars in this group, but it does most things quite well to make a
solid overall package.
The Malibu rides
comfortably, with a firm, controlled feel that rarely suffers over poor road
conditions, though it can be suddenly jolted by large bumps. The car handles
well, with controlled body lean and a nimble feel, but the vague, slow, and
uncommunicative steering prevent it from being very fun to drive. The
available 3.5-liter V6 is a vast improvement over the standard 4-cylinder,
providing excellent acceleration in all circumstances while still returning
respectable fuel economy. It isn’t as quiet as some competing engines, but
much better than the overworked 4-cylinder. Wind and road noise are
well-suppressed.
Inside, the Malibu’s
front seats are well-shaped, supportive, and comfortable, though the
cushioning is a bit thin. The rear does not look as roomy as some competitors,
but the high, well-shaped cushion puts the available space to optimum use. The
tallest occupants would still prefer extra leg space however, and the hard
plastic of the front seatbacks forces them to keep their knees carefully
placed. The interior is bland but mostly well-assembled with solid plastic
trim pieces, though some on the dash and doors looks and feels cheap. The
gauges are clear, and the instruments are conveniently placed and simple to
operate. Entry/exit is easy enough, though rear-seat occupants must navigate
around the solid seatbacks. Drivers sit quite comfortably, and have clear
visibility. The trunk doesn’t have the same maximum volume as some
competitors, but is usefully shaped to handle bulky items.
The Malibu did very well
in crash testing. It earned five stars for both the driver and for the front
passenger in NHTSA frontal crash testing, and five stars for the driver and
four for the rear passenger with the available side airbags, included on this
version. The IIHS rated it Good, the second-highest of their five ratings, in
its offset crash test, and the highest, Best Pick, in its side crash test.
They consider its head restraints to be Acceptable as well.
The Malibu V6 comes in
about $1,200 more than a comparably equipped 4-cylinder model, and at $20,661
as equipped here. At that price, it includes antilock brakes with traction
control, torso and head-protecting side airbags, heated front seats, and a
power driver’s seat, but not the OnStar emergency notification system that was
included on the 4-cylinder Malibu in this group, nor the available 6-disc CD
changer and satellite radio. Leather is only offered on the top-of-the-line
model, and stability control isn’t offered at all. However, this version of
the Malibu remains well-equipped for the money.
Overall, the Malibu’s
$1,200 V6 option transforms it from an adequate to an excellent car, and it
still stacks up well against the others in this group with that lessened price
advantage. The car is comfortable, fairly quiet, safe, powerful, and fuel
efficient. It could use more steering feel, additional refinement, and more
rear seat space, but it is a very good vehicle at an excellent price, worth a
look from all consumers shopping for a basic well-priced midsize sedan.
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