Chevy’s aging Malibu has finally been updated and comes packing a list of competitive features, among them an all-new engine and a six-speed automatic transmission to make the Malibu a strong offering in its increasingly competitive segment.
2012 Chevrolet Malibu
In terms of styling, a sore spot for the outgoing Malibu, the 2013 model year car looks to improve the cosmetics while still retaining a variation of Chevrolet’s cross-bar grille, and adds a new bumper and a hood that is more sculpted. The higher-mounted Chevrolet grille leaves more lower bumper space for details like fog lamps surrounded by thin chrome, while hunched rear quarters have a distinctly European flair that includes uniquely squared off taillamps and a trunk lid that doesn’t seem far off from that trunklid found on the latest 6-Series Coupe.
A noteworthy change comes from Chevrolet now that we have confirmed the Bow Tie brand will drop the low-volume V6 currently offered in the Malibu in favor of a Sonata-inspired four-cylinder-only lineup. The new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine comes sporting a dual overhead cam setup with direct injection, good for estimated horsepower over 190 and torque in the 180 lb ballpark (SAE-certification pending).
The EPA has yet to test this new four-pot, which will come mated to a Hydra-Matic 6T40 six-speed automatic transmission, and Chevy is remaining mum and not even offering estimated fuel economy at this time. Despite the obvious moves towards efficiency, Chevy promises that the all-new Malibu will deliver “precise ride and handling,” which it says has been engineered to be best-in-class – even going as far as to suggest that it will match more expensive sports sedans.
What’s inside?
One of the strong points of GM’s newest sedan is a compelling interior, complete with a blend of metallic, chrome and wood surfaces throughout the cabin. The stylization accents range from bits on the shifter, center stack, instrument cluster, steering wheel and the doors. The car’s party piece arrives in the form of a trick fold-out screen, a first of this type in a GM product, and first in any U.S. midsize car.
That same folding seven-inch screen will come with Chevy’s new infotainment system, MyLink, which allows for Pandora streaming radio and Stitcher SmartRadio, as well as Bluetooth and other technologies.
Interior lighting is anything but scarce, and Ice Blue is the order of the day – ranging from gauge cluster displays to accent lighting that stretches throughout and across the cabin.
Safety counts in family sedans
GM knows that safety is paramount in any vehicle, particularly one that will likely be used to haul families around town and across country, and as such, the Malibu comes packed with an array of technology aimed at keeping its occupants safe. Both the driver and front passenger, in the event of an accident, will find themselves cocooned in dual-stage air bags, pelvic/thorax side-impact airbags and even knee airbags.
There are also roof air bags that offer rollover protection, and Chevy will offer available second-row pelvic/thorax side-impact airbags, a lane departure warning system with forward collision alert and an available rearview camera system. Of course, OnStar with Automatic Crash Response is also included, and now boasts improved voice recognition technology, as well as a myriad of improvements aimed at ease of use rather than safety concerns.
Size matters
Among the extensive list of changes is a 4.5-inch shorter wheelbase, as well as a 62-inch track width that is just over 2 inches wider than the outgoing model. The end result is a more sporting platform that aims to deliver on Chevy’s promise for a sporty driving dynamic.
