Chevrolet Malibu

The new 2008 Chevrolet Malibu

The Chevrolet Malibu (named for Malibu, California) is a mid-size car produced in the United States by General Motors. It is marketed in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Israel.

See Wikicars' comprehensive Chevrolet Malibu Review.

Recent Changes

• The 2007 Malibu remains cosmetically unchanged from 2006, although three new exterior colors have been added to the lineup. Some new standard features include front-side airbags and some engine upgrades, and the SS features new interior accents.

• The Malibu is all-new for 2008.

Styles and Major Options

The 2007 Malibu comes in four trims (LS, LT, SS, and LTZ) and either a 4-door sedan or 5-door hatchback (Malibu Maxx) body style. Three engines are available among them, but all come standard in front wheel drive with a 4-speed automatic transmission (tip auto for SS trims). Standard safety equipment can be found listed in the Safety section below. Other standout features on the Malibu include:

LS

• 2.2L 144hp I-4 engine
• 15" steel wheels
• 6-way (2-way power) driver's seat
• Cloth seating and door trim
• Manual front air conditioning
• 4-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system
• Cruise control with steering wheel controls
• Telescopic tilt steering wheel

LT

Adds to or replaces LS features with:

• 3.5L 217hp V6 engine
• 16" steel wheels
• Premium cloth seating and cloth door trim
• Carpeted front/rear floor mats
• Leather shift knob and steering wheel
• Front reading lights
• Cargo net
• 6-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with equalizer

SS

Adds to or replaces LT features with:

• 3.9L 240hp V6 engine
• Driveline traction control
• Four wheel anti-lock brakes
• 18" polished alloy wheels

• 8-way (6-way power) sports driver's seat
• Cloth/leather seating and vinyl door trim
• Automatic air conditioning
• Power adjustable pedals
• Rear wing spoiler

LTZ

Adds to or replaces SS features with:

• 3.5L 217hp V6 engine
• 17" alloy wheels
• 8-way (6-way power) driver's bucket seat
• Simulated suede/leather seating and vinyl door trim
• Auto-dimming day/night mirror
• Front/rear reading lights
• HomeLink wireless control system
• OnStar
• Chrome bodyside insert

Pricing

Today's actual prices for the Chevrolet Malibu can be found at CarsDirect.

Malibu Trims
LS	1LT	2LT	SS	LTZ	Maxx LT	Maxx SS	Maxx LTZ
MSRP
$17,155	$18,375	$20,085	$23,410	$23,615	$20,575	$23,710	$23,915
Invoice
$16,211	$17,364	$18,980	$22,122	$22,316	$19,443	$22,405	$22,599

Gas Mileage

As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:

Trim
2.2L I-4	3.5L V6	3.9L V6	Maxx 3.5L V6	Maxx 3.9L V6
MPG
24/34	22/32	28/36	20/30	17/24

Reliability

According to Automotive Information Systems, the 2004 model of the Malibu received Green ratings in all categories but one. In the Starting and Charging category, the Malibu received a Yellow rating, indicating moderate problems. More recent models are still too new to provide accurate long-term reliability information, but Consumer Reports states that "reliability of all versions has improved to average."

Safety

The 2007 Malibu and Malibu Maxx received relatively high marks from the NHTSA. While the Malibu earned 4-Star ratings for rollover and rear side-impact, it received 5-Star ratings for front side-impact and all front-impact crash tests. The Malibu Maxx received the same scores, but it was not tested for side-impact. Standard safety equipment on the Malibu includes:

• Front and rear anti-roll bars
• Driver/passenger front-impact airbags
• 1st/2nd row overhead curtain airbags
• Occupancy sensors
• Side impact bars
• Front seatbelt pretensioners

Photos

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  Malibu Maxx trunk

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Colors

Colors will vary by trim, and a complete list is viewable at CarsDirect.com. Some of the possible combinations are:

Exterior

• Amber Bronze Metallic
• Black
• Dark Blue Metallic
• Golden Pewter Metallic
• Laser Blue Metallic
• Silverstone Metallic
• Sport Red Metallic
• White

Interior

• Cashmere
• Ebony
• Titanium

Main Competitors

• Dodge Avenger
• Honda Accord
• Hyundai Sonata
• Kia Optima
• Mazda 626/6
• Mercury Mystique
• Nissan Altima
• Plymouth Breeze
• Subaru Legacy
• Toyota Camry
• Volkswagen Jetta

Hybrid Models

There are currently no hybrid models of the Malibu in production.

Resale Values

According to Kelley Blue Book, "although Chevrolet has made big strides in quality and pricing, the Malibu and Malibu Maxx still lag behind the projected resale values of the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and even the Hyundai Sonata."

Criticisms

• "Driving excitement is not part of the Malibu equation." - Automobile
• "With its inoffensively institutional design, the Malibu isn't going to turn any heads." - Car & Driver
• "If you're partial to Japanese-quality interiors, the Malibu probably won't cut it. Though clean, the overall interior is not up to the standard set by Mazda, Toyota and Hyundai. There is no manual transmission option, either." - Kelley Blue Book

Current Generation: (2008–Present)

The 2008 Chevrolet Malibu

The Malibu is redesigned for the 2008 model year. It is built on a revised version of the long-wheelbase Epsilon platform shared with the Saturn Aura and Pontiac G6. The Malibu is roomier than before, with a redesigned interior and more powerful engines.

The 2008 Malibu offers a 164 hp, 2.4 L inline-4 as the base engine, and a 252 hp, 3.6 L V6 as an option. Like the previous model, the 2008 Malibu range entails LS, LT and LTZ trim levels, however the 4-cylinder engine is also now available on the LTZ, and on that trim level it will be paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The V6 models will all come with a six-speed automatic, however the 4-cylinder LS and LT models will continue to use a four-speed automatic [1]. There is no indication a manual transmission will be offered. When the new Malibu arrives, Chevrolet will no longer offer the Malibu Maxx station wagon. GM is reportedly working on a hybrid variant for 2009. [2]

On December 18, 2006, photos of the next Malibu were accidentally leaked on the internet via the North American International Auto Show website. This was in addition to a preview shot leaked by GM earlier in the day, however the NAIAS photo showed the entire car, unlike the GM photo which only revealed the grille and headlamps. [3]

Second Generation (2004-2006)

2005 Chevrolet Malibu LT

2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx SS

The Malibu name was moved to the new Epsilon platform for 2004, but the previous car remained in production as the Chevrolet Classic for car rental and fleet use, which was discontinued in 2006. The new Epsilon-based Malibu comes in two bodystyles, a standard 4-door sedan and a 4-door Malibu Maxx station wagon. This is Chevrolet's first station wagon since the discontinuation of the Chevrolet Caprice wagon in 1996. The Malibu Maxx competes with the Dodge Magnum and other station wagons.

Base power comes from a 2.2 L Ecotec L61 I4 which produces 145 hp (108 kW). LS and LT trims get a 3.5 L 200 hp (149 kW) High Value LX9 V6. A remote starter is also available, which was introduced on several other GM vehicles for 2004.

The Malibu is manufactured at GM's Fairfax #2 factory in Kansas City, Kansas.

Engines

• 2004-2005 - 2.2 L (134 in³) Ecotec I4
• 2004-2005 - 3.5 L LX9 V6
• 2006-present - 3.9 L LZ9 V6 SS

SS

A special SS trim will be introduced on the Malibu and Malibu Maxx with the 3.9 L LZ9 V6.

First Generation (1997-2003)

A new front-wheel drive Malibu was introduced in 1997 on an extended wheelbase version of the GM N platform with Pontiac Grand Am, Buick Skylark, Oldsmobile Achieva, and Oldsmobile Alero. All N-body Malibus were produced at the Oklahoma City Assembly plant (after 2003 it was retooled to build the GMT360 SUVs) and the Wilmington Assembly plant (after 1999), before moving production to Lansing, Michigan. The Wilmington plant was then retooled to build the Saturn L-Series in 1999. The Oldsmobile Cutlass was a clone of the Malibu as a stopgap vehicle before the Oldsmobile Alero. It replaced the Chevrolet Corsica. Power came from a 2.4 L 150 hp (112 kW) I4 or 3.1 L 155 hp (116 kW) V6. The Malibu was Motor Trend magazine's Car of the Year for 1997.

1997 to 1999 Malibus had a front grille with the Malibu logo in silver in the center; 2000 to 2003 models, including the Classic had the blue Chevrolet emblem on the front grille. 1997 to 1999 LS models were sometimes equipped with special gold-colored badges (the rear Malibu lettering and logo).

The 3.1 L V6 was updated in 2000 with 170 hp (127 kW) and the 4-cylinder was dropped.

Engines

• 1997-2003 LG8 3.1 L (191 in³) V6
• 1997-1999 LD9 2.4 L (146 in³) I4

Origins

1964-1972

The first Malibu was the top-line Chevrolet Chevelle from 1964 to 1972. 1964 was the very first production year of the Malibu (known to enthusiasts as the Chevelle Malibu).

Main Competitors 1964-1972

• Dodge Coronet
• Ford Fairlane/Torino
• Mercury Comet/Montego
• Plymouth Belvedere/Satellite

1973-1977

The Malibu was restyled for the 1973 model year. Models included the base Chevelle Deluxe, mid-range Malibu and the top-line Laguna.

For 1974, the Deluxe was dropped, and the Malibu became the entry-level Chevelle. The Laguna trim package was replaced with the Malibu Classic. The Laguna S-3 model was introduced to replace the SS, and continued through 1976.

Main Competitors 1973-1977

• Dodge Coronet/Monaco
• Ford Torino
• Mercury Montego
• Plymouth Satellite/Fury

1978-1983

Third generation Chevrolet Malibu

Rare 1980 Chevrolet Malibu SS

For the 1978 model year, the Malibu name replaced the Chevelle name on all mid-sized Chevrolets except the Monte Carlo coupe. This was a downsized version compared to previous mid-sized Chevrolets.

Three bodystyles were produced (station wagon, sedan, and coupe); the 2-door coupe (reminiscent of the 1964 Chevelle hardtop) was last produced in 1981. In recent years, the coupe has been sought after by drag racers and usually spotted as street machines.

Chevrolet did seem to consider a performance variant of the Malibu. A Malibu sport coupe called the Black Sterling appeared on the 1978 auto show circuit with a sharp black-over-silver two-tone paint, a spoiler at the rear, what looks like 15-inch wheels and tires and, presumably, the 350 V-8 that would only come in Malibu station wagons and El Caminos. The Black Sterling obviously never made it to production and seems to have disappeared from most people's memories.

A very rare 1980 Malibu M80 was a dealer package for only North and South Carolina in an effort to revive the muscle car era. It was however mostly aimed at Nascar fans who regularly traveled to Darlington Raceway. To this day, its unknown how many are left or were actually produced. There was no factory Malibu SS option available from 1978-83. The SS only came in the El Camino.

The 4-door Malibu was also used in fleets, especially for law enforcement usage. Right after the Chevrolet Nova ceased production, the 9C1 police option was transitioned over to the Malibu, filling a void for mid-sized police vehicles.

GM Canada also produced a special order of Malibu sedans around 1981 for the Iraqi government, although the order was cancelled. These Malibus were auctioned off at a greatly reduced price.

Engines

• 1980-1981 350 5.7 L (350 in³) V8

1980-1981-Chevrolet 3.8 liter V-6 2bbl

The 1982 Malibu shared GM's redesignated rear wheel drive G platform with cars like the Pontiac Grand Prix and Oldsmobile Cutlass. 1982 was the final year that a Malibu Classic was marketed; Malibus were produced as 4-door sedans until 1983 when it was replaced by the front wheel drive Chevrolet Celebrity.

Main Competitors 1978-1983

• Dodge Aspen/Diplomat
• Ford Granada/LTD II
• Mercury Monarch/Cougar (excluding XR-7)
• Plymouth Volare

Awards

2005 EnerGuide fuel efficiency award for most fuel-efficient vehicle in its class (Chevrolet Malibu Maxx)

1997 Motor Trend Car of the Year

External links

• The official website of the Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx
• Official preview of the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
• Maliburacing.com The 78-83 Malibu Performance Site
• Pricing Revealed: 2008 Chevy Malibu Will Start Under $20,000
• VIDEO: Maximum Bob provides tour of Malibu design details

This page uses content from Wikipedia; see Chevrolet Malibu, which includes these contributors.