Test Drive: 2013 Chevrolet Malibu LT

With the fuel economy stuff covered, Malibu confidently offers numerous ways for families to keep happy on the go during a road trip.

First, inside. The cabin looks and feels luxurious and high quality – especially if you opt for the LT trim level like the tester. It’s not an Audi A4. But the dollar-store trim and crispy, melted-down margarine container plastics that lined affordable family cars for decades are virtually nowhere to be found.

Add in the solid action of the controls, the nice assembly quality and the dense, robust overall build feel, and you’re nicely set up to enjoy a little taste of the upscale motoring high-life.

Both rows of seats are, additionally, easy to access and comfortable.

There’s plenty of room for everyone’s wallets, phones, gum and other pocket-contents, especially in the big centre console, and in the special hidden cubby behind the central display screen. This flips up and out of the way to reveal a secure compartment behind it. A cool touch.

2013 Chevrolet Malibu LT. Click image to enlarge

That screen, by the way, displays one of the most slick and easy-to-use infotainment systems on the road, too. It’s bright, vibrant, colorful and allows for easy switching between various menus and commands. If you can operate an iPad, you’ll have this interface down in no time.

OnStar is also fitted. Among other things, this connects you or anyone using your Malibu with assistance from a real-life human being at the touch of a button. It’s a big confidence booster, especially for parents of younger drivers, end even moreso for parents of young drivers who live out of town and travel. If you’re lost, stuck, out of gas, or in need of the nearest wing joint, a friendly OnStar advisor is a click away to help. And, since the whole system utilizes its own cellular connection, it’ll still function if your Blackberry’s back at home on the kitchen counter next to the scones.

2013 Chevrolet Malibu LT. Click image to enlarge

An array of goodies fitted to the tester worked towards a sense of laid-back confidence and comfort when hitting the highway. Your writer appreciated the ‘set it and forget it’ operation enabled by the automatic lights and automatic climate control, while heated leather and remote start reduced the freezing of my tootsies on cold mornings during my late-fall test. Extra points for the slick-looking LED light-pipe which sets the cabin off after dark, too. This is a delightful touch more typically seen in far more expensive sedans from across the pond.

There’s a Pioneer audio system with Bluetooth streaming and USB connectivity—but if you haven’t got that cranked, Malibu’s interior is remarkably quiet. In fact, I’ve driven numerous cars priced twice as much that were louder at speed. It’s an attribute from the last-generation model that I’m glad has remained for this one.

All said, Chevrolet’s done a nice job of making this Malibu a modern, connected, high-tech and comfortable and relaxing place to be.

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