Topic: First Drive: 2013 Chevrolet Malibu

[Autos_Editor]

For 2013, Chevrolet gets set to take the all-American Malibu overseas.

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[safristi]

Pelvic/THORAX..airbags optional........I'm not feeling the LOVE of Family in this Family sedan..........................I rented a 2011 model and indeed as Grant says it was V QUIET..and quite nippy in a straight line......see ya had Rainy weather in the TRAIL ..good for testing those cheap OEM tyres tho'.... ?..............

[Whofan]

Have a 2009 LTZ, 3.6 will I change for a 2013... NO.

[Solstice2006]

Have a 2009 LTZ, 3.6 will I change for a 2013... NO.

I am quite a fan of the 2008-2012 generation Malibu, especially with the 3.6L, although 2.4 does perform more than adequately.  I don't think automakers are going to have much choice, with fuel economy being most people's #1 priority, compacts and mid-size sedans are going to be 4 cylinder only.  But I applaud GM, as many authors notesit is one of the quietest engines in it's class.  I am already starting to see how V6 are becoming less popular in mid size sedans.  I just recently sold my 2008 Mazda6 Sport V6, it took 3 1/2 weeks to sell, I advertised here, autotrader, kijji, had over 1000 views, received about 5 phone calls, 3 people decided to part with it because it was the V6.

Can't say that I blame them, as my average was 9L to 10L in that car, I now average 8L in my Mazda5.  Not a huge differance, but when skyactive becomes available on the 2.5L from Mazda, that will change to about 6.5L to 7L, so thats more than 25% compared to a V6.  And with gas being $1.36L today, it's going to happen to all the car makers sooner or later. 

[JRM]

Nice redo of a familiar shape.  Looks like a Camry with Chev front and rear grafted on, which makes for simple and elegant styling.  Looks much better to me than the new Accord.  With nearly 200 hp and tq as well as decent fuel consumption, this car is bound to be a winner.

[garytam]

Have a 2009 LTZ, 3.6 will I change for a 2013... NO.

I am quite a fan of the 2008-2012 generation Malibu, especially with the 3.6L, although 2.4 does perform more than adequately.  I don't think automakers are going to have much choice, with fuel economy being most people's #1 priority, compacts and mid-size sedans are going to be 4 cylinder only.  But I applaud GM, as many authors notesit is one of the quietest engines in it's class.  I am already starting to see how V6 are becoming less popular in mid size sedans.  I just recently sold my 2008 Mazda6 Sport V6, it took 3 1/2 weeks to sell, I advertised here, autotrader, kijji, had over 1000 views, received about 5 phone calls, 3 people decided to part with it because it was the V6.

Can't say that I blame them, as my average was 9L to 10L in that car, I now average 8L in my Mazda5.  Not a huge differance, but when skyactive becomes available on the 2.5L from Mazda, that will change to about 6.5L to 7L, so thats more than 25% compared to a V6.  And with gas being $1.36L today, it's going to happen to all the car makers sooner or later.

I have been driving 4 cylinder only from day 1, 19 years ago, from Civic hatch to civic Si to CRV .... 4 cylinder is fine as long as is a manual transmission....CRV's I4 is so smooth and torquely too .... and nowadays auto trans / CVT are good enough for I4 .... V6 is for performance use only. 

[Winterpeg]

Have a 2009 LTZ, 3.6 will I change for a 2013... NO.

Whofan, do you have any problems (so far) with anything to do with the steering?....your generation and to a leser extent previous ('04-'07) gen has had a few in that area.
I'm debating about next used vehicle and this was (is) still in the running.
Anybody with insight here can jump in please....knowledge is power (mind only).   

[PJ]

Have a 2009 LTZ, 3.6 will I change for a 2013... NO.

I am quite a fan of the 2008-2012 generation Malibu, especially with the 3.6L, although 2.4 does perform more than adequately.  I don't think automakers are going to have much choice, with fuel economy being most people's #1 priority, compacts and mid-size sedans are going to be 4 cylinder only.  But I applaud GM, as many authors notesit is one of the quietest engines in it's class.  I am already starting to see how V6 are becoming less popular in mid size sedans.  I just recently sold my 2008 Mazda6 Sport V6, it took 3 1/2 weeks to sell, I advertised here, autotrader, kijji, had over 1000 views, received about 5 phone calls, 3 people decided to part with it because it was the V6.

Can't say that I blame them, as my average was 9L to 10L in that car, I now average 8L in my Mazda5.  Not a huge differance, but when skyactive becomes available on the 2.5L from Mazda, that will change to about 6.5L to 7L, so thats more than 25% compared to a V6.  And with gas being $1.36L today, it's going to happen to all the car makers sooner or later.

But what if they came out with a skyactive V6? 

[5 Wheel Drive]

Looks pretty good.  It should give the Accord/Camry/Sonata/Fusion a run for their money.

[Spec5]

Certainly does seem like a nice little sedan. Glad they're so concerned with NVH.

One question about the article/car though - "drag torque control." wassat?!

[Golly]

Have a 2009 LTZ, 3.6 will I change for a 2013... NO.

Whofan, do you have any problems (so far) with anything to do with the steering?....your generation and to a leser extent previous ('04-'07) gen has had a few in that area.
I'm debating about next used vehicle and this was (is) still in the running.
Anybody with insight here can jump in please....knowledge is power (mind only).   

I have an 05 from new and about 3 years ago, the power steering warning light came on briefly one cold winter day but it hasn't come on since.  I think the warning light had more to do with the battery being on its last legs.  Regardless, GM sent me a letter extending warranty coverage on the electric power steering and IIRC, extended warranty to 10yr or 160K.  I also had a steering column linkage replaced under warranty because it developed some play which manifested itself by an audible clunking noise under hard steering.  No further problems so far.

[Arthur Dent]

Nice looking except when you go around back and it all goes wrong. What the hell were they thinking with those rear lights? They look like poorly re-purposed truck lamps. Good gawd - it is like looks at a kit car back there. Shame as the rest looks nice.

[Solstice2006]

Have a 2009 LTZ, 3.6 will I change for a 2013... NO.

Whofan, do you have any problems (so far) with anything to do with the steering?....your generation and to a leser extent previous ('04-'07) gen has had a few in that area.
I'm debating about next used vehicle and this was (is) still in the running.
Anybody with insight here can jump in please....knowledge is power (mind only).   

Just to offer you some feedback.  The Pontiac G6, Saturn Aura, and Malibu shared same platform. I had a 2005 Pontiac G6 GT with the 3.5L engine, the V6 engine were known to have better reliablity than the 4 cylinders.  I had the car for 5 years (130,000 kms)  with no problems, just regular maintenace.  The V6 averaged 7.5L on the highway, which is better than my Mazda6.  GM makes pretty efficient V6 engines, especially on the highway.

[jaari]

 The front and rear don't seem to match the cabin looking at it from the side.
The rear lights are horrendous, front end is meh, don't like the  top shape of the centre stack with the air vents, or the circle gauges in square holes.
The steering wheel is cheap looking while the rest of the dash is over done and tacky looking.
If I was going to go American, I think it would have the be the Fusion, this car is a hodge podge mess.
But every thing is subjective, I may not like, the next does...
Like my looks like it's sucking a lemon '11 Sonata, I love it's looks others don't.

[Ontariodriver]

Here's a car that looks old before it even hits the road. Shouldn't it be the Malibooo......The previous was so much better.

[dirtyjeffer]

i think it looks pretty decent...conservative looks are usually quite safe...the interior looks nice, and the size, power and content all look to be in check (even with the NA 4 cylinder)...GM should do well with this car.

[Adam D]

Could be a great car and I am sure many will enjoy it, but it is just a bland boring sedan to me.

[sacrat]

Nice redo of a familiar shape.  Looks like a Camry with Chev front and rear grafted on, which makes for simple and elegant styling.  Looks much better to me than the new Accord.  With nearly 200 hp and tq as well as decent fuel consumption, this car is bound to be a winner.

The irony is that it took GM stylists to do justice to the "Bangle Butt" that Chris Bangle mangled so badly on the last gen BMW 5 and 7 series. The one I saw at the Auto show looked really nice except that, being an Eco model, the trunk space was useless.

[Northernridge]

Malibu seems pretty good. Can't see it finishing first often enough though with all the good competitors in this segment.

Unless it's a little less expensive.

[Winterpeg]

Have a 2009 LTZ, 3.6 will I change for a 2013... NO.

Thanks for the info Golly.......my gf's '05 Malibu makes the same noises....JUST noises so far... 






Whofan, do you have any problems (so far) with anything to do with the steering?....your generation and to a leser extent previous ('04-'07) gen has had a few in that area.
I'm debating about next used vehicle and this was (is) still in the running.
Anybody with insight here can jump in please....knowledge is power (mind only).   

I have an 05 from new and about 3 years ago, the power steering warning light came on briefly one cold winter day but it hasn't come on since.  I think the warning light had more to do with the battery being on its last legs.  Regardless, GM sent me a letter extending warranty coverage on the electric power steering and IIRC, extended warranty to 10yr or 160K.  I also had a steering column linkage replaced under warranty because it developed some play which manifested itself by an audible clunking noise under hard steering.  No further problems so far.