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.