2004 Chevrolet Malibu By Tony Whitney ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The all-new (second generation) 2004 Chevrolet Malibu slots into that busy class of mid-size sedans that's populated by the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Mazda 6 and various other products. Judging by the 2004 Malibu I just got through testing, it probably deserves to be taken more seriously this time around by what might be the most discerning of all automotive buying groups. The latest Malibu is a roomy, good-looking, competent automobile with lots of thoughtful attention to detail - as we'll see. It's a clean and contemporary design with lots of standard features that come only as options on many rival models. Chevrolet says that it: "delivers the comfort and style of tailored-to-fit clothes for an off-the-rack price." Not a bad way of putting Malibu's status in the automotive scheme of things. Chevrolet went all out for practicality with this car and standard features include a 60/40 folding back seat and a fold-flat front passenger seat. I found this a very useful feature and it means you can stow very long objects easier than you can in some minivans and SUVs. A long list of standard convenience items includes a power driver's seat height adjuster, tilting and telescoping steering wheel (uncommon on domestic products), power windows, door locks and mirrors and various other goodies. Even a basic Malibu is certainly no "stripper." On Malibu LS and LT models, you get power adjustable brake and accelerator pedals - very useful for setting up the safest possible driving position regardless of diver stature. This feature can even be ordered on the base model. Lumbar support is also on the roster - manual on the base car and powered on LS and LT. Again, the base car can be ordered with power lumbar support. Interestingly, the Malibu is the first car in its class to offer an optional factory-installed remote vehicle starter system. The car can be started and warmed up (engine and interior) from up to 200 feet. Just the thing for starting a drive on a chilly morning! The LS comes with cast alloy wheels shod with Bridgestone B450 tires. The Malibu, incidentally, is the first North American application of General Motors' "Epsilon" global platform architecture. Other cars around the world using this base system so far are Sweden's Saab 9-3 and Germany's Opel Vectra. Both Saab and Opel are part of GM's worldwide organization. Epsilon was developed in Germany, so don't be surprised if your new Malibu feels more European than North American. GM says this platform gives the car "a firmer, quieter, more linear feel than with the older Malibu." Having driven my tester for several hundred kilometres, I'd agree wholeheartedly. Some of the credit goes to the Malibu's high degree of structural stiffness. This enhances handling and "feel" in addition to eliminating squeaks and rattles. Buyers can choose from two engines - an Ecotec 2.2-litre dual overhead cam 4-cylinder producing 145 horsepower and a 3.5-litre overhead cam V-6 developing 200 horsepower. My test car came with the V-6. The larger-engined Malibu is very fast and responsive and though I haven't driven the "four" yet, I'd guess that it offers pretty good performance too. Four cylinder engines just keep getting better and many of them feel and perform like sixes did a few model years back. All Malibus come with a nicely smooth Hydra-Matic 4-speed electronic automatic transmission. It'd be nice to see a sports-oriented performance Malibu at some stage (an SS, maybe?) with a manual transmission, but perhaps that's something we can expect further down the road. Safety equipment includes three-point belts for all occupants, belt pre-tensioners for the front seats, optional head curtain side-impact air bags, standard four-wheel anti-lock brakes, traction control on LS and LT versions (optional on base car) plus child seat attachment units for all three rear seating locations. I enjoyed driving this new Malibu, not least for its comfortable seats, easy to read instruments and general feeling of well-being and sportiness. The rear seats seemed a lot roomier than others in this class. Clever details included rubber liners for the cupholders which can be easily removed and tossed in the dishwasher now and again. You'd be surprised how many vehicle makers fail to pay attention to this small but important aspect of in-car hygiene. The Malibu LS V-6 I tested starts out at a reasonable $26,695 and various options (including rear deck spoiler) upped this to a still-affordable $27,255. The new Malibu should be on the shopping lists of those import nameplate buyers who usually don't look any further than the aforementioned Japanese models. This car is well worth a test drive before a final purchase decision is made. Some of those Honda/Toyota fans might just discover that domestic makers like GM have been doing a lot of catching up lately! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Back to Tony Whitney's Auto Reviews Page