2013 Chevrolet Malibu: Part tomorrow, part yesterday
Cape Breton, Nova Scotia – How do you like your new Chevrolet Malibu? From the base version to the Eco to the Turbo, there’s something for everyone.
Although the Chevrolet Malibu Eco costs almost $3,000 more than the base version, it’s the one we like the least.
Why, you ask? First of all, as you suspected, the fuel consumption is reduced to the tune of 7.7 L/100 km on the Cabot Trail (which isn’t exactly the Klondike). Its competition, however, who shall remain nameless (the new Honda Accord and Nissan Altima), manage to be similarly frugal without electric assistance.
It must be said, the new Malibu, Eco or not, is no lightweight. Bucking the recent slimming trend, this eighth version of Chevrolet’s mid-size sedan couldn’t stick to its diet. Consequently, it’s one of the heaviest in its class, about one hundred kilos more than the average.
Nevertheless, the eAssist is a perfect fit for the new Malibu. Note that this is the very first Chevrolet to use this technology that replaces the alternator with a small electric motor, for an addition (and welcome) boost of 15 horses when you press the accelerator.
More importantly, it supplies the lithium-ion battery that helps the 2.4-litre four-cylinder with fuel injection (for 182 horses and 172 lbs-ft of torque) shut down at stop lights. Complete silence on board, for zero fuel consumption and zero emission. We like it, just as we like it in the Buick LaCrosse and Regal with which it shares the eAssist technology.
Is it the aerodynamic sub-frame plates reserved for the Malibu Eco, its 17-inch low-resistance tires, or its grille shutters that close at cruising speed to counter the wind resistance? Perhaps it’s the adjustment to the weight distribution with the 65 pounds of batteries placed in the trunk (which, on the other hand, chops the cargo space almost in half)?
Perhaps it’s that the Malibu Eco is better connected to the road by its suspension, braking and steering compared to the unassisted Malibu, although GM swears that no adjustments have been made in this regard. The side windows are also better soundproofed.
In general, the experience is more natural, more mature and smoother. And too bad if the car is 1.2 seconds slower than the “traditional” Malibu with a 9-second 0-60 mph (96 km/hr) time.
Malibu’s Most Wanted?
In 2008, the Chevrolet Malibu took home the title of Best New North American of the Year with a score of double that of the Honda Accord, no less.
This time, the competition (mostly Japanese) is safe as they are flexing far too much muscle for the eighth generation of the American mid-size to overcome and win the ultimate prize for 2013. What do you want from them? They can’t reinvent the wheel every year, now can they?
Sure, the base version with its 2.5-litre four-cylinder Ecotec direct injection (a new powertrain, for the time being shared only with the Cadillac ATS) develops an imposing 197 horses and 191 lbs-ft of torque. This is among the most powerful four-cylinders in the class, but it’s barely sufficient to pull all that weight. And while the new automatic transmission shifts smoothly in general, it has a hard time downshifting between 90 and 100 km/hr.
Don’t even think about using the manual mode. For one thing, you’ll have to find it first, as it’s hidden at the end of the shift lever. Then, to use it, you’ll have to contort your elbow in a most unnatural manner. We gave up after only a few seconds.
Traditional at times
If you keep it straight on the highway, the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu is a joy: the powertrain is smooth and the ride is comfortable. It’s the kind of car that someone who’s upset that they don’t make the Mercury Grand Marquis anymore would love.
Moreover, this same hypothetical person would find the new Malibu’s seats comfortable, that the monotony-breaking two-tone interior and the blue lighting that adds a certain sophistication to the passenger compartment to the passenger compartment when night falls. Would he also like the less than instinctive commands dotted with hieroglyphs? That’s much less likely.
If we stop there, the Malibu is a great touring car, a true mid-size sedan that doesn’t claim to be sporty in the least. But when we take on Cape Breton’s winding and patched up roads, it’s another story entirely. The power steering is light and requires you to correct it frequently. And the correction tends to be imprecise and doesn’t always give you the desired results.
Bumpy roads subjugate the softish suspension and you can expect the nose to dive from time to time. Clearly this Malibu made more in the mould of the Toyota Camry than like the more dynamic new Honda Accord and Nissan Altima.
Less wheelbase
The fault lies not only with the dampers adjusted for California (Malibu, California, you get it?), but also with a platform whose wheelbase is reduced by 114 mm. That’s significant and, inevitably, it reduces the rear legroom.
You’re wondering about the architecture that very pleasant and lovely steel surface? Admit it, the Camaro-inspired taillights are beautiful, aren’t they?
As it has been since 2004, there’s and Epsilon platform underneath, modified and, more specifically, widened over the generations. At 1.8 metres from one side to the other, the Malibu is one of the largest in the category, which increases its cavernous 462-litre trunk capacity.
Historic brand
In the frantic race to reduce fuel consumption, the Chevrolet Malibu has done away with its six-cylinder powertrain for the first time in its 35-year history. You read that right: No more V6!
Instead, a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with fuel injection and a turbocharger that will serve as a “big engine”. Note that a turbo Malibu is a first.
When this version arrives at dealerships a little later this fall, it will feature 259 horsepower and 260 lbs-ft of torque for a fuel economy of 20% less than the outgoing 3.6-litre 252-hp V6.
Don’t bother looking for the hybrid – it disappeared in 2010 and it won’t be back. Now it’s the Malibu Eco that’s the greenest car in the line-up. And the wagon isn’t coming back either for that matter (you remember the Chevrolet Maxx?).
Generous equipment
As with the car’s weight, the prices aren’t reduced either. The base price is still a tad under $25,000 and it increase to $27,940 for the Eco.
When you compared equipment head to head versus the competition however, the new Malibu (just like the old one for that matter) is generous. It’s regrettable that the heated front seats come only with the leather upholstery.
Otherwise, the list of what is offered for the price remains long, and by that I mean longer than that of the Japanese machines. And that makes up for a resale value that isn’t as great as GM would like it to be.
