2004 Chevrolet Malibu Review

Specifications

High Content Level and European Flair

How do you improve upon a 2002 and 2003 JD Power “Best in Segment” rating and a Consumer Guide “Best Buy” rating for an entry level, midsize car? According to Chevy you start all over again, precisely what they did with the Malibu.

For 2004 the Malibu is completely new. It shares “nada”, except nameplate, with the previous generation Malibu. According to GM Marketing rep. Mark Alger, “every nut, bolt and piece of plastic is new.” Did he really say “plastic”? Im sure he meant composite material! Whatever the wording, the point Mark is making is that the Malibu is a completely new automobile.

When manufacturers start with a blank sheet they have the advantage of setting a new vision for their product. A goal to strive for if you will. In the case of Malibu that goal, according to Alger, was to “promote European ride and handling while delivering more features than any other car in the marketplace”, and do it at a price that would eclipse the competition. The question is; have they done it?

In order to answer that question, I recently attended GMs launch of several new Chevy products, including the Malibu in question. At this event automotive journalists were given the opportunity to drive the vehicles in urban and rural settings and in a track setting, where we were encouraged to test the vehicles handling limits.

During the day of judgement I focused heavily on the Malibu. I scoured its every joint, seam and surface in an effort to objectively evaluate its design and build quality. Am I impressed? Well, yes and no. The exterior design is inoffensive and fairly conservative, which I guess is what you would expect from Chevrolet. Its too bad that the designers couldnt have met the design benchmarks set by the likes of the Volkswagens Passat and Nissans Altima, because to my eyes, the Malibu exhibits a bit of a 1980s look and fails to distinguish itself from the rest of the midsize herd.

When it comes to build quality, however, the Malibu stands tall and proud. I was especially impressed with its slim, precise gapping between body panels.

That high level of fit and finish continued on the inside as well. Of particular note was the soft, tactile feel to most surfaces. If dropped into a Malibu, blindfolded, I would have difficulty accepting the fact that the car is pure Chevrolet and built in good old Kansas City, Kansas. Apart from a wee touch or two of “bow tie” badging, the interior finishing and overall design convey a European flair. The only marring element is the cloth covering the seats in the base and LS models. Time may prove it durable, but it doesnt impart a high-quality or long lasting feel.

But despite that, the “sporty European” theme of the interior is accomplished with such goodies as firm, supportive bucket seats, gated floor shifter and console storage bin, all nicely executed and very functional. The base Malibu and LS version receive brushed aluminum trim highlights - a nice touch. In the LT model the aluminum is exchanged for pleasant looking simulated wood trim, which sends an upscale message to complement the LTs premium seats. In the LT the seat surfaces are covered in a perforated faux suede material. Real leather is used on the surrounding surfaces of the seats and I must say that the combination of materials work well together. The faux suede is soft, supple and very convincing. These seats look and feel great.

An aspect of the interior that caused me to scratch my balding cranium is the set up of the audio control buttons. The buttons, some being multi-function, are small and poorly labeled. From the driving position I was unable to read what they each controlled due to the fineness of the small markings. I dont know what percentage of the 35-55 year-old market that Chevy is targeting suffer from declining vision, but Im sure that I am not alone in being unable to read the fine print. Cmon Chevy, make the buttons larger, easier to read and simpler to operate! Fortunately the heating/ventilation/air conditioning controls are much more straightforward and intuitive to operate.

Apart from the minor quibbles mentioned, I can assure you that life in a Malibu is very pleasant. When I first boarded I was surprised at the mid-sizers “big car” feel. The cleanly packaged exterior belies its true footprint and seems incongruous with the voluminous space available to driver and passengers.

Better news is that all that room rides upon the much-touted Epsilon platform, shared by the extremely nimble Saab 9-3 and European Opel Vectra. The Epsilon chassis is a German design that features 4-wheel independent suspension. The chassis has been fine-tuned for North American roads and driving habits, but retains much of its European prowess. That translates into crisp handling and a well-controlled ride. Interestingly I found the 04 Malibus ride to be slightly more forgiving and absorbent than its European rivals. This is clearly the North American influence emerging; however the Malibu is no land yacht when it comes to handling, with a few runs through the pylons proving the point.

Although a fair bit of body lean presented itself during hard cornering and emergency lane changes, the Malibu remained composed, predictable and easy to control. Its equipped with cutting edge, electrically assisted power steering. This new technology really delivered. I didnt experience any inability of the power assist to keep up with my input demands, as can be the case with hydraulically assisted power steering units. Although I wouldnt equate the road-feel with that of a BMW 3 series, or even a Honda Accord for that matter, the electrically assisted power steering unit was linear and smooth in its operation - although resistance was on the lighter side.

The base Malibu is equipped with an inline 2.2-liter (134 cu-in), DOHC four-cylinder Ecotec powerplant producing 145 horsepower. While adequate, both the LS and upscale LT models receive a standard upgrade to the 3.5-liter (213 cu-in), OHV V6 engine which ropes together 200 ponies. This powerplant is not as technically advanced or refined as some of its competitors DOHC, 4-valve per cylinder V6 engines, but it is very spunky and manages to propel the relatively lightweight Malibu with authority when acceleration is demanded.

Where the engine reveals its shortcomings is in the area of refinement. Under routine operation, the Malibus V6 seems as good as any rival V6. But push it to redline and its 3.5 liters loose composure and take on an audible thrashiness, likely due to the low-tech, 2-valve per-cylinder push-rod design. Fortunately the engines harshness doesnt equate to a power loss, the engine pulls firmly to redline at which point a shift in gears relieves the pain.

Under full or normal acceleration, the Hydra-Matic 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive consistently shifts itself smoothly. The shift-points are well placed and the transmission is never confused about when to shift or which gear to select. Snap the accelerator to the floor and the car quickly downshifts and lunges ahead smartly.

The Malibu not only lunges ahead in the literal sense, it also lunges ahead figuratively, at least when talking safety. To begin with, the Epsilon architectures extensive use of high-strength steel and tailor-welded steel reinforcements provide enhanced structural integrity for the passenger compartment and improved front, rear and side impact protection. “The Malibu and Malibu Maxx (a new 5-door liftback version) were designed from their initial concept with safety as a primary goal,” said Robert C. Lange, GM Executive Director of Structure and Safety Integration.

Beyond structural engineering, safety is enhanced with anti-lock brakes and traction control, both standard on the Malibu LS and LT models and optional on the base Malibu. This last point is another head scratcher. Wouldnt it just make more sense to include antilock brakes standard on all Malibus? I dont get it; antilock brakes are nothing short of brilliant. So why build an entirely new family vehicle and not include antilock brakes across the board, given the few dollars the technology now costs? Price point advertising wins out over common sense again, it seems.

Antilock brakes or not, in the unfortunate event of a crash all five occupants will benefit from three-point safety belts. The driver and front seat passenger also each receive a dual-stage frontal airbag as standard equipment. Optional roof-rail airbags are available to further protect front and rear seat occupants from a side impact. These airbags act like a protective curtain, filling in the front and rear side window area, on whichever side of the car the impact occurs.

On this subject, GMs Advanced Automatic Crash Notification system makes its debut on the new Malibu, standard with the OnStar Safe and Sound subscriber package. Following a crash, the OnStar system will call for help and OnStar operator respond regardless of whether the airbags have been deployed. The new system will also sense the severity of the crash. If an OnStar operator is unable to contact the passengers, emergency personnel will automatically be advised of the incident, its location and severity. Talk about peace of mind for the rural traveler or those carting young ones to and from the ski hills.

And if ski hills are in your part of the country, you will certainly appreciate the Malibus optional remote starting feature. A button on the key fob will start the Malibu from up to 200-feet away, provided the doors are locked and the hood is closed. If the vehicle is left unattended for more than 10-minutes, the system will turn the car off. The vehicle can only be placed into gear after the key has been inserted into the ignition switch and rotated to the “run” position, which will unlock the transmission shifter. For those living in colder climates, remote starting eliminates the outdoor streak, often a scantily clad event - yikes - to start and warm the car on a sub-zero morning.

Back to more noble thoughts, Malibu is sold in three model increments, beginning with the base Malibu, likely targeted at the fleet purchaser, followed by the LS and LT respectively. In all variations it is well equipped, thanks to the initial goal of delivering more innovations and features than any other car in its class.

Standard features include power drivers seat height-adjustment, tilt/telescoping steering, air conditioning, power windows, plus power door locks and mirrors. Power adjustable brake and accelerator pedals and manual lumbar support are standard on the Malibu LS and LT and optional on the base Malibu. The Malibu LT also receives a boost in wheel size to 16-inches, over the 15-inch wheels bolted to the base and LS models. The base Malibu wheels are steel dressed with wheel covers, the LS receives painted aluminum rims while the LT sports rims of machined aluminum.

Whether in the base, LS or LT version, the Malibu is sure to send a shiver down the spine of many-a-sales-rep for competing brands. That shiver may turn into outright panic when the reps get their mitts on Chevys price sheet, what clearly outlines that Chevy intends to turn a profit through high volume sales, not high pricing. This was a point finely emphasized by Mark Alger during the Malibus launch.

The recently announced pricing is as follows: Base Malibu: $18,370; LS: $20,370 and LT: $22,870. The aannounced pricing, combined with a truckload of technological innovation and a long list of standard features in LS and LT formats, could force many competitors to rethink their pricing strategy.

So, has the Malibu achieved European ride and handling characteristics while delivering more features than any other car in the marketplace at a price that eclipses the competition? My answer is, mostly. Mostly, save for and except for its V6 powerplant that relies on yesterdays technology, as well as an exterior design that misses the benchmark set by VW and Nissan, and thats unfortunate.

The 2004 Malibu offers substantial size, comfort, convenience and innovation at a very attractive price. That translates into great value - and if values really the goal, I think GMs target has been solidly met.