2008 Chevrolet Malibu

Styling

Since the arrival of Bob Lutz as global product leader and Ed Welburn as Design VP, GM styling—including interior design, a long-time GM weakness—has dramatically improved, and this new Malibu hits a high-water mark for its size and price class with taut proportions, elegant lines and a crisp, clean profile. Its split grille represents the new global face of Chevrolet cars—we've heard that before, but this one is too good not to stick—and its twin round taillamps are a new spin on a traditional Chevy cue. LTZ models sport front fog lamps and clear-lens LED taillamps, while V-6-powered Malibus brandish twin chrome exhausts.


Its beautifully crafted interior combines great ergonomics (user friendliness) with premium materials throughout. The instrument panel is a Chevrolet signature dual-cockpit design with major gauges backlit in blue and a choice of metallic-look or woodgrain accents. A deep center console with a sliding cover accommodates large items, a covered storage compartment sits atop the instrument panel, and an available "rear power center" provides both 12V and 110-volt AC power outlets. With tight panel gaps and expensive-looking details inside and out, this new Chevy masquerades as a $40,000 car while starting at half that price.

Interior

All 2008 Malibus come with Generation 7 OnStar, which features advanced automatic crash notification, remote diagnostics, monthly status reports and available Turn-By-Turn GPS Navigation. With Turn-by-Turn, you simply request directions from a live adviser, who transmits them to the car's OnStar system, which plays them in step-by-step detail through the car's audio system. It's easier and at least as effective as an expensive dash-mounted nav system (not yet available in Malibus), and you don't have to manually enter your destination. The downside: no handy on-screen map with street names and points of interest.


While the Malibu's solid structure and chassis minimize noise and vibrations, its body bristles with noise-reducing materials—liquid spray-on sound deadener, laminated steel, laminated "quiet glass," composite wheel liners—to deliver probably the midsize segment's quietest ride. All the better to enjoy the standard audio or one of a range of available upgrades, including the eight-speaker, 210-watt premium system standard on LTZ and optional on 2LT.


Two nice two-tone trims (Ebony and Brick and Cocoa and Cashmere) are offered, as is an all-Ebony combination set off by tasteful woodgrain accents. The upper-middle 2LT model sports heated seats with suede-like upholstery. LTZs have black-chrome accents, a specific instrument layout and two-tone heated leather seats. The warm blue instrument lighting glows day and night, soft ambient lighting enhances the environment after dark, and overhead LED floodlights provide subdued light to the console area between the seats.

Driving Impression
The Malibu's long wheelbase, wide stance, stiff structure and four-wheel independent suspension tuned for each powertrain combination combine for a precise and pleasing balance of ride and handling unusual in this segment. The MacPherson strut front suspension uses aluminum control arms to reduce unsprung mass for a smoother rough-surface ride, while a direct-acting front stabilizer bar enhances steering feel. The multilink rear layout also includes a direct-acting stabilizer bar, plus monotube or twin-tube shock absorbers, depending on the model. The energy efficient variable electric power steering on four-cylinder models (much improved over earlier versions) still feels a bit artificial on center, but the hydraulic power steering on V-6 models offers more precise feel and feedback. LS models come with 16-inch painted wheels, LTs with 17-inchers (chrome-trimmed on 1LT, aluminum on 2LT), and LTZs boast 18-inch aluminum "ultra-bright-finish" wheels.