2009 Chevy Malibu Review – Looks Great, Drives Well And Offers Good Fuel Economy
April 7, 2009 by admin
Filed under Chevrolet, Mid-Size Sedan, New Car Review
Chevy Malibu Review. Since undergoing a major redesign in 2008, Chevrolet launched a completely redesigned the 2009 Chevy Malibu that bears little resemblance to the appliance-like models in recent years. The exterior is modern and distinctive, and more European than anything else in a Chevy showroom. The interior design is equally well executed a flowing instrument panel indicators and controls for features that are easy to decipher and use. Most interior plastics have a rich grain and are soft to the touch. Although leather is optional, the base fabric seats feel expensive and look durable.
Available only as a sedan, the 2009 Chevy Malibu rides on the long-wheelbase version of GM’s front-wheel Epsilon platform. The long 112.3-inch wheelbase gives the Malibu a large back seat with plenty of legroom. The Malibu of the structure gives a solid feel and quiet, but the extra size and structure to appear in Malibu to reduce weight, which is larger than the Asian competition.
The 2009 Chevy Malibu offers two engines. Base versions are powered by a 2.4-liter DOHC four-cylinder with 169 horsepower, and a DOHC 3.6 liters up-level V-6 with 252 horsepower. Both engines offer a spot of travel, fuel, six-speed automatic is standard on the LTZ model, optional on LT, but not available on the LS. The alternate is a four-speed automatic transmission. The four-cylinder model might feel a bit when asked to move a heavy enough Malibu with any taste. However, for those concerned about fuel economy, are not we all today? The four-cylinder Malibu with excellent numbers of 22 mpg in EPA city and 33 mpg highway with the six-speed automatic.
Loans from the platform of the Pontiac G6, the 2009 Malibu cuts a sleek profile that the first car with a sloped windshield and the roof line raked, chrome trim, dual front grilles. It comes in five trims: the base LS, LT1, LT2, LTZ Sport and Hybrid. All seats come standard with an engine and four-line, while the LT1, LT2, and LTZ trims also offers a 3.6 liters V6.
The 2008 redesign added glass thicker, more rigid platform and a more sound insulation to provide what many reviewers and owners call a peaceful and stable travel. The four-door Malibu presents limited body is relatively simple and smooth in rough roads. LS uses the 16-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires, while the LT trims feature 17-inch wheels and the LTZ adds 18-inch tires. LTZ also offers hydraulic steering, which provides a more responsive feel behind the wheel of the electric power steering in the other ornaments. Some complain remarkable pace with the leading 6-speed automatic shift-able, however.
The 2009 Chevy Malibu is proud of its luxurious interior, designed to improve the overall comfort in what is essentially a family sedan. Outlines the chrome instrument panel with the option to add the wood cutting. The sedan seats four or five adults comfortably, with 42 inches of front legroom and 37.6 inches in the rear. All seats feature split folding rear seats with a pass through the 15.1 cubic feet trunk. The front passenger seat also folds flat for transporting objects. The front dash includes additional storage.
The new 2009 Chevy Malibu cabin includes a dash-top storage bin, door cobbie’s, and seat-back pockets, standard ambient lighting for the overhead console and door-pull pockets.We’ve never cared for the look of rolled-up sliding covers on center consoles due to their ability to attract crumbs. Overall, the Malibu interior is attractive and comfortable.The quality of the interior materials is good.It doesn’t bowl you over but nor does it reek of cheap plastic.We think it compares well to the cabin of the all-new 2008 Honda Accord.The quality of the hard plastic on the lower dash in the Chevrolet isn’t as nice as the material in the Honda, and the material on the steering wheel hub is a little nicer on the Honda, but it’s still nothing to behold.The Chevrolet has an attractive leather shift boot on cars with leather interiors is not found in the Accord.
Many owners and reviewers mention the large interior space as a high point for the 2009 Chevy Malibu. The instrument of easy and ergonomic design also won general praise. All seats feature Malibu 4-wheel disc brakes and ABS with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, front and rear stabilizer bars, traction control and dual front and side, side curtain airbags for both rows. Stability control is standard on all seats, but the LS. Automatic headlights contain halogen lamps, and the LTZ adds standard fog lights. On-Star includes its own navigation system (navigation system is not offered, even as an option for the 2009 Chevy Malibu).
Major competitors to the 2009 Chevy Malibu include the Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Avenger, Ford Taurus, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Mazda 6, Nissan Altima, Pontiac G6, Saturn Aura, Subaru Legacy, Toyota Camry, and Volkswagen Passat.
View the 2009 Chevy Malibu pictures
