Starting life as the Chevrolet Corvelle, back in 1964, the Chevrolet Malibu has come a long way in these 45 years of its existence. Currently in its seventh generation, the Malibu continues to remain a car of choice for thousands of people across the country and abroad. Here we look at the latest avatar of the vehicle, the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu.
Firstly, the car today comes in five different trims, LS, LT (1LT, 2LT) and LTZ. The Malibu is powered by an ECOTEC 2.4L four-cylinder engine with Variable Valve Timing (VVT), with the option of a 3.6 L V6 engine with VVT, on the 2LT and LTZ trims. Electric Power Steering (EPS) and an independent four-wheel suspension are standard across all the trims. Transmission is a four-speed automatic with overdrive on the LS while it is a six-speed automatic with overdrive on the others. [If you prefer to build your own Chevy Malibu, you could do so here].
Normal safety features common to most GM vehicles are standard across all the trims including Air bags:5 driver and front passenger dual-stage frontal with Passenger Sensing System and thorax side-impact; front and rear outboard, and head-curtain side-impact. Other safety features include four-wheel antilock disc brakes, halogen headlamps with Automatic Exterior Lamp Control and Daytime Running Lamps (DRL s), OnStar, StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control System which includes Traction Control and Brake Assist, and Tire Pressure Monitor.
Color options on the Malibu include Imperial Blue Metallic, Silver Ice Metallic, Gold Mist Metallic, and Summit White. Newer colors which have been offered recently include Mocha Steel Metallic, White Diamond Tricoat and Taupe Gray Metallic. Extra cost colors include Red Jewel Tintcoat, Black Granite Metallic and the new color offering mentioned above, White Diamond Tricoat.
Inside the Malibu, you have the Driver Information Center which provides information on the lines of: driver customization, warning messages, Oil-Life Monitor, outside temperature display, trip odometer and programmable menu functions. There is also the Power Convenience Package (Optional only on the 1LT trim) which includes a driver six-way power seat adjuster, remote vehicle starter system and Bluetooth wireless technology for select compatible phones.The steering wheel has audio and cruise controls mounted on it, as Standard on the 1LT trim and Optional on the LS; it is leather-wrapped as a Standard offering, in the 2LT and LTZ trims.
Inside the Malibu
Standard seating options across all the trims are Front buckets, with reclining seatbacks and adjustable head restraints, driver power-adjustable vertical height and lumbar; rear, with 60/40 split-folding seatback and adjustable outboard head restraints. Additional seating options, standard on select trims only, include Custom Cloth, UltraLux, two-tone leather-appointed and heated front seats.
A remote vehicle starter system is optional in the 2LT and LTZ trims. A power sunroof with tilt-sliding is optional in the 1LT, 2LT and LTZ trims while a Rear Package that includes a rear power center as well as a manual blackglass shade is Optional in the 2LT and LTZ trims.
Audio systems inside the Malibu include an AM/FM stereo with MP3-capable CD player, with a digital clock, seek-scan, Radio Data System (RD S), 11 automatic volume, TheftLock, six speakers and auxiliary audio input jack for an MP3 player or other mobile device – all standard on all the trims except the LTZ, which has a premium audio package. Bluetooth wireless technology is standard on the 2LT and LTZ trims. XM Radio with a three month trial is standard across all the trims.
Additional accessories available for the Malibu which are installed at the dealer level include 17-Inch Forged Polished Wheels, 18-Inch Cast-Chrome Wheels, Premium All-Weather Floor Mats, Body-Side Moldings, Chrome Exhaust Tip, and a Headrest DVD System.
While the Malibu is assembled only in the United States, in Kansas City, Kansas and Lake Orion, Michigan, it is marketed and sold across North America, i.e. Canada, the United States, and Mexico, as well as the Middle East.
Production for the next-generation Malibu, which was revealed in August 2009, will begin only in 2012.
Reception for the Malibu has been positive, right from the time of its inception, and the 2008 model received rave reviews, after its extensive and prominent redesign. Sales have tended to exceed expectations and with the new Malibu receiving the North American Car of the Year Award in 2008, its prospects only seem brighter from hereon.
Rear View of the Redesigned 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
Final words – with a starting MSRP of $21,825 [More Pricing options for all Chevy models here] and a City/Highway fuel economy of 22/30 in the 2.4L and 17/26 in the 3.6L V6, the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu offers excellent value for money along with good fuel efficiency, as well as improved styling and the GM assurance. Go for it!