The 2016 Malibu: Why I'm Excited

"Hooker" (Hooker) 03/31/2015 at 11:07 • Filed to: None

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Let's be honest, the Malibu has been an "also ran" for a while. The 2008 was a huge leap in terms of build quality and overall design, however, the 2013 was a genuine punt at best. With such cars like the 2014 Impala and the Cruze, it makes me rather perplexed why the Malibu has been neglected for so long. It's like GM can only focus on one model per division at a time. Well, the time has come for a new, exciting, world beating Malibu. I hope. I'm excited, and here's why.

The "Teaser" Image

This process of revealing pieces, grainy images and other nondescript details bits at a time has to go. It's frustrating. Not only as a potential consumer, but also as a dealership employee. It doesn't build excitement for me, only frustration that I can't see the rest. However, this time, I am genuinely intrigued by the above teaser. The profile of the new Malibu looks to be very promising. There is a lot of potential Impala influence in that profile and the Impala is a vehicle I would buy, hands down, right now. But the mileage is not great.

The Mileage

It has been reported that the Malibu could crack 45 MPG combined with a full hybrid setup with bits taken from the Volt. The Volt has a proven and excellent power train and implementing elements from it on other vehicles is smart. Both from a cost point and obviously potentially beneficial to the customer for mileage. I will be watching this and the base, gas only model very carefully. I have been looking for something in the Chevrolet lineup (I work at a Chevrolet dealer GM's are my thing) that I can replace my Cruze (that I love) with. The Cruze is a great car, however, it's small. And the next generation pics that I have seen thus far do not impress me.

Sorry man, I'm just not that into you. (I know it's the Chinese version but it will be pretty close to this.)

Overall Quality

Overall, I am desperately hoping that Chevrolet can build me a downsized Impala that drives just as solid, yet handles a good bit better. One can dream. The current Malibu has nice enough interior materials (though design could use a little less upright) but it's just a let down in a lot of ways. For example, the Cruze has contrasting colors/textures that continue to the back seats. The Malibu carves corners (and not in a fun way) and ditches the contrasting colors in the back seat above the elbow height. How much could that have possibly saved?

Pictured is a Cruze LS. Base model and the interior looks better than the Malibu.

The bottom line here is that where the Impala knocked the ball out of the park and the Cruze is still a competent, high quality ride, I'm expecting (maybe foolishly) big things from the Malibu. I'm excited. I want to be excited. Don't disappoint me, Chevy.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > Hooker 03/31/2015 at 11:16

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I've hated the Malibu's looks ever since the 2008 redesign. I absolutely hated the way it looked. Chevy touted it as " the car you can't ignore." Well, I wish I could. The refresh/following generation was an improvement, but still not great. I've driven, and been in, a lot of Malibus. My mom's car when I was really little was a '79 Malibu. My uncle had a '96. I had a '98 Cutlass which was identical to the Malibu in almost every way. We've had a 2003 or 2004 Malibu rental, and a 2006. I've even ridden in the awful Malibu MAXX. They haven't looked good for a long long time, but the 2008 body style, I think, was the worst it's ever looked ever since the nameplate was revived. I seriously hope Chevy can make it look good for the new design. I LOVE the look of the newest Impala, and if they took that direction with the Malibu, I'd be super happy.

ly2v8-Brian > Hooker 03/31/2015 at 11:18

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I imagine it will be fairly stylish with a very comfortable interior. I don't expect much performance wise though.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe 03/31/2015 at 11:34

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Take that back about the MAXX.

The MAXX was the one to have. Specifically, the SS.

If they made a new MAXX, I'd give it a second glance. If they gave it AWD, I'd be VERY interested. If they made an SS version...

Devon lost his burner, understands electric cars don't require front grilles > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 03/31/2015 at 11:42

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Future classic, that MAXX SS. Kinda porny name tho.

Devon lost his burner, understands electric cars don't require front grilles > Hooker 03/31/2015 at 11:42

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I'm guessing it shall continue to be a functional rental that sees few Camcord conquests.

pauljones > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe 03/31/2015 at 11:51

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It's sometimes interesting to see how much individual aesthetic tastes can vary. I liked the looks of the 2008-2012 Malibu. It wasn't the Adriana Lima of cars by any means; but, then, what short of an Aston Martin really is? What it lacked in the design sensuousness present in Aston Martins, it made up for with simple, understated elegance and solid reliability. It's like the wall flower girl at the local club; sure, she's not as hot as that knock-out on the dance floor that has eyes for every guy that walks in the door. Sure, she has a slightly awkward manner and her outfit isn't as wild and attention-grabbing. But she's still cute. She's also smart, easy to approach, easy to trust, and easy to get along with. She may not be everything you've ever fantasized about, but she's everything that you need, and whether you realize it or not, everything that you actually want. Like that wall flower girl, the Malibu is everything you need and everything you really want, and it's far from hard on the eyes.

Add to that the fact that in its class it handled well, rode well, accelerated well, and had good build quality, and what you got was a great car for the segment. Want proof? Just check the sales numbers.

Hell, I even liked the previous Malibu. Yeah, they were about as attractive as Paris Hilton (which is to say, for me at least, not very); but it wasn't quite the bridge troll that previous Camry was, or the squid-face that the previous Taurus was. But, hey, it came in wagon form with SS trim and suspension and a paddle-shift four-speed automatic that, in combination, was so wrong in so many ways that it was somehow right, and also inexplicably interesting.

RallyWrench > Hooker 03/31/2015 at 12:17

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This may be unpopular, but I don't think the recent Malibu is a bad looking car. Whether or not it deserves to be called a Malibu is a different story, but it's just one of many names GM has emasculated over the decades.

Xazzaphonic (previously known as Vicarious-Chair) > Hooker 03/31/2015 at 12:32

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I have no long words to write, but I've been meaning to make this a point:

chevy gave the malibu a damn fast back. I am excited to see the whole thing.

ranwhenparked > Hooker 03/31/2015 at 12:50

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The '08 proved that GM can do a good job in the segment when they feel like it, which was pretty groundbreaking, considering it had been since maybe 1978 and the downsized A-bodies since GM had done a truly competitive mainstream intermediate. The '13 is excusable, considering that much of the development happened during GM's financial crisis and they just couldn't afford to spend the kind of money needed to do it right. For the next one, there's no excuse.

Hooker > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe 03/31/2015 at 13:58

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I feel similarly. However, the MAXX to me, was the only redeeming model of that generation. I know that's not saying much but still. They rode well and got OK mileage for the time but they just weren't competitive.

Hooker > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 03/31/2015 at 13:59

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I'm right there with you. I have often thought about the MAXX with a new Impala front end. The things I dream of. And shouldn't.

Hooker > pauljones 03/31/2015 at 14:01

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The voice of reason. I really enjoy reading your responses. Thank you for the perspective.

Hooker > RallyWrench 03/31/2015 at 14:02

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I agree 100%. It's a decent looking car (especially in 2LZ trim with those monster 5 spoke wheels and the 2.0 turbo). But it lost some of the elegant proportions the previous gen had. Which I hope they are fixing with the longer wheelbase of the next gen.

Hooker > ranwhenparked 03/31/2015 at 14:03

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Couldn't agree more. It was a punt that had to happen so we could get nice things like the Impala. However, the Equinox was designed by bankruptcy era GM as well and it has a much better look and feel. I just think they could have done better and I am hoping for much better.

Hooker > Xazzaphonic (previously known as Vicarious-Chair) 03/31/2015 at 14:04

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Yes. This. I could have said it shorter but I was on a runner's high at the time and couldn't really stop myself. Now that I read it over, I was rambling. Haha.

Hooker > ly2v8-Brian 03/31/2015 at 14:05

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I'm not looking for a sports car. Just something that drives a little bit smaller than it is. The current Impala drives like a big oaf. It's comfortable, quiet and high quality, but it wallows at times. I'd still have one though because it's beautiful.

Hooker > Devon lost his burner, understands electric cars don't require front grilles 03/31/2015 at 14:07

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That's potential. And history would say that you're likely right. However, I just want things to be different.

Devon lost his burner, understands electric cars don't require front grilles > Hooker 03/31/2015 at 14:14

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Oh, me too, I've just gotten too cynical after years of half-hearted efforts by GM in this segment.

Hooker > Devon lost his burner, understands electric cars don't require front grilles 03/31/2015 at 14:24

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Agreed. I was so impressed with the Cruze when it came out. So much so, I have bought 3. Don't ask. I trade a lot. But to be honest, I was hoping for more with the new Cruze and the new Malibu. I will reserve final judgement until they are officially official.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > pauljones 03/31/2015 at 16:06

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No paddle shift. +/- button, side of the shifter. Nice to have as an option, but it was so sluggish you'de hardly use it.

ly2v8-Brian > Hooker 03/31/2015 at 16:09

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That's what I'm getting at (trying and failing it seems) they will be making changes to it. Most likely they will go that way, but I wouldn't expect anything drastic.

Hooker > ly2v8-Brian 03/31/2015 at 16:22

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Agreed. I hate that I'm so excited about a mid sized car but I really REALLY liked that teaser (again, hate teaser shots). Love the player. Hate the game.

ly2v8-Brian > Hooker 03/31/2015 at 16:31

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I just can't wait for the Camaro. That's going to be sweet. Also the Diesel Canyarado.

Hooker > ly2v8-Brian 03/31/2015 at 16:35

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Ooh. Forgot about the diesel Canyarado. Actually, customers ask about it just about every day. I just hope they don't price it in the stratosphere. Also, I've seen the Camaro. It's a lot more aggressive without deviating too much from the original formula. If that makes any sense whatsoever. The interior wasn't done yet tho so no word on whether or not it's still a play school interior.