Rental Car: 2017 Chevy Malibu LS

"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
04/09/2017 at 18:23 • Filed to: None

I like it, but with caveats.

Steering is crisp and responsive. Ride is excellent and very quiet. Driver seat is very comfortable and very adjustable for being a non-powered seat. This car is more comfortable than an Impala.

Power is adequate with a four-cylinder of some kind, and 80 mph in Utah and Idaho nets me an mpg average above 30 mph. Brakes are very effective and responsive.

The electronic driver interface is not overly complicated. The ChevyLink system took on my Nexus 5 phone quite easily and also works well with my older iPod Touch on a USB cable.

In all, I’d call it solid, though relatively basic, transportation.

Some rubs:

Like a hybrid, the engine cuts out at stops, and restarts when you release the brake pedal. I’m not sure how running A/C might affect that, since it’s only 42 degrees outside.

There is no compass. This is 2017. Really?

I don’t like keyless ignition. So much complexity.

All openings are designed to drop snow into interior spaces.

Build Quality:

Feels solid and quiet, but at only 9,500 miles, the driver’s seat bottom upholstery is aready a bit rumpled.

There is assembly adhesive between parts on the dash.

The steering wheel controls have a sort of rubbery cover to them that I expect will look like CRAP in a very short time.

Overall Rating: B+

Overall Expecation for the Long Term: C

I’d be scared to death of buying one for the mechanics’ bills that are sure to come in later years.

DISCUSSION (16)

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
04/09/2017 at 18:35

How is keyless ignition complex to use? It’s like 2-3 steps less complex than using a key. Step 1: Have keys in pocket, like you normally would. Step 2: Hold button

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/09/2017 at 18:42

More complicated features to maintain. More needless things to break. Just speaking my truth.

TheNeonDriver - Now with More BMW! > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
04/09/2017 at 18:43

The compass is in the screen between the gauges, you have to go digging for it. I don’t know if you get the NAV if it still has the compass function.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
04/09/2017 at 18:43

The 2014+ trucks use those same rubber covered wheel controls and even in the high mileage examples I’ve been in at work they’ve held up well.

Are you sure there wasn’t a compass in the cluster screen? They’re pretty much standard in all GM cars now.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > TheNeonDriver - Now with More BMW!
04/09/2017 at 18:44

Not that I can find and I’m pretty good at digging out features. Pretty sure it ain’t there.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/09/2017 at 18:45

I went digging for one. I’m pretty good at menus and feature digging.

TheNeonDriver - Now with More BMW! > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
04/09/2017 at 18:46

The 2016 has it, but I have been in a LT as well.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
04/09/2017 at 18:49

It should sit just opposite of the gear indicator.

Kinja'd!!!

Though it is a bare bones LS fleet so it might not have it.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/09/2017 at 19:03

I’ll look. Thanks for the tip.

Quadradeuce > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
04/09/2017 at 19:05

My wife sat in one at the auto show and liked it. Shocked the hell out of me since she hates Chevy.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Quadradeuce
04/09/2017 at 19:09

I gave it a B+. I’ve always liked the Malibu, all the way back to the 80s.

LongbowMkII > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/09/2017 at 19:18

I never have to change a battery on a key.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > LongbowMkII
04/09/2017 at 19:42

Because changing a battery maybe once a decade is really a hindrance.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
04/09/2017 at 19:43

A button replacing an ignition switch with more parts... Replacing a cheap battery ever 10 years... Yeah, I’m not really seeing the complexity.

LongbowMkII > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/09/2017 at 20:52

Depends on the remote I guess. Had to change the one for my mom’s Impala every year. Just an annoyance.

All for what?

“Oh Lord the hand cramps from turning a key!”

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/10/2017 at 09:50

Yup; there it is. Not very prominent. Thanks.