Motor Head {test drive}: Chevrolet Malibu

The new Malibu: CHEVROLET SEEKS TO CHANGE THE WAY WE LOOK AT AMERICAN SEDANS

By Ron Moorhead

That all-American sedan, the Chevrolet Malibu, has been redesigned and is going right after its Japanese competitors. Everything is new on the 2004 Malibu and time will tell if the Malibu will succeed in putting more pressure on the competition.

Manufactured at General Motors' Kansas City, Kan., assembly plant, the Malibu is the second North American application of the General's Epsilon global architecture, which also provides the foundation for the Saab 9-3 and Opel Vectra. The Epsilon architecture's main characteristics were developed with GM's subsidiary in Germany, which could account for the dash of European flair in the Malibu's ride and handling.

Our test vehicle for the week was the Malibu base sedan. Power came from an Ecotec 2.2L four-cylinder engine, providing 145 horsepower. We found adequate muscle to move us along the highways and onto freeways with ease and comfort. If a little more authority is to your liking, you'll want to move up to the 3.5L V-6 engine in the Malibu models LS and LT. Torque is delivered to the pavement by an electronically controlled four-speed transmission that shifts efficiently and smoothly.

The Malibu offers steering and handling characteristics that will appeal to a wide range of buyers, firmer than some, but a little softer than others. Due to the Epsilon body structure, the new Malibu offers a comfortable, smooth and exceedingly quiet ride.

All Malibu models are equipped with electric power steering (EPS), the first midsize sedan to do so in North America. EPS provides variable assist for light, low-speed turns, as in parallel parking and solid, high-speed steering when traveling at highway speeds. ESP results in improved fuel efficiency, noise reduction and improved cold-weather performance.

The Malibu also is the first car in its class to offer an optional factory-installed remote vehicle starter. This is a great feature that allows the driver to start the car from a range of about 200 feet. This enables control of the car's interior heating and cooling.

The exterior design incorporates a much more aerodynamic line than models past. In fact, one admirer jokingly asked, "What happened to the baked potato look?" The new Malibu has a larger stance on the road with a more substantial front end. Again, this new direction in exterior appearance most certainly was influenced by the Epsilon global architecture.

Also, the interior trim is quite unlike GM designs from the past. It is more modern and uncluttered and much more stylish. We, however, felt that GM uses too much durable thermoplastic on the instrument panel, door trim, console and other trim areas. More use of carpet and/or contrasting trim would give a less "plastic" look and feel.

The controls are where they logically should be and are easy to use and locate. We found the manual fore/aft seat adjustment awkward to use, and would like to see it replaced with a power adjustment. The steering wheel is adjustable, and the pedals are power-adjustable, a feature we would like to see on more vehicles. The ability to move the pedals fore and aft to better fit the stature of the driver makes a whole lot of sense. From the seat behind the steering wheel the driver enjoys an unrestricted view of the road ahead.

The cabin offers plenty of room for five passengers and provides a variety of storage compartments. The rear seats are supportive and allow plenty of room for egress and aggress. The 60/40 split rear seat folds to add more trunk room, and the fold flat passenger seat creates more cargo space when needed.

Engineers used high-strength steel in strategic areas of the body and developed energy-absorbing front and rear crush zones that help to obtain notable structural safety performance. Other safety features included in the standard Malibu are driver and passenger airbags, daytime running lamps, power programmable door locks with lockout protection and delayed locking. An option package, valued at $1,780, adds anti-lock brakes with traction control, head curtain side airbags and the power adjustable brake and accelerator pedals.

The Malibu has raised the bar on the competition and offers a sound, attractive midsize sedan. It is roomy and offers a quiet, comfortable ride at a price that is easy on the pocketbook. The competition had better look out: The General just may be closing in with this new Malibu sedan.