I chuckled when I first heard the latest tagline for the new ’08 Chevrolet Malibu “The Car you Can’t Ignore” remembering a miserable experience I had recently at the wheel of a rented ’07 Malibu. Here was a car that if were a child it would be the last to be picked in gym class. It was uninspired and loathsome and ugliness was not just skin deep. I renamed it the Chevy “Mali-Poo” as my car was encased in a putrid brown color reminiscent of an evening at Taco Bell gone bad. The car’s paint color I would find to be its best feature. After a day at the wheel I gave the keys back and upgraded to a Grand Prix for the remainder of the week. But this once miserable midsize sedan is all new for ’08 and GM seems a bit more cognitive of its image these days and gone is the “Mali-poo” of old in favor of a brand new Detroit sedan with looks that kill. For 08 it only shares the Malibu nameplate with last years model and GM has aimed this young gun squarely at the Honda and Toyota delivering a near lethal blow. Sure the Malibu has been around longer than Rolling Stones, but this car is singing a far different tune than the muscled V8 machines of old with SS badges and engines 3 times the size in most cars today. Simply put, the ’08 is the best Malibu since Armstrong landed on the Moon. One look at the all new model and you know the boys at GM have been burning the midnight oil working overtime on this newborn and, guys, all that effort was worth it. The new Malibu does hint at Camry exterior styling but climb inside and you’ll think you’re at the wheel of a 60s Corvette. This is the nicest interior you’ll find in a midsize sedan of any manufacturer, period. Designed from the ground up, the Malibu’s interior environment is so nice after driving it from the showroom you’ll spend the first night sleeping in your car since college. From the stitching of the seats to the ice blue gauges and a leather wrapped steering wheel that will make Mercedes envious, the Malibu pleases like a lottery win. This is a midsize sedan but hints at wanting to be more like its larger brethren, the Impala. So long as you don’t play in the NBA this is a very comfortable car, though taller riders might want to ride shotgun as the roofline plunges in the rear cutting off a bit of headroom. That aside, passengers will enjoy a cabin largely free of wind and road noise and will be able to listen to XM radio with six speakers as if it were their living room. The Malibu comes in 4 different trim levels including the LS, 1LT, 2LT and LTZ. Even the entry level LS starting at $19,995 offers standard features such as ECOTEC 2.4liter 4 cylinder engine and 4 speed automatic transmission, 16-inch steel wheels, keyless entry, air-conditioning, OnStar and a six speaker CD & satellite stereo. The 1LT for a $1K more adds stability control, 17″ wheels and steering wheel mounted controls. The 2LT model starts at $22,625 and adds remote starting, leather wrapped shift knob, 17″ aluminum wheels and heated front seats and driver side 6-way power seat. The ultimate Malibu is the LTZ starting at $26,995 offering a potent 3.6 6cylinder engine with 6 speed automatic transmission, full leather interior, 18″ Aluminum wheels and a 8 speaker 2 sub-woofer stereo. A hybrid Malibu is offered starting at $22,790 but to keep weight down and economy up this is one of the least optioned Malibus available but still has a 2.4cylinder engine mated to a hybrid transmission that switches from electric to gasoline power. Performance with either engine is spirited and naturally the 6cylinder models will go faster with 0-60 times 4 seconds quicker than those with 2cylinders less. But the 4 cylinder models get their revenge in fuel economy boasting a 22 mpg city/30 mpg highway while the thirstier 6cylinder is rated at 17 mpg city/26 mpg highway. Once underway the Malibu is a very comfortable and capable car and offers road holding and handling that makes it feel much lighter a 3500lb automobile should. Steering is precise and braking is very good from its 4 wheel anti lock discs. GM cars historically lack road feel and the new Malibu, though not as numb as others I’ve driven, carries on this tradition. This is a trivial gripe and I would not hand the keys back after a day with this new Malibu. Here is a car I would drive 3 or 3000 miles without hesitation or a funny nickname. Safety is everyone’s concern on the road, the Malibu offers an extensive list of features including traction control, front and side airbags, side full curtain airbags, anti-lock disc brakes as standard helping the ’08 Malibu achieve the highest rating form the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in a frontal offset crash test. The new Malibu delivers with near perfect precision on the trifecta of looks, performance and safety. No longer does the Malibu look like it should have a government license plate affixed or bought in bulk to shuttle sales forces coast to coast. This is a true contender in the cutthroat midsize sedan market that includes 3 of Japans finest exports named Accord, Camry and Altima. No longer is the Malibu going to be ignored by this trio nor by the savvy American consumer looking for a solid sedan that just happens to look gorgeous. Keep in mind this car comes with a 100,000 mile/5 year warranty transferable warranty and the Malibu’s stock continues to rise. I just hope brown is not a color option for 08. Category:Home › Autos • Will the trend toward economy-size car models lead Americans back to buying smaller-sized cars? — part 2 • You should never use after-market auto parts when maintaining or fixing your car • Should a new car be rust-proofed? • Will the trend toward economy-size car models lead Americans back to buying smaller-sized cars? — part 1 • Five safest cars in North America • How to ensure your teen drives safely after getting a license • Pros and cons of using an hydrogen generator for your car • DIY automotive maintenance: How to change the oil
