Here's a new twist to the four-door confines of a sedan - a version of the new Malibu comes with the wheelbase extended and a hatchback-style door added at the tail. The wheelbase gains six inches in length and that adds room in the rear with space expanding to 106 cubic feet.

Maxx adds a back bench that slides almost seven inches fore and aft to vary the space for people and cargo - and increase backseat legroom to 41 inches. The back of the front passenger bucket folds forward to form a flat horizontal surface, and backs of the rear bench, divided into two sections of 40/60 percent, also fold on the same plane. Long cargo items like lumber can be stacked on top of these folded seats and extended from dashboard to tail door. To shed extra light into the rear compartment, there's a fixed skylight overhead with retractable sunshade.

Standard powertrain is Malibu's up-level 3.5-liter V6 producing 200 hp through a four-speed automatic transmission. Audio and entertainment packages for Maxx include an in-dash CD changer for six discs, XM satellite radio service and a DVD-based video entertainment system for backseat riders with a seven-inch LCD screen pinned to the ceiling and two sets of infrared headphones plus video game jacks.

Chevrolet's popular Impala sedan, with a midsize structure but full-size cabin space and seats for all in the family, ranks among the best-selling passenger cars in America and it's also the bestseller at Chevrolet.

In Chevrolet's 2004 line, Impala earns upgraded seats with new cloth fabric covering the front split bench or twin buckets. Also new is an optional sport appearance package with tail spoiler and body-color taillamp appliques. Two trims, a base model and upscale LS, show two V6 powertrains. The base Impala uses a familiar 3.4-liter plant from GM that produces 180 hp. An optional 3.8-liter V6 reaches to 200 hp.

In coupe style, Monte Carlo for 2004 rides on the platform of Impala and contains many of the same mechanical components yet follows its own tack for exterior styling and interior features.

The volume model - Monte Carlo LS - totes a 3.4-liter plant that delivers 180 hp and earns fuel economy figures to 32 mpg. The performance edition - Monte Carlo SS - has the 3.8-liter V6 that reaches 200 hp.

New to the series is the Monte Carlo Supercharged SS, which puts a blower to the 3.8-liter plant for a boost to 240 hp through a heavy-duty Hydra-Matic 4T65-E four-speed automatic. Like Impala SS, Supercharged SS Monte Carlo gets stronger suspension components and larger wheels and tires, with large-diameter discs for brakes and an anti-lock braking system (ABS) too. Supercharged SS offers eight color schemes including race-inspired tints like Competition Yellow and Victory Red. (CONTINUED...)