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2008 Chevy Malibu

The 2008 Chevy Malibu is back with a sleek new skin

By Denise McCluggage

Blame it on the Chevrolet Malibu’s captivating appearance. This is not just another lump of a car, passably attractive within the design budget for a midsize sedan. This new Malibu has pleasant little subtleties, shapes and lines the eye enjoys following. But never mind the eye; here I stand beside the Malibu imagining I am a rain drop enjoying the slide down the back window, over an interesting little bevel, a flipped up edge on the trunk. And then, hey, not a simple straight fall to the bumper, but a slight swell then a slighter concavity. I say, blame in on the Malibu.

2008 Chevy Malibu - Front View
2008 Chevy Malibu - Front View

My inane rain-drop fantasy aside, this Chevy is special in the attention devoted to appearance. Never obvious or cliché, the exterior design is a result of careful esthetic judgment and commitment.

What’s more — and even rarer for a traditional General Motors product — the interior not only fits with the message of the exterior, it is also as esthetically pleasing, tactilely as well as visually. That’s where true richness of a vehicle is tested, in the feel of things.

Immediately the senses add at least $10,000 to the price of the car. The Malibu starts at $19,995 for the basic LS model.

A lot of good ideas comes standard with this including six airbags, traction control, OnStar, XM radio and remote keyless entry. The LS provides a 2.4 liter, four-cylinder, uping the Malibu’s horsepower to 169. However, now standard in the all-new sedan is a six-speed, which matches the V6 modelsl arising later this spring.

A $1,000 step up the ladder is the 1LT model with Stabilitrak — an electronic safety system that assists the driver in maintaining directional stability. The wheels also grow an inch to 17 inches. The 2LT adds about $1,650 to the bottom line and provides goodies including a remote engine starter and heated seats.

With the LTZ, starting at $26,995, a 3.5-liter, 252-horsepower V6 engine comes standard, working smoothly with the six-speed automatic transmission (paddle-shifters for the manually inclined). And now, too, we meet the two-tone leather seating. Zing! Choose a brick-red with black or a chocolate with cashmere.

2008 Chevy Malibu - Interior
2008 Chevy Malibu - Interior

The instrument cluster is up-graded as is the Malibu’s sound system. The outside mirrors get heated, the trunk gets a cargo net, the wheels grow to 18 inches and everything seems more near-luxury all under $30,000. And, for me, the steering system (hydraulic rather than the four-cylinder’s electric system) would be worth the extra bucks. It has more the feel I like with keener turn-in and greater on-center precision. But steering, along with brake feel, are subjective matters. It’s up to the driver to choose.

The Malibu will have a hybrid model later this year, offering a four-cylinder engine and four-speed automatic gearbox. However, will it save you a tanker truck full of gas? Over the years, possibly. But then, it won’t cost you the high premium of “real” hybrids. This Malibu in the industry parlance is a mild hybrid. The engine turns off when the car stops at a light or in heavy traffic, starting up again with an electric motor. For the additional $1,800 that this hybrid technology costs, plan to get two extra miles per gallon — 24 city/32 highway mpg.

The finances look better when you consider that a real hybrid like the Toyota Camry draws down a $6,000 premium with mileage of 40 city/38 hwy mpg. However, even the Malibu’s mild hybrid qualifies for a government tax break leaving a Malibu buyer paying, in effect, only $500 extra for bragging rights.

GM has for a while now been sending its products into the world with a chassis admirably more rigid. This all-of-a-piece feel makes for better road awareness for the driver and better control in the twists and turns. The Malibu has that nice, tight feel.

2008 Chevy Malibu - Profile View
2008 Chevy Malibu - Profile

The driving experience is generally one of comfort (the seats not only look good, they feel good.) The 2008 Malibu has a wheelbase 6 inches longer than the 2007 model. That means a smoother over-the-highway ride. The car is much quieter than it used to be — that near-luxury feel again. And drivers will find this family sedan fun to drive. Good steering (particularly in the V6), good brakes, good outward vision and a satisfying surround. GM climate control has always been tops.

Good design deals not only with appearance but with use and the Malibu designers are a practical thoughtful clan. They’ve included a slew of tucking places for the things people take with them into cars: purses, sunglasses, bottled water, coffee containers, iPods, cell phones, coins for tolls, shopping lists. You’ll find a place for all of that without strewing clutter about.

Many American car buyers, long time owners of the “Cam-Cords” from Toyota and Honda, keep saying they’d like to buy American but nothing can compete with their Camry and Accord. Note — this Malibu can most certainly compete, and it might prove to be even more entertaining. Stop by a Chevy store and see for yourself.

2008 Chevrolet Malibu

Description: Four-door, five-passenger sedan

Model options: LS, 1LT, 2LT, LTZ, Hybrid
Wheelbase: 112.3 inches
Overall length: 119.8 inches
Engine size: ECOTEC 2.4L DOHC four cylinder, ECOTEC 2.4L DOHC four cylinder Hybrid, 3.6L V6 DOHC
Transmissions/speeds: Hydra-Matic 4T45, Hydra-Matic 4T45 Hybrid, Hydra-Matic 6T70
Rear/front drive: Front-wheel drive
Steering: Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist, Hydraulic Power Steering (HPS) assist
Braking: Front ventiliated disc/11.65", Rear solid disc/10.86"
EPA Mileage: LS 1LS, LT 1LT, LT 2LT – 22/30 mpg; Hybrid – 24/32; LTZ 1LZ – 17/26
MSRP: LS 1LS - $19,900; LT 1LT - $21,200; LT 2LT - $23,100; Hybrid – $22,200; LTZ 1LZ - $27,400

Read about 2008 Chevrolet Malibu’s honorable mention at the
2008 International Car of the Year (ICOTY) Awards
.

Read about all 2008 Chevrolet Models in RTM's Model Guide.

Learn more about the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu.