Chevy’s mid-size Malibu revealed

After a couple of teasers and even a premature leak, this is the first look at Chevrolet’s all-important Malibu midsize sedan before its unveiling at the Detroit Auto Show. The new Malibu will go head to head with best-selling rivals such as the Toyota Camry and GM has taken advantage of its global development program to ensure it’s a close fight. The Malibu is based on the FWD Epsilon platform that’s also used on the Pontiac G6, Saturn Aura, and the Saab 9-3, but this new model is based on a longer-wheelbase variant that makes it larger than its competitors.
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chewy - 12/28/2006 11:09:55 PM

-4 Boost

I am dissapointed, I had high hopes for the new Malibu but the rear is screwed up badly, the overall shape isn't great and the interior is not as nice as teh first teaser claimed. At least the powertrain is not that bad but still not the best.

chewy - 12/28/2006 11:15:31 PM

-3 Boost

I saw some higher res pics and it does look better in them, but still. I guess the final verdict is when I see it and get to touch the interior.

silverarrow2 - 12/29/2006 12:58:34 AM

-2 Boost

I agree. It seems like some one was trying to copy the rear section of a TL, but some how tried to get creative in a bad kind of way.

Agent63 - 12/28/2006 11:29:02 PM

-4 Boost

Yet another cheap product from Chevy. what else is new?

Agent63 - 12/30/2006 8:15:31 AM

+2 Boost

Wow i'm -4.. lots of Chevy lovers out there haha. Good job.

mstangpny07 - 12/30/2006 12:05:10 PM

+1 Boost

Chevy needs to start to always refer to their cars as "Chevrolet". "Chevy" sounds cheap, and reminds me of the Lumina. "Chevrolet" has a grown up and mature tone to it.

AE86 - 12/28/2006 11:47:22 PM

-3 Boost

I think it looks pretty decent. I am sure it will lose out to a Toyota by a couple 10ths of a point in some meaningless Consumer Reports "Study" and all the lemmings will buy a Toyota instead.

UPshift - 12/29/2006 12:37:44 AM

+6 Boost

That's a funny/ironic statement coming from a guy whose profile name is "AE86."

EL34 - 12/29/2006 12:09:37 AM

+1 Boost

The Chevrolet Malibu looks as good as anything it cpmpetes with, that's for sure.

UPshift - 12/29/2006 12:31:56 AM

+2 Boost

Front bumper = Volkswagen
Headlights = Chevy Cobalt
A Pillar = Honda Accord
Side roof, window and door profile = Acura TL
Lower body cladding = Ford Mustang
Rear fender = Ford Mustang
Rear end = 1999 Nissan Maxima
Taillights = Daewoo

lexusis350 - 12/29/2006 12:48:10 AM

+1 Boost

This car looks like a cross between a Buick Lucerne and a Toyota Corolla. The exterior is the Buick, the interior is the Toyota. If Chevy wants to stay alive, they need to do better than this.

silverarrow2 - 12/29/2006 1:01:36 AM

-2 Boost

I may not like it, but you only wish a Corolla looks that good inside.

lexusis350 - 1/2/2007 11:08:18 PM

+1 Boost

Corollas are actually very nice cars for the price you pay for them. I would still buy one of those over this Malibu without even giving it a second thought.

delan - 12/29/2006 1:20:39 AM

+1 Boost

This is gonna be a hot one for GM!

neutral - 12/29/2006 3:54:47 PM

+1 Boost

This is going to be a hot car for GM. I think it looks sweet and the interior looks good. I like the exterior looks (god, anything is better than that hideous current Malibu) and the powertrain options are just right (just 2 standard powertrains, DOHC, etc). I will be seeing this car at NAIAS. I hope it is as nice as what it seems to be. I would love to see GM steal sales from Toyota and Honda.

EL34 - 12/29/2006 1:24:37 AM

-3 Boost

The new Malibu doesn't look like a Toyota, but it has many line from the Corvette.

The interior is American all the way.

PolePosition - 12/29/2006 5:43:30 AM

+2 Boost

Back is interesting. Front is a disaster.

EL34 - 12/29/2006 10:27:07 AM

-5 Boost

I disagree about the front.

I think it looks aggressive and as nice as the LS460.

AUDBMLEXMRC - 12/29/2006 6:32:49 AM

0 Boost

Looks good anyway

bagwell - 12/29/2006 7:47:28 AM

-1 Boost

it looks good, if they hold the price waaaaay down it will be a hot seller, assuming mileage is great.

jt716 - 12/29/2006 8:39:40 AM

+1 Boost

hm...

99gs400 - 12/29/2006 10:03:31 AM

+2 Boost

Interior still suck , when will GM gonna learn ?

paul3230 - 12/29/2006 1:06:13 PM

0 Boost

Learn what?? How does the interior suck? Surely even you can see that GM has came a long..long way from the 04-07 malibu

neutral - 12/29/2006 3:56:02 PM

0 Boost

I think the interior is pretty nice for an everyday, low-mid priced car. How do you know anyways, its not like you've sat in the car and driven it to say you have personal experience.

EL34 - 12/29/2006 10:26:02 AM

+1 Boost

If this Malibu is to compete with the Camry and Accord it better have a hybrid on the way or are hybrids a fad?

neutral - 12/29/2006 3:58:37 PM

+1 Boost

I've heard from others that a hybrid is on the way. It will be one of those "mild-hybrids" like the Saturn Vue Green line or on the upconming Saturn Aura hybrid. Relatively cheap and good mileage. GM seems to be getting the picture with their newer models (the past year and half or so). I hope they keep up the good work and retake the market. It'll be good for Detroit, good for USA.

Murcielago_LP640 - 12/29/2006 1:21:29 PM

0 Boost

Oh man, whassup with the rear lights?

Maybe it's because I'm British...I don't understand teh rear of this car.

Rupert - 12/29/2006 7:51:39 PM

+2 Boost

yet another rubbish gm product
i'm telling you, if i lived in the US i'd be straight down to the nearest toyota dealership for camry.
and the rear is a disaster, the front is boring enough even with the stupid grill.

EL34 - 12/29/2006 10:46:39 PM

0 Boost

Rupe, this Malibu is bigger than the American Camry and Accord.

Take another look at the taillights and at night you might think it's a Corvette.

carfan3 - 12/30/2006 1:57:26 AM

0 Boost

EL34,
I see a lot of Corvette in there....especially looking at the rear 3/4 view.

EvoAudi - 12/29/2006 9:52:58 PM

+1 Boost

taillights are like chopped NSX lights.

carfan3 - 12/30/2006 2:06:49 AM

+1 Boost

I like it. It looks good inside and out. Definitely not bland. Some criticize the rear; however, at least it isn't sporting a sea elephant snout like a toyota, the door stopper look of a honda, or the "me too" look of a lexus.

Infinisun - 12/31/2006 10:52:24 AM

0 Boost

Great job,GM! This is soooo much better than white-bread look of current gen Malibu. Looks a lot more upscale inside and out. Chevrolet(don't call it Chevy anymore)needs to update its brand identity with more out-of-the-box designs and techno. This should bring cross-shoppers into Chevrolet dealers(Camry,Altima,Accord,Mazda6,Fusion).

Rupert - 12/31/2006 2:49:07 PM

+1 Boost

the rear to me is pure VW jetta/passat. i see about as much corvette in that as i see viper in the durango. ie none.