Chevy's midsize marvel - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu

Last January, General Motors struck gold when its all-new Saturn Aura won the coveted title of 2007 North American Car of the Year. So, what's a car company to do for an encore? Dig deeper in the same mine, of course.

In this case, that's Opel in Germany, the division that built the underpinnings for both the Aura and GM's latest soon-to-be hit, the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. Both cars share architecture with the Opel Vectra sold in Europe.

For the Malibu, GM engineers had another year to refine what was already a fairly good midsize chassis in the Aura-and it shows. The car is exceptionally tight, not just for a GM car but for any car anywhere near this price point. In back-to-back testing with the latest Toyota Camry, we came away impressed at how well the Malibu held its line and stayed planted over bumpy paved corners versus the Japanese competitor. The Malibu's fit, finish and features also compared favorably against the Camry's, and some on staff say the Malibu is better, more in line with a Volkswagen Passat.

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EL34 - 11/3/2007 9:11:34 PM

-2 Boost

Anyone ever notice how the front of the Infiniti FX looks just like a revamped Chevy Astro Van?

Check it out my peeps!

M35MT - 11/5/2007 7:58:23 AM

+1 Boost

Sorry Midengine, they wont delete that, they want to make sure everyone knows how much of a douchebag you are.

DaHarder - 11/3/2007 7:37:06 PM

+6 Boost

The 2008 Malibu is certainly a strong entry into this segment, and I, for one, believe that Chevy/GM has a surefire HIT on their Hands...

Good For Them... and The Family Car Buyer!

r15mohd - 11/5/2007 12:27:49 PM

0 Boost

it will be a hit alrite, exactly where it was before...in car rental sales!!!

chevy is trying to get the malibu on good grounds...but its going to be hard to take down the camry/accord/altima that they'll be fighting against.

Will_ - 11/3/2007 9:34:02 PM

+7 Boost

"The Malibu's fit, finish and features also compared favorably against the Camry's, and some on staff say the Malibu is better, more in line with a Volkswagen Passat."

Impressive.

jt716 - 11/3/2007 10:16:52 PM

+1 Boost

and majority of it is made in china...

DieselRules - 11/3/2007 11:18:37 PM

+2 Boost

no doubt.
But how else will GM compete with the cars that will be 100% Chinese hitting our shores over the next few years?

Its great to see GM offering cars with handling for a change.
GM may be slow to change, but they're definitely changing for the better!

StickShiftCamry - 11/4/2007 2:22:27 AM

0 Boost

It loses rite away to the 4 cyl. Camry and Accord, no manual transmission.

DaHarder - 11/4/2007 10:32:17 PM

+2 Boost

So few manual versions of these mid-sized family vehicles are sold, that it wouldn't even be worth the development cost to offer one on the a vehicle like the Malibu.

In Europe, certainly...

In America... No Way!

DaHarder - 11/4/2007 10:37:42 PM

+2 Boost

... You probably be one of the 5 (or less) people who'd even ask if one was offered.

Htay7500 - 11/4/2007 9:00:11 AM

+3 Boost

they mite wanna offer a manual...

DaHarder - 11/4/2007 10:33:06 PM

+1 Boost

See above...

1970toyotamarc - 11/4/2007 12:32:07 PM

+4 Boost

I'm impressed. Time for Camry to step up its game. Update the 4 cylinder maybe (and update it for every other car its put in, yikes that would be a lot of cars, including the new Corollas hmmmm, might be a while.)

STJ88 - 11/4/2007 1:37:04 PM

+1 Boost

The mitsubishi diamante wants its tail lights back.

M35MT - 11/5/2007 8:02:18 AM

+1 Boost

Agreed - I see some passat in their too.

Audiphile - 11/4/2007 8:29:59 PM

+3 Boost

From what I've read about the new Malibu, it seems like a very nice car - about time an American car started seriously competing with the Japanese. However, the new Chevy's looks turn me off. (I haven't seen the Malibu "in the flesh", so I could be wrong.) The Saturn Aura, which is built on the same Opel Vectra platform, appears to be a nicer-looking vehicle, got excellent reviews, and won a Motor Trend "Car of the Year" award last year. Way to go GM!

DaHarder - 11/4/2007 10:35:46 PM

+1 Boost

Fact Check-

No... It didn't, the 2007 Toyota Camry was the Motor Trend Car of the Year.

The Saturn Aura was the 2007 North American car of the Year.

Audiphile - 11/4/2007 10:50:48 PM

+3 Boost

Sorry, I omitted some details about the Motor Trend Award that the Saturn won. It was "North American Car of the Year", not "Car of the Year". Still, an impressive achievement.

StickShiftCamry - 11/4/2007 8:42:53 PM

-3 Boost

It wasn't car of the year. Do some research.

keyzi747 - 11/4/2007 10:29:07 PM

+3 Boost

I've seen one of these cars upclose and personal, and it is very impressive. I got a feeling they're going to get some conquest sales from Toyota and Honda. It is a very nice midsize car.

carguy68 - 11/5/2007 1:14:42 PM

0 Boost

get ready rental car companies here comes another!!

BMW995 - 11/5/2007 9:54:30 PM

+4 Boost

I'm sure this will be a big seller and a resounding success for GM, BUT 3650 lbs?
It's sad how weight inflation has infected just about every car except Porsche and Corvette.

Htay7500 - 11/6/2007 5:43:09 PM

+1 Boost

overweight = loss of MPG, and driving characteristics.

aussiemonster - 11/7/2007 12:10:10 AM

+1 Boost

All cars go up in weight as customers expect so much more in safety & gadgets. You can't have all the aribags & electronic gizmo's without adding weight.

cRacKhEaDaLLeY - 11/6/2007 2:01:01 PM

+3 Boost

I am going down to AVIS to test drive one!

germanyy - 3/12/2008 11:56:12 PM

+1 Boost

i wish chevrolet all the best with the new malibu