In light of the less-than-stellar media reviews of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, General Motors CEO Dan Akerson announced to Automotive News that the crucial mid-sized sedan will receive a refresh late next year — a mere 18 months from when the redesigned model hit the market.
The only details provided was that the refreshed ‘Bu will have a restyled front-fascia, which we imagine will resemble that of the 2014 Chevrolet Impala. But if you ask us, the vehicle’s principle issues are the unimpressive fuel economy numbers, coupled with underwhelming interior space — not lackluster styling. Still, with such formidable competition in the Malibu’s segment, anything that The General’s engineers can do to make the vehicle better will be welcomed.
Comments
Just read an article and they cited both bad engine and interior issues. Thought the 2.5 was better than 2.4?
I’m shocked. And disappointed. If it’s true that they’re redoing the front end, they’re redoing one of the few parts of this car that isn’t broken.
The new Honda Civic
Yeah, I read that article; Honda reheating the Civic in 18 months.
They turned off plenty of buyers by not offering a V-6. A car that size won’t get as great mileage with 4 cylinders, a midsize is just a little too big. Ford is making the same mistake with their new Fusion. I know they have CAFE breathing down their necks, but the buying public isn’t looking for neutered cars.
Then why are they buying the Camry like crazy???
#1 Car Buying Factor is Fuel Economy:
By not addressing this, GM is sidestepping the MOST important Feature consumers are looking for.
http://pressroom.consumerreports.org/pressroom/2012/05/my-entry-5.html
FORD gets it, i hear thier commercials.
In a high style segment — the new Fusion is gorgeous — Sonata, Accord and Altima are no pushovers either — the ho-hum family front end doesn’t turn my crank.
Do they clinic the designs? I would certainly hope so. Do they listen to the clinic feedback? That I’m not sure of — there’s too many misses.
forget a mild refresh…….They need an entire refresh, the interior of the car, the exterior isnt up to par with the competition at all…….The ford none to say is stunning, with a wide engine variety and stellar hybrid system and that is just domestic……..not saying this malibu is a bad car, it isnt up to line or even close……and i am a huge Gm fan……Gm is doing so good with design that idk what happened when the new malibu came out…they tried to meld way to many different design motifs together and it came out for the worst
I don’t see what is so wrong with the interior? Especially compared to anything Ford, Toyota or Nissan.
You’re right, Manoli, except for the Bangle Butt I have no issues with the styling. But unimpressive mpg figures even with an all 4 cylinder engines, a reduction of interior space, the removal of shift paddles will keep me in my ’09 V6 SE.
……….not saying this malibu is a bad car………..it just needs an entire refresh, interior and exterior???
It does sound a bit contradictory, but it isn’t a bad car…….it isn’t up to par with the competition….
Next to Purchase Price, Retail Consumers care most about Fuel Economy – So GM does NOT have the technology to compete head on with Hybrids like Camry & Fusion – Fine. These are Family Sedans on Family Budgets so Fuel Eocnomy is King here.
But why is a 2.4 Liter required in a 4 cylinder? The Mailbu needs to compete at least in this space and if Failing outside of the Rental Fleet Market where no one cares. It is NOT competitive even at its BASE.
Ford Fusion is offered as a 2.0 L & a 1.6 L (28 Combined MPG with NO E-assist)
Hyundai Elantra – 1.8 L
Why cant GM do that? Why not a 1.4 Turbo or a 1.6 Turbo? (Not a Turbo for Performance but for Efficiency)
If its one of the smallest internal cabins to begin with (95 according to EPA, 101 according to GM), then shouldnt it also have class leading MPG #’s?
Dissapointing….no wonder Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Hyundai Elantra etc are eating GMs lunch…..Its sad because it doesnt need to be this way.
First off, Elantra is not a competitor vehicle, so its use of a 1.8L is irrelevant. The Malibu does offer a 2.0L turbo if that makes you happy. But its use of a 2.5L base engine is no different than what is offered by the Camry or Altima, but I don’t hear you bashing them. The 2.4L you talk about is offered in the Eco model, which is likely to be low volume. And yes, I am aware that the Eco is not a good competitor for the Hybrid competitors, but it is less expensive. The bottom line is that the volume is still in the non-hybrid market, and I think the Malibu competes well there with class competitive power out of the 2.5L and the turbo.
I really like this front end, its the bifocal-like taillights I have a problem with
Lance B you are correct – its not a bad car, but not being bad isnt the same as being the best.
Products arent supposed to be bad!
Its just not a competitive or up to par with other, cheaper more fuel efficient alternatives that retain thier resale values better.
I dont think most of you have seen this car in the real world yet, on the road or up close. Up close, the car looks great. I would say just a wee bit worse than the Fusion. Especially in their creamy white color, looks great. The interior is where they completely failed, that and the engines. The rear seats are cramped and hard, and, though I generally liked the dashes layout, it just looked a little cheap and too plasticky. Leave the looks alone (mostly), fix that 2.5, its bad in the Caddy too, and fix the interior. Thats it.
I just dont know how they bunked this one so bad. And its not a segment that you want to mess up. Just ask toyota and honda how many billions theyve made in the d segment. IMO the fusion is the class of the segment by far. From styling to power trains to fuel efficiency. Unfortunately i dont think a mild refresh will do it it needs a complete revamp!
The BU is nice, But without a V6 hmmm, Lost my interest… I like the exterior but can see where others would not… Its to bad the interior is cramped, still this car will sell fine once people see it on the road more…
You guys are mostly off. I drove the new Malibu Turbo in Germany last month.
1. Who here has driven the car? Hell, who has even seen it in person? Very few, if not none of you – i bet! It’s a gorgeous design inside and out. And it drives better than any of its class competitors.
2. V6 is for the 90s. Those lamenting a V6 haven’t experienced a good turbo, like the 2.0T in the Malibu.
3. The rear seat could be farther from the front buckets. This won’t change in this generation, but will come in the next gen Epsilons through a longer wheel base. Same for the Insignia. HOWEVER: this isn’t really a problem in the real world (read: real buyers, not “spec-sheet” braggarts).
4. Design is subjective. The Malibu is elegant. The Mondeo/Fusion is ostentatious. Once initial hype and demand are depleted for the Ford, sales will plummet. But people will still be buying Malibus. Remember, this isn’t Camaros or Vettes, but mainstream family sedans. Fusion/Mondeo is overkill for the segment.
5. The 2.5 is the best base engine in the segment. Drive it instead of talking $hit about it and see for yourself.
I do market research for various automakers (not GM) and have pitted the Malibu against some of my clients’ offerings. With the exception of the full hybrid powertrain disadvantage, the new Malibu is very competitive. Take it or leave it.
With the Malibu coming to Holden next year, will we get the new version?
I think it certainly needs a longer wheelbase from the Impala. But can keep the trunk size from the LaCrosse.
I like the styling a lot actually. What they need to fix most… Poor fuel economy across the board. They need to bring the new 1.6 liter turbo and stuff it in the Malibu. With an 8-speed auto the Malibu might rule. Don’t know what there gonna do about the back seat though. Interior is FINE as far as quality goes. Most reviewers like the interior just not the football skin color. Also they gotta sharpen the steering up. Keep the 2.5 as a base motor because it’s stro C&D tested it and it tied the Altima 2.5 to 60. 7.7 seconds. Not bad at all for a 4 banger
This car and the ’14 Impala should have been one car with 190in L and 109-111 wheelbase. As it stands the Malibu is bottom of the pack in the segment and no MCE is going to redeem it. Sales of the new model are way off (down 3% on a launch car) expect high spiffs from GM in the new year: over 100 day supply of Trucks, Malibu, XTS… ATS is good but half its sales are coming out of the CTS.
What is happening with the Malibu will be worse for the 2014 Impala. The segment change alone will reduce sales to approx 40-60,000. Very little fleet interest and the retail market for large FWD sedans is relatively small and declining yoy
I don’t know much about the details of the Malibu’s interior or the engine. My comments are that this car isn’t supposed to be a 4 door Camaro but a midsize family sedan. Don’t mess with the exterior now I think it looks just right. Its the best looking Malibu since 1971. Wait four or five years then give it a make over.
Wait a minute. Wasn’t this car just introduced a few months ago? And they’re talking “refresh” ALREADY!? Something is not right. You don’t refresh a car this quickly unless they discovered an unacceptable problem with it.
The problem is that it is ugly inside and out. They improved the build quality with this generation malibu but thats all they did. Fuel economy is horrible and the interior is very cramped.
I really don’t think that putting 1.6T into this car is gonna do any good. 2.5 is already making 197hp and not unless that 1.6T is putting out more than 200hp then it isn’t gonna do any good
Its not to make HP its for FUEL ECONOMY Improvements.
The #1 factor and most important Want of any Mid Size Car Buyer in this segment.
that’s true but that’s IF they put some weight saving materials or the weight-saving tires
Aw, GM: The problem with the Malibu is not the grille, in fact it’s one of the best elements vs. the generic grille that has been slapped on the 2014 Impala. The problems are with the compromises made to allow for global sales. The rear seat room has been sacrificed. Also, the lack of a V6 is a huge issue. Why would I want the turbo four, when a V6 puts out mroe horsepower with no loss of fuel economy?
It will give a good insight to what the cruze will look like after its face lift!!
So if they down sized the ‘Bu to move it out of the new Impala territory have they unintentionally placed it in the Cruze region? Maybe they should just axe the Malibu altogether.
that would not work
and it wirth gaxh long stay