To us, this one is purely a matter of taste: 2013 8th-gen Malibu (original) vs. 2014 Malibu (8th-gen enhanced and facelifted). Keeping in mind the fact that the 2014 ‘Bu sports a series of all-around improvements, including an updated cabin and powertrains, but the 2013 ‘Bu stay true to Chevy’s original design language which one would you rather own?
Vote in the poll below, and talk to us in the comments.
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Comments
2014 Malibu new front end that’s okay. More legroom knee room in the backseat. I don’t care I don’t sit back there. Handle for the parking brake instead of pushbutton that’s irrelevant. No holder for the sunglasses I have a holder my ears and nose. 295 foot-pounds of torque now you have my attention.
I’d rather a Regal over the Bu’s.
Only the 2014 Regal, the 2013 is hideous (with all do respect). I’d rather drive my 2010 G6 GT Sedan
I went with the 2013 because I think the front end design is a little more “traditional” Chevrolet, but it’s so close it doesn’t matter much. It’s like choosing between Kate Beckinsale and Megan Fox, you’re okay which ever way you go- you’d be happy to be seen with both in public.
I agree the ’14 and ’15 look like they are trying to look like/compete with the Japanese cars (specifically Toyota). I think the 2013 looks meaner and more like a Chevy. Some may argue that its more plain but I would rather have an American looking vehicle than one that tries to be Japanese
I drove a 2013 Malibu in Vegas for 10 days and overall it was nice. The interior was more comfortable than my wife’s work Chevy Impala (not the new Impala, that one is really nice) but the engine was ok, slow off the line, and the handling was a bit floatty and would get squirmy during hard breaking. Love the new nose, more masculine.
The Malibu is one of the best if not the best-handling sedans in its class. Want real nose dive? Drive an Accord, Camry, Passat or 200. Either way they’re not sports cars.
The new one should drive even better thanks to the revised suspension and engines.
I heard that they were fixing the steering as well?
2014 model seems more desirable. The new front fascia, bump in feul economy, revised suspension and marginally increased rear leg room sets it over the current model.
Between this and the SS, I’m seriously starting to question if GM isn’t addicted to Hyundai’s giant lower grilles.
I mean, at least Ford ripped off Aston Martin, and that was a step up. These giant lower grille facias are a huge turn-off, and I say that as someone willing to downgrade to get an earlier Genesis Coupe without its newer ridiculous lower grille.
Personally, the prior gen Malibu’s larger-scoping front grilles were much better than either the ’13 or ’14. The ’13 has Cobalt-esque grille flattening that just looked needlessly subdued, the ’14 looks like it tries to bridge Camaro/Impala/Traverse/Equinox and Cruze/Sonic with an SS in the middle.
In the end, it winds up not winning me over at all.
Both front end designs look decent enough but I prefer the new one. I think the bigger issue with exterior styling was the rump uf this thing , and they didn’t even address that. Also, why couldn’t they have used a foot operated parking brake like the 2008-2012’s had? It would have freed up the entire center console area for an even better design.
I would have stayed with the push button parking brake over the hand operated one. The 2013 parking brake automatically dis-engages when you put it in gear, and takes up virtually no console area.
The new grill looks cool, but the 2013 looks cool as well. The additional back seat area will be welcomed.
I know they’re trying to make it look aggressive like the fusion but I still prefer the sleeker more relaxed look of the 2013-just saying
Bulbous hood line and high short trunk line makes the 2014 look unbalanced . Want to see an incredible example of what the Malibu should look like , see the GM Inside News website article and pictures ,” Caddy CTS to Chevelle ” . Contributor MonaroSS created a stunning sleek design that flows beautifully from nose to tail . This design would create a sensation in the marketplace as a Malibu or just drop the Malibu nameplate altogether due to its lack of refinement since 2002 and indeed call it the Chevelle , just saying !
I like most of the updates to the 2014 ‘Bu. I’m disappointed they didn’t awd an available option like they did for the Regal. IMO, they should’ve added an awd option, but kept the 259hp/260tq tune to differentiate the ‘Bu from the Regal. Also, any interior choice updates on the 2014 LTZ? The 13 was availailable in black, black/brownstone, and Neutral/cocoa, while there’s a medium titanium/black option on the LTs. Chevy should make the medium Titanium/Black available on the LTZ also.
I think the 2014 Bu’ should have an 8 speed auto with DSC (Slapstick) and a 6 speed manual. AWD should be an option. As for engines, possibly:
A 1.1L Twin Turbo I4 with 176HP and 220LBS-FT. TQ. 26 mpg City / 38 mpg Hwy / 31 Combined
A 2.5L I4 eAssist with 202HP and 181LBS-FT. TQ 27 mpg City / 40 mpg Hwy / 33 Combined
A 2.8L Turbo V6 with 300HP and 295LBS-FT. TQ. {[(SIDI, VVT, “DOD”, and DOHC)]} 24 mpg City / 32 mpg Hwy / 27 Combined
A Hybrid Plug In/2-Mode 2.2L Turbo Diesel I4 187 HP/320 TQ. 36 mpg City / 49 mpg Hwy / 41 Combined
Interior-
Dual Headrest DVD Players
Panoramic Moonroof
Heads Up Display
Heated and Cooled Front Seats and Heated Rear Seats
Rear HVAC controller and Entertainment System (Like on the Saturn Aura)
Dual Power Seats
Push Button Start
Exterior-
Visible Exhaust
Intelligent Access
Roof Racks For Looks (Like on the 2002 Grand Prix GT 40th Anniversary) –
http://carphotos3.cardomain.com/images/0016/07/06/16137060_large.jpg
Spoiler (AKA Bangle Butt Treatment):
http://www.kcautoacc.com/assets/images/dar/chevrolet/fg-515.jpg
or
http://spoilerandwingking.com/cart/images/main/283_1.jpg
both are just sub par junk, so I would not want to own either.
Vote for best year? Why,when neither will be best sellers ?. The competition is very strong
with sleek models that look like they are going 50 miles an hour sitting at the lights .The 2,014 Malibu looks stodgy and conservative . This after one year’ upgrade is absurd . What market are they trying to hit , the 40 to 70 crowd? Something is seriously wrong here !
“The 40 to 70 crowd?” Hey, I resemble that remark!
Actually, I would echo the remarks of others–those warts for tail lights are a bigger problem. Give me a black ’12 LTZ and I’m happy.
2013 butter than 2014 because brake electronic the best
I just bought a 2014, and so far I love it. I’ve always been a bow tie lover. Decided to try some others back in 08 I pur based a pacifica ( Mopar). It was very nice but I didn’t like the look. Traded for Ford edge. Loved it. Gas mileage was awful so I traded for a Mazda cx5. Cute car but no get up and go. I’m glad to be back to Chevy. Well see in the next few weeks how the Malibu ranks! I’ll get back to ya.
Look ,this a mid size sedan that isn’t in the run as a luxury Lincoln.But then at 16 thou for a 2013 ,11000 mile LT ,I’m loving it.Sure the 2.5 is not a blaze,but it is quiet,efficient and has enough power to satisfy.More than Camery or Honda fours.This is a great affordable sedan that will keep you happy for a long time. If you want to nit pick,go after Bmw,Audi,and Vw.Cost over double to own,insure and triple to repair.Thanks
I’ve been driving a 2014 LTZ for a few days now while “my” car is being repaired. The LTZ has a lot of great features and it’s always nice to drive a new car. I do have a list of gripes I’m not happy about and may trade it in for another rental:
– Center console – not enough room. My right knee “rests” against it and is very painful. I actually drove home tonight with my right hand acting as a pad for my knew against the hard plastic console. Here I’m considering using some sort of cushion or small pillow to pad this area, but I’m thinking, “WTF? and why?” don’t put up with something that isn’t comfortable.
– Blind spots – oh man. Maybe I’m just not used to this rental, but the last time I drove one of these was 2008 and was very similar. The rear window viewed through the rearview mirror is minimal. It’s almost like why have it? And the sides (blind spots), I’ve been driving nearly 30 years and I can honestly say I haven’t felt this uncomfortable about making a lane change since I started driving. Quite a few times I thought I had enough room via the side mirrors, and of course, I couldn’t see anything by turning my head, so I make my lane change, and then notice a car is like right there behind me! O_O
Other than that, very nice car. Love the electronics and layout. Not so sure about the eco thing where the car turns off. I mean, can you imagine if it didn’t turn back on? And wouldn’t this wear out the starter motor after a while? I can just imagine the poor fool sitting in rush hour traffic and the Bu doesn’t start back up.
14,15 Malibu Turbo has them all beat. Looks, refinement, interior, performance. This Malibu was dialed in right. Its ashame that the backseat muddled its rep some, but as far as the entire car the 8th gen Malibu is a great improvement from previous generations.
The Regal is good, so no complaints against it. The Pontiac G6 is generations behind this Malibu; It would be an unfair comparison. The 2009-10 G6 facelift was good, but even with this it can’t hold a candle to an 8th gen. Malibu, especially to a well outfitted LT or LTZ. Turbo….don’t even try comparing the old G6. Its simply outclassed.