Does The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Have What It Takes To Be A Comeback Kid?
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The Detroit Free Press raises the interesting question of whether or not the all-new 2016 Chevrolet Malibu can restore Chevrolet’s status in the mid-sized sedan market. While the 2008 Malibu had been a great eye opener that American brands can take it to the long-dominated Japanese brands in the segment, the 2013-15 Malibu has been trumped by competitors, and didn’t grow in capabilities as much as the other makes and models. Phelan hits the nail on the head in saying that the reason for this diminished success is the fact that there wasn’t anything special about the previous Malibu. For instance, this comparison shows that the outgoing Malibu falls short in three out of four categories when compared to the current Nissan Altima.
While the 2016 Malibu won’t launch tomorrow morning, we’re anticipating the car to gain on some lost ground over the the previous model. Most will agree that the looks of this new one stands out more than the outgoing model, with some angles resembling a spaceship instead of an automobile. That alone should help garner attention for some added dealership foot traffic.
Meanwhile the 2016 Malibu should be a much better riding experience than any prior mid-size sedan from Chevrolet thanks to the extended wheelbase, creature comforts and added technologies. But the new ‘Bu isn’t just about handsome looks and next-gen auto tech. Some weight has been cut from the sedan, and the base model, which utilizes a new 1.5L four-cylinder engine, has the second-best fuel rating in its class at 37 miles per gallon. And that’s not even talking about the hybrid model.
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Love the design and hope to see it worldwide with a diesel engine. Hope to see it especially in Algeria against the passat and 508.
Honestly, I think they need to drop the name and start fresh. Personally, I like the name. The problem is the name itself reminds me of the Malibu’s they made from the 90’s to the mid 2000’s. Those cars were so bad (I owned one) I think it just brings back those memories. New Malibu looks amazing and I liked and drove the current model as a rental and it’s nice too.
It’s not the 90s…not even close. Time to move on and accept this Malibu is awesome.
Great job, Chevy and GM.
The is not what deterred sales of the current Malibu. It is simply an inferior product when compared to the big players in the segment.
If the Malibu name is what is keeping it from near the top of the mid sized segment then the prior gen. Malibu would not have made the sales gains it did.
Cutless would have been am ideal name given the current naming scheme at Chevrolet.
New names cost a lot of marketing butt pay off as was the case with Cruze.
I, too, wish that ‘Bu had been retired.
Cutlass would be a terrible choice. Cutlass was an Oldsmobile, never a Chevrolet and the only people that would be excited to be able to buy a new Cutlass would reject it as a Chevrolet. Chrysler was preparing to replace the Dodge Challenger with the Barracuda (a nameplate from now defunct Plymouth) and thankfully realized that’s how things would go down. There’s nothing wrong with the Malibu name.
japanis no problem no competition. germans is real broblem.
passat
Volkswagen would never ever bring that kind of Passat here since the NA passat will always look uglier than the European Passat
I think this car will do good for bringing back losses to others in the midsize market. They need to be serious about pricing and features though and match or better what the competition does in this area.
This is a weaker and cheaper than the Passat. the automotive industry is very tough today
Not impressed.
And yet the current NA Passat share the platform with superb. -smh-
Looks stunning. Love at first sight. The boys and girls in fairfax are going to be getting a lot of over time.
They couldn’t have done any worse than the last generation. The only direction was up. GM gave us the still born last generation shortly after the bailout, as if we needed a reminder that they really don’t know how to build cars.
Well I think once the road test are done we will see that this is one of the most refined cars in the segment. Add to this the styling and features it should do well but!
The real keys here will be to market this car properly. Chevy needs to do a damn good job marketing as even the best cars can remain unknown to the masses in this segment with out proper marketing.
Also one last thing Price. It much be competitive with the others. I expect it will be but they can not play around to much on price here.
The last car was not a bad car but it was a late model delayed to the point the segment had moved on. But not much they could do about it as they could not continue to build the 08 Gen one for 3 more years till the new E2XX platform arrived.
The key here is to build the segment sales up again. I do not know if it will take the top spot but I do see it in the top three in the next two years. As normal it will start slow but then build.
Of late Chevy has bucked the trend and has been gaining sales each and every year of sales on several models The Equinox started off good in 2012 and has gained sales each and every years since. Even at 5 years old and out dated they sold 250K units last year. I feel this is a sign that they have a good product and people are now gaining trust again post bailout. Even the Cruze has continued to sell well.
Generation 8 Epsilon 2 Malibu was unneeded and only built for global scale.
Generation 7 was a critical darling called a “super Accord” by Motortrend that simply needed a reskin with mecanical updates for 2012–much like Toyota, Hyundai and Kia have recently done with their mid sized sedans.
Epsilon 2 offered no great advantages aside from cost savings and a gen 8 Malibu wasn’t needed for a mere three years.
Gaining back brand awareness and a solid reputation takes more than a WOW look . It will take years to solidify ! Chevy did the right thing to lengthen the wheelbase a bit , it’s probably back to where it was in 2012 . The looks are okay , compared to the competition . There has been no word yet , that I’m aware of , that pinpoints the prices , but this will be a crucial decision for this crowded market segment ! .
Not true in this segment.
There are only two players who generally get brand loyalty passes and that is Toyota and Honda. All others have to work at it.
Case in point the Fusion was a total crap car and now is fighting in the top three. The Sonata too Hyundai from the depths of auto purgatory and put them in the top 3 for a while.
Hell the Malibu gen 08-12 was in the top 3 even.
The fact is in this segment the cars even the present Bu are all pretty good cars and only a couple small things can hurt you as we saw with the present Bu.
Now keep in mind Honda and Toyota are not as strong brand loyalty wise as they used to be. with so many other models and good choices they are now having to work to keep their place. Also Toyota and Honda are not the pillars of quality they once were seen as because everyone else got better too.
But you are right as price is key here and now with all the cars being good and reliable styling, price and marketing can make or break a car in this segment.
The key with the new car is the weight loss that will equal MPG and performance 300 pounds would even make a Toyota engineer say wow. The refinement should be to a level we have not seen in a Chevy in decades as they had the money to finish the car. Finally the real unknown is the price. It has to be in the game and GM knows that so I expect a competitive price on all things. Though the Hybrid may get pricy.
I think a diesel is a must especially with the new mpg standard coming. Reliability, quality, and price are all key to how well this car will do. Also when the EPA releases the MPG results make sure they are where GM says where they are suppose to be or better. Chevy and the whole GM line up need to shine because they have a lot to prove. They also need to keep it updated through it’s life cycle because if not, one little slip and you’ll lose big time. As the last generation showed.
No, a Diesel will just keep burning more oil. The new Hybrid Malibu is a much better value than any Diesel, because it will burn much less oil, and give new drivers the special feeling of electric drive (immediate torque and quiet ride) that no gas or Diesel can ever give.
Yes they just discontinued the Cruze because they were just not flying off the lots.
Americans mostly do not understand a Diesel and the government is making it harder and more expensive to sell here that is dampening the love even more.
Now if ever idiot who wants a specific car on the web actually bought one and put their money where their mouth is then we would have more Diesels.
I am all for it but you show me the customers with willing cash first and then we will talk.
Changing names has been a GM thing for years now. Most of the time nothing else changed. Still the same crappy products with a different name. They need to get away from that . Changing names cost money. the money would have been better spent in improving the products under the same name.
They could have and should have made a bigger splash by offer the most powerful standard engine with the best not second best gas milage.
This is the best looking Malibu ever, I just hope that Chevy add a diesel option and all wheel drive .
Best looking fwd Malibu yes, I agree. Best looking car to wear the Malibu nameplate? The 64-72’s beg to differ. In all fairness though, those were/are coveted Chevelle Malibu’s. Still not big on the split grille truck design on the cars. The Impala and Traverse have nicer looking grilles IMO. No doubt though, I’m with you here, AWD is a must.
No diesel because no one bought them in the Cuize and the price would be too much. At least in America.
Second No AWD. Why? Because they had to choose AWD or more MPG. Seeing that the Ford Fusion only has 10-12% AWD sales and they can add more MPG due to less weight they chose the weight loss over the AWD in this segment. This car should be 3000-3300 pounds based on the 300 pound loss and that is significant as it will add a lot of performance in all parameters and it will add more MPG to all the cars including the 90% that do not care about AWD.
GM has AWD in the Regal and will have it in all their cars into the future so instead of over paying for a Chevy step up and buy the better for the money Regal with the more advanced Haldex AWD.
It is not like GM does not offer AWD it just offers a better system in a car priced better to give you the better system.
Why is it you think AWD customers will go buy Buick’s if their Chevrolet dealer won’t offer them an AWD Chevrolet? It’s very odd. You make zero sense by automatically assuming that these people are GM loyal. Many don’t even know Chevrolet is a GM. And for the ones that do, what if they don’t Want a Buick? What if they don’t like Buick styling, Buick history or their Buick dealer? Even GM markets Chevrolet as a “Car Company” now in their commercials instead of a GM ‘brand’. So what “car company” doesn’t offer an AWD car? And ‘overpaying’ for a Chevrolet as you call it is ridiculous. Many people option Chevrolet’s to higher price points than Cadillac’s. I’d pay more money for a Chevrolet than a Buick. If even for the name alone. Chevrolet will continue to lose out to car companies like Ford, Hyundai etc. over nonsense like this. If customers wanted a Buick, they’d have gone to the Buick dealership first. They showed up to buy a Chevrolet. They may very well end up in the arms of Ford if searching for AWD. Especially up north. Some bogus extra mpg argument from a Chevrolet salesman is a non-starter when your customer wants AWD and your competition offers it yet you can’t.
Sorry but there it the reality of a product planner.
They had two choices here one to make it AWD and lose some weight advantage even with the FWD only because of the needed added structure. Or they could build the car FWD only and save a lot of weight and make it so hit gets more MPG.
This is what GM has stated and why there was no AWD and it come down to weight.
Second if you look at AWD sales in this segment it accounts for 10%-12% of sales which if it is a car like the Fusion. On the other hand they made the choice to go less weight and more MPG which is a greater selling point.
Also the money spent on the AWD could be plowed into other things that the majority want and or even lower competitive pricing as there was less need to put more structure in the car.
As for Ford they have no other division than Lincoln. They have no other options as GM has where they are focusing Buick to be a little more upscale and also most of their offerings will be optional with AWD. Buick is GM’s focused AWD/FWD division.
The fact is AWD is a very small factor in sales. They sell but in such small numbers that other factors as price, weight and MPG in this class are generally more important to people.
Contrary to what many think generally you do not need AWD to get through rain or snow. Does it help yes but will you die on your way home without it….no?
Also many in this segment if they want AWD also move to other vehicles like the many CUV models now.
It is a matter of pick and choose for a production planner and in this case GM feels there are more sales with what they chose over the others. The Camry and Accord both do not offer AWD and sales do not seem any less there ad they tend to lead the segment.
The fact remains the Buick is a tool for GM to offer better things at a higher price to those who want them. Chevy is the value leader and the differences also keep the two divisions viable. If they both offered the same things we would be back in the same boat we have complained about for years.
Now you show me where sales of AWD are over 40% or more at Ford then you may have a point.
The bottom line is AWD is like a Manual tranny and while more important in some models it is less important is others like the value family sedan. We are not talking Audi Killers here just Camry killers
What sales you pick up for 10% of sales may take away from those who are more likely to shop price and MPG in this segment.
To have a be all car in this segment will you will have compromise. To penalize all sales with the issues of adding AWD in this particular segment are not worth what it will hurt you on the remaining 90%.
Sorry guy, I wouldn’t put my daughter or my wife out on snow or ice covered roads without all wheel drive. We buy Subaru’s and have for years for this exact reason. If Subaru weren’t around, I’d be at the Ford dealership. I won’t even run without awd in the car or 4wd in my truck. Chevrolet customers are being forced into either cuv’s or suv’s for the 4wd aspect of they’re being forced to leave and buy elsewhere if they want a safe car. Yes, I said Safe. It’s a safety issue. Which is another thing really dragging down Chevy. There’s no automatic awd in their cuv’s and suv’s. Not Safe! Talk all you want want about your weight loss along with your Buick drivel. It doesn’t matter after a loved one is dead over loss of control in bad weather conditions. If Chevrolet let people pay for awd, they’d gain major points from me. And make extra money.
And Buick is GM’s FWD/AWD Division?? LOL! Wow. That’s the most absurd comment I’ve ever read on here. Ford is Chevrolet’s direct competitor and has zero problems in this area of features, options and pricing. You want to pay for something? Fine. That’s how it should be. And Buick is a tool to offer better things at a higher price? Why couldn’t one pay that higher price for options at the Chevrolet lot? What if they like Chevy styling better? Who are You to tell people what they can or can’t, should or shouldn’t have?
Sorry you lack simple driving skills.
Ford does not offer a Haldex systems and you get what you pay for.
You are one of the 10% that are not worth chasing as there are more sales available in the 90%.
Unless you really live out or have a long unplowed drive most modern fwd will go anywhere you need.
We have had 80 plus inches of snow the last2 winters with nary an issue here in the snow belt.
AWD is nice but far from manditory.
Liamh. Now I am home let me finish.
GM has three car divisions Count em 1-2-3. Ford has two and there are some who want to kill Lincoln while others there are trying to save it.
Right now Ford is a Chevy competitor but GM has that extra divisions and as long as the millions of Chinese continue to buy them we will continue to have three divisions.
This gives GM the flexibility to do things differently and give Buick their own status with more upscale items. They already are the FWD/AWD division as all their cars/SUVs but the Verano offer AWD. Most offer the very advanced Haldex system that is not cheap and very effective.
With that said Ford offers a cheaper system and you get what you pay for. There is a limit to what people will pay for a Malibu and you have to consider that. A loaded Malibu is already right at $35K or a little over. AWD would add even with a cheap system like on the Nox $18000.
Ok Say GM sells conservitivly 150,000 Malibu the first year and 10% are AWD. that is 15K cars at best. I think Ford sold 23K if I saw correctly last year. In a segment where you hope to sell even more cars these are slim numbers.
The fact is AWD is ok and nothing is wrong with it. It is an added convenience but it is not a mandatory thing to drive in rain or snow. I live in the snow belt of the Great Lakes and see more snow here than most parts of the country. We all know here a good set of tires and with most of the electronic controls that you can get through about anything. The only thing that hangs us up is deep snow and AWD is not going to fix that.
The fact is the leaders in this segment are non AWD cars and that they have lead the segment for years based on MPG, reliability and resale value.
Some day AWD may be added but for now the majority of the market here see little need for it bases in units sold. You need to consider the 90% of the segment and their needs not the 10%.
The fact is if you are going to have a loved one die because they don’t have AWD they should not be on the road in the first place. The vast majority of us do just fine with out it and if you lack the basic car control skills even with stability control AWD is not going to save your ass anyways.
It is fine to want AWD but do not lie and say it is a must. You have absolutely no info or numbers to back that claim up. Most people who want it anyways buy a CUV anymore anyways.
You will see more advanced systems in the coming Nox and a few other models soon.
The reality is AWD, Diesel and manual transmissions in this segment are so small part of the market that there is just no business case for them. The money you spend on these for a few percent of sales will take away from other things the majority would like to see.
I just was the Malibu at the New York International Auto show. If the car drives as well as it looks, Chevrolet has a hit on its hands.
The biggest mistake GM made on the new 2016 Malibu is not including as a base engine, a powerplant with sufficient hp and torque to make the car appeal to the vast majority of potential buyers. Now, one must purchase a higher trim level and spend thousands more for more power. Readers, pay attention to the details. A turbo and a stop/start system seems really cool now does it not? Wait until you have to bring in the car to have these parts repaired. Finally, what do you think a direct fuel injection fuel pump costs when it is built to deliver thousands of psi?
You do realize the car is 300 pounds lighter and that is a lot. The lower HP will still deliver the same if not better performance and better MPG.
300 pound loss in any car is major. That is like removing the engine on one fat buddy.
The Start and stop is a proven system. Not one of my favorite systems but it is proven and has not been an issue.
As for the fuel pump you had better do your home work. I have been driving a DI Turbo for 5 years with nary an issue at 23 pound boost. Note the electric pump in the tank is like the ones we have used for years and generally issue free. The High Pressure Pump is mechanical and at the end of the cam right on top of the motor. I have yet to see an issue with it.
The only issue with any DI engine has been carbon on the intake Valves. Now it is random and not all are having issues. I think the use of synthetic oil and driving harder or with a Turbo has created less issues than a NA engine driven easy.
In performance and Turbo applications the carbon is has not been an issue and I am starting to think it is the Synthetic oil.
Cleaner does resolve the issue if it does happen. This has been an issue on all makes of DI engines but even on them no all owners suffer issues.
The 2016 Malibu LT will weigh about the same as a 2015 LTZ Cruze (maybe even less) but it will have 22 more HP and 32 more lb-ft of torque with a modern eight speed transmission. It will have excellent performance for the class. What Chevy has achieved is remarkable.
Now Let’s hope the 2016 Cruze can drop a couple hundred pounds and get this 1.5L and this eight speed, and it will be competitive with the Mazda3 in the “fun to drive” category.
If this has the driving dynamics of a Buick Regal , CR’s best handling sports luxury model, as GM claims, the new Malibu will be a hit. Adding an AWD model would help even more.
This Malibu is way better looking than any of the last designs . Lets see how the journalists feel after test driving one . Its ok to have a pretty face but if it doesnt match up to the competition on the driving dynamics and the quality interior this will end up being a fleet car . This is a tough market and GM needs to pay attention to the details and the options it puts in the car . Diesels just dont sell well in this country and it may be they remember the engines of 20 years ago and are not willing to try again . In this part of the country you would be hard pressed to even find a gas station selling the fuel . GM should offer an AWD version , if they dropped 300 lbs. from the car then AWD wouldnt hurt it mpg’s much . This car will sell , but GM has always had a hard time making money on their small cars .
Part of the weight loss was because they did not design the car for AWD reinforcement. At least that is what Chevys rep stated.
I think you will find they for the first time had the money to finish this car and it will show in the test. In the past they always pulled up short and this time they had the money to finish it.
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