We’ve used this opening line before, but it suits yet another report: shuffle the awards shelf, General Motors, because the bowtie brand just snagged another one.
The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu has been named The Detroit Free Press Car Of The Year.
The publication bestowed the honors on Chevrolet’s all-new midsize sedan, and came to the following conclusion:
The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu puts General Motors’ biggest brand back at the forefront of the challenging and competitive market for midsize sedans.
That’s something we can echo, as we discovered much of the same in our first drive impressions of the 2016 Malibu.
The publication also noted bountiful legroom, a major sore spot for the previous generation Malibu, and three powertrain configurations court different target markets, including a 1.5-liter turbo-four, 2.0-liter turbo-four and a Malibu first, a true gasoline-electric hybrid.
Finally, aggressive pricing was seen as sweet deal, too. With the publication stating, “Prices complete the picture of an outstanding car that should reestablish Chevrolet with family buyers and challenge longtime leaders like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.”
Comments
Good win for the Malibu after the prior generation was so maligned.
Very good vehicle and I expect more awards to keep coming.
I was in my second one today. This car is a great upgrade and should do very well in this segment. I would not be shocked to see sales really take off.
The dealer has been sending them out as fast as they come in much like the new Camaro.
Speaking of Camaro, I saw one (also the new Volt) over the weekend, and the pictures do not do it justice. A lot better looking in the flesh, especially the Volt.
Yes they will take off big time as there really is a big difference between the Mustang and the Camaro this time around. The SS is about where the GT350 is already and at a much lower price. The higher models will be interesting.
Yes the Bu and Camaro both look much better in person than the photos. The photos we get just do not give the 3D effect of the body an bulges. The quarters look as if they were stretched over the tires.
While the car did not shrink much it is less bulky.
The Bu the back seat is fixed to 08 standards. The two leather interiors are nice. The dash while busy is functional and the touch screen is I pad big.
This car will surprise a lot of people. Most in this segment are not looking ahead so they will be shocked when they see one. The one I saw that stickered at $29k was well appointed even with leather.
True; the same was said about 2008 Malibu yet sales weren’t propelled. Segment leadership takes time, ask Ford and Nissan.
I love Malibu and Cruze but it will take years for any sales crown.
Actually 08 version did well. In the few years it was out it went from a 5-6 place car to 3rd in the segment which is pretty damn impressive for one gen of a car.
Like you said it takes time and we lost time in the bail out with the present model as they had to use a design that was late to market and old by the time we got it.
They also made a mistake going smaller but I think they had to since they used the Regal platform. I do know it was not what they wanted but it was what they had at the time and had to use it to buy time till the D2XX was ready.
There is a lot of back story to that car.
The 2008 Malibu did much better than it’s predecessor and the 2016 version will do a lot better than the last Gen.
In 2007 Malibu sales were 128K and shot up to 178K units in 2008 which is the first full year of the new style. Incidentally the 178000 units beat the Fusion which could only muster 147000units in 2008.
Yes the Fusion and the Altima have continually increased sales over the years while the Malibu took a backwards step with the short-lived last generation but I think this new Gen Malibu will right the ship and battle the segment leaders in terms of sales volume.
Nice to see this car get the recognition it deserves. It shows Motor Trend was ill advised in their decision.
Congrats GM Chevrolet Division … now, bring us die hard Malibu Maxx guys an gals back our Malibu Maxx !
Really?
You must be a die hard to have liked that car.