In this video John Davis gives us Motor Week‘s review of the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, which has been an early sales hit.
The first three highlights mentioned of the redesign mentioned are its great looks, larger size, and lighter weight over the previous generation Malibu, featured in the video’s opening cut. We’re all for efficiency and functionality, but when’s the last time a Malibu has looked this good?
The build quality has greatly improved, especially the interior. While Chevrolet used to get heavily criticized for the ‘cheap plastic-y feel’ of its interior, Davis says that without the badging one would have a tough time identifying the make of this car from the inside. It’s more than just new looks, though, the 2016 Malibu offers new technology including MyLink, Apple CarPlay, and OnStar 4G LTE.
Out of the three engine options for the Malibu – the 160 hp 1.5 liter turbo, the 182 hp 1.8 liter hybrid, and 250 hp 2.0 liter turbo – Motor Week spent of its most time with a Malibu powered by the range-topping engine. They feel that the 2016 Malibu offers plenty of power with a responsive throttle, and features one of the smoothest shifting eight-speed automatics they’ve driven yet.
Go ahead and hit play to see the entire, soft pitched, review.
Comments
I might have just found my next car!
I saw this show on the Velocity Channel last week, and I agree than Davis did a very good review.
Pretty nice car. Unfortunately, the base (affordable) 4 cylinder turbo engine is too weak and the “right” 2.0 turbo engine for this car is too expensive since you have to get a much higher trim level (2LT at $29,495) to get it. I have a 2009 Malibu with the base 4 cylinder engine. It has 169 HP and 160 ft-lbs of torque and it is a dog. I realize the 1.5 turbo engine in the 2016 model has a little more torque (160HP and 182 ft-lbs of torque) and the car is lighter, but I wish they would have given the base engine a bit more power (at least 180HP to make it really attractive.
Did you have a chance to drive the 1.5 engine? Its actually very good in this car and its main purpose is for cost effective fuel economy rather than performance.
Bravo GM on the next Gen Malibu ! When I saw the first TV spot showing the “no-bowtie-badge” unveiling I thought, it looked like a Toyota Avalon, an still do. I really like Chevy’s upcoming lineup the Cruz 5-Door an now the Malibu. 2017 should be a banner year for GM’s Bow-Tie Brigade. I have but one downside thought, will the redesigned Malibu take a huge bite out of the Impala? On looks alone, I’d be a Malibu buyers over the Impala.
It will take a few years for Malibu to grow. This happens with GM cars. Look at Traverse, or Trax or Nox–it takes time for middle class America to trust, and then fall in love with, the new GM.
Wasn’t Fusion supposed to be THE game changer yet the sedan is stuck behind Altima? Toyota and Nissan still ride on reputational fumes so be patient with Malibu for the next three years until it pushes part Ford and one of the Japanese sedans.
Malibu is beautiful. Then again, so is 200 yet that plus safety praise hasn’t helped FCA turn a profit. GM would be wise to introduce an AWD variant so to stay toe to toe with Ford from a offerings perspective and this should be easy given this will be offered on Insignia/Regal.