The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu proves the brand can once again build a competitive midsize car with amenities, quality engineering and (subjectively) good looks.
Cars.com recently rounded up nine midsizers for a battle of the appliances. The midsize sedan has long been the workhorse of families. It needs to run, run well and run for a long time. Even though crossovers continue to suck up midsize sedan sales, the market is still quite robust.
Out of the nine contenders, General Motors scored a third place win, and a most-improved award. The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu impressed with loads of connectivity and safety equipment at the desired price point for the comparison. Judges found it to be quiet, quick and responsive, too.
However, some quirks remained, keeping it away from a first or second place finish. Most of the named quirks are once again subjective, but such is the business of reviewing vehicles.
Still, third out of nine vehicles isn’t too shabby, Chevy. Especially considering it beat a few staples in the segment.
Comments
I’m just not sure how the Passat and the Optima is better than the Malibu?
The passat and optima have more power for about the same money, that is their only advantage.
It would be nice if the 1.5T in the Malibu could produce around 175HP.
are you talking about the base power? I’m pretty sure the optima on that comparison is using the 1.6T with the dual clutch but I’m not sure if the 1.8T in the Passat was quicker?
I read that article and it was a pretty impressive showing. Also consider that the 2015 Malibu would likely have placed dead last it is a very good showing.
Well the 2015 placed 5th ahead of the Fusion though
This has to be one of General Motors biggest success stories as May 2016 sales figures are literally off the chart at 24,202 units. The only drawback to the new Malibu is it’s 1.5L DOHC-4v 4-cyl turbo base engine that makes 163 hp @ 5600 rpm; I think mileage might suffer because the small engine needs to work too hard and Chevy should consider opting for the LWC 1.6L DOHC-4v 4-cyl turbo that’s used in the 2016 Buick Cascada as while it’s just 100cc bigger in displacement, the LWC makes 200 hp which means it doesn’t need to work as hard as the current 1.5L engine (someone at Chevy should make this as an option before the 252hp LTG 2.0L DOHC-4v 4-cyl turbo).
I like that idea as well but the issue will be that engine will sacrifice fuel economy for sake of the extra power.
The article said that the 1.5T engine did a very capable job in Malibu mostly because the weight has gone down so much.
The engine does not suffer from working too hard. The advancements of the Variable Valve Timing and the Turbo along with Direct Injection puts the torque in a lower wider power band and it does just fine.
toss in that the Malibu is the lightest in class and it is maximized for MPG and decent performance.
Keep in mind there is no GT, GTI, SI or SS on this car and it is just a value priced mid sized family car. It does just what it is supposed to do.
If you read the story the top three cars are only separated by subjective issues that are not even on equal ground,
Note Things they liked The Responsive engine.
Things they hated a less than responsive engine.
Now this is a a SH&t or get off the pot issue and they just will not fully commit here. A good review will give a good clear concrete response not a double mouthed political one.
The other issues also are pure subjective one of which on the start stop should have a shut off but that is pure subjective even on my part as I understand they may not be able to count the MPG with the use of it if you can shut it off. It is much like the skip shift in the Corvette where it is required to make the EPA numbers.
And the Fusion doesn’t even make the list… not good for Ford.
Stunning how Ford Fusion is ignored. I rent regularly, and despise Fusion. The Avis staff is always shocked when I ask them to hold a Chrysler 200 for me; however, the 200 beats Fusion and Sonata in my mind. Next week should be either a Malibu or Passat as they have two which sort of surprises me.
Nissan doesn’t belong on this list and the Subaru is cheap.
The real results will be in sale ,,
Surprising more to me is no Honda or Toyota.