Jimmy Dinsmore is the Wheels editor at the Dayton Daily News and may be reached at (937) 225-2115.
The midsize family sedan market is a competitive one, for sure. To compete, a car must have all the necessary factors consumers seek: performance, safety, affordability, fuel economy and looks. The 2011 Chevrolet Malibu demonstrates why it’s a major player in this competitive category.
When it burst (back) onto the scene in 2008, the Malibu was known for its stunning interior and exterior looks and the 2011 model carries that reputation even further.
My tester was a gorgeous Imperial Blue 1LT with an attractive cocoa and cashmere two-toned interior trim. Simply put, in this category, there isn’t a nicer looking car amongst all of its competitors. The Malibu’s distinctive interior screams luxury, but with an affordable price.
Knowing that fuel economy is something that every consumer demands, Chevy improved the 2011 version by making a six-speed automatic transmission standard on all four Malibu models. Gone is the less-effecient four-speed automatic, which is a big step in the right direction. With a 26 MPG average, the Malibu could still be improved within this category, and with a redesign slated for the 2013 model, you can assume that will be addressed. The 2011 Malibu did gain fuel efficiency over the 2010 edition, however, so for that, they should be applauded.
For particular consumers, the Malibu comes in four different trim levels with a choice of two different engines, with the 2.4-liter Ecotec engine being standard, but allowing for more power with a 3.6-liter V6 engine option as well.
The Malibu starts at a MSRP of $22,545 for the base LS model. My tester, the 1LT was just a tick higher at $22,825. The 2LT and LTZ models come in at $25,955 and $27,675 (respectively), which includes the aforementioned bigger 252-HP engine.
For a family sedan, the Malibu does not need the V6, as GM’s Ecotec, 4-liter engine really performs. And the 6-speed transmission, while a little jumpy in the lower gears, holds up well through acceleration. The steering column on my 1LT felt a little tight in sharper turns and the steering wheel itself seemed a little bigger than it needed to be. This seemed to affect my maneuverability a little bit.
Being a family sedan, safety is a big issue and Malibu has tested well in this category. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named the 2011 Malibu a Top Safety pick for its performance in their crash tests.
Competing against the likes of the Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata, the Chevy Malibu is proving to be a mainstay in the affordable midsize segment.
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