In 1964, Chevrolet->ke199 unveiled the Malibu for the first time, and now, so many years later, the car has entered its eighth generation. Originally offered as the top trim-level for the Chevrolet Chevelle, Malibu->ke1034 became one of the best-selling models in Chevrolet's lineup and one with the longest histories, despite its short break in production from 1983 to 1997.

The eighth-generation Malibu, which was unveiled at Shanghai Auto 2011 in China, seems to be a natural evolution of the first version brought onto the market in 1964, as it comes with a modernized look, but in the same time it keeps the essence of the classic Malibu.

The 2013 Malibu features design elements first unveiled in the Chevrolet Cruze->ke3230 . Unlike the new Cruze, the Malibu’s design elements have received a more aggressive look and they transform the Malibu from an ordinary sedan into something a little sexier.

As a result, we can say without any doubt that the Malibu will soon become the leader on the American mid-sized sedans market.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2013 Malibu

2013 Chevrolet Malibu

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2013 Chevrolet Malibu
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Pros
Cons

Exterior

In designing the eighth-generation Malibu, Chevrolet has combined design elements from its sister vehicles, the Camaro and Corvette, but in the same time they have tried to keep the essence and the tradition of the Malibu name.

The 2013 Malibu is more than 2 inches wider than the model it replaces, as it measures 191.5 inches long, 73 inches width and 57.6 inches height.

The most notable design elements are, of course, those Camaro-inspired dual-element taillights, but the 2013 Malibu also received the company's new dual-port grille, projector-beam headlamps, plus larger Chevrolet bow-tie badges front and rear.

Standard exterior features:

Malibu LS

-Glass: Acoustic-laminated

-Grille: Black inserts with chrome surround

-Headlamps: Halogen with Automatic Exterior Lamp Control

-Mirrors: Power-adjustable, black

-Shutters: Front lower grille, active

Malibu 1LT

-Glass: Acoustic-laminated

-Grille: Black inserts with chrome surround

-Headlamps: Projector-beam, halogen with Automatic Exterior Lamp Control

-Side-view mirrors: Heated, power-adjustable, body-color, with integrated turn signal indicators

Malibu Eco

-Glass: Acoustic-laminated

-Grille: Black inserts with chrome surround

-Headlamps: Projector-beam, halogen with Automatic Exterior Lamp Control

-Side-view mirrors: Heated, power-adjustable, body-color

-Shutters: Front lower grille, active

Malibu 2LT/3LT

-Fog lights

-Glass: Acoustic-laminated

-Grille: Black inserts with chrome surround

-Headlamps: Projector-beam, halogen with Automatic Exterior Lamp Control

-Side-view mirrors: Heated, power-adjustable, body-color

-Shutters: Front lower grille, active

Malibu LTZ

-Foglamps

-Glass: Acoustic-laminated

-Grille: Silver-painted inserts with chrome surround

-Headlamps: Projector-beam, halogen with Automatic Exterior Lamp Control

-Side-view mirrors: Heated, power-adjustable, body-color, with integrated turn signal indicators

-Taillights: LED

-Chrome door handles

Interior

Thanks to its wider track, the new Malibu also offers more interior room. Chevrolet also focused on offering an equipment levels that will put it on top of its competitors, including a seven-inch touch-screen radio display – the first in a U.S.-built midsize car.

Customers will have to choose between lots of metallic paints, chrome and wood accents, while all trim levels provide a cool soft, ice-blue ambient lighting.

Just like with all the new Chevrolet models, the 2013 Malibu will be offered with the new Chevrolet MyLink system which integrates services like Pandora internet radio and Stitcher SmartRadio.

Standard interior features:

Malibu LS

-10 air bags

-SiriusXM Satellite Radio with three trial months

-Bluetooth wireless technology for three phones

-Driver Information Center

-OnStar Directions & Connections Plan for six months

-Two-way power vertical driver and front passenger

seat adjusters

-Steering-wheel-mounted audio controls

-StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control System

Malibu 1LT:

-In addition to or replacing LS features, 1LT includes:

-Chevrolet MyLink 5 Radio with 7-inch diagonal color touchscreen and behind-screen storage

-Bluetooth audio streaming

-USB port

-Outside heated power-adjustable body-color mirrors

-Projector-beam headlamps

-Front and rear carpeted floor mats

-Interior ambient lighting

-Premium cloth seating with leatherette bolsters

Malibu Eco

-In addition to or replacing 1LT features, Eco includes:

-Dual-zone automatic climate control

-Full-color, high-resolution Driver Information Center

-Active Aero Grille Shutters

-17-inch lightweight aluminum wheels with low-rolling-resistance tires

-Unique Eco tachometer and Eco gauge

Malibu 2LT/3LT

-In addition to or replacing 1LT features, 2LT/3LT includes:

-Dual-zone automatic climate control

-Full-color, high-resolution Driver Information Center

-Remote vehicle starter system

-Driver eight-way power seat adjuster including power lumbar control

-Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob

-18-inch aluminum wheels

Malibu LTZ

-In addition to or replacing 2LT/3LT features, LTZ:

-Leather-appointed seating with vinyl perimeter accents

-Heated front seats

-Front-passenger eight-way power seat adjuster including power lumbar control

-Inside auto-dimming rearview mirror

-Express-up feature on driver window

Drivetrain

Under the hood, Chevrolet placed a choice of three engines. Base trim levels will be offered with an all-new Ecotec 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with direct injection that delivers a total of 197 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque. This engine will be mated to a Hydra-Matic 6T40 six-speed automatic transmission.

Next we have an Ecotec 2.0-liter turbo engine that delivers a total of 259 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. This output will transform the Malibu into the most powerful midsize sedans out there.

Finally we have the Ecotec 2.4-liter engine specially developed for the Eco versions. It delivers a total of 182 horsepower and will be mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox.

Powertrain

2.5L DOHC 4-cylinder SIDI engine with Variable Valve Timing (VVT) FWD

ECOTEC 2.4L DOHC 4-cylinder DI engine FWD

2.0L turbo DOHC 4-cylinder SIDI engine with Variable Valve Timing (VVT) FWD

Standard Engine

Gas I4

Gas/Electric I4

Turbocharged Gas I4

Displacement (liters/cu. in.)

2.5L/150

2.4L/145

2.0L/122

6-speed automatic transmission

Standard

N/A

N/A

6-speed automatic transmission

N/A

Standard

N/A

Horsepower @ RPM

197 @ 6300

182 @ 6200

259 @ 5300

Torque @ RPM

191 @ 4400

171 @ 4900

260 @ 5200

Fuel Injection

Direct Injection

Direct Injection

Direct Injection

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Front Wheel Drive

Front Wheel Drive


Driving Impressions

Every man who tested the 2013 Malibu came to the same conclusion: it has been designed for the family guy and drives accordingly. Still, when compared to other midsized sedans out there, the 2013 Malibu proved itself to be more fun to drive and it had moments - like cornering - where it responds better to driver's commands.

MotorTrend, for example, found the car a little bit noisy and agrees with everyone else that it has been designed for improved fuel economy by saying "It levels out too much, unfortunately, and feels a bit weak in the mid-range. Once in the real world, the streets around Grand Rapids, Michigan, the noises coming from the new engine prove to be its weak point. Geared for fuel economy, if you put your foot into it, the 2.5 whirrs like a Hamilton-Beach appliance and the transmission feels a bit like a CVT. That’s good for smoothness sake, but not very tactile to the driver." (MotorTrend)

Edmunds finds the 2013 Malibu as pleasant as any other family sedan out there, saying "Handling is about what you'd expect for a family sedan -- confidence-inspiring, but we wouldn't call it fun. The steering is responsive enough and offers an appropriate amount of weighting, but provides little in the way of feel." (Edmunds)

Autoblog finds the car pretty reasonable during hard cornering, stating "Dynamically, the car is as prone to understeer during hard cornering as any other middle-of-the-road midsizer, but the steering is good, with reasonable levels of feedback and exceptional on-center highway feel. The brakes feel much improved over the Eco model, with a firm, immediate engagement and a linear pedal." (Autoblog)

Pricing

Trim Level

MSRP

Malibu LS

$21,995

Malibu 1LT

$23,185

Malibu Eco 1SA

$24,985

Malibu Eco 2SA

$26,595

Malibu 2LT

$24,890

Malibu 3LT

$26,600

Malibu 1LTZ

$27365

Malibu 2LTZ

$29,700


Optional Packages:

Package

MSRP

MSRP

$1,350

Electronics and Entertainment Package

$1,000

LTZ Premium Package

$395


Competition

Finding a competitor for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu can be pretty difficult... Yup, about as difficult as finding a pink elephant in a 10-by-10-foot room. Just by take a short look out there you will see that there are tons of other midsized sedans that do pretty much the same as the Malibu, meaning they will safely take your family from point A to point B.

2012 Toyota Camry

For the traditional guys out there, we suggest Toyota Camry, but only because for many years it has been the best-selling model on the market. With a price starting from $21,955 -- same as base Malibu -- the Camry has the disadvantage of offering a less-equipped interior, so for the money, the Malibu is offering much more.

On the other hand, the Camry has the advantage of offering a more powerful engine in the form of a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that delivers a total of 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 248 pound-feet of torque at 4,700 rpm.

2013 Hyundai Sonata

A car we think will put the Malibu into lots of trouble is the Hyundai Sonata. There are people out there -- we are part of them -- that think the Sonata looks a little bit more elegant than the Malibu. With a price starting from just $19,195, the Sonata offers the same equipment level as the Malibu, so it will help you save $1k or $2k. What we do not like about the Sonata is its engine, as it is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers only 198 horsepower, so here the Malibu has the advantage of offering a few more choices.

Conclusion

The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu is a car designed for your family and this is pretty much exactly what you should expect from it. It drives like any other sedan designed for improved economy, but when compared to other mid-sized sedans out there, you will discover it responds to your commands a little better. The interior is also a little bit better equipped, so this is another reason why the Malibu is a better choice. But, this is pretty much it: if you want performance driving combined with a family car then you should prepared to pay an extra $20k-30k and look elsewhere.