The Chevrolet Malibu – launched

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It took a while but the Chevrolet Malibu has finally made it’s way onto our shores. Launched by NAZA Quest Sdn Bhd, the official distributor of Chevrolet cars in Malaysia yesterday, it’s a model that’s been around for 50 years and those sold here are important from GM’s plant in South Korea. And almost immediately, people who speak the Chinese dialect of Hokkien start making crude jokes at its name (what the joke is, you’ll have to go find out yourself)

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“The launch of the Chevrolet Malibu LTZ marks an entry of one of the automotive industry’s most iconic and successful nameplate into the country. Its qualities not only make it a fitting flagship model for the Chevrolet brand in Malaysia, but also a car which stays true to the NAZA Group’s mission of delivering vehicles of the highest quality to Malaysian drivers” said Datuk Wira HJ SM Faisal Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin, NAZA Group of Companies Joint Group Executive Chairman.

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“The Malibu LTZ is an integral model for NAZA Quest Sdn Bhd and the NAZA Group on a whole. It is plan to reach out to a wider audience of car lovers and tech-savvy consumers alike, and the Malibu will certainly bring us closer to that goal” he added.

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Now, the Chevrolet Malibu isn’t any slouch; It is the only mid-sized car in the industry to win the Consumers Digest Automotive “Best Buy” award for three consecutive years (2009-2011) and has also been named the “Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) twice in a row. Before you get cynical and question how relevant is Consumers Digest here in Malaysia, let’s take a closer look at it.

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Design

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My impression of this car is as polarized as it’s exterior design. The front is muscularly sculpted – clean and simple to the point of being somewhat unimaginative. A huge two-piece grille outlined with chrome with hexagonal plastics sit prominently between the HID headlamps and a pair of front headlights sits below the main projectors.

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It’s a pity that the Malibu does not feature any DRLs; the upper sweep of the headlamps is reminiscent of the BMW 5 series E60 and I can’t help but wonder how much better the car looks if there was a strip of LED on the top line.

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The posterior of the vehicle is where it scores maximum points of being a butch yet remaining elegant at the same time. The horizontal ‘8’ rear lamp design that’s inspired by the Camaro and twin chrome tailpipes will provide a visual display that’ll definitely turn heads. Measuring 4,865mm in length, 1,855mm in width and 1,465mm in height with a wheelbase of 2,737mm, it has the same length as the Mazda 6, about the same width and height as the Honda Accord, making it a true D segment model (unlike a Suzuki Kizashi). Unfortunately, the Malibu also hold the record as being the one with the shortest wheelbase and it tells in the rear legroom space (more on this below)

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Here’s one hole you’ll need to get into often …. to clean, of course

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Performance

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Engine wise, only one option is available and that is the DCVCP (Dual Continuous Variable Cam Phasing) 2.4-litre Ecotec engine which provides a maximum of 165hp @ 5,800rpm and 225Nm of torque @ 4,600rpm. Without a proper test drive, we cannot ascertain how well the engine behaves but judging from paper alone, you can expect to spank it a little before you can get it up to speed, particularly when 0-100kph is achieved at a leisurely 9.6 seconds and caps at 206kph.

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The engine is paired to a 6-speed automatic gearbox and you’d have a great time working out your thumb when switching to manual override. At least one good thing about this configuration is it’ll shut everyone who has an opinion about which is the proper orientation for the ‘-‘ and ‘+’.

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Ride and Handling

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Noise, vibration and harshness is expected to be excellent as is demonstrated in the Cruze but remains to be seen in the Malibu. Until a test drive. But with it sporting a taut chassis combined with the suspension combo of front MacPherson strut and multi-link rear suspension, it should be promising.

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Cabin Convenience

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In many ways, I’m glad the somewhat insipid exterior isn’t carried over into the cabin. Button-freaks stumbling into this would have as great a time in here as bacteria on a piece of raw meat. The strong lines are made more flowing without going overboard on being over designed unlike some Korean makes.

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The full plethora of controls are featured on the steering wheel. Amazing how they managed to cramp all the functions into such a small space.

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Blue is the theme for the cabin and the monochromatic display is boring but clear to be read in almost any lighting conditions.

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The party piece of the Malibu is the remote engine start. Utilizing the remote fob, you can start the car (and the air conditioning) from afar and similarly switch it off. Perfect for those who wants to warm up their cars in the morning before moving off or cooling it down in the afternoon sun. It’s safe too because the doors remain locked until you unlock them either by remote or walking to the door handles and keylessly enter. I’ve always had amusing reactions when I remotely wind down or wind up my windows of my Skoda – this certainly takes it up one level.

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If you’ve driven certain continental makes (particulary the Volkswagen Group vehicles), you’ll find the small compartment on the right side of the driver is very useful for regularly used items like access cards and Smart Tags. Good that the Malibu features this as well.

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A 7-inch diagonal color touch-screen sits in the center and the audio system features AM/FM stereo, CD player. auxiliary audio input jack, USB port and smartphone integration. It’s not HD definition but it looks clearer than the Audi A3’s.

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And look! You can lift the screen and it’ll reveal another compartment for you to store illicit cargo that’s best  keep hidden – like a cupcake from your other half when you’ve promised her you’d be on a strict diet to lose weight.

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Below the touchscreen, you’ve got the usual radio and air conditioning controls which are properly labeled and easy to use. Sad that the car does not have dual zone climate control but then I’ve hardly used mine so not a deal breaker for me.

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You’ll find 2 cupholders with a slider in the center and the arm rest compartment has space for other small items. You’ll also find a 12V socket and the USB and AUX In port here as well.

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It’s a good thing there are many cubicles in this car because the glove compartment isn’t particularly deep. Still, larger objects that would normally for in other D segments (except the French, of course) may have issues being stored here.

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Take a step back and you’ll notice the overall fit and finish is good and the entire design comes together well. I don’t particularly appreciate the fins on the passenger side though. It’s going to be a pain to get those small crevices cleaned and I’d probably be killing lots of cue tips to get there.

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Both front seats are 8-way electrically adjustable but no memory setting though.

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The finer details like chrome around the power window controls adds a touch of class. People with a fetish against finger prints like me would be keeping tissues nearby though.

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As mentioned, the Malibu has the shortest wheelbase in the segment and rear legroom space is quite disappointing. It reminds me of the old Mazda 6 and Peugeot 407.

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And similar to the Mazda 6 and Peugeot 407, there is no rear air conditioning vents but somewhere here is a 120V socket (which I missed). I could probably hook up an induction cooker to it to see if I can cook eggs.

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Boot space is acceptable at 462litres and can be expanded once the rear 60:40 split folding seats are down.

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I suppose if you swap out the full sized spare tire below the boot floor would give you some additional space.

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Safety

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• 4 airbags frontal and thorax side-impact for driver and front passenger
• Brakes: 4-wheel antilock, 4-wheel disc
• Door locks: Power-programmable with lockout protection and rear-door child safety locks
• StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control System with Brake Assist
• Theft-deterrent system: Content-theft alarm
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System

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Specifications

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Exterior

• Front foglights
• Acoustic-laminated glass
• Black insert grille with chrome surround
• HID headlights with automatic leveling and tunnel detection
• High pressure headlight washers
• Heated, power-adjustable, body-colored, with intergrated turn signal indicator side view mirror
• Body-colored bodyside moldings
• Rear park assist
• Rear vision camera

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Ownership and Maintenance

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The Chevrolet Malibu LTZ is priced at RM153,888.00 on-the-road, excluding insurance and road tax. It comes with a warranty package of 5 years or 200,000km (whichever comes first).

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So should you buy one? Let’s be completely honest here; despite the relatively good price point vs kit count, Chevrolet isn’t a brand that we can call mainstream here. It’s certainly not a bad car but competition is fierce and many would consider the Japanese offerings as safer bets, particularly when rear passenger comfort is also a key consideration for this segment and the Malibu just doesn’t have the rear space to claim it’s spacious.

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And there are also some quarters who say Chevrolet is using Malaysia as a dumping ground for pre-facelift models unsold elsewhere since the US have launched a facelift one. Hello, the facelift model is meant only for the States and other parts of the world still offers this particular model. Then some also laments the absence of the turbocharged engine which again, is sold only in the US. So what we have here is current, just like everywhere else.

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Nevertheless, Naza Quest is aiming for a 10% market share of the total D segment pie which comes to about 2,000 units per year. Ambitious, to say the least but if they can prove consistent sales and after sales service while bringing in new models to keep the brand fresh, it is possible. It is an alternative model to consider and by far a much larger car than the self-proclaimed D segment Kizashi which technically makes the Malibu the most affordable D segment vehicle with an engine displacement of 2.4litres. That should warrant at least a test drive before deciding on any particular model.

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