Solid sedan
Andrew McCredie gets a first drive of the ninth-generation Malibu
It’s been a half-century since the Malibu nameplate graced a Chevrolet, and in that time it has gone from a trim level option to a global brand.
Starting life in 1964 as an upmarket Chevelle trim level — a status it held for 14 years before it became a model in its own right — the sun set on the Malibu name in 1983 before rising again in 1997. Unlike the original rearwheel drive version, that resurrected fifth-gen model was frontwheel drive. It would became a global player in 2013 with the release of the eighth-generation model, with sales in 25 countries and far-flung production facilities in Korea and China.
Just three years later, comes the ninth gen version, one that boasts new engines, new onboard technologies and updated styling cues more in line with the perennial top dogs in the midsize sedan segment, the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord.
The 2015 Malibu was the 23rd top-selling vehicle in Canada, an improvement of 27 per cent over the previous year thanks to a renewed interest in the category. But there are a good halfdozen mid-size sedans in front of the Malibu, many of which have hybrid options and a full suite of connectivity technologies.
Hence Chevrolet’s quick turnaround of a major overhaul less than three years from the release of the last generation.
The location of the 2016 Malibu’s global media launch last week in the heart of Silicon Valley underscored its new technologies. These include new Chevrolet MyLink with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, the first application of the ‘ Teen Driver’ feature (more on that later), nine new-to-Malibu safety features, including available front automatic braking, wireless smartphone charging and the only mid-size sedan offering 4G LTE Wi-Fi.
The engines are technologically advanced small power plants that pack a good punch and better efficiency.
The standard engine is the new-to-North America 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo, producing 160 horsepower and 184 ft-lbs. of torque and mated to a sixspeed automatic transmission.
The larger engine option is a 250-hp/260 ft-lbs. four cylinder turbo 2.0-litre working with an eight-speed automatic, the latter representing the first use of such a gearbox in a front-wheel drive vehicle for Chevrolet in North America.
The third engine option is the Hybrid, in which a new four cylinder 1.8L gasoline engine works with an electric two-motor drive unit for a combined power output of 182. Apart from the magnet pack, the Hybrid’s drive unit is the exact same as the 2016 Volt’s, underscoring GM’s plan to leverage the substantial R&D across other model lines. The Malibu Hybrid also shares regenerative braking and air-conditioning systems with the Volt.
This engine also features Chevrolet’s first application of exhaust gas heat recovery, or EGHR, technology, which uses exhaust heat to warm the engine and cabin. EGHR improves engine warm-up and ensures consistent fuel economy performance in cold weather. Additional fuel economy benefits come from exhaust gas recirculation.
According to Chevrolet, the Hybrid can operate up to 80 km/h on electric power alone, helping it achieve what they claim is a combined fuel efficiency number of 5.0 L/100 km. If confirmed by third-party testing, this will be the best-in-class.
Equipped with the standard engine with stop/start technology, the highway fuel rating is 6.4 L/100 km, according to GM.
The 2.0T models have GMestimated fuel economy ratings of 10.7 L/100 km in the city and 7.4 L/100 km on the highway
Despite having a longer wheelbase and increased cabin volume over the outgoing model, the new Malibu is 136 kilograms lighter, aiding fuel economy, driving performance and handling.
The aforementioned longer wheelbase allows a more open interior, with rear legroom improved by 33 millimetres.
The new Malibu’s styling is influenced by the 2014 Impala, and reflects Chevrolet’s design featuring slim, sweeping headlamps and the dual-port grill.
The Malibu’s three body-side creases also add drama to the design and help distinguish it as a contemporary Chevy. The hood and the cowl are lower than the outgoing model and contribute to greater aerodynamic performance, as do active grill shutters on LS and LT models. The new Malibu will be offered in L, LS, LT and Premier trims, as well as the Hybrid model.
Premium design cues are incorporated on all models, with contemporary lighting technology featured across the lineup, including light-emitting diode (LED) daytime running lamps on LT and Premier models. The Malibu Premier also receives LED tail lamps.
The instrument panel centre stack is all-new, with greater delineation between the infotainment system and climate system controls for easier operation. Perforated leather-appointed seating surfaces are available on LT and Hybrid and standard on Premier, while ventilated seats — a first for Malibu — are standard on Premier.
One of the most unique features on the 2016 Malibu — and one I can honestly say I’m sort of glad my dad never had when I was growing up — is Teen Driver.
This computer system lets parents to view their kids’ driving statistics, such as maximum speed and warning alerts, and provides audible and visual warnings when the car is travelling over predetermined speeds.
Parents can also program it to mute the car stereo or any device paired with the vehicle when front-seat occupants aren’t wearing seatbelts.
A parent enables the feature with a PIN in the settings menu of the MyLink system, which allows them to register their teen’s key fob. The system’s settings are turned on only to registered key fobs.
There is also a built-in component that lets parents view on a display their teen’s driving. Maximum speed reached, distance driven and number of times active safety features were engaged are among the parameters that can be confirmed.
Driving impressions
Our drive route took us west from Palo Alto to the ocean at Half Moon Bay then south along the Pacific Coast Highway to Santa Cruz before heading east back to Silicon Valley.
A mix of open highway, twisty roads and sweeping two-lanes, the route provided a good place to test out the 1.5-litre turbo.
My first instinct was that this engine might be a tad underpowered to hustle the mid-size sedan along, but that proved not to be the case. I also suspected the sixspeed would be not as good as a seven- or even eight-speed gearbox, but I found that it was wellsuited to the 160-hp engine.
Indeed, any more gears and it would probably be a bit too busy searching for the right gear, particularly at highway speeds. On the highway, 1.5L-equipped models use active grill shutters to optimize efficiency.
Cabin noise was well-insulated, though there was some wind noise at higher speeds. The cabin itself punched above its weight, with a very driver-friendly cockpit, nice clean instrument panels and just the right number of steering-wheel mounted controls.
Visibility from the driver’s seat was excellent, as were the ergonomics. Likewise, rear passenger and truck space are massive, even in the Hybrid.
I also drove the Hybrid around Palo Alto, and, like its gasoline stablemate, it proved a good performer. Engine noise was a little louder in the cabin, but that is typical of a hybrid.
So, how does the new Malibu compare with the aforementioned Accords and Camrys?
In terms of on-board features there is little to choose between them all. Likewise, the fuel efficiencies. The Malibu’s exterior styling, despite improvements, isn’t as strong, but the cabin is as good if not better.
But where the new sedan really shines is in its price. Pricing for the new Malibu, which is just now starting to appear in Canadian showrooms, is $21,745 for the L model. The LS starts at $24,245, the LT at $25,245, and the 2.0-litre equipped Premier model at $32,045. No pricing has yet to be released for the Hybrid, which will go on sale in the spring.
The 2016 Malibu is the fourth in Chevrolet’s ‘five in ’15’ plan, in which the automaker is bringing five updated models to market.
This includes the Camaro, Spark, Volt and Cruze, the latter of which will be unveiled in the coming months.