With the arrival of Chevrolet Malibu to the European market, we can terminate the renewal of the Chevrolet range. In recent years, General Motors has worked in more generic products intended to be marketed in virtually anywhere on the planet, leaving the former Daewoo source models.
Ranks Malibu which until 2011 was covered by Epica. Although it might seem easy to replace in its original market was christened Daewoo Tosca , the truth is that things are not so easy. The Epica always had “their market” among those users looking for the best value for money equipment-habitation, leaving aside other factors such as the quality of the materials or the picture, pretty bland incidentally.
The leap of Malibu is evident at first glance and is corroborated once passed to the carrier or driving. However, all these improvements have caused the final price is much higher and remains too close to other segment D, especially now that the offers and promotions invade any market segment to output the accumulated stock in the open fields.
The new Chevrolet sedan sold in virtually all world markets without design changes, and only supply engines and certain equipment details differentiate the units registered in different countries. Only in Australia and New Zealand the Malibu bears the stamp of Holden, which makes sense considering that Chevrolet as a brand is not present.
Launch in Spain of Malibu took place during the summer of 2012. For a week I had the opportunity to drive a unit equipped with the 2.0 VCDI 160 hp six-speed manual gearbox and the termination level LTZ, the top of the range. Want to know more about it? I advise you to stop reading because in some ways surprised and for good.
Exterior:
The new Malibu is great and there is probably hiding. Classic cut has packing and exudes elegance.
If you like big cars, relatively exotic and yet discreet, perhaps the Malibu can fit between candidates. At first glance like a sedan that has style and exudes elegance through and through. The front is chaired by the brand logo while the front light bite fin part to add a dynamic touch.
Seen in profile can not disguise their dimensions. Easily exceeds 4.8 meters long and its forms are not trying to hide that, something very logical in a car that is considered normal in the United States. The lateral line up is one of the hallmarks of this Chevy.
Possibly the most like the Malibu is the rear. With some inspiration “Camaro”, both headlamps and trunk lid forming a small spoiler at the top give it a distinctive flair and staff not lost. The tuition is framed in the bumper and trunk lid as the Epica, further marking the distances between them.
Interior:
Indoors If outside is conservative and elegant, the cabin accommodates originality in the forms of the dashboard. The air outlets draw a horizontal line that extends horizontally and divides the upper rest. It includes a small blade very thin chrome highlights while the design for the center console, black lacquered plastic is chosen.
While the quality of the plastic does not stand out, the Malibu looks other aspects such as presentation or trim level, very full at this level LTZ.
The upper parts are finished with soft plastics pleasant to touch, being boiled in the lower half and in some cases excessively sensitive to scratches. Looking at the most hidden, there are certain details upgradeable (eg the bottom of the seats) or the absence of direct air vents and adjustable for the rear seats.
What I liked is chosen ambient lighting. In bluish, traverses the central part of the dashboard and doors spans. Also the feel of the main controls are nice and there are many holes to spread inside compartments. One of them is behind the multifunction display and sound system has great presentation, with light and rubber flooring. The material itself is lacking in the door pockets, but quite usable with the problem that any small object is constantly moving (if they were lined this would not happen).
Malibu The instrumentation is attractive and has a design inspiration Camaro. The information provided is the usual (speedometer, tachometer, fuel level and coolant temperature) and comes complete with a trip computer which provides data on consumption, average speed, tire pressure, oil quality and even an additional digital speedometer.
Navigation system is standard on all Malibu sold in Spain. The touch screen is easy to use, fast and has many interesting features like the ability to plan routes, view photos, introduce unusual attractions, etc. Too bad navigation using the most important indications are not shown on the LCD of the instrumentation. Neither seems very normal not to count with a rear view camera when the Cruze LTZ eg standard leads. We assume that in the future will end coming.
If you want a large sedan, the Malibu can be interesting. It’s best for space in the rear seats and the trunk of a good 545 liters
As for the equipment, in this level LTZ not miss virtually nothing. Standard includes xenon headlights, leather upholstery, power seats and heated, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry and start, alloy wheels 18-inch and even free maintenance for three years. If all this spare, LT + level can be choice, costing €2,455 less and has the essentials (monozona climate control, computer, cruise control, alloy wheels 17-inch, electric parking brake, etc.). The current discount prices including (but without the PIVE Plan) are €26,460 for the LT + and €28,915 for the LTZ.
Habitability is one of the virtues of Malibu. In the front seats is excellent width and the driving position is well configured, with all controls close at hand. Although it may seem that the center console has enough buttons are very intuitive and generous in size, making it easier not wrong (in the Insignia should be paid more attention for example).
Rear seats in the space is very good length and width the best in the segment (1.40 meters). The problem for a potential fifth passenger is in the highest seat height and a fluffy harder, making travel for many hours can be uncomfortable. As I said above, these places do not have adjustable vents, something rare in a car of this segment.
Finally note that the trunk of a great capacity 545 liters expandable if you hit the rear seatbacks (60 / 40). Beyond volume, it is worth noting that regular forms allow quick placement of the load. Being very critical, perhaps the step between the leading edge of the trunk floor and be something big and complicated the task of pulling heavy objects.
Machine:
Mechanics To start the engine of Malibu only necessary step on the brake and press the button ” Start “. Cold can tell it’s a diesel for the sound but not the level of vibration. Once the sound takes temperature decreases and, from inside, not perceived or hard acceleration, which says a lot of good work done in isolation.
The two-liter engine is notable for the smooth power delivery and consumption tight. Does not sound much and is able to move with ease to 4.8 meters from Malibu.
I must admit that when I stood before the Malibu came to mind consumption. I imagined it to lose the 7.0 L/100 would be mission impossible, but no. One of the surprises of this big sedan is its low power consumption in road and highway. In the classic route between Madrid and Marbella, at an average speed of 114.6 km / h, that figure was 5.7 L/100 real (5.5 L/100 by the computer). It is a very good for their level of power, weight and dimensions. Generally this segment models I’ve had in the same circumstances did not fall of 6.0 L/100.
Consumption in city is not high, but would have been better to have had the system start / stop motor. It is not uncommon to have, especially considering that it is a modern model. Chevrolet already announced that there would be a two-liter Cruze with Stop & Start so you may also end arriving at Malibu.
With 160 hp and a torque of 350 Nm from 1,750 rpm, this sedan moves well. It is smooth and linear delivery provided that not less than 1,800 rpm. In combination with the six-speed manual gearbox is easy to maintain a high rate with the engine running at a low speed, reducing consumption and loudness. Despite these virtues, pure performance is at an intermediate level without highlighting among its rivals. For example from 80 to 120 km / h in 7.3 seconds quarter are necessary when the top of the category and make similar power in 6.5 to 6.8 seconds.
Ongoing
Best of Malibu is route behavior. In highway is quiet, safe and transmitted through the comfortable seats, no matter how many miles remaining to reach the destination. The steering feel like by the degree of assistance and although not very communicative, it does the job properly. The only “but” is that sometimes has a tendency to excessive self-centering.
This occurs especially at low speeds and on roads with constant changes of rotation. Precisely where the mountain is in Malibu is not very comfortable. Neither the size nor the weight will take their toll, but it has a rear axle that is felt to limit and have to lift off the throttle to not lose his composure. Traveling at normal rates, remains unmoved and not give any fright so this should not be a problem for the customer “type” you are targeting.
Comfortable, stable and secure, is aimed at an audience even if they quiet corners, not too clumsy. The rear axle becomes somewhat sensitive to the limit, but to get there we have to look.
The biggest change from the Epica is in the calibration of the suspensions. Forget the endless rocking body which in turn afforded a great softness to overcome irregularities. Now the Malibu is able to boast a good compromise between comfort and control of the oscillations. Only in the deepest potholes can be a bit dry if you are sitting in the rear seats, but neither is it something I should worry to be common in many cars segment.
More comfortable than the Malibu can be the Citroen C5 or VW Passat , the latter only if it bears the standard suspension. With the sport does not filter much better and if associated with R-Line finish, is clearly uncomfortable (and more effective). Regarding comfort, efficiency, I reminded the Skoda Superb and I think better than a Kia Optima and Renault Latitude. The latter shares with some nervousness Chevy rear axle at times, but the Frenchman arrives much earlier and unexpectedly.
Around town, the Malibu has surprised me so fast and it is little cumbersome. And this is something striking in a saloon than 4.8 meters long. When parking from the cockpit “are controlled” good corners and later assistant helps prevent bumps with bollards or low-level objects. It is not uncommon to have posterior chamber, but neither seemed to me essential. When driving in parking garages and complicated, good turning radius helps maneuver between columns or give “turns impossible”.
Finally remark that the correct lighting is standard equipment. It has directional headlights and automatic switching of short / long, but it has xenon optics. Daylight corresponds to a halogen bulb inconspicuous. It’s a shame they have not included some LEDs now that are so fashionable.
Conclusion:
Overall, the Malibu has proven to be a saloon nice everyday, comfortable, sparing in consumption, with a spacious interior and a larger trunk . The production quality does not stand out compared to its rivals and its price is not low, but the trick play equipment to compensate.
Regarding the Epica is a world’s fair to say but not have it easy. It misses the access range version, with less power and less equipment to allow competitive rates. And is that not everyone wants the integrated browser or alloy wheels 17-inch carrying the LT +, and as things stand in the road, with an engine of 140 hp could meet the expectations of many users.
What is clear is that it is an exotic car, apparently, handsome and very elegant. If you have public favor or not we will see in the coming months.
