The Chevrolet Malibu has been a mainstay of the US car industry since 1978. Now in its eighth incarnation, the Malibu has, surprisingly, been restricted to North American markets. However, starting next year, it will be available across 100 countries, including the Middle East, for the first time.

Featuring a four-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic transmission, the Malibu is a tough, protective mid-sized, four-door sedan that offers compact and agile handling comparable to any car in its category.

The new Malibu will come in four versions:

2.4L LS
LT
LTZ
3.0L LTZ

Each version boasts a wider wheelbase and more direct steering than its predecessors. For our road test, we used the top-range LTZ version.

Interior

We were immediately impressed with the interior finishing: the wood panel trim and comfortable seats were of high quality, stylishly illuminated by soft, ice blue ambient lighting that illuminated the dashboard. We also appreciated the rear armrest with storage, which is standard on all versions.

We were pleased with the push-button ignition but wondered why the more basic models don't come with this feature as standard. After all, the Nissan Altima, a serious competitor, offers this feature throughout. Moreover, the Malibu is lacking in the safety department; only a driver airbag is featured as standard, which feels like an oversight. A passenger airbag is available, but only in the top range do we find airbags for both front and rear. Rear seat belts are non-existent throughout, although rear park assist and a rearview camera are available as extras.

Fortunately, the Malibu has won praise for its strong brakes, boasting an admirable 41m stopping distance from 100kph — a full 2.4 meters shorter than the current model. If the worst happens and the Malibu crashes, at least the stiff body structure — composed of 65% high-strength steel — should help protect passengers. Chevrolet states that the new Malibu is 20% stiffer than the current model.

Performance

Our reservations were further assuaged once we put our foot down. Featuring an extremely efficient 2.4L Ecotec four-cylinder engine and an assertive 3.0L V6 engine, the Malibu is no shrinking violet, and we found it to drive very smoothly. The road handling was excellent, thanks to variable effort power steering available on the LTX; our model negotiated curves as well as any Alpine skier.

The new model is also more fuel-efficient, thanks in part to developments in the body's aerodynamics. Less wind drag has improved the fuel economy by as much as 2.5mpg (4.02kpg), which helps achieve fuel efficiency comparable to both the Corvette and even the Volt electric car.

The little extras are also notable. The Malibu features the Chevrolet MyLink, a touch-based system that connects gadgets wirelessly and features a storage compartment behind the screen. Most importantly, the system was intuitive and allowed us to concentrate on the road ahead.

Verdict

In all, the Malibu is a chunkier, more rigid, and yet more nimble version than its previous incarnations. It will win praise for fuel efficiency and some fancy tech features. However, it's not the best in class for safety features unless you opt for the top range version or add expensive extras.

Chevrolet Malibu Interior