To be a mid-sized sedan in this day and age means that you actually have to be a lot more than just a mid-sized sedan.
You have to have a super-attractive entry price. You also have to show that you like clean air, trees and fluffy rabbits romping in fields. And, you also have to be sporty enough for moms and dads who gave up their two-door cars when the stork came calling.
But, since you can't really put all of that together in one car, the Malibu - and others in this class - have separate models to take care of a broad buyer base.
Once considered somewhat plain and uninspiring in a rental-fleet sort of way, the Malibu regained its groove for the 2008 model year with sharp styling, thoughtfully designed interior appointments and competent road manners. The reviews bordered on gushing, sales spiked and the mid-size Chevy was once more walking proud.
The new 2013 Malibu has been repurposed for new challenges and increased sedan-class competitiveness. From top to bottom, it's a completely different car, starting with a more rigid platform based on the Opel Insignia (Opel is part of General Motors' European division).
Exterior dimensions are closely aligned with the outgoing Malibu, except for about 11.5 centimetres of shrinkage between the front and rear wheels.
Despite this deficit, most key passenger-and cargo-area measurements except legroom have increased. Cabin styling, which was the previous Malibu's strong suit, hasn't veered off course for 2013. The dual cockpit-style seating arrangement, with its wraparound dashboard and centre stack, returns in roughly the same format, but the controls and switches are laid out in a more straightforward fashion. A neat trick here is a storage area hidden behind the flip-up radio faceplate suitable for phones, wallets or other small items.
The speedometer and tachometer gauge pods are located in what are clearly Chevrolet Camaro-inspired housings. As with other recently launched GM sedans, the Malibu comes with 10 standard airbags, including a set of front-knee inflatables.
On the outside, the Malibu's athletic lines reveal a more prominent grille and Camaro-influenced taillights at the opposite end. The range-topping LTZ is upgraded with brighter high-intensity discharge headlights and faster-acting light-emitting diode taillights.
For 2013, the Malibu is available in three strengths for three kinds of Canadian buyers.
The price-leader base model has a 197-horsepower 2.5-litre four-cylinder, which replaces the 169-horsepower 2.4-litre four-cylinder.
For added performance, you can select a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder that puts out 259 horsepower and 260 foot-pounds of torque. The turbo replaces the 252-horsepower V-6 option.
Those values are roughly comparable, however the turbo's 10.1L/100 km city and 6.8 highway fuel consumption is hands-down better than the V-6's 12.4/7.8. By the way, Chevy rates the turbo's zeroto-96 km/h time at 6.3 seconds.
For buyers with a green streak, the Malibu Eco features a 182-horse 2.4-litre four-cylinder and a special 15-horsepower electric motor/generator that adds "eAssist" via a belt drive during acceleration and passing.
Called a "mild hybrid" because the Malibu Eco cannot run on electric power alone like the Toyota Camry hybrid or Ford Fusion hybrid, it's rated at 8.1L/100 km city and 5.3 highway, compared to the base 2.5-litre four-cylinder's 9.4/5.9 numbers.
The lithium-ion battery location robs the Malibu of some trunk space, but not a whole lot. The eAssist's regenerative braking system feeds energy to the batteries when the binders are applied. A system shuts off the engine when stationary and restarts it once the gas pedal is depressed.
All powerplants operate through six-speed automatic transmissions, with the turbo's version receiving manual controls located atop the shifter.
At an all-in starting price of $26,500, the Malibu LS comes with most of the essential ingredients.
The 1LT's more complete package adds a 17-centimetre touchscreen with voice recognition (Mylink Touch) that operates the audio and communications side. Picking the eAssist will require nearly $3,000 more than the LS, but it does include dual-zone climate control plus other niceties. The 2LT trim adds even more features, while the range-topping LTZ loads up on premium content and happens to be the only model in the lineup to come with the spunky turbo engine.
While not necessarily being all things to all people, the 2013 Malibu does offer a variety of models to a diverse group of buyers.
Welcome to the modern mid-size sedan.
THE SPECS
Type: Four-door, front-wheel-drive mid-size sedan
Engines (hp): 2.5-litre DOHC I4 (197); 2.0-litre DOHC I4 (259); 2,4-litre DOHC I4 with 15-kilowatt motor (182, net).
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Market position: Malibu is one of a number of new 2013 mid-size sedans and it faces some tough competition from domestic-and import-base models. In this class, offering a variety of powertrains, including hybrids, is almost mandatory.
Points: More tautly styled body improves Malibu's looks. Base four-cylinder engine provides good thrust; turbo option adds sporting attitude. "Mild" eAssist hybrid's fuel consumption numbers nowhere near "full" hybrid competitors. No V-6 option, but it likely won't be missed. Ten airbags sets the safety bar high in this class.
Safety: Front airbags; front/rear side-impact airbags; side-curtain airbags; front knee airbags, anti-lock brakes; traction control; stability control.
Fuel consumption, L/100 km (city/hwy): 9.4/5.9 (2.5) Base price: (incl. destination) $26,500
