Malibu to get an emergency redesign.

[DaBears]

Horrible reviews and slow sales mean a redesign.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/07/c...ales-poor-rev/

[DaBears]

I think the main problem is the back end. The tail lights are horrible.

[AZCamaroFan]

all the criticism of the car doesn't center on it's exterior styling though.

[upflying]

Originally Posted by AZCamaroFan

all the criticism of the car doesn't center on it's exterior styling though.

Yep, criticism centers on interior room and especially small and cramped rear seat. IIRC, the new Malibu has a shorter wheelbase than the previous version. To buyers in this segment why settle for second rate when you can buy best in class Honda Accord?
GM will probably discover you can't polish a turd after the exterior update.

[FenwickHockey65]

Main problem is wheelbase. Too short.

Honestly all they need to do is sculpt out the front seatbacks and voila, more legroom.

Exterior changes will probably be to bring the front fascia in line with Impala and 2014 Cruze. And some tail end tweaks.

Possibly the 1.6T as well.

[SS 376]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Main problem is wheelbase. Too short.

Honestly all they need to do is sculpt out the front seatbacks and voila, more legroom.

Exterior changes will probably be to bring the front fascia in line with Impala and 2014 Cruze. And some tail end tweaks.

Possibly the 1.6T as well.

I think that's right. It's a shame because I think overall it's a more appealing car than Accord or Camry.

[AZCamaroFan]

should be spending the money more on the engine than they front end. i don't really see a problem with the front end.

[FenwickHockey65]

I don't have a problem with the front or rear fascias. The wheelbase does make the side profile awkward though.

That being said, having actually driven the car, it really isn't as bad as reviews make it out to be. But the competition is moving fast and it's refreshing to see GM react so quickly.

In any case, the 1.6T from Opel should be a nice addition.

[DaBears]

Hate to say it but when I think family mid size car I don't think Malibu. I think Fusion or Accord of even Legacy.

[CamaroSkooter]

Go find the concept for the Volt, lengthen it to be a solid 4-seater, take out the battery pack, throw in a turbo hybrid engine, and bam...

[Stew]

Originally Posted by upflying

Yep, criticism centers on interior room and especially small and cramped rear seat. IIRC, the new Malibu has a shorter wheelbase than the previous version. To buyers in this segment why settle for second rate when you can buy best in class Honda Accord?
GM will probably discover you can't polish a turd after the exterior update.

THis is correct, the issue is not the exterior at all. It is basically everything else. Room, subpar interior materials, ride, and engine. In the tests I have seen the base 4 cylinder is slower and gets considerably worse observed fuel fuel economy than basically every other major family sedan. and Eassist is still a huge joke since most of the competions non assisted 4 cylinders get similar fuel mileage. It is such a shame too, the last Malibu helped the raise the bar, this one was stale the moment it hit the showroom floor.

[DaBears]

Basically everything except for the front end of the car is horrible.

[DesertCamaro]

Originally Posted by DaBears

Hate to say it but when I think family mid size car I don't think Malibu. I think Fusion or Accord of even Legacy.

The new Fusions look really good.

[Overflow]

Originally Posted by DesertCamaro

The new Fusions look really good.

They're too Aston Martinish for me.