MotorTrend First Look: 2013 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ

[FenwickHockey65]

First Look: 2013 Chevrolet Malibu
Big Beer: Chevy's Next Midsize is Less Filling, Looks Great
Link to Article

By Todd Lassa
July 26, 2011

If the Volt is the small-batch bourbon in General Motors' liquor cabinet, the Chevy Malibu is Pabst Blue Ribbon -- once as popular as the high-trim Chevelle of the 1960s, but watery discount liquor store stuff by the time the Corsica/Beretta replaced it in the '80s.

The Malibu's return for '97 was not pretty, but that prosaic model couldn't prepare Chevrolet loyalists for what followed: the 2004 Malibu/Maxx. Right now, GM designers, engineers, and execs are shrieking in horror over its mention in a story about their handsome new model. Please calm down. There's a method behind this history lesson.

The shift from Malibu/Maxx to its '08 successor represents the greatest design turnaround in GM's history, and one of Bob Lutz's biggest successes during his second tenure at the company. What do you do for an encore?

More at the link, with plenty of real-world photos.

[AZCamaroFan]

i don't know. some how i like the current one better. This one looks like a rebadged Buick.

[JoeP@TeamBeckyD]

Thanks Fenwick, can always count on you
to keep me up to date

Srsly, appreciate your efforts. Chevy's got
some great stuff coming. Can't wait to get
this new Malibu. The old one was fantastic
until the Cruze came out, then WOW it aged
really fast. The Impala is LONG overdue and
will be a nice addition when we FINALLY get it.

[Scrappy Doo]

I like this.

[TOMS1SS]

For what it is as a commuter car I like it....that said I see two problems. First over 28k on the high side for a mid-size? What the hell can be in a mid-size worth 28k? Secondly the concept of a 270hp car be badged an SS makes me sick. If they do something like an upgraded engine it should be called the "Sport" kinda like how my mom's Equinox is. The SS badge should only be applied to cars that have AT LEAST 300 horses.

[radz28]

My wifey has the '08 LTZ 3.6 and it's gorgeous. This car looks even better Good job GM.

[Stew]

Originally Posted by TOMS1SS

For what it is as a commuter car I like it....that said I see two problems. First over 28k on the high side for a mid-size? What the hell can be in a mid-size worth 28k? Secondly the concept of a 270hp car be badged an SS makes me sick. If they do something like an upgraded engine it should be called the "Sport" kinda like how my mom's Equinox is. The SS badge should only be applied to cars that have AT LEAST 300 horses.

Might want to check prices, every midsizer out there can easily top 30k when options are added. As for the SS, compared to some recently released vehicles wearing the SS badge, 270 is a good number. Also, that malibu with 270 HP would simply run with, or away from, a number of the origional storied SS Chevies.

[PatsRS]

I like this car a lot. I am planning on trading my Pontiac next year but I am torn between the Cruze and this Malibu. Not sure if I will be able to hold off til the 2013 comes out.

[TOMS1SS]

Originally Posted by Stew

Might want to check prices, every midsizer out there can easily top 30k when options are added. As for the SS, compared to some recently released vehicles wearing the SS badge, 270 is a good number. Also, that malibu with 270 HP would simply run with, or away from, a number of the origional storied SS Chevies.

Yes, but seems like every model of car has gone up price 5k this past 5 years. I own a Camaro SS and a Fiesta SE. Back in 07 I could have had a Mustang GT before tax was a little under 25k. The equal sub-compact ran 12-13k, I paid 16.5k for mine. Correct me if I'm wrong but when the current Malibu came out didn't top of the line run something like 25-26k?

Yes 300hp gross is about 220-240hp net but the Super Sport trim was always supposed to be performance oriented. There was nothing performance oriented about the V6 Impala, Monte Carlo and Malibu SSs models.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by PatsRS

I like this car a lot. I am planning on trading my Pontiac next year but I am torn between the Cruze and this Malibu. Not sure if I will be able to hold off til the 2013 comes out.

If you're trading your Pontiac next year, you'll be able to get a Malibu. They start production early 2012.

[Silverlsinva]

Originally Posted by TOMS1SS

For what it is as a commuter car I like it....that said I see two problems. First over 28k on the high side for a mid-size? What the hell can be in a mid-size worth 28k? Secondly the concept of a 270hp car be badged an SS makes me sick. If they do something like an upgraded engine it should be called the "Sport" kinda like how my mom's Equinox is. The SS badge should only be applied to cars that have AT LEAST 300 horses.

Really 300hp? please in that case might as well call the V6 camaro the SS one and I know for a fact that a Cobalt SS was pretty damn quick i did own one and i think it deserved the SS badge. I beleive the Mid 80s monte carlo SS didnt have 300 hp either so might wanna rethink this quote.

[cab2g]

I like the updates. The interior looks top-notch. I love the compartment behind the LCD screen. If I ever get a second car, I'd definitely take a look at the LTZ. (but I'd have to be making a ton of cash to have 2 cars with 30k price tags for myself)

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by TOMS1SS

Yes, but seems like every model of car has gone up price 5k this past 5 years. I own a Camaro SS and a Fiesta SE. Back in 07 I could have had a Mustang GT before tax was a little under 25k. The equal sub-compact ran 12-13k, I paid 16.5k for mine. Correct me if I'm wrong but when the current Malibu came out didn't top of the line run something like 25-26k?

Yes 300hp gross is about 220-240hp net but the Super Sport trim was always supposed to be performance oriented. There was nothing performance oriented about the V6 Impala, Monte Carlo and Malibu SSs models.

The Impala/Monte Carlo SS both had 5.3L LS4s.

Hilariously enough, the new standard LFX V6 in the 2012 Impala makes just one less horsepower than the 2009 Impala SS, but...

[Stew]

Originally Posted by TOMS1SS

Yes, but seems like every model of car has gone up price 5k this past 5 years. I own a Camaro SS and a Fiesta SE. Back in 07 I could have had a Mustang GT before tax was a little under 25k. The equal sub-compact ran 12-13k, I paid 16.5k for mine. Correct me if I'm wrong but when the current Malibu came out didn't top of the line run something like 25-26k?

Yes 300hp gross is about 220-240hp net but the Super Sport trim was always supposed to be performance oriented. There was nothing performance oriented about the V6 Impala, Monte Carlo and Malibu SSs models.

You are 100% about car prices, it's like food prices. heck, everything is going up except for the amount we receive at payday lol. I do agree about the 2000-2003 NA Monte Carlo SS, and the 06-07 Malibu and Malibu MAXXSS.