Come on Chevy, really!!

[papawattz]

I just received my new motor trend and read the comparo for best family sedan and was like, what the hell! Last place, sixth out of six cars ! Now I know the new Malibu has been out for a few months and have seen one in person.My first impression was, a little to busy, some Camaro styling cues that were not needed, but overall nice materials and built well. But it wasn't until I seen this car compared with the 5 other carsWOW, Chevy really dropped the ball on this one! I advise you to read the article if you can, to really see where I'm coming from. It was the heaviest, by about 200 plus pounds, the most expensive, the smallest, one of the slowest AND the worst fuel economy Why the hell would anyone even consider this car? I'm a pretty diehard Chevy/GM guy, and I can tell you right now, I would not buy this car! If I was in the market, it would be the new Fusion, sorry it is just hands down a better car. Chevy needs to fire everyone who was a part of this design and development Come on, you no the rules to building a bread and butter family sedan to make money on? First, solid and reliable, second, good mainstream styling, third ,good performance and efficiency and last price it at or below the competition chevy failed at three of the four? How do plan to succed Leave the over the top styling to cars like the Camaro or Corvette! DUMBASSES

[willhe64]

I had a 2010 Fusion AWD sport. It was a great car. Needed a truck though so I traded it on a 2011 Silverado.

[Frank in MD]

While I agree that the car isn't Chevrolet's best effort, your logic is questionable. What makes you say it will not reliable, and dependable? It's got a better warranty than all others in that comparo. It's not priced more expensively than the others in the segment either, that's bunk. Possibly the magazine that did the comparo tested a high end Malibu but it's not priced more than others in the segment. Keep in mind, many others build their cars w/o union labor. The cost of the materials and labor from the big 3 is higher than their rivals, thus others can offer a lower starting price. Again, it's not a very big gap and what you get for the difference in price is clear to see, hear, touch and feel. Sad that the Camry places higher than Malibu. Camry is junk, JUNK! They use a maintenance battery, meaning you have to add distilled water. Hey Toyota, the 80' called, they want their car back.

Lastly you gave the Fusion high marks, which has by all accounts has edgy "over the top" styling, then you demerit Chevy for doing the same. Very confusing and inconsistent. The Fusion has beautiful styling, but the beauty of the Aston Martin styling is skin deep. It's going to be waaaaaaaaaaaaay under powered and as soon as people drive it they'll feel how underpowered it really is and will not consider it.

I agree on the fuel economy issue, as it's inconceivable to me GM's new engine gets just 34 hwy when the outgoing 2.4 got 33 hwy. Yes, the engine itself is impressive in it's performance, which is why Ward's gave it one of their annual 10 best new engine awards. Sadly, the new 'bu is just too damn heavy to make that engine any good.

[GearheadSS]

The 2.0T is where it's at in the new Malibu. If you want better fuel economy, get the eco. It gets 37mpg highway. It's not a bad car at all. They're MUCH better than the outgoing model.

[Frank in MD]

Originally Posted by GearheadSS

The 2.0T is where it's at in the new Malibu. If you want better fuel economy, get the eco. It gets 37mpg highway. It's not a bad car at all. They're MUCH better than the outgoing model.

Sorry, I disagree. Why can't Chevy build a real hybrid and not this Malibu Eco thing? It gets less MPG than the regular line of Nissan Altima which gets 38 MPG. This is the Malibu Hybrid fiasco redux and will be equally dismal selling.

[GearheadSS]

Originally Posted by Frank in MD

Sorry, I disagree. Why can't Chevy build a real hybrid and not this Malibu Eco thing? It gets less MPG than the regular line of Nissan Altima which gets 38 MPG. This is the Malibu Hybrid fiasco redux and will be equally dismal selling.

Well, you're the expert.

[GaBoy25]

My service manager at the the local dealer was telling me those cars have turned into a nightmare for the department. While I was in there a lady returned hers for the 3rd time in 3 weeks due to her breaks squealing and vibration during breaking. She was irate! He said this type of thing happens often at the VERY small dealership.

[GearheadSS]

Originally Posted by GaBoy25

My service manager at the the local dealer was telling me those cars have turned into a nightmare for the department. While I was in there a lady returned hers for the 3rd time in 3 weeks due to her breaks squealing and vibration during breaking. She was irate! He said this type of thing happens often at the VERY small dealership.

We haven't seen any come back with problems. We are a VERY small dealership.

[GaBoy25]

Originally Posted by GearheadSS

We haven't seen any come back with problems. We are a VERY small dealership.

Well these not always being the brightest individuals(aka Big Al and Bobby Joe)would lead me to believe demographics may be the culprit

[Baba]

Originally Posted by papawattz

I just received my new motor trend and read the comparo for best family sedan and was like, what the hell! Last place, sixth out of six cars ! Now I know the new Malibu has been out for a few months and have seen one in person.My first impression was, a little to busy, some Camaro styling cues that were not needed, but overall nice materials and built well. But it wasn't until I seen this car compared with the 5 other carsWOW, Chevy really dropped the ball on this one! I advise you to read the article if you can, to really see where I'm coming from. It was the heaviest, by about 200 plus pounds, the most expensive, the smallest, one of the slowest AND the worst fuel economy Why the hell would anyone even consider this car? I'm a pretty diehard Chevy/GM guy, and I can tell you right now, I would not buy this car! If I was in the market, it would be the new Fusion, sorry it is just hands down a better car. Chevy needs to fire everyone who was a part of this design and development Come on, you no the rules to building a bread and butter family sedan to make money on? First, solid and reliable, second, good mainstream styling, third ,good performance and efficiency and last price it at or below the competition chevy failed at three of the four? How do plan to succed Leave the over the top styling to cars like the Camaro or Corvette! DUMBASSES

Man, I DEFINITELY have to agree with you. GM "most often" seems to be juuust a hair behind its competitors. What GM is "banking on" from their customers, I just don't know.

Most of the criticism from near everyone over the years has been the CHEAP (not inexpensive but CHEAP) interior hard plastics and lack of refinement - non-locking glovebox, no rear armrests, no interior passenger grab handles. Add to that, smaller, heavier, slower and LESS FUEL ECONOMY, and I, like you, too, wouldn't go near some of these GMs. Stying cues, "Buying American" and "brand loyalty" just aren't enough for most people to make a long-term commitment to (readp; car payment).

God Damn, GM, at least give the customer some bang for their buck! Give 'em some FRIGGIN' MUSCLE or EXCELLENT FUEL ECONOMY!

[GearheadSS]

lol, y'all are funny. Talking about fuel economy. Between the Malibu, Altima, Camry, Fusion, Sonata and Accord with the base 4 cyl. engines, only the Altima has a significant advantage in mileage. All of the others are within 1mpg or the same as the Malibu. Some 1 better, some 1 less.

So the base 2.5L in the Malibu is right in line with most of the competition out there and it's probably more powerful than most.

[Bonanza7]

Originally Posted by papawattz

I just received my new motor trend and read the comparo for best family sedan and was like, what the hell! Last place, sixth out of six cars ! Now I know the new Malibu has been out for a few months and have seen one in person.My first impression was, a little to busy, some Camaro styling cues that were not needed, but overall nice materials and built well. But it wasn't until I seen this car compared with the 5 other carsWOW, Chevy really dropped the ball on this one! I advise you to read the article if you can, to really see where I'm coming from. It was the heaviest, by about 200 plus pounds, the most expensive, the smallest, one of the slowest AND the worst fuel economy Why the hell would anyone even consider this car? I'm a pretty diehard Chevy/GM guy, and I can tell you right now, I would not buy this car! If I was in the market, it would be the new Fusion, sorry it is just hands down a better car. Chevy needs to fire everyone who was a part of this design and development Come on, you no the rules to building a bread and butter family sedan to make money on? First, solid and reliable, second, good mainstream styling, third ,good performance and efficiency and last price it at or below the competition chevy failed at three of the four? How do plan to succed Leave the over the top styling to cars like the Camaro or Corvette! DUMBASSES

Typical for GM for decades. They start to get something right, and the something in their culture just won't let them keep it going. They blow it, usually on the small stff, but the small stuff adds up to a big stuff. Small example, but an irritating one: no USB connector. Can't work my ipod through the radio. My cheapest of all Hondas has that. Half the price of my Camaro. They have a suicidal wish at GM.

[Chevy Fanatic]

Originally Posted by GearheadSS

lol, y'all are funny. Talking about fuel economy. Between the Malibu, Altima, Camry, Fusion, Sonata and Accord with the base 4 cyl. engines, only the Altima has a significant advantage in mileage. All of the others are within 1mpg or the same as the Malibu. Some 1 better, some 1 less.

So the base 2.5L in the Malibu is right in line with most of the competition out there and it's probably more powerful than most.

I 100% agree with GearheadSS. I have a 2013 Malibu LTZ. This is not at all a bad car as some of you are led to believe. I would listen to the tech that works on these cars all day long Vs some reviewer that sits at his desk badmouthing a car he maybe drove once (if at all). Having worked as a luxury auto tech for 21 years (Mercedes, BMW, Volvo, Jaguar, etc.)qualifies me to say the 2013 Malibu is a lot of car for the price.

As far as reviews go, don't beleive everything you read. Go out and drive (or better yet purchase) one of these vehicles and form your own opinion based on your own driving experience.

[z28racer]

Last I checked Nissan or Ford are not high on the reliability list! Plus Motor trend is a joke!!! I would check Consumer Digest a non bias magazine that does not rate the cars by how much advertiser money they get!