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Chevrolet Malibu For Sale in the Chicago Area

 
2010 Chevy Malibu
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Two years after its introduction, the most important vehicle in the Chevrolet lineup isn't a truck or SUV, but a car: The 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. Chevrolet's Malibu has bolted from middle-of-the-road contender straight to the top of the mid-size sedan game. The 2010 Chevy Malibu looks wonderful, is solidly built and carefully crafted inside and out, offers good fuel economy, drives wonderfully and is priced to sell in serious volumes. There is even an affordable "mild" hybrid version that performs better than the base four-cylinder car and gets four miles-per-gallon better in city driving.  The 2010 Chevrolet Malibu's bold, attractive sheetmetal and stylish interior touches are backed by confident handling, a quiet ride and an overall level of refinement competitive with the category's best. Unlike some competitors, the fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine is available on all Malibu trims, not just the entry-level model. Minor changes for Chevrolet's major player include the addition of a six-speed automatic transmission on 1LT trims, E85 compatibility on the 2.4-liter engine and a driver's side power lumbar support replacing the manual lumbar support on all models.

            

Exterior

The 2010 Chevrolet Malibu hits a high-water mark for its size and price with taut proportions, elegant lines and a crisp, clean profile. Its split grille represents the new global face of Chevrolet cars, and its twin round tail lamps are traditional Chevy cues. LTZ models feature front fog lamps and clear-lens LED tail lamps, while V-6-powered Malibus sport twin chrome exhausts.
 
Interior

The 2010 Chevrolet Malibu's beautifully crafted interior uses premium materials throughout. The "dual-cockpit" instrument panel's major gauges are backlit in blue, ambient lighting provides a warm environment and overhead LED floodlights project subdued light on the console area between the front seats. The deep center console's sliding cover opens to accommodate large items, there's a handy storage compartment atop the instrument panel and an available "rear power center" provides a 110-volt AC power outlet. Two available two-tone trim combinations - Ebony and Brick and Cocoa and Cashmere - offer a choice of metallic-look or woodgrain accents, while an all-Ebony combination is accented with tasteful woodgrain.
           


Driving Impressions

The 2010 Chevrolet Malibu's long wheelbase, wide stance and stiff structure combine for a pleasing balance of ride and handling that's not at all common in this class, particularly for a domestic brand. The energy-efficient electric power steering on four-cylinder models - though better than earlier GM electric power steering applications - feels a bit artificial on-center; the conventional hydraulic power steering on V6 cars offers more precise feel. The standard four-speed automatic, a perceived disadvantage to competitors with five-speeds, is smooth and pleasant on the road. GM's new fuel-efficient six-speed automatic, standard on the 1LT, 2LT and LTZ trims, is a welcome addition to the Malibu lineup and offers paddle shifters for more spirited driving. The Malibu Hybrid delivers smooth performance and a four miles-per-gallon economy enhancement.

Under the Hood

The 2010 Chevrolet Malibu offers a choice of a standard 169-horsepower 2.4-liter ECOTEC four, a 164-horsepower four-cylinder "mild" hybrid system or a 252-horsepower 3.6-liter V6, all with dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and variable valve timing. The Hybrid teams a smal electric motor with a more fuel-efficient version of 2.4-liter four-cylinder to deliver two miles-per-gallon better fuel economy. The four-cylinder is teamed with a four-speed automatic, while a fuel-efficient six-speed automatic is standard with the V6 and optional across the rest of the lineup.





AutoBytel.com, March 2010, 2010 Chevrolet Malibu Overview, Chicago Chevy Dealers