2001 Chevy Malibu Base Walkaround & Interior

Three new colors have also been added for 2001-Monterrey maroon metallic, galaxy silver metallic and light driftwood metallic.

When the Malibu nameplate was revived in 1997, its styling was labeled plain-vanilla by the motoring press. But, while its styling means it may get lost in a crowd, it also means its lines will hold up better over time than some of the trendier designs. Though Chevrolet bills itself as being as American as baseball and apple pie, the Malibu's styling shares more in common with the (Japanese) Toyota Camry than it shares with the Ford Taurus. Indeed, the last-generation Taurus is a good example of the problem with a trendy design (plus it was just plain ugly).

Malibu's front fascia features a center grille and emblem that takes a styling cue from the Chevy Impala. Aluminum wheels or wheel covers and the new mudguards reinforce the fresh appearance. An optional spoiler ($175) is also available.

At 190.4 inches, the Malibu is a couple of inches longer than its primary Japanese competitor, the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, but it is more than 7 inches shorter than its main domestic rival, the Ford Taurus.

Interior Features
When it comes to interior amenities, often the little things count. The Malibu's ignition switch, for example, is located on the instrument panel; it's plainly visible and reachable, instead of being hidden at the base of the steering wheel as it is on most cars. Another nice touch is the rotating air vents at the base of the A-pillars that can be swiveled outward to defrost the side window, allowing maximum visibility of the outside mirrors.

Then there are the six-way power seats, which offer up as many seating positions as we've seen in some high-priced luxury cars. Optional leather bucket seats ($595) are firm, supportive and comfortable. There's commodious front-seat headroom and ample legroom for a six-foot driver. Also earning our praise is the location of the stereo system. It's higher on the dash than on many cars, making it more easily operable.

For 2001, cloth has been added to seats and door panels and the shift handle now comes in ebony. A new retained accessory power feature, standard in the top-line LS model, allows you to keep listening to the radio for up to 10 minutes after the ignition key has been switched off or until a door is opened. Also standard on the LS are new cloth treatments and new map pockets on the backs of the front seats.

A few smart car features have been added for 2001 as well, including a delayed-headlamp feature that keeps the lights on a bit longer to give you time to make it from the vehicle to your house.

Our LS cabin's decor was done up in three shades of beige-to-sienna, a scheme that will seem bland to some, comforting to others. The fabric covering the headliner and pillars is plush to the touch, and the double-console configuration is spacious enough to house a half-dozen CDs and another five or six cassette tapes, each with their own notches. The T-shaped gearshift is a point of debate; some say it's homely.