Malibu was designed for full-size ride and quiet in a mid-size package, and on that front it delivers. Separate steel subframes for the front and rear ends protect the cabin from engine vibration and harsh bumps. Wind noise at high speeds is controlled well, using recessed door handles, a special windshield seal, and other anti-noise measures.Malibu's suspension is firmer than that of previous mid-size Chevy sedans. For this reason, the Malibu handles more crisply, and leans less in tuns and during abrupt lane-changing maneuvers. It feels light and agile. Its steering responds quickly when cornering hard. Overall, it rewards the driver with good feedback and sporty, predictable feel. It handles nearly as well as an Accord. Malibu's independent rear suspension yields a smoother ride, as each rear wheel responds individually to varying road surfaces. That definitely made a difference when we took our Malibu out onto some suburban-Detroit dirt roads, which were freshly rutted after a post-blizzard thaw. Ordinarily, this would be a molar-rattling experience, but the Malibu fended off the bumps like a bigger sedan. Malibu provides plenty of power for merging briskly onto the freeway. The 3.1-liter V6 boasts 170 horsepower and 190 foot-pounds of torque. The highly efficient automatic transmission monitors temperature, altitude and throttle position to determine optimum shift points. It shifts smoothly, too. All Malibus come with front disc and rear drum brakes with ABS. In both normal and emergency-stopping situations, the brakes are solid and firm, with no discernable fade or grab. ABS allows the driver to maintain steering control during severe braking situations by reducing wheel lockup. |
