The Chevrolet Malibu is not a leader in the styling department. Malibu's simple, functional styling may get it lost in a crowd. Its looks share more in common with Japanese sedans than, say, the more individualistic Ford Taurus.Malibu's front fascia and center grille take their styling cues from big-brother Impala. Handsome aluminum wheels, redesigned for 2002, reinforce Malibu's fresh appearance. (They are standard on LS and a $375 option on the base model.) You can even add a deck-lid spoiler for $175. At 190.4 inches, Malibu is a couple of inches longer than its primary Japanese competitors, Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, but it is more than seven inches shorter than its main domestic rival, Ford Taurus. Three new colors have been added for 2002: Dark Tropic Teal, Medium Green Pearl and Redfire Metallic.
When it comes to interior amenities, it's the little things that count. Malibu's ignition switch, for example, is located on the instrument panel, where it's plainly visible and reachable, instead of being hidden at the base of the steering wheel as it is in most cars. Also convenient are the rotating air vents at the base of the A-pillars; they can be swiveled outward to defrost the side window, so you can actually see the outside mirrors in damp weather. Then there's the six-way power driver's seat, as infinitely adjustable as many we've seen in high-priced luxury cars. The optional leather bucket seats ($595) are firm, supportive and comfortable. There's generous front-seat headroom and ample legroom for a six-foot driver. Also worthy of praise is the location of the stereo system. It's higher on the dash than on many cars, making it more easily operable. Smart car features include a delayed-headlamp function that keeps the lights on a bit longer, giving you more time to sprint from the vehicle to your house. Handsome cloth trims the inner door panels, and the shift handle looks like ebony. A retained accessory power feature, standard on the LS, allows you to keep listening to the radio for up to ten minutes after the ignition key has been switched off, or until a door is opened. Also standard on the LS are map pockets on the backs of the front seats. 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 large double-console is spacious enough to house a half-dozen CDs and another five or six cassette tapes, each in their own notches. The T-shaped gearshift is tall and spindly. |
