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2008 Chevrolet Malibu Classic Performance Review

November 5, 2008

PERFORMANCE | 6 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

offers plenty of spirited performance for around town and the highway
Edmunds

good road manners
Car and Driver

One trim, equipped with a 219-hp, 3.5-liter V6
AOL Autos

The 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Classic doesn't scream performance machine, but its engine is peppy, and the chassis provides a comfortable, if not exhilarating, ride.

According to AOL Autos, Chevrolet's 2008 edition of the Malibu Classic "comes in one trim, equipped with a 219-hp, 3.5-liter V6" engine that fares well in reviews read by TheCarConnection.com. ConsumerGuide reviewers claim that the V-6 engine is "robust in all situations." Edmunds, meanwhile, feels that the powerplant "offers plenty of spirited performance for around town and the highway." Other reviews read by TheCarConnection.com praise the singular engine option on this 2008 Chevrolet, but ConsumerGuide notes that the V-6 can "drone loudly at full throttle" and lacks "the refinement of Japanese-brand rivals."

The theme of overall simplicity on the Chevrolet 2008 Malibu Classic carries through to the transmission options, which is to say that there are no options. AOL Autos reports that the only transmission offered on this 2008 Chevrolet is "a four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive." Reviews show that the transmission is capable, though certainly not exceptional, and Car and Driver describes it as "ho-hum." ConsumerGuide adds that the transmission is "smooth" and "works well" with the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Classic's V-6.

One surprising aspect of this Chevrolet 2008 Malibu's performance is its fuel economy, which is impressive for a V-6 engine that has only four forward gears to work with. The EPA estimates that the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Classic will get 18 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. In real-world testing, ConsumerGuide reports that they "averaged 20.9-23.7 mpg depending on driving conditions."

The chassis of the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Classic, which like the rest of the car is a carryover from the 2007 version, is tuned more for comfort than performance. GM designers did manage to meet their comfort targets, and Car and Driver raves about the "good road manners" on this Chevrolet 2008 Malibu. AOL Autos also mentions the "civilized road manners" of the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Classic as one of its strengths, while Edmunds emphasizes the "smooth ride and predictable handling in the corners." On the critical side, Edmunds says that "the car's electric steering provides too much power assist most of the time, lending it a very detached feel." ConsumerGuide chimes in that a "rigid body and taut suspension help Malibu corner with agility and confidence," and they mention that this 2008 Chevrolet has "adequate" brakes.

Conclusion

A sport sedan it is not, but the V-6 in the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Classic should keep drivers from falling asleep at the wheel.

PERFORMANCE | 6 out of 10Expert Quotes:offers plenty of spirited performance for around town and the highwayEdmundsgood road mannersCar and DriverOne trim, equipped with a 219-hp, 3.5-liter V6AOL Autos The 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Classic doesn't scream performance machine, but its engine is peppy, and the chassis provides a comfortable, if not exhilarating, ride. According to AOL Autos, Chevrolet's 2008 edition of the Malibu Classic "comes in one trim, equipped with a 219-hp, 3.5-liter V6" engine that fares well in reviews read by TheCarConnection.com. ConsumerGuide reviewers claim that the V-6 engine is "robust in all situations." Edmunds, meanwhile, feels that the powerplant "offers plenty of spirited performance for around town and the highway." Other reviews read by TheCarConnection.com praise the singular engine option on this 2008 Chevrolet, but ConsumerGuide notes that the V-6 can "drone loudly at full throttle" and lacks "the refinement of Japanese-brand rivals." The theme of overall simplicity on the Chevrolet 2008 Malibu Classic carries through to the transmission options, which is to say that there are no options. AOL Autos reports that the only transmission offered on this 2008 Chevrolet is "a four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive." Reviews show that the transmission is capable, though certainly not exceptional, and Car and Driver describes it as "ho-hum." ConsumerGuide adds that the transmission is "smooth" and "works well" with the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Classic's V-6. One surprising aspect of this Chevrolet 2008 Malibu's performance is its fuel economy, which is impressive for a V-6 engine that has only four forward gears to work with. The EPA estimates that the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Classic will get 18 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. In real-world testing, ConsumerGuide reports that they "averaged 20.9-23.7 mpg depending on driving conditions." The chassis of the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Classic, which like the rest of the car is a carryover from the 2007 version, is tuned more for comfort than performance. GM designers did manage to meet their comfort targets, and Car and Driver raves about the "good road manners" on this Chevrolet 2008 Malibu. AOL Autos also mentions the "civilized road manners" of the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Classic as one of its strengths, while Edmunds emphasizes the "smooth ride and predictable handling in the corners." On the critical side, Edmunds says that "the car's electric steering provides too much power assist most of the time, lending it a very detached feel." ConsumerGuide chimes in that a "rigid body and taut suspension help Malibu corner with agility and confidence," and they mention that this 2008 Chevrolet has "adequate" brakes. ConclusionA sport sedan it is not, but the V-6 in the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Classic should keep drivers from falling asleep at the wheel. 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC STYLING | [5 out of 10] Edmunds: "Bland interior design and materials" Cars.com: "Other badging was eliminated for a cleaner appearance" Car and Driver: "a better-than-average chassis in a forgettable wrapper" The styling of the Chevrolet Malibu that ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The Malibu Classic competes with value-priced sedans such as the base models of the new Chevrolet Malibu, G6, and Fusion, and with the top-of-the-line Kia Optima. Each of these models drives and handles a bit better than the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Classic, and the new Malibu especially has impressive refinement and a stunning interior that feels elegant and upscale. The Fusion's interior is quite stark, but with great handling, it's the choice for driving enthusiasts. At the Malibu Classic's price, most competing vehicles come with less standard equipment, but they all offer something that the Malibu Classic does not: an economical four-cylinder engine. Perhaps closest to the Malibu Classic's package is the Kia Optima V-6, which in top-of-the-line trim poses a similar value.

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See the Chevrolet Malibu Classic in Other Years:

2008

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