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2008 Chevrolet Malibu Review

May 29, 2008

STYLING | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

good-looking new sedan
Automobile

Sleek styling, attractive interiors
Car and Driver

fine-drawn and harmonious design
Los Angeles Times

more expressive styling
Popular Mechanics

sleek, sophisticated...looks like a more expensive car
The Auto Channel

Reviewers from around the Internet like the styling of the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, outside and in.

The Los Angeles Times considers it a "major improvement over the previous-generation Malibu, which looked like it was styled on an Etch-a-Sketch by blindfolded barbers," adding that its "average" styling may in fact be a good thing. Edmunds agrees, noting that “the car is smoothly handsome and free of styling gimmicks, which bodes well for its long-term appeal. And it has none of the self-conscious oddness of recent Honda and Toyota designs.”

"Unpretentious" may be another good adjective. The Washington Post applauds Chevrolet; 2008’s Malibu looks good "without trying to be something that it isn't." Automobile states that what makes this 2008 Chevrolet Malibu a "star" is "substance, not appearance." Cars.com thinks that “Chevrolet finally has done its job on styling.”

One interesting feature of the Malibu is a "trapped" hood fitting. Instead of closing over the grille the way hoods have for the past 60 years or so, the hood fits into an opening, giving the vehicle a look that The Auto Channel describes as a "sleek" and "sophisticated."

Inside, Cars.com notes that “Interior styling is much better than anything other than the Saturn Aura in General Motors' family sedan lineup.” They also feel that the “two-tone gray interior…looks modern while reflecting some dash designs from the late 1950s and early '60s.” Edmunds observes that “two-tone interior treatments help lift the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu's cabin into the premium class,” and believes that “only the [Honda] Accord's interior really stands clearly above the Malibu's effort.”

TheCarConnection.com’s team of car experts has spent several weeks with the new Malibu, and we think its very handsome, attractive styling inside and out give the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu a more upscale appearance. The interior trim isn’t quite up to Honda’s gold standard, but with the Chevrolet, 2008’s two-tone interior treatments are truly novel and give buyers a real reason to choose the latest GM family sedan over the more established Japanese titans.

Conclusion

The 2008 Chevrolet Malibu appeals to a whole new generation with clean lines and handsome shapes.

STYLING | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:good-looking new sedanAutomobileSleek styling, attractive interiorsCar and Driverfine-drawn and harmonious designLos Angeles Timesmore expressive stylingPopular Mechanicssleek, sophisticated...looks like a more expensive carThe Auto Channel Reviewers from around the Internet like the styling of the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, outside and in. The Los Angeles Times considers it a "major improvement over the previous-generation Malibu, which looked like it was styled on an Etch-a-Sketch by blindfolded barbers," adding that its "average" styling may in fact be a good thing. Edmunds agrees, noting that “the car is smoothly handsome and free of styling gimmicks, which bodes well for its long-term appeal. And it has none of the self-conscious oddness of recent Honda and Toyota designs.” "Unpretentious" may be another good adjective. The Washington Post applauds Chevrolet; 2008’s Malibu looks good "without trying to be something that it isn't." Automobile states that what makes this 2008 Chevrolet Malibu a "star" is "substance, not appearance." Cars.com thinks that “Chevrolet finally has done its job on styling.” One interesting feature of the Malibu is a "trapped" hood fitting. Instead of closing over the grille the way hoods have for the past 60 years or so, the hood fits into an opening, giving the vehicle a look that The Auto Channel describes as a "sleek" and "sophisticated." Inside, Cars.com notes that “Interior styling is much better than anything other than the Saturn Aura in General Motors' family sedan lineup.” They also feel that the “two-tone gray interior…looks modern while reflecting some dash designs from the late 1950s and early '60s.” Edmunds observes that “two-tone interior treatments help lift the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu's cabin into the premium class,” and believes that “only the [Honda] Accord's interior really stands clearly above the Malibu's effort.” TheCarConnection.com’s team of car experts has spent several weeks with the new Malibu, and we think its very handsome, attractive styling inside and out give the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu a more upscale appearance. The interior trim isn’t quite up to Honda’s gold standard, but with the Chevrolet, 2008’s two-tone interior treatments are truly novel and give buyers a real reason to choose the latest GM family sedan over the more established Japanese titans. ConclusionThe 2008 Chevrolet Malibu appeals to a whole new generation with clean lines and handsome shapes.  2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU STYLING | [9 out of 10] Automobile: "good-looking new sedan" Car and Driver: "Sleek styling, attractive interiors" Los Angeles Times: "fine-drawn and harmonious design" Popular Mechanics: "more expressive styling" The Auto Channel: "sleek, sophisticated...looks ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

All these mid-size sedan models are priced very closely to each other, so that shouldn't be a factor. These five sedans all have a very different feel and different styling, though. The Fusion has by far the boldest, most aggressive styling, while the Accord arguably looks the most elegant. The Sonata is more comfort-oriented, but its interior isn't quite up to the standards of the Malibu or Accord, and it's not as quiet inside. The Fusion and the Altima are more fun to drive than the Malibu, but neither of them is as roomy and comfortable inside. Backseat room is another big differentiator; the Malibu and Camry both have very roomy backseats, as does the Accord, but the Altima's is especially tight. And the Malibu's interior puts Toyota to shame; its attractive interior is well styled and has better-looking and better-feeling materials than much of the class.

Next Steps:

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See the Chevrolet Malibu in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

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