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2009 Chevrolet Malibu Performance Review

July 19, 2009

PERFORMANCE | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

the V-6...doesn't feel quite as powerful as its numbers suggest
Cars.com

quicker to 60 and the quarter mile than seven...sports cars
Motor Trend

caffeine under the hood
ConsumerGuide

The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu is a pretty responsible car—but it's also fun to drive.

The most popular engine choice for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu lineup is the economical 169-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which is rated at a frugal 22 mpg city, 30 highway. For 2009, every Chevy Malibu gets the top-notch six-speed automatic transmission. Performance in the 2009 Malibu is good enough with the four-cylinder engine, but if you plan to haul full loads or take on mountain passes, you may prefer the V-6, which is very responsive and better suited to sporty driving.

Reviews for the Malibu's performance are mixed. ConsumerGuide notes there might as well be "caffeine under the hood" of the 2009 Malibu, as it offers energetic performance. The New York Times compares the "eagerness" of both the four-cylinder and the V-6 favorably with the Honda Accord and the Nissan Altima. Cars.com acknowledges that the V-6 is "sturdy" and produces "plenty of power," but there is some disappointment that the power is not in line with its "numbers." Road & Track says the four-cylinder Chevrolet Malibu's "loss of thrashiness" and better noise control is attributable to a redesigned intake manifold. Lower fuel-economy numbers are a gripe over at Edmunds, too; they note, "Possibly this is due in part to the Malibu's heft. At 3,649 pounds, the Malibu V-6 is the fat kid of the group."

In terms of handling, most reviews feel the Malibu is benign. Cars.com reports that "while handling is good, there's still more lean in corners than with its competitors." The reviewer does concede that the Malibu "has excellent ride qualities, certainly on a par with the Camry and Accord."

Editors at TheCarConnection.com think the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu has a very smooth, well-controlled ride and handles securely, though without much performance flair. If equipped with the four-cylinder engine, the Malibu has a fuel-saving electric power steering system, but V-6 versions come with hydraulic power steering that provides a bit more road feel.

Conclusion

The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu offers solid performance across the line, but it's not exactly heart-stopping.

PERFORMANCE | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:the V-6...doesn't feel quite as powerful as its numbers suggestCars.comquicker to 60 and the quarter mile than seven...sports carsMotor Trendcaffeine under the hoodConsumerGuide The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu is a pretty responsible car—but it's also fun to drive. The most popular engine choice for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu lineup is the economical 169-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which is rated at a frugal 22 mpg city, 30 highway. For 2009, every Chevy Malibu gets the top-notch six-speed automatic transmission. Performance in the 2009 Malibu is good enough with the four-cylinder engine, but if you plan to haul full loads or take on mountain passes, you may prefer the V-6, which is very responsive and better suited to sporty driving. Reviews for the Malibu's performance are mixed. ConsumerGuide notes there might as well be "caffeine under the hood" of the 2009 Malibu, as it offers energetic performance. The New York Times compares the "eagerness" of both the four-cylinder and the V-6 favorably with the Honda Accord and the Nissan Altima. Cars.com acknowledges that the V-6 is "sturdy" and produces "plenty of power," but there is some disappointment that the power is not in line with its "numbers." Road & Track says the four-cylinder Chevrolet Malibu's "loss of thrashiness" and better noise control is attributable to a redesigned intake manifold. Lower fuel-economy numbers are a gripe over at Edmunds, too; they note, "Possibly this is due in part to the Malibu's heft. At 3,649 pounds, the Malibu V-6 is the fat kid of the group." In terms of handling, most reviews feel the Malibu is benign. Cars.com reports that "while handling is good, there's still more lean in corners than with its competitors." The reviewer does concede that the Malibu "has excellent ride qualities, certainly on a par with the Camry and Accord." Editors at TheCarConnection.com think the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu has a very smooth, well-controlled ride and handles securely, though without much performance flair. If equipped with the four-cylinder engine, the Malibu has a fuel-saving electric power steering system, but V-6 versions come with hydraulic power steering that provides a bit more road feel. ConclusionThe 2009 Chevrolet Malibu offers solid performance across the line, but it's not exactly heart-stopping. 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU STYLING | [9 out of 10] Cars.com: "interior styling is much better than anything other than the Saturn Aura in General Motors' family sedan lineup" Car and Driver: "sleek styling, attractive interiors" Popular Mechanics: "more expressive styling" The 2009 ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

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 spacious rear seats, 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. 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.

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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

Comments (6 total)

  1. By  Automobile Mechanics #1, Posted: 7/22/2009

    nice post having good information.
    Thanks.

  2. By Jaxon #2, Posted: 8/4/2009

    Is the all-new Chevrolet Malibu ready to win the head-to-head competition with perennial favorites like Honda Accord and Toyota Camry? It's a tall order, but the just-introduced Malibu is poised to steal back the popularity it once enjoyed. Watch video: http://tinyurl.com/mta8x8

  3. By M Taylor #3, Posted: 9/15/2009

    We just purchased a new malibu ltz v-6 with 6 speed transmission. A major problem I have with this vehicle is that when you decelerate at any speed, the vehicle jerks and jumps simular to a miss-firing spark plug. Two dealers have told me this is normal for this transmission.

  4. By Janko H #4, Posted: 10/21/2009

    I have not driven new Malibu yet. Just one observation: Car of that size/weight built with McPherson Strut in the front CANNOT handle as good as Honda's or Toyota's fine tuned double-wishbone suspension. Sorry, chevy is once again trying to pull a quick one consumers that don't do their homework prior to purchase.

  5. By Ben #5, Posted: 10/24/2009

    We just purchased a new malibu. A major problem I have with this vehicle is that when you accelerate from a stop, the vehicle jerks and jumps ahead similar to a car which run out of gas. Two dealers have told me this is normal for this transmission. At $30,000 Canadian I am not a happy camper. No wonder their reputation slumped along with sales. I will not make this mistake again.

  6. By Lola #6, Posted: 10/26/2009

    I was in a wreck, my 08 Malibu was totalled, but my 18month old was scratch/hurt free. She was perfectly untouched. Safety is a concern of mine and Malibu performed well. I purchased another 09 Malibu. Consumers and critics should give this car much credit. If people gripe about the economy and go buy a honda, what does that fix? Support your own country and help someone keep their job. GREAT CAR inside and out and great value

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