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2009 Chevrolet Malibu Quality Review

July 19, 2009

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

understated, simple, and functional
Car and Driver

center console [is] large enough to store my purse
MotherProof

gone is the hard plastic rental-car look
Road & Track

On the inside, reviewers note that the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu is large and comfortable. Materials quality is better than generally expected from GM.

The Chevrolet Malibu has pretty good legroom in both rows, thanks to a wheelbase lengthened by a few inches in 2008. Cars.com says "the modestly contoured cloth seats were easy to slide in and out of when entering the car. The materials also seem to be better than previous models." "Front and rear seat passengers will have little to complain about in terms of ride quality," Edmunds reports.

Inside, there are plenty of compliments for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. Road & Track rejoices: "Gone is the hard plastic rental-car look." The interior has plenty of storage, according to some reviews, but others claim that storage is merely passable in the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. MotherProof is a fan, noting that the Malibu's "center console [is] large enough to store my purse."

GM has taken great pains to make the Malibu quiet and free of vibration. Special engine mounts in the Malibu go a long way toward preventing excess vibrations from affecting passenger comfort; while ConsumerGuide notices some bumps in the road, their reviewers acknowledge that the different tires used on the various models may have no small effect on the smoothness of ride. Edmunds notes that additional sound-damping measures include specially laminated window glass, acoustic insulation and composite liners for the wheel wells, and a "tighter" firewall to prevent engine noise from being heard in the passenger cabin.

TheCarConnection.com's editors conclude that overall, 2009's Malibu has a very well-designed cabin, with an attractive instrument panel and materials that are pleasing to the touch. Front seats are among the most comfortable in the mid-size sedan class, and the backseat is quite roomy.

Conclusion

The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu has a very roomy interior and good-looking materials throughout.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:understated, simple, and functionalCar and Drivercenter console [is] large enough to store my purseMotherProofgone is the hard plastic rental-car lookRoad & Track On the inside, reviewers note that the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu is large and comfortable. Materials quality is better than generally expected from GM. The Chevrolet Malibu has pretty good legroom in both rows, thanks to a wheelbase lengthened by a few inches in 2008. Cars.com says "the modestly contoured cloth seats were easy to slide in and out of when entering the car. The materials also seem to be better than previous models." "Front and rear seat passengers will have little to complain about in terms of ride quality," Edmunds reports. Inside, there are plenty of compliments for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. Road & Track rejoices: "Gone is the hard plastic rental-car look." The interior has plenty of storage, according to some reviews, but others claim that storage is merely passable in the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. MotherProof is a fan, noting that the Malibu's "center console [is] large enough to store my purse." GM has taken great pains to make the Malibu quiet and free of vibration. Special engine mounts in the Malibu go a long way toward preventing excess vibrations from affecting passenger comfort; while ConsumerGuide notices some bumps in the road, their reviewers acknowledge that the different tires used on the various models may have no small effect on the smoothness of ride. Edmunds notes that additional sound-damping measures include specially laminated window glass, acoustic insulation and composite liners for the wheel wells, and a "tighter" firewall to prevent engine noise from being heard in the passenger cabin. TheCarConnection.com's editors conclude that overall, 2009's Malibu has a very well-designed cabin, with an attractive instrument panel and materials that are pleasing to the touch. Front seats are among the most comfortable in the mid-size sedan class, and the backseat is quite roomy. ConclusionThe 2009 Chevrolet Malibu has a very roomy interior and good-looking materials throughout. 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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