2 Reviews

Review
The first time I saw the review on the Malibu, my first thoughts are - who would buy that? That was until I saw one on the roads and i fell in love with it.

Here's where Chevrolet got it right. Its an era where American car manufacturers are finding it hard to digest and are quickly rolling out RHD Muscle Cars for Asia and other markets. When news got out that Ford Mustang RHD will come to Singapore, FB went wild with shared posts. Was it Dom Toretto or Groot? Since when did our Import loving country go crazy over Muscle? Well it certainly has.

From the front, the Malibu resembles all Cruze-like. The front is the same, but that didn't stop anyone from buying BMW - so neither should it matter for the Chevy. Get to the rear however and it's a whole new beauty altogether. The muscular angled edges, the manly bumped up overfender area in the body and cubic version of GTR tail-lights certainly were new frontiers in a mass-market doused, Japanese or German auto feeding country. We now have the most luxurious and practical American Muscle on our roads.

I admit that with respect to real American culture and heritage, the horses in this beauty are still lacking the V, tarmac destroying capability or nut-sucking torque. However, it is doing its best to remain practical, remain within Singapore road tax acceptance and is finally giving the sophisticated uncles in CBD a wiser option instead of buying Camrys.

A quick check on the prices revealed that the Malibu is priced way too low compared to the uncle magnet Camry. Unless you want the Hybrid, I'd take the Malibu any day over the Toyota. Finally a chance to keep the roads fresh and inspirational.

What I like
The sharper and muscled stance of Malibu over Camry.

While it cruises quietly in highways with little throttle input and high fuel efficiency, if pushed hard, the engine gets throaty and rumbles much louder than the hamster Camry to keep impeding lane cutters away.

Smaller overhangs and uncompromising spaciousness means I'd drive better and do U turns without having to peek out thanks to a better turning radius.

Dual Exhausts
Chrome accents on the bumper lips, fog lamps
integrated spoiler with LED keeps the rear neat, strong and composed
Sufficient Raw power and Torque
Wide body interior makes it feel spacious
Fantastic Bootspace - 7 golf bags perhaps. I put 4 in.
Cheap servicing - no complex parts or panels to repair.
Very good aircon - checkout the radiator size if you're in doubt
Very good sound insulation + audio system that's comparable to Lexus Mark Levinsons

Overall Value for money and Street Cred make this my favourite car of the year

What I do not like
Lack of hybrid version - that would have killed the Camry

Review
Tested the Malibu two months back. A big car that doesn't drive as big as it looks. This is about the prettiest car sitting in their showroom, with a fierce exterior and an interior that will make you want to drive the car on and on. Nothing to shout about the pick up, but sure is a good highway cruiser. Sound insulation is fantastic and the car is loaded with so much features that i could not digest all at a go. Great value for money car.

What I like
fierce exterior
nice comfortable cabin
sound insulation
tons of features

What I do not like
the interior space is very cramp.