Being ultra popular with families in Singapore, the mid-sized sedan market has been a hugely contested playground, with popular names such as the Honda Accord, Mazda6, Suzuki Kizashi, Toyota Camry and the Volkswagen Passat.
Having retired its Epica sedan, Chevrolet has introduced its successor and new contender. Named after the city of Malibu in California, the Chevrolet Malibu is a mid-sized sedan sold only in the United States in its 35-year history.
The Malibu began as a trim level of the Chevrolet Chevelle, but became its own model line in 1978. The eighth generation of the Malibu debuted as a show car at the 2011 Shanghai Motor Show and it was announced that Chevrolet will make the car a global sedan by selling it in nearly 100 countries.
Exterior
At 4,865mm by 1,855m by 1,465mm (L x W x H), the Malibu is 60mm longer, 45mm wider and 15mm taller than the Epica.
With its front end sitting low, the car portrays a bold and manly outlook. Complementing that look is the proud Chevy bowtie emblem affixed to the corporate dual grille, with delicately shaped headlamps faired into its front fenders.
Down the sides, the Malibu features sculpted lines leading all the way to the back where you find a very cleanly shaped rear glass for aerodynamic smoothness.
The rear is tastefully styled after the Chevrolet Camaro with its taillamps taking after the muscle car we fondly remember as 'Bumble Bee'. Dual exhaust tailpipes and an integrated rear spoiler further enhance the sporty styling.
Interior
Inside the Malibu, we were impressed by its sense of style. The interior features a dual-cockpit design, bringing an element of sophistication as well as creates an inviting, roomy and comfortable environment.
In keeping with Chevrolet's recent trend, the dashboard flows smoothly into the door panels, accentuating its curves. Decked out in soft-touch materials more likely to be found in a luxury import, Chevrolet has indeed brought the Malibu to an upmarket level. There are also handsome elements of French stitching in the door panels, which add another luxury touch.
The instrument panel draws some styling cues from the Camaro, with split tachometer and speedometer and a small digitalised screen sitting in between them.
Inside the Malibu, we were impressed by its sense of style. The interior features a dual-cockpit design, bringing an element of sophistication as well as creates an inviting, roomy and comfortable environment.
In keeping with Chevrolet's recent trend, the dashboard flows smoothly into the door panels, accentuating its curves. Decked out in soft-touch materials more likely to be found in a luxury import, Chevrolet has indeed brought the Malibu to an upmarket level. There are also handsome elements of French stitching in the door panels, which add another luxury touch.
The instrument panel draws some styling cues from the Camaro, with split tachometer and speedometer and a small digitalised screen sitting in between them.
At night, the illuminated console, together with ambient lighting that reflects off strategically located chrome accents throughout the cabin, creates a modern and inviting ambience.
Sculpted leather seats hug driver and passengers alike comfortably, offering bolstered support for longer journeys. Plenty of useful storage space abound, including an area behind the advanced infotainment touch-screen.
With a wheelbase of 2,737mm, which is 37mm longer than the Epica, the Malibu offers extra legroom for rear passengers as well as a huge boot that could fit at least three golf bags.
The Drive
Powering the Malibu is a 2.4-litre four-cylinder ECOTEC engine that generates 167bhp and 225Nm of torque. And because the engine is mated neatly to a six-speed automatic transmission, power delivery is smooth and linear, belying its heft of over 1.5 tonnes.
There is also the option of working the gears manually, which we found a little amusing. Not only is the lever a few inches too far aft, the manual shift toggle is on top of the knob - where your palm covers it - in the form of two buttons.
Fortunately, there's little need for manual shifting. When left to its own devices, the transmission generally manages to find the gear you want when you want it.
Pilot the car with a little more vigour, and the transmission automatically joins the dance. No 'Sport' button is provided, nor is one needed.
Handling is about what you'd expect for a family sedan - confidence-inspiring, but we wouldn't put it into the fun category.
Powering the Malibu is a 2.4-litre four-cylinder ECOTEC engine that generates 167bhp and 225Nm of torque. And because the engine is mated neatly to a six-speed automatic transmission, power delivery is smooth and linear, belying its heft of over 1.5 tonnes.
There is also the option of working the gears manually, which we found a little amusing. Not only is the lever a few inches too far aft, the manual shift toggle is on top of the knob - where your palm covers it - in the form of two buttons.
Fortunately, there's little need for manual shifting. When left to its own devices, the transmission generally manages to find the gear you want when you want it.
Pilot the car with a little more vigour, and the transmission automatically joins the dance. No 'Sport' button is provided, nor is one needed.
Handling is about what you'd expect for a family sedan - confidence-inspiring, but we wouldn't put it into the fun category.
The steering is responsive enough and offers an appropriate amount of weighting, but it can do with a little more feedback.
Chevrolet has put a lot of effort into giving the new Malibu a supremely quiet cabin, and it is certainly a successful mission.
This on-road serenity is enhanced by the fact that the Malibu also offers a well-composed ride that dampens bumps without making drivers feel isolated from the driving experience, and passengers feeling uncomfortable.
Conclusion
Given the wealth of features that come with the Malibu, Chevrolet has risen to become a strong competitor among other mid-sized family sedans.
Quite simply, the Malibu feels like a more premium product and should be considered as a good alternative.
