Topic: First Drive: 2016 Chevrolet Malibu

[Autos_Editor]

All-new Malibu flaunts a polished ride and advanced high-tech.
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[ChaosphereIX]

huge improvement, but the segment is so competitive...it really needs to wow in order to steal Camcord sales...

but I am sure the efficiency numbers will be very good

[Benhaze]

It actually wows me. I think GM hit the nail on the head. The instrument cluster looks better than ATS and CTS ones and the dash looks better than anything Buick does today.

Too bad AWD is not available and I would still take a V6 but I know I am a marginal buyer...

[SKYMTL]

This car is built for one thing:  rental fleets. 

[Benhaze]

This car is built for one thing:  rental fleets.

Someone is stuck in the past just a bit... Funny as I see way more Hyundai and Kia vehicles in rental fleets than GM vehicles but even if the Malibu is still popular with some rental fleets... Here are examples of the few vehicles I have rented: 2015 Ford Edge Sport, several other Edges, Mustang convertible GT, Infiniti Q50. So are all the cars built for rental fleets too?

Cars that don't sell well may end up in rental fleets to move products but no manufacturer is building cars for rental fleet anymore. And making this assessment before the car has even had the chance to hit the market.

The Malibu is one of the 3 finalists for car of the year of the Detroit auto show with the Miata and the Civic. They too must be built for rental fleets, right?

[paul246]

Nice looking car.

The fact that I can't order one without a turbo ( don't want a hybrid either ) leaves me out looking for something else.

[tpl]

So how does the price of a 2L turbo compare to an Accord?

[ChaosphereIX]

Nice looking car.

The fact that I can't order one without a turbo ( don't want a hybrid either ) leaves me out looking for something else.

you may be soon not able to buy new...

[dirtyjeffer]

It actually wows me. I think GM hit the nail on the head. The instrument cluster looks better than ATS and CTS ones and the dash looks better than anything Buick does today.

agree...i think it looks great (inside and out) and it seems like they really did a lot to improve this car...good job.

Too bad AWD is not available and I would still take a V6 but I know I am a marginal buyer...

while i would normally agree about the V6, you'd really need to drive it first...i was pretty much set to get the V6 option in the Sorento, but after driving the 2.0T, it got me...all that torque down low (which is where we are every day in city traffic anyway) allows the vehicle to move along with ease...now, i don't know where the torque curve in the Malibu is, but i'm sure it's pretty strong down low like most modern ones are (the Sorento's peak torque is 1450-3500 RPM).

all in all, if i were in the segment for a sedan in this class, i'd be taking it for a spin and a closer look.

[JohnnyMac]

A definite improvement over previous generations, might even be the most competitive Malibu since the  first generation back in the day.  That being said, it'll be hard to convince buyers to pick this over the Accord and Camry.  I can see this getting a few custmers from the Koreans, Ford, and Chrysler, but that's about it.  I expect a slight uptick in the first year, followed by a dive in sales and/or big GM deals.

I think GM would be better off optioning that turbo diesel engine in this rig to snag some of those shoppers who would typically go for the Passat TDI.

[JRM]

Sounds like a big improvement in driving dynamics and efficiency.  The exterior looks like a cross between a Chrysler 200 (rear) and a Camry (profile) but bigger and more bloated looking than either.  The front end has a mix of shapes that don't quite gel together, but still an improvement over the previous gen.   It's the over styled dash and floating center stack that would be a deal breaker for me, but I'm no GM fan anyway.  So, it won't be on my short list next time around either.   So far it's down to the Accord, Mazda6 and Passat in the non luxury sedan segment.

[Fobroader]

Its so weird, to me anyways, the white car was a really good looking, elegant design. The red one, cheap, econo, rental fleet. Amazing what colours can do. I like it....too bad it can only be had with an autotragic as that 250hp turbo sounds like a fun little engine.

[Noto]

This car is built for one thing:  rental fleets.

Someone is stuck in the past just a bit... Funny as I see way more Hyundai and Kia vehicles in rental fleets than GM vehicles

My most recent rental was a Buick Regal Turbo

I agree re competition, too.  It's a good day when these are our choices.  The Malibu will stay relevant and that in and of itself is a big goal to meet these days.

[Spec5]

So how does the price of a 2L turbo compare to an Accord?

This interests me as well - particularly if you're buying it. I'm sure you can appreciate the apprehensiveness towards owning a blown motor long-term eh Pritch?!

[dougjp]

Was interested in pricing comparisons too, however GM Canada's web site is on holidays it seems. I can't price a 2016 Malibu or a 2016 Camaro. The US GM site has no problem providing both.

Speaking from experience, the GM 2.0 turbo, when the HP ratings are around 250 HP like in this Malibu and my car, it has great torque from low revs, no lag. When it has higher HP ratings, the ATS for example which I think without looking is around 270, then its not so smooth and there is a bit of lag.

[Noto]

Was interested in pricing comparisons too, however GM Canada's web site is on holidays it seems. I can't price a 2016 Malibu or a 2016 Camaro. The US GM site has no problem providing both.

Speaking from experience, the GM 2.0 turbo, when the HP ratings are around 250 HP like in this Malibu and my car, it has great torque from low revs, no lag. When it has higher HP ratings, the ATS for example which I think without looking is around 270, then its not so smooth and there is a bit of lag.

The unit in the Regal Turbo was plenty smooth in the entire RPM range.  I've not driven an ATS.

[jaari]

It's a big improvement I think but still do not like GM's styling. Like they're  trying to hard.
Whos idea was it to put a chrome strip on each side the drivers dash pod.
Nice to get a reflection off of that  in your eyes lol.

[rrocket]

Someone is stuck in the past just a bit...

I dunno...this article would tend to agree with him as far as current Malibu goes...

http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2015/11/04/fleet-sales-incentives-chevrolet-malibu-fairfax.html

[bd2]

This car is built for one thing:  rental fleets.

Someone is stuck in the past just a bit... Funny as I see way more Hyundai and Kia vehicles in rental fleets than GM vehicles but even if the Malibu is still popular with some rental fleets... Here are examples of the few vehicles I have rented: 2015 Ford Edge Sport, several other Edges, Mustang convertible GT, Infiniti Q50. So are all the cars built for rental fleets too?

Cars that don't sell well may end up in rental fleets to move products but no manufacturer is building cars for rental fleet anymore. And making this assessment before the car has even had the chance to hit the market.

The Malibu is one of the 3 finalists for car of the year of the Detroit auto show with the Miata and the Civic. They too must be built for rental fleets, right?

In the US, the Queen of the rental fleet has been the Camry.

GM has been cutting back on rental fleet sales and we'll likely see far less of the new Malibus on the rental lots like we did with the Impala.

[safristi]

where can I buy this FLEET RENTAL?