2008 Chevrolet Malibu LT1
2008 Chevrolet Malibu


Base price: $20,305
As Tested: $21,655
169-horsepower 2.4L 4-cylinder
22 city / 30 hwy

More info:
www.chevy.com



2008 Infiniti M35 Sedan
2009 Ford Flex Limited AWD
2008 BMW 135i Coupe
2009 Harley Davidson V-Rod Muscle
2008 Audi S5 STaSIS Challenge Edition
2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen SE
2008 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
2008 Mazda MX-5 Grand Touring PRHT
2009 Volkswagen Tiguan SE 4Motion
2009 Volkswagen Tiguan SE 4Motion
2008 Mercedes CL63 AMG
2008 BMW M3 Coupe



The 2008 Malibu has been racking up awards and accolades like Kanye at the Grammys, so we had to give it a spin. Our dark gray metallic tester had the sleek look of pricey Euro sports sedans like the Audi A4, and the new Malibu should be giving Camry and Accord designers night terrors. Our LT1 model completed its sporty look with 17-inch chrome trim wheels and dual chrome exhaust tips, and the remote start (part of the $515 power convenience package) is a plus in winter. The LT1 definitely looks beaucoup more expensive than its pretty meager $22K sticker.

The comparison with European sports sedan didn't extend into the cabin of our LT1 -- then again, it wasn't a real shocker at the price. The mid-level LT1 comes with a fairly basic amenities package (Chevy also offers the entry-level LS, the LT2 and LTZ), with a functional, but far from luxurious, interior. If inner beauty matters to you -- and it should -- consider the LTZ, which comes with premium audio, leather all over the place and other slick upgrades.

Sad to say, but the 169-horse LT1 is a little more show than go. We were disappointed with the somewhat sluggish acceleration from the 2.4-liter LT1's 4-speed automatic transmission, and braking was not as firm as we prefer. The LT1 delivers respectable gas mileage, but the overall middling performance left us wondering how the LTZ -- with its 252-horsepower V6 -- would drive. The LTZ starts at $26,995, but to get a Malibu that drives as good as it looks, it might be worth the price.

-- by Sam Jemielity

WHEELS REVIEW ARCHIVE


flash content