Road Test
Wrap-Up
Why We Bought It
How It Drove
Inside the Cabin
Summing Up
Changes to the Malibu Since 2004
Ups and Downs
Recalls and Problem History
Dealer Service Reviews
What Consumers Say
Why We Bought It
It was the kind of overhaul that would get anyone's attention. The downtrodden Chevrolet Malibu — that faded star of rental car fleets and retirement village parking lots — had been spruced up for 2004, inside and out. Hoping to recast the Malibu as a worthy competitor to import segment leaders like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, the GM elves slapped on a new platform and slid a bigger, badder engine under the hood. Would the Malibu's reinvention fly? We were burning with curiosity, so we decided to add Chevy's reborn family sedan to our long-term fleet.
We'd parted ways with our long-term Honda Accord shortly before acquiring the Malibu. Hoping to set the stage for an apples-to-apples comparison, we selected a trim whose sticker price hovered near our Honda's. Our Malibu LS was equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission and a V6, and we added goodies like a remote start feature, satellite radio and an in-dash six-disc CD changer. Final price: $22,595. Not bad, and still a couple bills cheaper than our four-cylinder Accord EX.
How It Drove
Our Malibu was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that generated 200 horsepower — not necessarily the kind of juice that raises neck hairs, but more than enough power for an economy sedan. Road Test Editor Erin Riches offered these thoughts on the Malibu's power plant: "Good midrange torque from the V6 engine. It still doesn't come close to the V6s from Honda, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Toyota in terms of performance or refinement, but a strong case can be made for it as an alternative to their four-cylinder offerings, given the Malibu's low price." Road Test Editor Dan Kahn was similarly impressed. "The Malibu actually surprised me. It's extremely smooth and quiet on the open road, the seats are comfortable and the gearing is perfect for long-distance cruising."
All this, and great mileage, too. Editor in Chief Karl Brauer — who travels nearly 50 miles each way during his daily commute — reported nearly 26 mpg in his time spent with the Malibu. "For a 3.5-liter V6 with plenty of low-end torque and overall power, this is impressive." He noted that the Malibu rarely felt underpowered, "though it can feel less refined at high rpm compared to the Japanese competition." Concludes Karl: "Look at it this way: My personal Mini Cooper, with a 1.6-liter engine and 115 horsepower — and much less weight to carry around and a CVT, is struggling to get 25 mpg." Sounds like the Malibu is a champ when it comes to fuel economy.
But in other areas, the Chevy could definitely use some improvement. We had noteworthy gripes regarding the car's power steering. Photo Editor Scott Jacobs found the steering "overboosted." Reports Scott: "It's way too light. I got a shock the first time I reversed it out of a parking garage spot around one of the poles and nearly went into the car next to me. From then on, I was far more cautious." Dan Kahn seconded that sentiment, saying "the electric steering feels oversensitive and twitchy, both on the highway and in the city."
The situation went from bad to worse when an editor noticed a pulsing sensation as the steering system attempted to move between lower and higher amounts of boost. "It feels like the system is having trouble deciding whether to assist the driver at low speeds. While you're sitting at a traffic light or cruising through a parking lot, the system oscillates between on and off. The result is a noticeable 'tugging' on the wheel, and even if you take your hands totally off the wheel you can see it bouncing slightly left and right. I didn't notice this before, so I think it started recently." Soon after that, the power steering died completely, and we took the car in for service.
At the dealership, we were told that the power steering motor and column assembly needed replacement. Not exactly confidence-inspiring, considering that at that point, the Malibu had been in our possession for a mere six months.
The tenor of our comments remained pretty much constant during the remainder of our time with the Malibu. Manager of Vehicle Testing Kelly Toepke took the sedan on a family road trip to Sacramento. While parked in gridlock, her husband fiddled with the wheel and noted that at low speeds the wheel play is annoying; he reported that the steering wheel gave nearly 30 degrees of movement before detecting movement from the wheels. The Toepkes were pleased with the car's engine, though. The long trip left them praising the Malibu's smooth ride and excellent power for accelerating into open freeway lanes.
Inside the Cabin
The Malibu's cabin isn't exactly a head-turner. Reports Erin: "The styling of the interior is dowdy. The gauges are plain, the center stack is plain and the materials are all a dull gray color. This is not the way to win the hearts of import buyers." Road Test Editor Brian Moody offered a more generous assessment: "Yes, the interior is lackluster, but at least it doesn't look like it was designed in the '80s like the cabins of so many other domestic cars and trucks. I actually think Chevrolet's designers made the interior look this way on purpose — it's kinda European with everything being sort of one color. Still, I can see getting tired of all that gray if I was driving this car every day."
Some of our editors liked the material quality within the cabin, remarking that, in this regard, the Malibu was a step above comparable GM products of yesteryear. Others were less impressed. Scott Jacobs felt the Malibu's interior was better than that of its predecessor, but still considered it subpar. "Again, the Accord blows it out of the water. Not only that, but there are all kinds of gaps and misaligned parts. The best example is the plate under the shifter that displays all gears; it's badly aligned with the center console."
When it comes to features, our Malibu offered lots of bang for the buck. Our favorite? XM radio. "XM radio is a great feature to have on a car that's priced well under $25,000," offered Brian. We also cottoned to the car's remote start system. During those times when the Malibu was left parked in the sun, this feature proved very handy as a means of cooling things down prior to entry.
Summing Up
The 2004 Chevy Malibu is a definite improvement over its predecessor. Though its overboosted steering detracted a bit from our enjoyment of the vehicle, we relished its V6, and looked forward to time spent behind the wheel on the open road. Its cabin was a snooze to look at, but unlike other vehicles we've tested, it held up admirably — nothing fell off and nothing broke.
Pleasing though the Malibu's engine was, imports like the Accord offer V6s that boast greater levels of power and refinement. And you don't have to look too hard amongst the foreign competition to find cabins whose stylish looks would put the Malibu's to shame.
But factor in price, and Chevy's sedan starts to look like a winner. For under $23 grand, we got a Malibu with a capable V6, remote start, XM radio and an in-dash six-disc CD changer. A similarly equipped Accord would have cost thousands more. The Malibu might not be the most exciting pick in its class, but it's one heck of a bargain — a fact that should prove very exciting to value-conscious shoppers.
True Market Value at service end: $13,760
What it sold for: Not yet applicable
Depreciation: $8,835 or 39% of original paid price
Final Odometer Reading: 19,720
Best Fuel Economy: 30.8 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 16.8 mpg
Average Fuel Economy: 22.6 mpg
Total Body Repair Costs: None
Total Routine Maintenance Costs (over 12 months): $91.16
Additional Maintenance Costs: None
Warranty Repairs: 11
Non-Warranty Repairs: None
Scheduled Dealer Visits: 2
Unscheduled Dealer Visits: None
Days Out of Service: 6
Breakdowns Stranding Driver: None
Changes to the Malibu Since 2004
2005 — The side curtain airbag option now includes front-seat side-impact airbags.
Ups and Downs
Ups: Surprisingly capable drivetrain, great mileage, outstanding value.
Downs: Ho-hum interior, over-assisted steering, V6 not as refined as others in class.
The Bottom Line:The Malibu won't make your pulse race; for the most part, it's perfectly mediocre relative to its foreign competition. Factor in its bargain-basement price, though, and it starts to look like a standout.
Recalls and Problem History
Recalls:
Miracle Mile Chevrolet/Buick in Los Angeles, California
July 2004
We took the Malibu in to get an oil change and tire rotation; address its problem-riddled power steering system; and remedy a clunking sound we observed when pressure was released from the brake. Our service advisors greeted us promptly, and didn't burden us with pitches for unnecessary services.
We were told that the power steering motor and column assembly would have to be replaced, and were then given a rental car to drive until the process was completed. To our dismay, it took four days for the dealer to make the repair. The oil change and tire rotation were performed, and the undue pedal noise was addressed (though not completely remedied) by adjusting its brackets.
We'd received three recalls on the Malibu prior to our visit. They were not addressed; we later learned that the dealer's service computer doesn't automatically check for open recalls when a car comes in for service, and since we didn't mention the recalls, the repairs weren't made.
Despite these minor gripes, all in all, our service experience with Miracle Mile Chevrolet left us with few complaints.
Santa Monica Auto Group in Santa Monica, California
December 2004
We took the Malibu in for an oil change and tire rotation; we also addressed the three open recalls that were overlooked on our last visit. Service was satisfactory.
What Consumers Say
"This is definitely the car for me. I am getting 33.9 mpg on the highway and 27.8 in the city. The new electronic power steering is great, no dead space when wheel is at center. I live in Southern Wisconsin and this car tracks great in the snow and ice. Select shift transmission makes slippery takeoffs a snap. Traction control works very well. Factory-installed keyless remote start sure makes window scraping a breeze. Not to mention heated seats in cloth. Don't have to have leather if you don't want it. The shift into passing gear is extremely smooth; you don't get a big head jerk as the car gears down. Plenty of passing power on the interstates. I highly recommend this car to anyone." — S. Dauper, March 29, 2005
"Very good performance, ride quality and stand-alone styling. Excellent for family in town and great on the highway. Well-thought-out design and features like the fold-down passenger seat are very useful. Comfortable seats on long trips. Only driven 5,000 km. Very happy with purchase. Excellent value for the dollar compared to the overpriced imports. Only waited four weeks for factory order car to arrive. Excellent!" — 2005 LS Malibu, March 28, 2005
"It can hold its own against both the Accord (I owned a 2001) and the Camry but at thousands less. I was able to purchase this vehicle at $2,500 under invoice, by far the most bang for your buck in this segment. This car is loaded: heated and power seats, heated outside mirrors, XM radio, everything you could want. GM quality has improved substantially along with interior styling. Five years ago I don't think I would have considered a Chevy, but now they hold their own against the best. Ride is excellent, acceleration admirable. The only gripe I have is that it would be nice to have a few more pieces of accent trim." — Matt, March 27, 2005
"This Malibu has even more power than the old model. Tight, quiet, turns like a champ and the new electric-driven steering module is better. The mileage is as advertised and that's at 75 mph on the highway. I love the suspension, the quiet ride, the XM radio. The engine is a champ. Plenty of power in all conditions. Smooth with plenty of torque." — TMM, March 19, 2005.
How It Drove
Inside the Cabin
Summing Up
Changes to the Malibu Since 2004
Ups and Downs
Recalls and Problem History
Dealer Service Reviews
What Consumers Say
Why We Bought It
It was the kind of overhaul that would get anyone's attention. The downtrodden Chevrolet Malibu — that faded star of rental car fleets and retirement village parking lots — had been spruced up for 2004, inside and out. Hoping to recast the Malibu as a worthy competitor to import segment leaders like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, the GM elves slapped on a new platform and slid a bigger, badder engine under the hood. Would the Malibu's reinvention fly? We were burning with curiosity, so we decided to add Chevy's reborn family sedan to our long-term fleet.
We'd parted ways with our long-term Honda Accord shortly before acquiring the Malibu. Hoping to set the stage for an apples-to-apples comparison, we selected a trim whose sticker price hovered near our Honda's. Our Malibu LS was equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission and a V6, and we added goodies like a remote start feature, satellite radio and an in-dash six-disc CD changer. Final price: $22,595. Not bad, and still a couple bills cheaper than our four-cylinder Accord EX.
How It Drove
Our Malibu was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that generated 200 horsepower — not necessarily the kind of juice that raises neck hairs, but more than enough power for an economy sedan. Road Test Editor Erin Riches offered these thoughts on the Malibu's power plant: "Good midrange torque from the V6 engine. It still doesn't come close to the V6s from Honda, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Toyota in terms of performance or refinement, but a strong case can be made for it as an alternative to their four-cylinder offerings, given the Malibu's low price." Road Test Editor Dan Kahn was similarly impressed. "The Malibu actually surprised me. It's extremely smooth and quiet on the open road, the seats are comfortable and the gearing is perfect for long-distance cruising."
All this, and great mileage, too. Editor in Chief Karl Brauer — who travels nearly 50 miles each way during his daily commute — reported nearly 26 mpg in his time spent with the Malibu. "For a 3.5-liter V6 with plenty of low-end torque and overall power, this is impressive." He noted that the Malibu rarely felt underpowered, "though it can feel less refined at high rpm compared to the Japanese competition." Concludes Karl: "Look at it this way: My personal Mini Cooper, with a 1.6-liter engine and 115 horsepower — and much less weight to carry around and a CVT, is struggling to get 25 mpg." Sounds like the Malibu is a champ when it comes to fuel economy.
But in other areas, the Chevy could definitely use some improvement. We had noteworthy gripes regarding the car's power steering. Photo Editor Scott Jacobs found the steering "overboosted." Reports Scott: "It's way too light. I got a shock the first time I reversed it out of a parking garage spot around one of the poles and nearly went into the car next to me. From then on, I was far more cautious." Dan Kahn seconded that sentiment, saying "the electric steering feels oversensitive and twitchy, both on the highway and in the city."
The situation went from bad to worse when an editor noticed a pulsing sensation as the steering system attempted to move between lower and higher amounts of boost. "It feels like the system is having trouble deciding whether to assist the driver at low speeds. While you're sitting at a traffic light or cruising through a parking lot, the system oscillates between on and off. The result is a noticeable 'tugging' on the wheel, and even if you take your hands totally off the wheel you can see it bouncing slightly left and right. I didn't notice this before, so I think it started recently." Soon after that, the power steering died completely, and we took the car in for service.
At the dealership, we were told that the power steering motor and column assembly needed replacement. Not exactly confidence-inspiring, considering that at that point, the Malibu had been in our possession for a mere six months.
The tenor of our comments remained pretty much constant during the remainder of our time with the Malibu. Manager of Vehicle Testing Kelly Toepke took the sedan on a family road trip to Sacramento. While parked in gridlock, her husband fiddled with the wheel and noted that at low speeds the wheel play is annoying; he reported that the steering wheel gave nearly 30 degrees of movement before detecting movement from the wheels. The Toepkes were pleased with the car's engine, though. The long trip left them praising the Malibu's smooth ride and excellent power for accelerating into open freeway lanes.
Inside the Cabin
The Malibu's cabin isn't exactly a head-turner. Reports Erin: "The styling of the interior is dowdy. The gauges are plain, the center stack is plain and the materials are all a dull gray color. This is not the way to win the hearts of import buyers." Road Test Editor Brian Moody offered a more generous assessment: "Yes, the interior is lackluster, but at least it doesn't look like it was designed in the '80s like the cabins of so many other domestic cars and trucks. I actually think Chevrolet's designers made the interior look this way on purpose — it's kinda European with everything being sort of one color. Still, I can see getting tired of all that gray if I was driving this car every day."
Some of our editors liked the material quality within the cabin, remarking that, in this regard, the Malibu was a step above comparable GM products of yesteryear. Others were less impressed. Scott Jacobs felt the Malibu's interior was better than that of its predecessor, but still considered it subpar. "Again, the Accord blows it out of the water. Not only that, but there are all kinds of gaps and misaligned parts. The best example is the plate under the shifter that displays all gears; it's badly aligned with the center console."
When it comes to features, our Malibu offered lots of bang for the buck. Our favorite? XM radio. "XM radio is a great feature to have on a car that's priced well under $25,000," offered Brian. We also cottoned to the car's remote start system. During those times when the Malibu was left parked in the sun, this feature proved very handy as a means of cooling things down prior to entry.
Summing Up
The 2004 Chevy Malibu is a definite improvement over its predecessor. Though its overboosted steering detracted a bit from our enjoyment of the vehicle, we relished its V6, and looked forward to time spent behind the wheel on the open road. Its cabin was a snooze to look at, but unlike other vehicles we've tested, it held up admirably — nothing fell off and nothing broke.
Pleasing though the Malibu's engine was, imports like the Accord offer V6s that boast greater levels of power and refinement. And you don't have to look too hard amongst the foreign competition to find cabins whose stylish looks would put the Malibu's to shame.
But factor in price, and Chevy's sedan starts to look like a winner. For under $23 grand, we got a Malibu with a capable V6, remote start, XM radio and an in-dash six-disc CD changer. A similarly equipped Accord would have cost thousands more. The Malibu might not be the most exciting pick in its class, but it's one heck of a bargain — a fact that should prove very exciting to value-conscious shoppers.
True Market Value at service end: $13,760
What it sold for: Not yet applicable
Depreciation: $8,835 or 39% of original paid price
Final Odometer Reading: 19,720
Best Fuel Economy: 30.8 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 16.8 mpg
Average Fuel Economy: 22.6 mpg
Total Body Repair Costs: None
Total Routine Maintenance Costs (over 12 months): $91.16
Additional Maintenance Costs: None
Warranty Repairs: 11
Non-Warranty Repairs: None
Scheduled Dealer Visits: 2
Unscheduled Dealer Visits: None
Days Out of Service: 6
Breakdowns Stranding Driver: None
Changes to the Malibu Since 2004
2005 — The side curtain airbag option now includes front-seat side-impact airbags.
Ups and Downs
Ups: Surprisingly capable drivetrain, great mileage, outstanding value.
Downs: Ho-hum interior, over-assisted steering, V6 not as refined as others in class.
The Bottom Line:The Malibu won't make your pulse race; for the most part, it's perfectly mediocre relative to its foreign competition. Factor in its bargain-basement price, though, and it starts to look like a standout.
Recalls and Problem History
Recalls:
- Sun visors lacked airbag warning stickers. After receiving replacement labels, we installed them ourselves.
- Some Malibus were found to have a faulty electronic control unit that could adversely impact ABS activation. This was corrected by reprogramming the ABS controller.
- It was determined that — if the driver seat was adjusted to its lowest point — the driver seatbelt could disconnect in an accident. This was corrected with the installation of a retainer.
- Our power steering was plagued by a noticeable "tugging" on the wheel; the situation worsened, and the system ultimately died altogether. The power-steering motor and column assembly were replaced at no charge.
- We noticed a clunk coming from the brake pedal. Technicians replaced the brake pedal brackets at no charge. (Though this mitigated the problem, it didn't take care of it completely. We still observed a slight noise when pressure was taken off the brake.)
Miracle Mile Chevrolet/Buick in Los Angeles, California
July 2004
We took the Malibu in to get an oil change and tire rotation; address its problem-riddled power steering system; and remedy a clunking sound we observed when pressure was released from the brake. Our service advisors greeted us promptly, and didn't burden us with pitches for unnecessary services.
We were told that the power steering motor and column assembly would have to be replaced, and were then given a rental car to drive until the process was completed. To our dismay, it took four days for the dealer to make the repair. The oil change and tire rotation were performed, and the undue pedal noise was addressed (though not completely remedied) by adjusting its brackets.
We'd received three recalls on the Malibu prior to our visit. They were not addressed; we later learned that the dealer's service computer doesn't automatically check for open recalls when a car comes in for service, and since we didn't mention the recalls, the repairs weren't made.
Despite these minor gripes, all in all, our service experience with Miracle Mile Chevrolet left us with few complaints.
Santa Monica Auto Group in Santa Monica, California
December 2004
We took the Malibu in for an oil change and tire rotation; we also addressed the three open recalls that were overlooked on our last visit. Service was satisfactory.
What Consumers Say
"This is definitely the car for me. I am getting 33.9 mpg on the highway and 27.8 in the city. The new electronic power steering is great, no dead space when wheel is at center. I live in Southern Wisconsin and this car tracks great in the snow and ice. Select shift transmission makes slippery takeoffs a snap. Traction control works very well. Factory-installed keyless remote start sure makes window scraping a breeze. Not to mention heated seats in cloth. Don't have to have leather if you don't want it. The shift into passing gear is extremely smooth; you don't get a big head jerk as the car gears down. Plenty of passing power on the interstates. I highly recommend this car to anyone." — S. Dauper, March 29, 2005
"Very good performance, ride quality and stand-alone styling. Excellent for family in town and great on the highway. Well-thought-out design and features like the fold-down passenger seat are very useful. Comfortable seats on long trips. Only driven 5,000 km. Very happy with purchase. Excellent value for the dollar compared to the overpriced imports. Only waited four weeks for factory order car to arrive. Excellent!" — 2005 LS Malibu, March 28, 2005
"It can hold its own against both the Accord (I owned a 2001) and the Camry but at thousands less. I was able to purchase this vehicle at $2,500 under invoice, by far the most bang for your buck in this segment. This car is loaded: heated and power seats, heated outside mirrors, XM radio, everything you could want. GM quality has improved substantially along with interior styling. Five years ago I don't think I would have considered a Chevy, but now they hold their own against the best. Ride is excellent, acceleration admirable. The only gripe I have is that it would be nice to have a few more pieces of accent trim." — Matt, March 27, 2005
"This Malibu has even more power than the old model. Tight, quiet, turns like a champ and the new electric-driven steering module is better. The mileage is as advertised and that's at 75 mph on the highway. I love the suspension, the quiet ride, the XM radio. The engine is a champ. Plenty of power in all conditions. Smooth with plenty of torque." — TMM, March 19, 2005.
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