model to compete with the Ford Contour, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Nissan

Altima and Dodge Stratus. That's a big, lucrative market and a player the

size of Chevrolet has to be in the game. Creating a model that could make

the lineup was not an easy assignment. These are formidable competitors

with good records. Chevrolet would have to hit the proverbial home run

if it was to stay in this component of the midsize game.

Going, going, gone. The Malibu easily clears the center field fence.

The Malibu comes in two competitively priced models. The base Malibu

comes with a 150 horsepower, 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine. The LS uses

a 3.1-liter V6 rated at 155 horsepower. The V6 is an option for the base

car.

A comparably equipped four-cylinder Accord will be in the low $19,000

range, a V-6 Stratus around $20,000, a V-6 Contour also around $20,000,

so the Malibu is priced right.

When speaking about target audience, Chevrolet talks of people in their

mid-30s and 40s looking for quality, safety, reliability, durability, and

practicality. That's a something-for-everybody philosophy that a little

time behind the wheel reveals the Malibu does indeed offer.

to notice. While certainly pleasant to look at, Chevrolet chose to go the

safe route with a generic Japanese shape with no Chevrolet family look.

And that's a positive, because Chevrolet's family look is not very distinctive.

So while the Malibu's look is derivative, it's good derivative.

The Malibu stretches 190.4 inches bumper to bumper, which makes it a

touch longer than most of the competition. The 107.0-inch wheelbase is

virtually the same as the Accord, an inch less than the Stratus.

You may have noticed only five horsepower separates the four-cylinder

engine from the V6. So why bother with the larger engine? The answer is

in the torque curves. The V-6 generates 30 lbs.-ft. of torque more than

the four-cylinder engine, and reaches that maximum output at 4000 rpm which

is 400 rpm sooner. That means quicker response off the line, better acceleration

for merging and passing and less downshifting on grades and hills. And

speaking of shifting, it's all automatic. No manual transmission available

for this front-drive family sedan. That's fine because few buyers in this

market would likely opt for a five-speed transmission.

Since Malibu is the latest model from Chevrolet, it's only reasonable

to assume it reflects Chevrolet's contemporary approach to doing things

right. It does.

For example, standard exterior features include clearcoat paint that

provides a high-gloss shine, hefty P215/60R touring radials on 15-inch

wheels, 5-mph bumpers at each end, body-color door handles, body-color

breakaway side mirrors, fog lamps (LS only) and reflector-optics headlamps.

In an effort to reduce wind noise to a minimum, Chevy engineers made

the door handles flush with the door, hid the wipers at the base of the

windshield, designed a special windshield seal and even went with a permanent

spiral ground radio antenna that creates less wind noise.

Another reflection of new thinking is the Malibu's construction that

uses a hydro-formed chassis for greater solidity and a net gauge hole body

side process that uses four precisely placed location holes in the body

to ensure dimensional accuracy of body panels when they are installed.

Benefits to the owner range from less expensive crash repair to improved

tire life from more accurate wheel alignment.

the interior is a surprising 180 degrees from the traditional direction.

The instrument cluster is under a gently arched dash, which flows smoothly

to the right and slightly down to the right A-pillar. Directly beneath

is a strip of wood containing a pair of vents. The usual controls for air

conditioning and radio are stacked in a contrasting panel in the center.

Granted, there's nothing unique in this arrangement, but it's so contemporary,

so non-Chevrolet as to be remarkable. Steering column stalks have been

simplified, with the left stalk controlling the lights only, the right

stalk the wipers only. Overall, things are easy to find and operate.

The Malibu is billed as a five-passenger car. Two adults in the back

seats will be happier than three, but three is tolerable in a pinch.

The Malibu comes standard with daylight running lights, which come on

only when the ignition is turned on, the parking brake released and the

shift lever not in Park. A light sensor automatically turns on the head

lights to full intensity and turns on all other exterior lights when it

gets dark. When it gets light enough, the process is reversed.

Chevrolet says it went into the real world to find what potential Malibu

customers wanted, and then reacted. One example is a glove box pivot system

that maximizes access while minimizing intrusion of the door. The glove

box handle is on the left side, closer to the driver. The ignition switch

is on the instrument panel, not the steering column. There are front and

rear cup holders, including one at the left side of the instrument panel

that can do double duty as a storage bin.

Other Features: custom cloth on the buckets in the LS, tilt steering

wheel, air conditioning, premium sound systems including one with remote

cassette and CD, remote trunk release, power windows (LS) and side window

defrosters.

On the safety side, there are dual air bags, side intrusion protection,

standard ABS and a safety cage surrounding the passenger compartment. There

is a theft deterrent system and the LS has a keyless remote entry system.

little aspiration other than providing reliable, economic transportation.

But in recent years, family sedans have been aspiring to more. And this

is a Chevy with a touch of soul.

As promised, it gets going quickly and pulls strongly, well past the

legal limit. Shifting is seamless. A powertrain control module keeps tabs

on temperature, altitude and throttle position, then adjusts the transmission

shift points for smooth or quick shifting depending on conditions.

Visibility is good in every direction with just a little blockage at

the C-pillars. Seat position is good, the cushions supportive and the steering

wheel and pedal relationship works well for short and tall people.

The handling--independent suspension all-around--is vastly improved

over past Chevy sedans. The ride is solid with little body roll and the

steering is responsive and not over-assisted.

Our test driving included some rolling, twisting, climbing, two-lane

roads in California, and we were pleased at how Chevy's homework--both

technical and human factors--has paid off. The Malibu was quiet, comfortable

and totally confident feeling.

Car of the Year, an award given by a collection of automotive journalists

at newspapers and magazines around the country. The reason was that although

as good as it is, it is not a breakthrough, not significantly better than

the others in its class.

It was a fair assessment. But the new Malibu is an excellent family

sedan. It's the best Chevy sedan yet, and should be on the shopping list

of every family sedan buyer.