Your Chevy Malibu Questions Answered
Last week we asked you to submit questions about the redesigned Chevy Malibu. Today, we’re going to try and answer the ones we’ve already received and any new ones you can think of.
What’s the interior quality like? I’d be most interested in a Saturn Aura vs. Chevy Malibu comparison. — Scott J.
The overall quality is quite good. Compared to the Aura, Chevy has improved on the feel of the bulky plastic covering the doors and dash. It is a softer type of plastic and in almost every shade looks and feels better than the Aura. To me that were the glaring issue with the Aura’s interior. One thing they didn’t change was the center stack which I talk about later.
Is the new Malibu a Chevy version of the Pontiac G6? — Anonymous
The simple answer is no. The G6 is based on the platform that preceded the one underpinning the new Malibu. The Malibu does share that platform with the new Saturn Aura. It would be a safe guess that the next G6 would move to this new, better-handling platform.
I would like to see comparisons to the Accord, Camry and Fusion. — Hwy driver
We’re working on a Cars.comparison with the big players in this segment right now. However, you can compare specs and dimensions using our side-by-side comparison tool. I’ve configured one for the models you’ve listed above here.
Are the armrests better in the Malibu than the Aura? — Sheth
Unfortunately there wasn’t an Aura there on hand to test side-by-side. They are very similar, though, from my memory of the Aura.
Where is the final assembly? — J
The Malibu is assembled in Kansas City, Kan.
I’d like to see a nice, detailed review of the interior. — JM
See my full review here. I’m also posting some more interior shots below that I took of materials and buttons that wouldn’t have a place in a formal review.
Two days ago, Bob Lutz said, “Right now, we don’t know how to do better than this.” So, Dave (& company), could they have done better than a re-skin of the Aura? — starlightmica
In short, yes. While the Malibu is very well done, there were a few things I would have liked addressed. Chief among them is the center stack of controls, done in the same light-silver finish that turned me off in the Aura. That’s really the most glaring aspect I noticed. Otherwise, the door and dash materials are much improved from the Aura, as I stated above. However, if you ask me, I still think the Accord comes out ahead on overall interior material quality.
