14th Place: Chevrolet Malibu

Overview:

The new-for-2008 Malibu excels at the very thing its predecessor did not: providing an upscale feel. The car now offers smooth power, a quiet ride, steering feel, and improved interior quality, along with newly expressive styling. But it also lost track of the strengths found in the function-over-form car it replaced, as it now lacks rear seat space (despite its newly expanded dimensions), no longer leads its class in terms of gas mileage, and is hard to see out of. These complaints may seem minor against the Malibu's many strong points, but in such a highly-competitive class, they are enough to push it below the many other highly capable family sedans that don't make such needless sacrifices.

Driving the Malibu:

The Malibu has a steady, comfortable ride on smooth surfaces, but occupants could be better isolated from bumps. It handles more nimbly than before, with limited body lean and good steering feel and response. It's no sports sedan, but it's one of the sharper cars in its class. The 3.6-liter V6 is smooth and powerful, but hard acceleration produces torque steer. Moderate road noise on some road surfaces is all that intrudes on the otherwise quiet cabin. Gas mileage is not bad by the group's standards, good for a powerful V6.

Inside the Malibu:

The Malibu's front seats are roomy and comfortable, but the rear is not. Despite the Malibu's increased size compared to its previous generation, its stylishly sloping roofline forced the rear seat lower, which makes for a more knees-up seating position, and headroom is still lacking. Leg and foot space should also be better, and the plastic-clad front seatbacks are uncomfortable to brush against. The praise-winning interior looks sharp and is mostly constructed of soft-touch high-quality materials that are assembled well, but there are a few lapses evident. The instruments are well laid-out and easy to use, but the overstyled gauges could be larger and clearer. Entry/exit is complicated by a low, sloping roof, and rear occupants must further deal with small footwells and the obstacles of the plastic-backed front seatbacks. Drivers sit comfortably, but thick roof pillars interfere with visibility in all directions. The trunk is large enough, but its opening is too small.

Malibu pricing:

Unlike its predecessor, the 2008 Malibu is not deeply discounted from its sticker price, making it significantly more expensive than Chevrolet's larger (though hardly roomier) Impala. $27,837 buys the group's expected features, along with a power passenger seat, GM's OnStar driver assistance system, power-adjustable pedals, and a remote starting system.

Conclusion:

Like several others in this group, the Malibu is a better car than it is a family sedan. It provides an overall sense of quality, despite a few interior missteps, particularly in the way it drives. But a top-notch family sedan has a roomy interior, and also rides more comfortably. And any top-notch car would be easier to see out of. For its combination of agility and luxury, the Malibu is certainly worth a look, but until Chevrolet can combine the previous Malibu's utility with the current car's luxury, the car will not be a class leader.

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