Background: While General Motors, the world's largest automaker, has experienced ups and downs over the past several years, two of its divisions, Cadillac and Chevrolet, have been moving forward of late.
Cadillac's turnaround has been more dramatic thanks to entries including the Cadillac Escalade and soon-to-arrive DTS sedan, the replacement of the long-running DeVille. Historically, Chevrolet has been GM's most consistent players. As GM's volume sales leader, Chevrolet has a wide assortment of vehicles, including trucks, attractive to a wide range of buyers for decades. Chevrolet has more dealers throughout the United States than any other manufacturer.
Our test vehicle of the week, the versatile Malibu Maxx, takes many of the attributes of the mid-size Malibu sedan, redesigned in the 2004 model year, and adds a hatchback design. Chevrolet refers to it in press materials as a 'five-door extended sedan." The Maxx edition also debuted in the 2004 model year. Not much changes for Maxx in the 2005 model year from it's maiden voyage save for a diminutive rear spoiler and more air bag options.
The front-wheel-drive Maxx is actually a half-inch shorter than its sedan counterpart, yet its wheelbase (distance between front and rear axle) is six inches longer, contributing to a roomy interior and expressive handling. Maxx is also a half-an-inch taller than the sedan.
Mid-size wagons (and traditional wagons of any size) can be a tough sell. Chevrolet's sister division Saturn, struggled with the mid-size L wagon for a couple of years before discontinuing it after the 2004 model year. With the arrival of mid-size, car-based SUVs such as the Saturn Vue, Ford Escape and Chevrolet Equinox, consumers have a wider menu to select from. Malibu Maxx counters with a lower price than most mid-size SUV rivals and adds some unique twists including a remote starter and a horizontally adjustable power front driver's seat.
Malibu and Malibu Maxx are based on General Motors mid-range, unit-body Epsilon platform shared with other products including the Saab 9-3. Both Malibus are assembled at GM's Kansas City Assembly plant.
Engine/Trim level: Malibu Maxx is available in two V-6 powered trim levels: LS and uplevel LT, which differs from the sedan which adds four-cylinder, entry base edition.
The Malibu Maxx LS and LT trims are both powered by GM's relatively new 3.5-liter V-6 engine generating 200 horsepower. It's mated to a Hydra-Matic four-speed electronic shift automatic transmission. No manual transmission is offered.
Fuel mileage for the V-6 engine is decent: 22 miles-per-gallon city and 30 m.p.g. highway. Regular, 87-octane fuel is recommended for the 16.4 gallon tank.
Equipment: Power windows, locks and mirrors along with a compact disc player, rear window defroster, air conditioning, tilt and telescopic steering wheel and cruise control come standard.
Optional in both trims are an upgraded stereo with in-dash CD player, separate rear audio controls, sunroof, rear DVD entertainment system and subscription-based ($9.99 a month) XM Satellite Radio. Heated seats, remote start and a rear window wiper, optional in LS, come standard in LT.
Price: Our well-equipped Malibu Maxx test model, an LT edition, started at $24,610. Since no options were added, the bottom line ended at $25,235 after adding in a $625 destination charge. A LS edition starts at $21,465.
The mid-size Mazda6 also offers a four-door hatchback sedan variant with a standard six-cylinder (220 horsepower) engine. An entry S edition with manual transmission starts at $22,895. The mid-size Subaru Legacy also comes in a hatchback/wagon configuration, but with a four-cylinder engine only. However, all-wheel drive comes standard. With manual transmission, the lowest-priced model starts at $22,445. Now that GM has extended employee pricing through September 30, a 2005 Malibu Maxx becomes even more tempting (if there is one still on the lot).
Inside: The driver's seat is not only powers back and forth, but adjusts up and down as well. The passenger bucket seat manually operates back and forth. The up-level LT edition places standard heated seat switches right on the seat. Cloth seating is standard in LS while a cloth/leatherette combo adorns LT.
The center dash region includes GM's recent redesign of stereo and ventilation functions, found in other recently redesigned Chevrolet products with a row of circular pre-set stereo buttons flanked by larger on-off and selection knobs. A small rectangular digital window displays radio frequency information along with outside temperature and time. Below the sound system are ventilation functions with a fan speed dial to the left, fan direction on the right and a second rectangular digital display in the middle listing internal temperature settings. Below this window is a toggleswitch monitoring inside temperature. The ignition cylinder is on the dashboard to the right of the steering column.
The driver's door includes power window functions slanted at a 45-degree angle along with power window controls. The power lock function is adjacent to the chrome door handle. A trunk release button is further down near the map pockets. The steering wheel is home to cruise control functions on the right side, and secondary radio controls on the left.
Headlights monitor from the turn signal stalk while front wipers operate via a right-hand-side steering column stalk. A toggle switch controls the rear wiper and is found below the ventilation controls to the right of a small, square cubby hole capable of stowing a cellular phone. Ceiling grab handles are found on the back doors, but not are present up front.
The floor-mounted automatic transmission lever is flanked by two independent beverage holders, one to the right of the lever and one in back. A large, deep center arm rest/storage area is hinged at the back while opening from the front.
The flat instrument panel features three circular, mostly analog gauges with a center speedometer flanked by a smaller left-side tachometer and right-side fuel/temperature gauge. The middle speedometer display has a small digital window at the bottom with secondary gear shift displays and odometer. At night, this easy-view instrument panel features white numerals on a black background with red needles.
The front passenger seatback folds flat to the cushion after maneuvering a lever near the bottom base. The rear seatbacks also fold flat (with a 60/40 split) and also feature a hard back surface to easier slide items in and out from the hatchback region.
In addition, the rear seat (also with a 60/40 split) slides fore and aft nearly 7 inches for enhanced leg and cargo room. The extra available leg room coupled with generous headroom throughout enables three average-sized adults to travel in relative comfort in back.
The hatch area (with a usable 22.8 cubic feet of space behind the second row) features a movable shelf-like plate capable of handling four different settings for two tier loading. A temporary spare tire situates below the floor.
Thanks to the four door windows and raised hatchback design, drivers have decent views in all directions with a minimum of blind spots.
Outside: From the center B pillar forward, the Malibu Maxx is identical to its sedan counterpart. It's what lurks behind that's different.
Strap-like body handles adorn all four doors and a whip radio antenna is placed on the right rear fender. Cat's eye-shaped headlight housing in front surrounds a long chrome bar with a center Chevy bow-tie logo. In back, taillight housing is triangular in nature as are the power side-view mirrors. The square fuel tank door is on the passenger side rear fender.
The hatchback, hinged at the top, opens up from the bottom. When closed a small spoiler-type wing rests atop the door. Although it's a hatchback, Chevrolet designed in a small deck lid design for added style.
Another nifty Malibu Maxx nuance is a standard two-section fixed glass skylight over the second-row seating providing a more open ambiance. Manually retractable sliding mesh shades pull away from the center to the sides of the rectangular ceiling windows to help block the sun when needed.
Safety features: Adjustable brake and accelerator pedals come standard as well as a tile and telescoping steering column. Also standard are anti-lock brakes, traction control, daytime running lights, and anti-theft alarm system. OnStar, GM's satellite linked in-vehicle communication system in optional this year. OnStar is offered free of charge to GM's retail car buyers for the first year, and costs $199 a year there after.
Head curtain air bags and side impact airbags for front seat passengers are standard in LT and optional in LS. Dual stage front air bags are standard in both trims.
Warranty: Malibu's warranty for basic and drivetrain is good for three years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first). Roadside assistance is for the same duration. The rust/corrosion warranty is good for six years or 100,000 miles.
Other mid-size competitors including the Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima have longer 10-year powertrain warranties. Suzuki's mid-size Verona includes a seven-year powertrain warranty.
Final thoughts: Maxx's steering is very light thanks to electric power steering (ELP), making this 3,400-pound vehicle easy to maneuver in parking logs as well as highways. For those looking for extra headroom, the Maxx fills the bill. Styling wise, Maxx has a slight styling edge over its Malibu sedan counterpart. |