2011 Chevrolet Malibu Review and Prices

By Chuck Giametta

2011 Chevrolet Malibu Buying Advice

• The 2011 Chevrolet Malibu is the best car for you if you’re a midsize-sedan shopper inclined to buy American and disinclined to compromise on styling or spaciousness.
• The 2011 Chevrolet Malibu will return little changed from the 2010 Malibu. All-new for model-year 2008, this Malibu generation launched to critical raves for its clean good looks, roomy cabin, and competent road manners. It continues for 2011 as a front-wheel-drive four-door that offers four- and six-cylinder engines. Malibu’s next major engineering and appearance changes are likely for model-year 2013.
• Should you wait for the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu or buy a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu? Buy a 2010 Malibu. A few features may be added or expanded, but with no substantive alterations in store, there’s little reason to wait for the 2011 Malibu. Besides, if Malibu’s next major revamp does occur for 2013, buying a 2010 Malibu gives you more time with the car before its styling begins to look dated.

2011 Chevrolet Malibu Changes

• Styling: The 2011 Chevrolet Malibu is likely to be a visual repeat of the 2010 Malibu, with some new color choices and perhaps an altered wheel design only difference. There’s an outside chance Chevy could summon the resources to tweak some styling details. But that sort of mid-cycle facelift, formerly a routine event, is an extravagance in today’s turbulent economy. General Motors is applying money and energy to other, more pressing projects as it emerges from bankruptcy. Thankfully, maintaining Malibu’s current look is hardly a drawback. Four years after its introduction, this is still among the handsomest sedans on the road. Its distinctive big-bar Chevy grille wears just enough jewelry to compliment the body’s strong, clean lines. Malibu’s styling is uncommonly sophisticated and the car looks like it should cost more than it does. Part of its character derives from a long wheelbase and short sheetmetal overhangs. The wheels are near the edges of the car, a legacy of a design with origins in GM’s European operations. A version of this so-called Epsilon platform in fact underpins the Opel Vectra and Saab 9-3 from, respectively, the German and Swedish brands formerly controlled by GM. In the U.S., Epsilon is also used for the redesigned 2010 Chevrolet Equinox compact crossover SUV. Wheelbase, the distance between the front and rear axles, is key to determining a car’s passenger space. Malibu’s wheelbase is among the longest of any midsize car, giving it a generously sized interior flawed only by some shortcuts in seat padding and the absence of a center rear armrest. Trunk space is a bit leaner than in the top midsize rivals, but standard folding rear seatbacks and plenty of bins and pockets compensate some. Malibu’s sense of style extends to its modern cabin design; a highlight is leather upholstery available in tasteful two-tone color schemes. Gauges and controls are driver-friendly, and though nothing looks low-budget, a paucity of padded surfaces keeps Malibu from truly distinguishing itself among similarly priced family sedans.
• Mechanical: The 2011 Chevrolet Malibu will repeat the choice of a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine or a 3.6-liter V-6. The gas-electric Chevy Malibu Hybrid was discontinued during 2009 because of slow sales. It used very elementary hybrid technology and didn’t save enough fuel compared to the conventional four-cylinder Malibu to justify its $4,000 price premium. For 2010, the 2.4-liter four was rated at 169 horsepower, the V-6 at 252; those numbers are not apt to change for 2011. The four is available with a four- and a six-speed automatic transmission, the V-6 with the six-speed automatic only. The six-speed comes with steering-wheel paddle shifters that allow the driver to mimic manual-type gear changes. Every 2011 Chevy Malibu will have four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock control to fight lock-ups in emergency stops. Traction control that aids off-the-line grip also is standard, as is an antiskid system (also called electronic stability control) to fight sideways slides. Malibu is among the heaviest cars in its class and feels only adequately powered with the four-cylinder engine. The livelier V-6 brings performance in line with that of V-6 editions of the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, and Nissan Altima. With the weight of its engine and transmission over the driving wheels, Malibu has good traction in snow. And while handling in general is competent and secure, the large, weighty Malibu never feels as athletic or composed as comparable versions of Accord, Altima, or even the Ford Fusion. Malibu regains points with fine bump absorption and a notably quiet bearing.
• Features: The 2011 Malibu’s list of comfort, communications, and convenience features will remain very competitive – with one conspicuous exception: it doesn’t offer an on-board navigation system. Otherwise, even the least-expensive Malibu comes standard with a tilt/telescope steering wheel, a driver’s seat with power height and lumbar adjustments, remote keyless entry, and power windows, locks, and mirrors. Satellite radio and an auxiliary-plug port for digital audio players also are standard. Standard safety features include torso-protecting front side airbags and head-protecting curtain side airbags for both seating rows. Depending on model, Malibu is available with remote engine start, power adjustable pedals, a power rear sunshade, leather upholstery, and rear-seat DVD entertainment. Also available is Bluetooth wireless phone connectivity and a USB interface for iPods and other MP3 devices. GM equips every Malibu with the OnStar assistance system and provides a year’s free service. OnStar automatically notifies authorities if you’ve crashed and it can help locate your car if it’s stolen. Live OnStar operators can provide turn-by-turn verbal directions, but a conventional navigation system with a dashboard screen that displays mapping, real-time traffic, and other travel information is not part of Malibu’s design. There’s little indication Chevy will renovate the 2011 Malibu’s dashboard to accommodate one.

2011 Chevrolet Malibu Prices

• The 2011 Chevrolet Malibu pricing won’t be announced until shortly before the car goes on sale. But the 2011 Malibu should not see major increases over 2010 prices and is likely to return with a four-level lineup that consists of the entry-level LS model, volume-selling 1LT and 2LT models, and the top-of-the-line LTZ model.
• Expect 2011 Chevrolet Malibu LS pricing to start around $23,000, not including options. (All prices in this review include the manufacturer’s mandated destination fee; Chevy’s destination fee for 2010 was $720.) As for 2010, the 2011 Malibu LS probably will come only with the four-cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission.
• The 2011 Chevrolet Malibu 1LT model will have a base price around $23,950. It will add to the LS model such features as the six-speed automatic transmission and steering-wheel audio controls. Anticipate a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu 2LT base price of around $26,950. Among standard features it adds to the 1LT is pseudo-suede upholstery, heated front seats, and alloy wheels.
• Expect the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ to be priced from about $27,850. Leather upholstery – available in two-tone – is standard. So is Bluetooth, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, eight-way power driver’s seat, power front passenger seat, heated mirrors, and remote engine start. Many of these features are options on Malibu 1LT and 2LT models.
• For 2010, the V-6 engine was an option available only on 2LT and LTZ models. That probably won’t change for 2011. The price should again be around $1,800 and bring quicker steering and, for the LTZ, chrome exhaust tips. Expect Chevy to stay with a wheel/tire setup that equips LTZ Malibus and V-6 2LT models with18-inch tires on alloy wheels. Other Malibus should retain 17-inch wheels and tires.
• The 2010 Malibu LS should again be the only model not available with such options as the power sunroof (around $850) and rear DVD entertainment (dealer-installed at around $1,740.) For 2010, Blluetooth and USB linking were standard on the LTZ. Bluetooth was a $115 add-on for other Malibus and included activation buttons on the steering wheel. USB was included on 2LT models if you ordered the extra-cost sound system.

2011 Chevrolet Malibu Fuel Economy

• The 2011 Chevrolet Malibu fuel-economy ratings are not likely to change from 2010 levels. That suggests the ratings will again be unexceptional compared to the four- and six-cylinder competition. Blame Malibu’s relatively high weight.
• With the four-speed automatic, four-cylinder Malibus should again achieve an EPA fuel-economy rating of a 22/30 mpg (city/highway). Mileage improves with the six-speed automatic to 22/33. (The Malibu Hybrid teamed a gas four-cylinder engine with an electric-motor assist for a rating of 26/34 mpg.)
• Equipped with the V-6, the 2011 Chevy Malibu ought to repeat at 17/26 mpg, a rating slightly below that of most six-cylinder rivals.

2011 Chevrolet Malibu Release Date

• The 2011 Chevrolet Malibu should go on sale in summer 2010.

What's Next For The Chevrolet Malibu

• Most industry observers peg model-year 2013 for Malibu’s next major engineering and styling changes. The car will likely advance to the latest “Epsilon 2” platform and be slightly smaller than today’s model to reduce weight and increase fuel economy.
• The shrinkage likely will involve a briefer wheelbase and shortened overall length. Chevy will fight hard to maintain good cabin space. And it seems committed to increasing trunk room. Styling probably won’t change radically. Today’s look is a winner, and the wise path seems to lead to an evolution of today’s grille and tail and to a body of roughly the same shape and proportion.
• Reducing size and weight are keys to improved fuel economy. So are more efficient powertrains. A trimmer Malibu could justify use of smaller, less-thirsty engines. Though four- and six-cylinder powertrains are likely to return, power-boosting turbochargers could become part of the performance strategy, as could more advanced transmissions.
• As for return of a Malibu Hybrid, it could come before the 2013 redesign and constitute a big advance in power and fuel economy over the discontinued model. Instead of a “mild-hybrid” system that couldn’t actually propel the car on electricity alone, the next Malibu hybrid will likely use a V-6 engine in partnership with GM’s “2 Mode” hybrid setup. It would have some 250 net horsepower, be capable of driving the car on battery power alone, and, GM says, deliver a 50-percent increase in fuel economy over a conventional V-6 Malibu.

2011 Chevrolet Malibu Competition

• Honda Accord: Defined by poise, engineering precision, and rock-solid resale values, Accord continues to set the benchmark for all-around midsize-car design. This roomy Honda is offered in sedan and coupe body styles. Four-cylinder Accord sedans start around $22,000 and are rated 21/30 mpg with automatic transmission. Accord V-6 sedans are priced from about $27,500 and rate 22/32 mpg. Coupes are priced slightly higher. Accord is due a mid-cycle freshening for model-year 2011, with the next full redesign slated for model-year 2013.
• Ford Fusion: A thorough model-year 2010 refresh edged this sedan past the Malibu as the best domestic-brand alternative to the top imports. Solid and composed, Fusion comes with a four-cylinder engine rated 23/34 mpg with automatic transmission and a starting price around $20,000. V-6 versions add the option of all-wheel-drive to Fusion’s standard front-wheel drive and come in 240- and 263-horsepower versions rated 18/27 and 17/24, respectively. They start around $24,000. The star of the show is the Fusion Hybrid with 191 horsepower and a rating of 41/36 mpg; starting price is around $28,000. Fusion’s next full redesign is on tap for model-year 2013.
• Toyota Camry: This is the only midsize car that outsells the Honda Accord. It does it with an unmatched combination of refinement, room, and reputation for reliability. Sporty handling isn’t on the list, but V-6 versions are surprisingly fast, rate 19/28 mpg, and start around $25,000. Most Camrys are sold with the four-cylinder engine, updated nicely with more power for 2010 and rated a best 22/33 mpg. The Camry Hybrid has 187 horsepower, rates 33/34 mpg, and is priced from around $27,000. The current-generation Camry was introduced for 2007, got a mid-cycle freshening for 2010, and is on track for a full redesign in model-year 2012.