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2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx LT Road Test

Lots of Surprises from This Bowtie

I have to come clean in saying I really didnt like the Malibu sedan a heck of a lot when I last tested it. Like many, I can quickly be turned off, or for that matter turned on by a cars styling, and the Malibus pudgy truck-like front end, swoopy fender accent lines and bulky butt end left me flat. Its interior is also a little too "plasticky" for me, while I didnt find its handling as exciting as those European-style TV ads make it appear.

So why did the new 5-door Maxx seem to work so much better for me? Im not really sure. Maybe the hatchback cum sport wagon configuration fits its truck-like styling more coherently? Maybe it was because the interior was swathed in extremely nice perforated gray leather, or perhaps that back seat passengers get their own limousine-like glass sunroof? GM calls this fixed unit a skylight. Whatever, it includes

Why do I like the new 5-door Chevy Malibu Maxx when I didnt like the sedan? (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

a sunshade to block rays when the sun is at its peak, important for infants and toddlers especially. The driving experience was most likely helped along by the optional 17-inch 5-spoke wheel and performance tire upgrade, along with the sport tuned suspension. Yeah, probably all of the above added to the equation, making my week with Chevys highly functional new Malibu Maxx especially enjoyable.

It still features an interior design that doesnt do a heck of a lot for me, covered in plastics that arent up to my fastidious tolerances - remember

The hatchback cum sport wagon configuration fits the Malibus truck-like styling more coherently. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

that Im a snob weaned on imports. But the added flexibility and European flair of the liftback, combined with front passenger and split rear bench seats that fold completely flat for loading in long, otherwise awkward items, made the new Chevy an easy car to live with. And I use my test cars for regular life activities, loading them up with up to three kids and two child seats, hardware store goodies, massive wholesale supermarket "shopathons" of groceries and impromptu jaunts to Ikea to pick up absolutely necessary what-have-you-on-sale-items.

Getting back and forth

The get-up-and-go the Maxxs 200-hp 3.5-liter V6 delivers is more than adequate. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

to the various stores, plus a trip to and from the airport and a dozen or so meetings that I attended throughout my test week were made enjoyable in the Maxx for a variety of reasons. Firstly, it really goes when you step on the throttle. A reaction to input from the right foot is paramount for any car to consider itself performance oriented, and the get-up-and-go the Maxxs 3.5-liter V6 delivers is more than adequate. Altogether, 200 horsepower and 220 lb-ft of torque motivate the front wheels. If youre used to the sophisticated sound of a dual-overhead cam, multivalve engine, you might be disappointed though, as the Chevy mill packs only twelve overhead valves. Still,

The Malibus 4-speed automatic transmission isnt quite as up to date as some of its competitors latest five and even six-speed gearboxes. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

what may be considered old-tech in todays high-revving world, translates into decent fuel economy at 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, just the same.

Again, the 4-speed electronic transmission that connects to it isnt quite as up to date as some of its competitors latest five and even six-speed automatic gearboxes, which are now starting to become almost commonplace in the midsize class, but dont discount the autobox at first glance just because its missing that extra cog. GM has a great reputation for building smooth, reliable automatic transmissions, and the unique Malibu unit deserves recognition for its direct, purposeful shifts.

No matter the road surface condition, wet or dry, the front wheels would break pavement and spin to their hearts content, laying down rubber and squealing like my 3 year old. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

Whats so unique about it? At the thumb position it features a back and forth toggle switch to row it up and down the gears, probably the smartest placement of such driver-actuated shifters other than those located on the steering wheel. As great as it was to use, it only worked if the shifter was pulled back into 3rd gear. So, you can shift it all you want up to 3rd gear, but then youll need to push the entire gear lever forward to engage the "D" or final drive position. How odd? After querying a GM engineer on this strange setup he assured me it was being modified to work from the Drive position for 2005 models as we spoke. Thats good.

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