New 2009 Chevrolet Malibu

After going through a facelift for the 2008 model year, the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu has continued its pursuit of family midsize sedan excellence.  And, from the looks of things, it has succeeded. 

Utilizing a sleek exterior, spacious interior and countless safety features, the Malibu seeks to crash the midsize sedan party in style.  That party includes the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion, Mazda 6 and it’s brother—the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. 

Four trim lines are available – the LS, 1LT, 2LT, and LTZ.  Within those four models, there are two engine types.  A 2.4-liter, 164-horsepower 4-cylinder ECOTEC engine with Variable Valve Timing (VVT) and six-speed automatic transmission provide sufficient punch.  Take it to warp-speed with a 3.6-liter, 252-horsepower V-6, six-speed transmission with TAPshift steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters.  Pay less at the pump with the Malibu’s excellent fuel economy of 17-22 MPG city and 26-33 MPG highway. 

The Malibu comes with a one-year OnStar plan, which includes: Turn-by-Turn Navigation, Vehicle Diagnostics, Remote Door Unlock, Hands-Free Calling, Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance, Roadside Assistance and RideAssist, which will call you a cab if you are incapable of driving.  A CD player, MP3 capability, auxiliary input jack for your iPod and XM Satellite Radio all come standard.  The Premium Audio Package includes a six-disc CD changer with eight-speaker sound system, two subwoofers and the Radio Data System (RDS), which allows you to see song titles and artists are standard in the LTZ and 2LT trims.

17-inch wheels are standard, with an option to upgrade to 18-inch Ultra Bright aluminum wheels.  An optional sunroof with four movable panes covers the front and rear seats to give you the feel of being in Malibu wherever you are.

In addition to all of the neat features the Malibu has to offer, it is also concerned with safety.  Front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags, antilock brakes, Traction Control, and General Motor’s OnStar Automatic Crash Response, which can call for help if you are involved in a collision, are all standard features.  StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control System is optional. 

In the popular family midsize sedan segment, the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu has exceptional fuel economy, fun amenities and a bold, sleek style—who can ask for anything more?