Malibu XL

Malibu can be said to be one of Chevrolet's most historical models. The first generation of the model was launched in 1964. From 1964 to 1983, the Chevrolet Malibu adopted rear-wheel drive, and from 1997 to the present, it has adopted front-wheel drive. China officially introduced the eighth-generation Malibu model in 2011, and launched the ninth-generation model in 2015. The model was mid-term facelifted in 2019 and has been used ever since. Malibu has gone through nine generations of models so far, with global sales exceeding 10 million units and global sales of 130,000 units in 2023. Recently, General Motors announced that the Chevrolet Malibu model will be officially discontinued in November 2024. The car is produced at the Fairfax plant in Kansas, USA. After the discontinuation of production in the future, its assembly line will be replaced by the Chevrolet Bolt launched in 2025.

Malibu XL is equipped with a 2.0T four-cylinder turbocharged engine with a maximum output of 174 kW and a torque of 350 Nm, and adopts front-wheel drive. It is equipped with a 9-speed manual automatic transmission and a chassis structure with front McPherson independent suspension and rear multi-link independent suspension.

The symmetrical center console of the Malibu XL is simple and practical. The chrome lines connecting the air outlets are a highlight, and a lot of soft materials are also used on the center console.

Three-spoke Steering Wheel

 

The Malibu XL's leather-wrapped steering wheel uses a three-spoke design that feels hard, but fits the hand well. The waterproof multi-function buttons have an outdoor feel.

Dashboard

 

The 8-inch instrument screen and the mechanical pointer instruments on both sides match each other, showing sufficient information and good visual effects.

Central Control Screen

 

The car interface is simple in design, with clear operation logic and rich functions. The size of the 1.5T model is only 8 inches, and the 2.0T model is 10 inches. Although the sense of technology is not very strong, it is much easier to use than many large screens.

Air Conditioning Control Buttons

 

The Malibu XL's air conditioning system with many buttons is a bit retro, but it is much more convenient to operate than if it were integrated into the screen.

Front Power Supply

 

There are three power interfaces under the air conditioning control panel, which is very useful. However, the Malibu XL only provides two driving modes, normal and sport mode. The button is located on the far right in front of the gear lever, which is not conducive to blind operation.

Front Seats

 

The driver's seat has 8-way electric position and 2-way electric lumbar support adjustment, and the passenger seat is also electrically adjustable. The soft seat padding makes the seat very comfortable and has good wrapping.

Rear Air Outlet

 

The Malibu XL rear air outlet is equipped with 2 USB ports and a 12V power supply. The middle floor is not raised high, and the leg space is not greatly affected.

Rear Seats

 

The middle seat in the back row is not equipped with a headrest and the padding is relatively hard. Generally speaking, it is the best choice for two people to sit in it.

Panoramic Sunroof

 

The 2023 Malibu XL comes standard with a panoramic sunroof for all models. Of course, for a B-class car at this price, it can only be considered standard.

Trunk

 

The official trunk volume is 520L. Pulling the handle can fold down the rear seats to expand the volume. The seats support 4/6 ratio folding.

Malibu XL has a tough sports style with sharp and regular lines, and a neat and clean visual effect. The grille uses a lot of chrome elements to make the front of the car look more refined. Full LED headlights can only be seen on high-end models, but automatic headlights are standard for all models.

The two-stage waistline and the fastback C-pillar give the Malibu XL a slender look that is somewhat like an American "rocket car". The 17-inch wheels are full and the tires are more quiet and comfortable.

The ducktail design of the trunk lid and the dual exhaust decorations on both sides convey a sporty vibe to others. The taillights are very three-dimensional, but the light source is not full LED, which is not very generous.

Malibu XL also performs well in driving experience, with flexible control, light start, smooth acceleration, and no dead space in steering. The brakes are very flexible and respond quickly to emergencies, providing safety for the driver and passengers. The suspension system has good support, and the side tilt is not obvious when sitting in the car when turning, and the bumps are not obvious on the bumpy road. However, the 1.5T is definitely not as powerful as the 2.0T. If you want a more intense driving experience, you can switch to sports mode.