The 2013 Malibu's exterior styling has an aggressiveness that the prior model lacked. It’s low and wide when viewed head-on, and the rising belt line blends into flared rear haunches that pay homage to the Camaro sports car. The taillights have a clear Camaro influence, too, and an integrated trunklid spoiler wraps up the design. It's a refined — but powerful — look.More Coverage of the 2011 New York Auto Show
The two Malibus Chevrolet had on hand at the New York auto show were early prototypes, but even from looking at these, you could tell that the all-new interior will be pretty nice. Apart from unappealing woodgrain accents sprinkled throughout, the cabin has a number of rich-looking surfaces and unique design cues, such as ice-blue stitching. The production models that reach dealerships in 2012 will undoubtedly offer more refinement. All in all, the cabin looks nice enough to challenge the likes of the impressive Kia Optima.
I was curious to see how roomy the new Malibu's backseat was in light of the car's shorter wheelbase. With the front seat adjusted for where I'd drive — I'm 6-foot-1 — I had enough room to sit comfortably in back but little extra space. Legroom and headroom are limited, and thigh support is minimal, too. In many ways, its roominess is comparable to the Hyundai Sonata's rear seat, which is decent for the segment.
The current-generation Malibu helped GM discard some of the baggage it was carrying in the public's mind, proving it can build competitive cars. The new Malibu should continue that trend, but Chevrolet is still at the beginning of a long journey to persuade many shoppers to give it a chance again in the heated midsize car segment.
by Mike Hanley
