Chevrolet's newest volley is the 2013 Malibu LTZ, a sedan that is both good-looking in appearance and in appointments, slotting close to the highest of the trim level spectrum and providing a good selection of normal features and options.
Power practice
For our 2013 Malibu LTZ, the magic of inside combustion happens within the confines of a 2.5-liter, inline 4-cylinder engine. Gas and air are blended proper there in the combustion chamber because of direct-injection know-how and output is quoted by Chevrolet at 197 horsepower and 191 pound-toes of torque, which is not too dangerous for what is the base engine for the Malibu lineup.
Drivers wanting a bit more "oomph" can go for a sportier 2LTZ trim degree, which makes use of the now-acquainted components of a downsized (2-liter) engine, a turbocharger, and direct injection to bump the Malibu's output to 259 horsepower and 260 pound-toes of torque. Yet a 3rd engine option exists in the form of the Malibu Eco's 2.four-liter eAssist power plant. Check out our full evaluation of the Eco for extra details.
After leaving the engine, our Malibu LTZ 2.5's 191 pound-ft of torque is multiplied by the only-option six-velocity computerized transmission before being handed by way of the front wheels where it meets the road. This gearbox doesn't feature a sport program, nevertheless it does have a guide shift mode. These guide shifts are activated by a rocker change situated atop the shifter stalk, which you may probably miss it until you unintentionally trigger it one day. As is the case with most grocery-getters that offer some kind of "Shiftronic" or "Manumatic" nonsense on their computerized transmissions, the Malibu's capability to manually select gears is probably good for getting unstuck from slush without spinning the entrance wheels, downshifting to organize for a go, or pretending the turbocharged mannequin is a sports car in the course of the curvy bits of your commute. Nonetheless, in day-to-day driving, it's principally a ineffective characteristic -- I suppose that it is better to have and never want a function than vice versa.
Dealing with is about what you'd anticipate from a midsize-to-giant sedan: dull, however competent. This is not a bad thing. Put bravado aside for a second, and even we auto journalists have to admit that boring is strictly what you want from this class of car; that is how you already know that the suspension is doing its job, absorbing the bumps for a cushty experience and keeping the automobile safely tucked into its performance envelope. Positive, you might have considered trying a bit of pleasure from the Camaro ZL1, but drivers who buy a Malibu LTZ with the 2.5-liter engine are after comfort, safety, and predictability, which the Chevy delivers.
Speaking of supply, the Malibu also made good on its EPA estimated fuel financial system of twenty-two metropolis, 34 highway, and 26 mixed mpg, delivering 25.5 mpg in our testing -- nearly right on the money.
MyLink dashboard
Normally, a base-degree infotainment system is nothing to get enthusiastic about, but within the case of the 2013 Malibu LTZ, the entry degree for dashboard tech is the Chevrolet MyLink system and it is fairly good.
Based around a 7-inch shade contact screen, the MyLink system offers the driving force access to plenty of digital and analog audio sources. You get Bluetooth for arms-free calling and audio streaming and USB connectivity for MP3 and iPod playback -- we examined it and found it to be iPhone 5-pleasant when used with the Lightning-to-USB adapter. You additionally get an analog 3.5mm enter, a CD player, terrestrial AM/FM radio, and SiriusXM Satellite Radio.
Together with your SiriusXM subscription, the MyLink system is also capable of take advantage of SiriusXM Journey Hyperlink, a satellite-based mostly data connection that beams weather forecasts, sports scores and schedules, inventory prices, and searchable movie listings and theater showtimes into the dashboard.
