New cars: What the critics say

CNNmoney.com

The Malibu is finally a worthy adversary of the Toyota Camry. Its vastly improved two-toned interior mimics “the twin-cockpit look” of early Corvettes. Twin-layered glass delivers the “hushed ride you’d usually find in a much more expensive car,” even at 70 mph. Superb handling and computer-assisted electronic stability control are standard.

Road & Track

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The new Malibu’s “healthy dose of European flair”—chrome highlights around the grille, chrome handles on some models—make it seem more a near-luxury car than a family sedan. Thanks to the upgraded interior, “gone is the hard plastic rental-car look.” The top-of-the-line LTZ offers a 252-hp, 3.6-liter V6 paired with a six-speed automatic.

Car and Driver

The LTZ might be the “game changer” Chevy desperately needs. The V6 “pours out plenty of scoot,” hitting 60 mph in 6.5 seconds on our test track. The hydraulic steering provides a “trusty feel,” brakes are firm, and nice touches include a 12-volt forward outlet “for the all-important radar detector.”