Chevrolet Malibu 2004 - 2007 review

Overview

2006 Chevrolet Malibu. More photos below 2006 Chevrolet Malibu interior. Scroll down for more photos The 2004-2007 Chevrolet Malibu was the first North American car riding on the GM's Epsilon platform shared with the European Opel Vectra and Saab 9-3. The Malibu comes in a four-door or extended five-door configuration (Malibu Maxx). Chevrolet Malibu has front-wheel drive with a 4-cylinder or V6 engine and a four-speed automatic transmission; no manual transmission was offered. All models except sporty Malibu SS are equipped with the Electric Power steering. The ABS and Traction Control were available. Inside, the Malibu is roomy and fairly quiet. Controls and instruments are simple and straightforward. The front visibility is good. The rear view is slightly obstructed by the rear seat headrests. Side mirrors look a bit small at first, but easy to get used to. The trunk is spacious. Available features include a trip computer, power adjustable pedals, remote starter, satellite radio, rear DVD system and Onstar. On the downside, quality of some interior materials could be improved. The Malibu Maxx is slightly shorter than the Malibu sedan, but it has a longer wheelbase and extended cabin, which gives the Maxx more rear-seat and cargo space. On the road, the Malibu feels solid. The handling is good. The ride is smooth and stable on highway, but feels a bit "bouncy" on rough road. The electrical steering feels very light at low speeds. The four-cylinder engine is pretty quick for its size and feels adequate for daily driving. The V6 offers plenty of power and smoother ride. Chevrolet Malibu 04-2007 models sedan received "Good" overall rating in the frontal offset crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). In the NHTSA frontal-impact crash tests, the 2004 Malibu sedan scored 4 stars, while the improved 2005-2007 Malibu sedan received five stars for both the driver and the front passenger. For more details, visit Safercar.gov.

The engine

Chevrolet Malibu 2.2L 4-cylinder Ecotec engine

The 2004-2007 Malibu was offered with three engine choices: the base 2.2L 4-cylinder 16-valve DOHC all-aluminum Ecotec (in the photo) is a solid, low-maintenance engine; this model engine (L61) is widely used in many other GM products.
The 3.5L 12-valve OHV V6 LX9 is an improved version of the previous generation 3.4L engine. For 2007, the 3.5L LX9 engine was replaced with a next-generation 3.5L LZ4-model OHV engine with variable valve timing.
The 240-hp 3.9L OHV V6 LZ9-model engine is used in Malibu SS and Malibu Maxx SS starting from 2006. This engine also comes with variable valve timing.

Pros

- Affordable
- Decent fuel economy
- Good handling and ride
- Rear space in Maxx
- Large trunk in a sedan
- Variety of available features

Cons

- Quality of some interior materials
- 4-cylinder engine is a bit noisy
- Depreciates fast
- Not as refined as the top competitors
- Reliability is questionable

Overall

The 2004-2007 Malibu is a simple and not very expensive mid-size sedan. Although this model is greatly improved compared to the previous generation, the reliability is still not better than average. On the plus side, both the 4-cylinder and V6 models post good fuel economy and you can get features like the satellite radio, power adjustable pedals, trip computer and remote starter.

What to look for buying a used Chevrolet Malibu

Chevrolet Malibu is one of the favorites of the car rental companies. Before buying a car check a used car history to find out if the vehicle was used as a rental car or had other issues in the past. Read here: How to check used car history. Front end vibration on acceleration in 4-cylinder models may indicate a problem with the engine mounts; check with the GM dealer. See if the fuel gauge works properly, the fuel level sensor goes bad quite often. Watch for oil leaks. During a test drive, watch for anything irregular with the way the steering behaves; there are many complaints about problems with the electrical steering. Knocking or clunking noise from the steering column while turning may indicate a problem with one of the steering components; there was a technical service bulletin about the steering issues. Check the visor mirror cover, it seems to be a weak spot. Electrical problems are quite common too, test all the electrical features carefully. You can also check Chevymalibuforum.com for common issues. Read our guide with photos How to check a used car. We also have a step-by-step Used car buying guide. Before buying a vehicle have it inspected by a mechanic or a GM dealer of your choice. Check the insurance rates before buying a car.

Few maintenance tips

Washing and waxing your car regularly will help to protect the paint. Read more: Car body care tips. If you live in the rust belt, the rustproofing can help to protect a car body and electrical components located underneath from corrosion. Your Oil Life System does not sense the oil level; you still need to check the oil level manually. Change the engine oil regularly. At least once a year have your car inspected in a garage on the lift (e.g. when doing tire rotation) to keep it safe. Read more Car maintenance tips. If you have Check Engine light on, read here Why the Check Engine light comes on. If you already know the trouble code, check what it means here: OBDII Engine Codes. You also can find a lot of car care tips at GM Certified service website. There is also a GM Owner Center website, where you can check for recalls, download the owner's manual, ask a question and more.

Chevrolet Malibu short specifications (2007 US model)

Chevrolet Malibu Photos

2004 Chevrolet Malibu LT. Photo: GM Canada 2004 Chevrolet Malibu interior Photo: GM Canada 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. See large photo 2006 Chevrolet Malibu interior. See large photo 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx SS. Photo: GM Canada 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx LT. Photo: GM Canada 2007 Malibu gauges Malibu sedan trunk

2004 Chevrolet Malibu LT Photo: GM Canada