2008 Chevy Malibu Preview

Chevrolet has always made ideal family cars, but the Malibus have somehow seemed a little plain....until now. The 2008 Malibu is anything but ordinary: The body lines are nice and tight with exquisite definition; the wheels and tires are close to the body, giving the Malibu a much bolder look in its redefined character as opposed to previous year models.

Chevrolet has stepped up to the plate in its competition with the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Nissan Ultima. If you're looking for a midsized auto, there's really no comparison: You're sure to find exactly what you want in one of Chevrolet's five Malibu models.

The 2008 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ is the top-of-the-line Malibu. It is powered by a 3.6 liter dual overhead cam V-6 engine delivering 252 horsepower. The six-speed automatic transmission is standard with the LTZ. Also included are lots and lots of chrome (both inside and out), repeater lamps in the front fenders, chrome accents in the interior and leather seats. The premium audio system includes AM/FM stereo, six-disc CD changer, auxiliary input jack, MP3 capabilities, 210-watt amplifier and eight speakers including subwoofers. The seats in the LTZ model are heated leather buckets with eight-way power adjustment on the driver's side and six-way power adjustment on the passenger side. Chevrolet tops this premier Malibu off with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather-wrapped shift knob and 18-inch wheels. The 2008 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ comes in at around $26,995.

The 2008 Chevrolet Malibu LS, 1LT and 2LT are powered by an Ecotec 2.4 liter dual overhead cam four-cylinder engine producing 164 horsepower, backed up by a four-speed automatic transmission. The Malibu hybrid model uses the same engine and transmission with a hybrid propulsion electric system incorporating a 36-volt NiMh battery. Both the hybrid and the LS models come equipped with 16-inch wheels; the 1LT and 2LT come with 17-inch wheels.

It looks like General Motors put a great deal of effort into the interior of the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. Each interior offers adequate room and a very nice look and feel with added comfort and style improvements. The audio system consists of AM/FM stereo, CD, MP3 playback capabilities, auxiliary audio input jack and six speakers.

Stabiltrak is available on all models except for the LS. Stabiltrak detects when the wheels begin to skid, calculates the position of the steering wheel and the rate of speed that you are moving and then applies appropriate pressure to the front and rear brakes along with reducing the engine power to keep you safe. OnStar is also available with all of the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu models. Also included are dual-stage frontal airbags, frontal thorax side impact airbags and head curtain side impact airbags as well as a passenger sensing system that allows the automobile to sense which airbags should be turned on or off.

General Motors brings quality, value and innovation to the midsized auto arena. In the past, General Motors was behind Honda, Toyota and Nissan. General Motors has definitely closed in on the competition with the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. General Motors has come a long way in providing quality at an affordable price.