Venerable and value packed
Chevy's Malibu sedan is a fixture in family sedan circles

The Malibu name has a sacred place in Chevrolet lore. Not in the same vein as Corvette or even SS, but at the opposite end of the scale where value, long life and family car virtues come to the fore. Thus, the re-emergence of the Malibu for 2004 brings great expectations - mostly fulfilled.

The 2004 Malibu is based on GM's new Epsilon global platform currently shared with the Saab 9-3, Opel and soon the Pontiac G6 (replacing the Grand Am). Entirely new from road to roof, the Malibu is not an especially stylish vehicle, nor is it technically sophisticated. Rather it is a simple, value and feature-laden family car - exactly what the designers and developers sought. The '04 Malibu uses well-proven mechanical components and carries a price tag that can only be the envy of the competition.

The $22,300 base price for this roomy, 4-door includes air conditioning, power windows, locks and mirrors, automatic transmission, tilt and telescope steering wheel and power height adjustment for the driver's seat. Unfortunately it does not include anti-lock brakes (ABS). The standard engine is a 2.2-litre version of the Ecotec four producing 145 horsepower.

Our tester was the mid-range $24,905 LS. This trim level adds ABS, traction control and a V6 engine to the standard equipment list. Both ABS and traction control were appreciated and used during our week of slippery winter driving. The 3.5-litre V6 belts out 200 horsepower, and more significantly, 220 lb-ft of torque, which enables it to jump off the line with authority and pull easily up long hills with a full load aboard.

But what makes the LS even more attractive to the value conscious is an array of standard equipment usually associated with cars costing about $5,000 more. That list includes cruise control, upgraded trim and sound system, traction control, remote keyless entry, power adjustable pedals and alloy wheels. With all this, plus the added safety of ABS and the additional poke of the six, this is the recommended Malibu. There is also an LT trim level at $29,430 with heated mirrors and seats, larger wheels and tires, leather trim and 4-wheel disc brakes.

There are also several unexpected little touches like a cargo net and a front passenger seat that folds flat to accommodate that occasional extra-long item. And shorter folk take note - the power pedals and power seat height adjustment, combined with a steering wheel that adjusts for both rake and reach, means you can get more comfortable and safely situated than in cars costing tens of thousands more.

The '04 Malibu is wider but 5 cm shorter than its predecessor. The interior is a bit more stylish with a sea of plastic broken up by the occasional chrome accent. The new Malibu's interior provides almost 20 per cent more room than its predecessor, much of that in a noticeably bigger back seat where even tall folk will find plenty of head and knee room. The trunk, however, is slightly smaller.

The interior is bright and airy thanks to a low beltline and plenty of glass. Visibility to the rear is also better than average, adding to the appeal for the height challenged.

The previous Malibu, which made its debut in 1997, was powered by GM's hoary 3.1-litre V6. Producing 170 horsepower, this was a dull, noisy and rather rough, but extremely reliable engine. The '04 Malibu gets a modernized cousin of this engine - a modern and more-refined 3.5-litre V6. This still isn't the smoothest or most pleasant sounding unit in the class when pressed to the upper ranges, but its low-end punch is appreciated where most people drive, in the cut and thrust of everyday urban driving. This is also a pretty impressive engine in terms of fuel economy.

The electric power steering does not provide the same degree of involvement as pure hydraulic units, but very few will notice or care about the difference. We did note, however, that it is far superior to some other electric steering units we've sampled in the past year. The turning circle is not especially impressive, making it necessary to plan ahead in tight parking situations.

By setting new standards for packaging and value, the 2004 Malibu becomes an instant addition to the family car shopping list.

Immediate competition:
Chrysler Sebring,
Honda Accord,
Hyundai Sonata,
Mazda6,
Nissan Altima,
Toyota Camry,
Volkswagen Passat