2014 Chevrolet Malibu 2.0L Turbo

A so-called trend was brought to middling success in developing new models: Quickly we are being returned to their sender for rapid fire updates. Honda recently, the 2012 Civic sedan 2013-and its re-establishing industrial applications cheerful, 2014-the typical three-year mid-cycle refresh protocol short coupe. 2013 Malibu sales and critical press marking a "meh" was met with then found himself in the plastic surgery clinic Chevrolet C / D included. And so the company rejiggered sedan after only one year. To assess the effectiveness of changes for 2014, there is an uplevel LTZ turbo model for a test of our hands.

More torque and Uh ...

As with all new front fascia Malibus 2014 Impala wear and suspension tweaks and you will receive power steering. Intake-valve lift control and a standard start-stop system (Environment hybrid model for now, killed) Adds base four-cylinder 2.5 model, in contrast, turbocharged 2.0-liter four, only a software update takes a good torque the extra £ 35-ft though. The maximum output of 259 horsepower, it holds as long as it brings 295 pounds-ft of peak twist. Six-speed automatic transmission remains the only option, and like last year's Malibu, a rocker switch on the gear lever manual gear selection mode affords insufficient.


turbo software tweak, 97 mph in 14.8 seconds (our equipment to 60 mph (6.2 seconds, 0.1 seconds faster than the previous year) with more spritely acceleration records and the quarter mile, paid mph in 0.2 second and 2 improvements in our tests). With an impressive 155 with 10 mph so top speed is reached, although the turbo Malibu transmission still occasionally flubbing hastily downshifts before staying possible in the highest gear bent, and the car remains, to direct torque 2013 model passion protects the thin semi-gas inlet at highway speed booster engine numb out.

As the chassis department, said still looking for sporty turbo red badge straight line 'THIS upset by a set of driving comfort and preferences. Such roll mitigation planting rebound springs, really base 2.5 model 2014 Impala large trickling down as more current updates suspension; turbo upgrades, and so this was already almost the same feeling as before. The so-called low and set to increase to feel more roads, power steering exhibit only the finest effort from Malibu front tires increase, and feedback is kept almost completely destroyed. turbo, but still only three meters from the car than last year more than 168 feet at 70 mph stopping, braking does not excel.


A Nose Job, but not too Else

Despite this impressive Malibu Chevy quick face lift, I do not think we have enough other tangible improvements just to attract hordes of new buyers. (We will have a test so we reserved judgment on the base model.) Behind the rear seat passengers to give a bit more kneeroom despite new scooped-out front seatbacks, still very cramped. competing in the cabin colors, textures and materials gives us a headache. list of standard and optional equipment as last year, this mirror.

We had wondered whether there might alleviate the situation wallflower at this renewal in Malibu, but Chevy is still Honda Accord, Mazda 6, Ford Fusion, offer Volkswagen Passat-than character and driving pleasure which no wow not like. Turbo Malibu would be a relatively unique feature to attract at least buyer was included in the base car's engine stop-start system. Without it, the EPA estimated fuel economy of 21 mpg city and 30 highway remains unchanged. The same 23 mpg during our test counts as last year's car. Perhaps worrying roomier space for showroom stock turbo Chevrolet, better looking and is similar to the V-6-powered 2014 Impala priced. The second is that we Chevy choose, and we doubt the purpose of conquest sales from the brand itself. A problem that requires more than a slight renovation to fix this.