Mark Cadle
BBDOS CV8
20 October 2013
Malibu Mal. Is he interchangeable with Honda Haruko, Colin Camry, Mazda Bates or Karen Kia? In the bearpit; one could say polar-bearpit: shrinking, sinking iceberg of the midsize Car-ctic continent in Oz it's a tough place.
Toyota has the inside line here, building the 4-cyl Camry and also the Hybrid variant.: not only do many government/corporate fleets have 'buy Australian-made' and often four-cylinder policies but the Victorian government also support Toyota at Altona. There's a lot of grey, silver, white Camrys with red government plates running around in the 'The Garden Place To Be On The Move' state.
Very attractive rear-quarter, LED tails look quite speccy at night.
The Malibu which might have been expecting to be headline car, is a bit like Sir Ken Jones, the pommy police superintendent who was feted by the State government to run Victoria Police: when he migrated with his wife, he found the gotcha was his appointment as Deputy to square-jawed, tough and more youthful, local, Simon Overland.
Malibu's mission is to be a wingman to locally-made Commodore and middle brother to Cruze but not to eat either of their lunches. So the Australian Malibu's formulation is quite deliberately limited. It's been positioned in price and equipment to monster other midsizers, but present a different value and model proposition to Commodore models. That is a fine line to tread. Have Holden succeeded? Read on.
Some months, the Mercedes C-class actually gets on the midsize podium, due to the loss-leader poverty-pack cloth seat 4-cylinder versions Merc pushes. Then there's cars like the critically-acclaimed Mazda 6, Mondeo, the H-K twins, Skoda, Passat and oddities like the Renault Latitude and Peugeot 508 - the later two made in Korea. Mazda has diesel, Camry has hybrids, Honda petrol only, the H-K twins diesel and petrol. Then there's Ford, with Zetec, Ecoboost, diesel Mondeos in hatch and wagon. There's a mishmash of body styles; sedan, wagon, hatch.
Only Europe, Asia, Australiasia, not in the US - yet!
Holden had a creditable entry in the Vectra - even assembled them very briefly. Since the deal for ZC Vectras ended in 2006 - good cars, but too expensive - the replacement was the unloved and unlovely Epica. A Porsche-designed inline 6 was not enough. It was smooth, economical, reliable and practical but utterly uninspiring. I always thought of it as the modern 1963 EJ Holden - the last Grey motor car of grey-porridge, boring specification and to drive with leftover Chev 1960 styling. Which contrasted with the sterling '64 EH, punchy 149/179 red motor; which even had the Opel 4-speed available, power disks and very nice leather buckets in the Premier! With Epica retired in 2011 and the replacement delayed by the GFC, Holden has had a hole in it's lineup since.
Holden were part of the global design team - in fact, the lead exterior and interior designers were both Holden Design people on assignment. Justin Thompson's c.2008 VF Commodore exterior was fitted to Epsilon proportions. This product had to interpret numerous GM design themes and was started pre-GFC so it had a long gestation.
Soft, foggy early morning light playing on the car. It does exude a classy ambiance - very understated-handsome in person.
Inside the Holden version, you see Yan Huang's original design. The chrome curves bisecting and highlighting the ****pit halves are gently lit by blue light at night. Sounds like some sort of dodgy disco, looks particularly soothing combined with the blue animated dash displays. Not only is the original Holden 'nose' arguably less clunky than Chevrolet's 'hand grip' schnoz but there's no fake wood trim in the interior.
If you don't care about FWD vs RWD and want a 5-passenger, 4- door largish car with a petrol or diesel four cylinder Holden now has one on offer, leaving the Commodore to the traditional RWD buyer's market of V6 and V8. The buyers for both are not totally mutually exclusive but may as well be. The Malibu buyer who buys on price vs equipment vs style would likely not buy a Commodore who is looking for an engaging driving feel, and pretty much vice versa.
Even the 3.0 V6 VF Evoke feels very lively and dynamic compared to the Malibu although the diesel might blitz it for 50 metres off the line - but there are virtues to the Malibu. It's actually - and this has surprised many reviewers - very smooth, very good-riding over bad roads, very well-finished (almost up to midsize class-leading) and particularly well-equipped. While it misses the proximity alerts of the VF, it scores heated seats and mirrors as well as keyless entry/start.
And it starts eight or nine thou cheaper, has a split-fold rear seat, arguably more usable space in back with the very clever boot hinges like the Opel Insignia coming out of the rear quarter panels so very open access and no crushed cases.
Alloy door-pulls, soft-touch around armrests.
I can't comment on the 'Camaro-esque' instruments except to say we have no Camaros here; so that isn't either good or bad for us - but the bezels look attractive and work well -the deep hoods don't reflect or cause visibility problems in any light; with clear and attractive layout, and lots of information nicely-displayed. The colour display between the clocks on the CDX (equiv. to LTZ) is very classy with little animations and multi-coloured text.
The Camaro-style taillights also make no never mind in Oz except the LED versions on the CDX look primo from behind when on the brakes or at night. There are two trim levels, aligning with the Barina, Spark and Cruze. The CD, with cloth seats and single zone aircon, no foglamps and 17" wheels with Kumho Exedra tyres. Step on up to the CDX, you get leather, heated seats and mirrors, the self-same keyless entry and pushbutton start as the VF Commodore; extra chrome trim like spotlight bezels with (spotlights!), attractive 18" alloys and the same Bridgestone Potenzas fitted to VF Calais, dualzone electronic climate, colour centre instrument display.
The CD can look a bit plain-jane - the CDX in Nitrate or darker colours looks conservatively classy. Not a few people had a close look, as I had the car before large-scale release. It looks much nicer in person than it photographs: My mother commented unbidden 'this is the nicest car you've had' and it also rated very highly on an 83 year old's comfort scale.
In the cold clear conditions the week I had it, she appreciated the heated front seat. If I had a complaint, it's the inside is a little grey - some contrasting darker patches of material might be nice. One of the good things about all trims of the VF/WN I have driven, is the contrasting trims and textures to the interior really raise them from VE which could be a bit monotone.
Mighty, frugal. silky - but not small or light.
Holden gets the Direct Injection GM 2.4 litre motor, as used in the Captiva 5 and 7 as the entry motor. Optional in both, and equipped in the test vehicle, was the superb Opel-sourced 2.0 litre turbo diesel. This is similar to the unit fitted to the Opel Insignia and American Cruze Diesel. The only contemporary feature arguably missing is stop-start.
There's a bit of clatter at idle - the petrol is so quiet it's hard to know it's running - but other than that it's a wallop in the pants every time you caress the go-pedal, with silky smooth performance, that is both relaxing and economical. Bear in mind, the diesel CDX weighs about as much as a VF Commodore 6.0 SS! It will spin the front bags instantaneously off the line in the dry before the electronic TC nanny spoils the fun - a slight tug on the wheel is the only artifact.
After a week of running around, second last day - 470km traveled, 294km to empty. On any hwy trip, this would be a 1000km or 600 mile car. Easily.
The other surprising thing, is the fuel economy. Even though it's a slippery sucka with a CD of around 0.29, I used it mainly around town the week I had it, it ain't light at 1684kg (3704 lb). The EPA rates the Malibu at 6.5l/10km combined - the fact I saw 6.8 is extremely remarkable, as it was 80% heavy urban traffic. I was also feeling pretty crook the wintry week I had it. So I appreciated the extra creature comforts of the heated seats as it was also frosty; plus the heated mirrors which cleared themselves without me having to wind the windows down and buff them. They are the exact same units as on the Opel Insignia I had a week or so later, and their width of view and clarity made up to some degree the lack of side proximity alert as on the VF Commodores. I used the electric accessories a bit more, creature comforts like heated seats plus the aircon to demist it etc.
Tons of room - front or rear. Shaded slightly by Commodore, larger boot
I can't understand the huge controversy over interior room in the US, unless the US Malibu has significantly thicker seats front and rear. There's a ton of room in both rows, and sideways. It's a wider car inside and out than the Insignia. Commodore still shades it, but that car has a longer if not wider footprint and 8" more wheelbase. It even has a 73 litre tank, one less than the Commy.
I pretty much used it to commute for 5 working days - so it got no freeway work, and spent a lot of time in nose-tail traffic. Even so, despite a lot of aircon to demist, seat warmers, headlights in a cold and dark winter month, I ended up on 6.8 L/100km, or 34.5USmpg. That's impressive for a not-light sedan. 30-40% less fuel used than I'd expect the petrol version. And I didn't always drive it gently. Off-the-line performance disabused a few six cylinder sedans of the notion that the sedate-looking silver Holden was some sort of walkover. It is strong from 0 km/h. Hills? Ha ! In hilly country it is like a diesel-electric train. The thing is though, mostly I found it extremely calming and was happy to flow with traffic, even on weekends. Very, very smooth and effortless.
The Holden iteration of the Malibu is an interesting conundrum: the 2.4 petrol gets EPS which is a slightly better feel than the diesel's hydraulic, because the diesel's sump is where the EPS unit would sit. It's sportyish, but the oiler is the performance option, as well as most-economical. The diesel has effortless Saturn 5-thrust (and I think Holden's tune of the same trans is superior even to Opel's, it's smoother and more responsive and intuitive) but Holden were not able to effect steering rack changes on either, so the diesel steering feel is a bit like the Pontiac G6 I drove in 2007, with a soft, slightly vague feel. It actually steers, turns-in and handles pretty well and neutrally - it just doesn't feel reassuring. It's got a ton of grip on the 235/18 Potenzas - it's vice-free when pushed, just like the Insignia. It just feels like it won't tell you when it's gonna bite.
A week after the Malibu, I had an Opel Insignia tourer with the same engine/trans - and the contrast was initially extreme. The Opel rode firmer, with better steering feel and on first impression you would pick it. But after a while, the Opel just felt 'hard'. It banged over small sharp-edged bumps and ruts the Malibu wafted over with no reaction, and the suspension was jiggly and busy on small amplitude irregularities the Malibu never even noticed. I think Holden's Bridgestones were a better match than the Dunlops of the Opel. Malibu was also surprisingly much quieter; and this combined with the better driveline callibrations made it feel more refined - which was unexpected. I am sure with a better steering feel, Holden's tune of Epsilon would be regarded as better to live with day-day - same as Holden's Cruze MY14 suspension tune is more compliant but gives almost nothing away to the GTC/OPC Astra when pressing on, despite their Hyper struts and much firmer springing and damping.
On a smooth track, the Opel big or small would be the trick. For anywhere other than pure performance driving, you'd go the Holden, flat-out no risk (Cobber!). Like the Opels, the Holden will understeer on big throttle which is more to do with sideslip due to loss of lateral traction than traditional torquesteer.
Who days it don't get cold in Oz? A snap freeze saw 1/2" of ice several mornings - this is after warm water on the screen
Give Opel (or Saab!) credit where credit's due - Epsilon II's a well-engineered piece of kit. At least for a FWD chassis. I think the Insignia is quite beautiful - but the Malibu is far from ugly, especially in CDX trim. It's another car I felt to need to wash several times the week I had it, as it looked classy on it's multi-spoked alloys. From front quarter, rear quarter it looks great, only a stubbiness side-on detracts. However, at least the svelte greenhouse shape contributes to both a high crash rating and a slippery shape - for something with a large internal space it's got a wind-cheating CD of 'less then 0.31'. And the interior is just soothing. The colour displays including the central instrument displays with good-quality hi-definition graphics, with the hinging MyLink screen is a very nice place to spend time.
Instruments have good legibility and readability.
I don't think the seats are quite up to VF buckets, nor the interior in general; but not bad and you can spend several hours at a time in comfort. Another version of MyLink, it's just as good IMO. And this is an area the Malibu definitely has over the Opel, even if that has Satnav. The Malibu's simple console and infotainment layout just made the Opel look clunky and last-gen - it kills BMW's setup, and Merc's and the new Mazda I looked in. That is definitely one of the things that made the Opel Insignia a tough sell. I would quite frankly buy the Malibu with a savings of between $5-10,000 - smoother day-day, better driveline calibration and a nicer rider without losing grip.
If Holden could just get 'their' steering feel in it, it would be a laydown misere. So - will the Malibu succeed? It's hard to say: it represents stellar value for money in base or petrol CDX form. The CD diesel is pretty well-priced. The CDX diesel at it's price - less so. However, the CDX brings a lot of refinement to the table. It's well-presented, very competent and nicely-equipped. If you are a techie, but anti-enthusiast (and there are a lot of those) who appreciate a smooth, quiet, comfortable drive plus a very reasonable price-equipment ratio then you could do far worse than check out a Malibu. For people who would rather be on their lounge suite than driving, the Holden Malibu CDX is a valid and viable option to other vehicles in the segment.
The cool blue ambience of the interior, with blue leds in the doorpull openings and downlights is very soothing.
Price as tested: $35,990 + ORC
Fuel economy (claimed) 6.5 L/100k (experienced) 6.8 L/100km (34.5 USmpg)
Pros
Cons
BBDOS CV8
20 October 2013
Malibu Mal. Is he interchangeable with Honda Haruko, Colin Camry, Mazda Bates or Karen Kia? In the bearpit; one could say polar-bearpit: shrinking, sinking iceberg of the midsize Car-ctic continent in Oz it's a tough place.
Toyota has the inside line here, building the 4-cyl Camry and also the Hybrid variant.: not only do many government/corporate fleets have 'buy Australian-made' and often four-cylinder policies but the Victorian government also support Toyota at Altona. There's a lot of grey, silver, white Camrys with red government plates running around in the 'The Garden Place To Be On The Move' state.
Very attractive rear-quarter, LED tails look quite speccy at night.
The Malibu which might have been expecting to be headline car, is a bit like Sir Ken Jones, the pommy police superintendent who was feted by the State government to run Victoria Police: when he migrated with his wife, he found the gotcha was his appointment as Deputy to square-jawed, tough and more youthful, local, Simon Overland.
Malibu's mission is to be a wingman to locally-made Commodore and middle brother to Cruze but not to eat either of their lunches. So the Australian Malibu's formulation is quite deliberately limited. It's been positioned in price and equipment to monster other midsizers, but present a different value and model proposition to Commodore models. That is a fine line to tread. Have Holden succeeded? Read on.
Some months, the Mercedes C-class actually gets on the midsize podium, due to the loss-leader poverty-pack cloth seat 4-cylinder versions Merc pushes. Then there's cars like the critically-acclaimed Mazda 6, Mondeo, the H-K twins, Skoda, Passat and oddities like the Renault Latitude and Peugeot 508 - the later two made in Korea. Mazda has diesel, Camry has hybrids, Honda petrol only, the H-K twins diesel and petrol. Then there's Ford, with Zetec, Ecoboost, diesel Mondeos in hatch and wagon. There's a mishmash of body styles; sedan, wagon, hatch.
Only Europe, Asia, Australiasia, not in the US - yet!
Holden had a creditable entry in the Vectra - even assembled them very briefly. Since the deal for ZC Vectras ended in 2006 - good cars, but too expensive - the replacement was the unloved and unlovely Epica. A Porsche-designed inline 6 was not enough. It was smooth, economical, reliable and practical but utterly uninspiring. I always thought of it as the modern 1963 EJ Holden - the last Grey motor car of grey-porridge, boring specification and to drive with leftover Chev 1960 styling. Which contrasted with the sterling '64 EH, punchy 149/179 red motor; which even had the Opel 4-speed available, power disks and very nice leather buckets in the Premier! With Epica retired in 2011 and the replacement delayed by the GFC, Holden has had a hole in it's lineup since.
Holden were part of the global design team - in fact, the lead exterior and interior designers were both Holden Design people on assignment. Justin Thompson's c.2008 VF Commodore exterior was fitted to Epsilon proportions. This product had to interpret numerous GM design themes and was started pre-GFC so it had a long gestation.
Inside the Holden version, you see Yan Huang's original design. The chrome curves bisecting and highlighting the ****pit halves are gently lit by blue light at night. Sounds like some sort of dodgy disco, looks particularly soothing combined with the blue animated dash displays. Not only is the original Holden 'nose' arguably less clunky than Chevrolet's 'hand grip' schnoz but there's no fake wood trim in the interior.
If you don't care about FWD vs RWD and want a 5-passenger, 4- door largish car with a petrol or diesel four cylinder Holden now has one on offer, leaving the Commodore to the traditional RWD buyer's market of V6 and V8. The buyers for both are not totally mutually exclusive but may as well be. The Malibu buyer who buys on price vs equipment vs style would likely not buy a Commodore who is looking for an engaging driving feel, and pretty much vice versa.
Even the 3.0 V6 VF Evoke feels very lively and dynamic compared to the Malibu although the diesel might blitz it for 50 metres off the line - but there are virtues to the Malibu. It's actually - and this has surprised many reviewers - very smooth, very good-riding over bad roads, very well-finished (almost up to midsize class-leading) and particularly well-equipped. While it misses the proximity alerts of the VF, it scores heated seats and mirrors as well as keyless entry/start.
And it starts eight or nine thou cheaper, has a split-fold rear seat, arguably more usable space in back with the very clever boot hinges like the Opel Insignia coming out of the rear quarter panels so very open access and no crushed cases.
Alloy door-pulls, soft-touch around armrests.
I can't comment on the 'Camaro-esque' instruments except to say we have no Camaros here; so that isn't either good or bad for us - but the bezels look attractive and work well -the deep hoods don't reflect or cause visibility problems in any light; with clear and attractive layout, and lots of information nicely-displayed. The colour display between the clocks on the CDX (equiv. to LTZ) is very classy with little animations and multi-coloured text.
The Camaro-style taillights also make no never mind in Oz except the LED versions on the CDX look primo from behind when on the brakes or at night. There are two trim levels, aligning with the Barina, Spark and Cruze. The CD, with cloth seats and single zone aircon, no foglamps and 17" wheels with Kumho Exedra tyres. Step on up to the CDX, you get leather, heated seats and mirrors, the self-same keyless entry and pushbutton start as the VF Commodore; extra chrome trim like spotlight bezels with (spotlights!), attractive 18" alloys and the same Bridgestone Potenzas fitted to VF Calais, dualzone electronic climate, colour centre instrument display.
The CD can look a bit plain-jane - the CDX in Nitrate or darker colours looks conservatively classy. Not a few people had a close look, as I had the car before large-scale release. It looks much nicer in person than it photographs: My mother commented unbidden 'this is the nicest car you've had' and it also rated very highly on an 83 year old's comfort scale.
In the cold clear conditions the week I had it, she appreciated the heated front seat. If I had a complaint, it's the inside is a little grey - some contrasting darker patches of material might be nice. One of the good things about all trims of the VF/WN I have driven, is the contrasting trims and textures to the interior really raise them from VE which could be a bit monotone.
Mighty, frugal. silky - but not small or light.
Holden gets the Direct Injection GM 2.4 litre motor, as used in the Captiva 5 and 7 as the entry motor. Optional in both, and equipped in the test vehicle, was the superb Opel-sourced 2.0 litre turbo diesel. This is similar to the unit fitted to the Opel Insignia and American Cruze Diesel. The only contemporary feature arguably missing is stop-start.
There's a bit of clatter at idle - the petrol is so quiet it's hard to know it's running - but other than that it's a wallop in the pants every time you caress the go-pedal, with silky smooth performance, that is both relaxing and economical. Bear in mind, the diesel CDX weighs about as much as a VF Commodore 6.0 SS! It will spin the front bags instantaneously off the line in the dry before the electronic TC nanny spoils the fun - a slight tug on the wheel is the only artifact.
After a week of running around, second last day - 470km traveled, 294km to empty. On any hwy trip, this would be a 1000km or 600 mile car. Easily.
The other surprising thing, is the fuel economy. Even though it's a slippery sucka with a CD of around 0.29, I used it mainly around town the week I had it, it ain't light at 1684kg (3704 lb). The EPA rates the Malibu at 6.5l/10km combined - the fact I saw 6.8 is extremely remarkable, as it was 80% heavy urban traffic. I was also feeling pretty crook the wintry week I had it. So I appreciated the extra creature comforts of the heated seats as it was also frosty; plus the heated mirrors which cleared themselves without me having to wind the windows down and buff them. They are the exact same units as on the Opel Insignia I had a week or so later, and their width of view and clarity made up to some degree the lack of side proximity alert as on the VF Commodores. I used the electric accessories a bit more, creature comforts like heated seats plus the aircon to demist it etc.
Tons of room - front or rear. Shaded slightly by Commodore, larger boot
I can't understand the huge controversy over interior room in the US, unless the US Malibu has significantly thicker seats front and rear. There's a ton of room in both rows, and sideways. It's a wider car inside and out than the Insignia. Commodore still shades it, but that car has a longer if not wider footprint and 8" more wheelbase. It even has a 73 litre tank, one less than the Commy.
I pretty much used it to commute for 5 working days - so it got no freeway work, and spent a lot of time in nose-tail traffic. Even so, despite a lot of aircon to demist, seat warmers, headlights in a cold and dark winter month, I ended up on 6.8 L/100km, or 34.5USmpg. That's impressive for a not-light sedan. 30-40% less fuel used than I'd expect the petrol version. And I didn't always drive it gently. Off-the-line performance disabused a few six cylinder sedans of the notion that the sedate-looking silver Holden was some sort of walkover. It is strong from 0 km/h. Hills? Ha ! In hilly country it is like a diesel-electric train. The thing is though, mostly I found it extremely calming and was happy to flow with traffic, even on weekends. Very, very smooth and effortless.
The Holden iteration of the Malibu is an interesting conundrum: the 2.4 petrol gets EPS which is a slightly better feel than the diesel's hydraulic, because the diesel's sump is where the EPS unit would sit. It's sportyish, but the oiler is the performance option, as well as most-economical. The diesel has effortless Saturn 5-thrust (and I think Holden's tune of the same trans is superior even to Opel's, it's smoother and more responsive and intuitive) but Holden were not able to effect steering rack changes on either, so the diesel steering feel is a bit like the Pontiac G6 I drove in 2007, with a soft, slightly vague feel. It actually steers, turns-in and handles pretty well and neutrally - it just doesn't feel reassuring. It's got a ton of grip on the 235/18 Potenzas - it's vice-free when pushed, just like the Insignia. It just feels like it won't tell you when it's gonna bite.
A week after the Malibu, I had an Opel Insignia tourer with the same engine/trans - and the contrast was initially extreme. The Opel rode firmer, with better steering feel and on first impression you would pick it. But after a while, the Opel just felt 'hard'. It banged over small sharp-edged bumps and ruts the Malibu wafted over with no reaction, and the suspension was jiggly and busy on small amplitude irregularities the Malibu never even noticed. I think Holden's Bridgestones were a better match than the Dunlops of the Opel. Malibu was also surprisingly much quieter; and this combined with the better driveline callibrations made it feel more refined - which was unexpected. I am sure with a better steering feel, Holden's tune of Epsilon would be regarded as better to live with day-day - same as Holden's Cruze MY14 suspension tune is more compliant but gives almost nothing away to the GTC/OPC Astra when pressing on, despite their Hyper struts and much firmer springing and damping.
On a smooth track, the Opel big or small would be the trick. For anywhere other than pure performance driving, you'd go the Holden, flat-out no risk (Cobber!). Like the Opels, the Holden will understeer on big throttle which is more to do with sideslip due to loss of lateral traction than traditional torquesteer.
Who days it don't get cold in Oz? A snap freeze saw 1/2" of ice several mornings - this is after warm water on the screen
Give Opel (or Saab!) credit where credit's due - Epsilon II's a well-engineered piece of kit. At least for a FWD chassis. I think the Insignia is quite beautiful - but the Malibu is far from ugly, especially in CDX trim. It's another car I felt to need to wash several times the week I had it, as it looked classy on it's multi-spoked alloys. From front quarter, rear quarter it looks great, only a stubbiness side-on detracts. However, at least the svelte greenhouse shape contributes to both a high crash rating and a slippery shape - for something with a large internal space it's got a wind-cheating CD of 'less then 0.31'. And the interior is just soothing. The colour displays including the central instrument displays with good-quality hi-definition graphics, with the hinging MyLink screen is a very nice place to spend time.
Instruments have good legibility and readability.
I don't think the seats are quite up to VF buckets, nor the interior in general; but not bad and you can spend several hours at a time in comfort. Another version of MyLink, it's just as good IMO. And this is an area the Malibu definitely has over the Opel, even if that has Satnav. The Malibu's simple console and infotainment layout just made the Opel look clunky and last-gen - it kills BMW's setup, and Merc's and the new Mazda I looked in. That is definitely one of the things that made the Opel Insignia a tough sell. I would quite frankly buy the Malibu with a savings of between $5-10,000 - smoother day-day, better driveline calibration and a nicer rider without losing grip.
If Holden could just get 'their' steering feel in it, it would be a laydown misere. So - will the Malibu succeed? It's hard to say: it represents stellar value for money in base or petrol CDX form. The CD diesel is pretty well-priced. The CDX diesel at it's price - less so. However, the CDX brings a lot of refinement to the table. It's well-presented, very competent and nicely-equipped. If you are a techie, but anti-enthusiast (and there are a lot of those) who appreciate a smooth, quiet, comfortable drive plus a very reasonable price-equipment ratio then you could do far worse than check out a Malibu. For people who would rather be on their lounge suite than driving, the Holden Malibu CDX is a valid and viable option to other vehicles in the segment.
The cool blue ambience of the interior, with blue leds in the doorpull openings and downlights is very soothing.
Price as tested: $35,990 + ORC
Fuel economy (claimed) 6.5 L/100k (experienced) 6.8 L/100km (34.5 USmpg)
Pros
- Finish
- Refinement of driving experience and engine/trans cal
- Basic handling and ride tradeoff
- Spaciousness and excellent comfort
- Fuel economy - excellent
- Equipment levels @ price
Cons
- Steering feel hydraulic diesel rack not up to Holden standard of CD, CDX Cruze, CD Barina and EPS not bad, not as good as Trax, Barina, Cruze, VF.
- Weight - next gen, lighter please
- Petrol motor should be 2.5 ASAP
- Interior a little drab, could be slightly brighter/lighter or more contrast