Edmunds: Camry vs Malibu vs Accord

[454]

Comparison tests about family sedans usually make big assumptions about your personal wealth. We like to think that if you're buying a midsize car, you'll order up a powerful V6 engine, leather upholstery and a navigation system. Of course, grim reality says you'll probably drive away in a Honda Accord, Toyota Camry or Chevrolet Malibu with a four-cylinder engine, cloth seats and your trusty road atlas.

This brings us to the point of this test. In V6 form, we've already discovered the redesigned 2008 Chevrolet Malibu is quick, comfortable and good enough to compete with the import juggernauts. Keeping up with the volume-selling 2008 Honda Accord LX and 2008 Toyota Camry LE is actually a much bigger deal, however. These unassuming models help Honda and Toyota rack up hundreds of thousands of dollars in sales each year.

If Chevrolet is serious about stealing market share from these guys, the four-cylinder 2008 Chevrolet Malibu needs to be more than a respectable rental car.

More...
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...hotopanel..1.*

[86fleet]

What's the deal with the Malibu's 40-ft turning radius? Isn't that Tahoe territory?
Other than that, the Malibu appears to be very competitive even in it's lower forms

[Hunid Racks]

Even from Edmunds, it seems that the Camry is consistently the bottom of the class. Well heck, every comparison with these three seems to put the Camry at the bottom.

If there is a conclusion to be drawn, buy a Camry if you want a Kia that runs more often. Buy a Malibu or Accord if you haven't been neutered and want something that runs just fine.

[BusyBody]

A good review for the Malibu. It seems to be a clear winner over the Camry and a close contender for the Accord. The Accord rear seats may be roomer, but I thought they looked kinda cheap in the photos.

[Relik86]

A couple things I noticed...

Although they mentioned that the Camry got the best fuel economy, and the Accord got the worst, they made no mention of the Malibu's mpg.

They point out the low-grip Hankook tires on the Malibu, but it achieved the highest grip on the skidpad and second in the slalom.

Other than that, I didn't really pay much attention to what I was reading, to be honest. Seemed fair overall though. Oh, and I want one

[Hurricane]

Nice CTS commercial in the video on the site before the comparo, LOL!

[FenwickHockey65]

Hmm...I don't think it gives enough justice to the Malibu, but I can live with the fact that we beat toyota.

[ByTheLake]

Seems like a fair assessment. I'm not surprised that Malibu wasn't ranked first, but I'm thrilled that the Camry was ranked 3rd.

Funny thing, however, about the perception about Toyota. It has brainwashed a generation of buyers that simply can't comprehend buying anything else.

[usa1]

Originally Posted by Hunid Racks

Even from Edmunds, it seems that the Camry is consistently the bottom of the class. Well heck, every comparison with these three seems to put the Camry at the bottom.

Motortrend did a recent comparo and the Camry came out on top with the Malubu second and the Accord third. Of course, it had to work out this way since Motortrend gave the Camry car of the year last year.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...test_data.html

Kind of funny that Motortrend comes up with opposite results from most other comparison tests. It's all part of the game.

Mark

[Tequilujan]

As long as the Malibu doesn't rank at the bottom and is competitive with a new Accord it is good for GM. They deserve all the credit in the world for the Malibu, especially since it was written off early on about how it would only be able to compete with the old Accord and not the new one... you know who you are.

[GMusa]

The Malibu is for sure the best looking of the 3 !!

[poncho1982]

Originally Posted by usa1

Motortrend did a recent comparo and the Camry came out on top with the Malubu second and the Accord third. Of course, it had to work out this way since Motortrend gave the Camry car of the year last year.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...test_data.html

Kind of funny that Motortrend comes up with opposite results from most other comparison tests. It's all part of the game.

Mark

I was going to say that myself!

I just recieved my current issue of MT in the mail today, late as usual, and I had to laugh when I read that article. They are so biased, that it's laughable, and I really have to consider if I am going to renew my subscription or not. They are a joke anymore.

[bone]

I don't think the Malibu will steel any sales from either the Accord or Camry. It is certainly a much improved vehicle,however, it has only managed to catch up, not leap ahead of the competition. The arrival of the 6-speed in the 4 cylinder will certainly help if it will be available in the base and LT models. The Malibu has been available for two months now and I am yet to see one on the road. New Accords are all over the place. What gives?

[Gm786]

Originally Posted by GMusa

The Malibu is for sure the best looking of the 3 !!

Yeah and I think that the new Chevy Malibu should have came in at 1st place. Its obvious that the Malibu was going to come in 2nd place. After all, Edmunds is very biased towards Honda.

[I-Love-Pontiac]

I hate that attitude they have. "They may not be first, but A for effort GM! Good for youuuuuu."