Malibu or Impala: Where would you spend your family car cash?

[Tone]

Looks like Malibu and Impala will overlap a bit in pricing and personality. The Malibu can be had for cheaper, or (I imagine) with more features for the same price. But the Impala should have more room, arguably more dramatic styling and a V6 option. If you were buying a Chevy family sedan, which one would you pick?

[Canuck]

RWD or AWD with a RWD bias. The SS sedan if I was buying a Chevy.

[SeetheUSA]

I did a poll on this a few months ago. I just added the SS in the mix, seeing how it will also muddy the waters a little. I want the Impala or the SS.

[JuMPy]

neither. Impala is a great looking car, just too big for my tastes. The Bu has too many holes in its game for me to consider it over other midsize cars (at least based on the things that I look for). Some minor tweaks (minor interior changes, ie get rid of the wood grain) to the bu thou, and I would put it back on my list.

[Ed753]

Using your money, hands down I'd buy the 2014 Impala, using my money, if forced between the two, I'd likely buy the Malibu.

However given a wider choice, I doubt I'd buy either, I can buy a Ram Crew-Cab for Impala 3.6L LT money.

There is much better value/interesting cars in the mid-size segment. I now recently added the 2013 Fusion to the mid-sized cars I've test drove, it stacks-up very well against the Malibu.

[tripowergto]

I prefer the Impala but not at $27k+ for a base 4-banger. My hard earned cash will be spent elsewhere on a better overall value.

[cdp326]

Thanks for posing this question, Tone.

So far between the two I prefer the Impala's styling inside and out. I have a feeling that base-to-base, LS-to-LS, I4-to-I4, I'll still find the Impala the better looking of the two. Too soon to say for sure since we don't have the full Impala option pricing or many other impressions. But if I was at a Chevrolet dealer shopping for a family vehicle, I may very well pick an Equinox before either.

[Gritts]

I prefer the Impala but not at $27k+ for a base 4-banger. My hard earned cash will be spent elsewhere on a better overall value.

My feelings exactly. For that price I'd expect a 300hp plus V-6 or turbo 4. I think GM screwed up for this reason on the Impala and screwed up on the Malibu by cutting the rear leg room. Bad decision-making at GM/Chevy is costing the company.

[Tone]

Of of 19 people who have taken the poll so far, not one has picked the Malibu. I know this is in no way representative, but as a straw poll, its still useful for gauging sentiment. And - it confirms my concern that perhaps GM might have some challenges in how closely the Malibu and Impala seem to be positioned.

If the Malibu is essentially a lessor Impala, for a little more money might a lot of buyers move up to the Impala (or, if space really isn't a concern, down to the well-regarded Cruze)? Who is the Malibu for? If the Malibu was, for example, more of a sports sedan, the differentiation would be clearer -- though then there'd be a similar question in terms of the Regal. With fewer brands, isn't this exactly the kind of situation GM is supposed to have put in its past?

[h1942]

i have a malibu ltz v6. Since the malibu have dropped the v6; i would not be a customer anymore. Hank

[Neanderthal]

i have a malibu ltz v6. Since the malibu have dropped the v6; i would not be a customer anymore. Hank

I will once again provide an easy answer for GM to ignore. At their peril.

Punch the 3.6 out to 3.96L. Drop it in a special Malib, sold as the SS 396. Voila!

Sales take off like a rocket!



Hey, was that you, Envoy4Life?

[bballr4567]

This would be hard for me to choose from honestly. However, there are a slew of great cars coming out that the Impala has to fight with. The Charger/300, Avalon, Taurus, Azera (which is freaking awesome) and even the Lacrosse. Sure, the midsize class is hard fought but we know the Malibu should sell over 200k without an issue (hopefully) but the Impala is going to fight to get over 50k with the pricing structure that is in place. Had there been a 2.0T as a base engine with eAssist it would be an easier pill to swallow.

I think I would end up with the Malibu if my children were under 7. Over 7 and its the Impala.

[donmateo]

Out of those two....the Impala. I love my 03 to death, nothin like a land yacht,

[Dr. Show-Me]

With the rear seat complaints of the new Malibu, the Impala has to be the choice of larger families and with older children. I think the Malibu gets squeezed by Cruze and Impala

[BlackGTP]

I do feel like GM's plan is to bookend the midsize segment - Malibu on the smaller side and the Impala on the larger side. However, neither hits the sweet spot with size or price.