GM Inside News Forum - NSAP Drives: 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx

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NSAP Drives: 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx

2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
The Ultimate Family Car
By: NSAP
www.gminsidenews.com

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Most of you have probably seen the new Malibu Maxx commercial, where a Malibu sedan and Trailblazer go “dancing” and then park in the garage together. Then in the morning the garage door opens, and out comes a Malibu Maxx. That commercial is very true, the Malibu Maxx combines the fun, versatile factor of a SUV tied with the quality; looks from the Malibu. Together, they make a perfect match.

The exterior of the Malibu Maxx is very unique--but in a good way. When looking at the Maxx from a front-quarter view, you could easily mistake the Maxx for a sedan. However, when you look at the side of it and discover that there is no closing between the cargo area and backseats, you know it’s not a sedan.

I personally like the exterior of the Maxx. It has a “cool” factor about it that I like, not too many wagons (or should I say ’Sport Wagons,’ as GM calls it) have a cool factor about them. Another thing I noticed about the Maxx is that it gives off this “Drive Me! Drive Me!” vibe. That may sound crazy, but it is almost like the car is telling you to drive it through the exterior design.

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Once you enter the interior of the Maxx you could easily mistake it as a Toyota product. The dash is laid-out very well, and smartly designed. One thing that struck me was that the dash is actually soft to the touch (Car And Driver should be proud)! GM is really cleaning up their act when it comes to interiors, the Maxx is proof of that.

All Maxx’s come with two (well one divided in two) fixed sunroofs over the rear seats. Each of which has a roll-out “sunshade” to block the sun. I had difficulty getting the sunshades to stay over the glass. Every time I thought I got it latched, it would snap back and make very load noise. I don’t understand why they didn’t just tint the shades more, or have a solid shade cover it like conventional sunroofs.

The Maxx I drove also had GM’s factory-installed remote vehicle start system. That is by-far one of the best features GM has had! It is such a convenience to simply push the button and, wow, the Maxx comes to life!

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Malibu Maxx has a rear cargo system in the hatch that is actually useful! There is a pull-out flat platform that can act as a shelf or table. There are two levels that the platform can sit on, and then you can pull down the table leg and the platform turns into a table that sticks out of the rear.

Driving the Maxx is as fun as the exterior design is. All Maxx’s come with a 3500 V6 powertrain, pumping out 200 horsepower. It may not be the fastest car on the market, but does a family car need to be super-fast? The power is suitable for the car. My only complaint is the electric steering, which causes you to not be able to fell the road, but being a G6 owner I am use to it.

The ride quality was also excellent! The area that I drove the Maxx in has terrible roads, and the Maxx glided right over the bumps and hole seamlessly. I have never rode in a new Camry, but I find it hard that it could be any better.

Overall the Chevrolet Malibu Maxx is a prime choice for the ever-so-large family car market. Even if you don’t think a wagon is for you, check it out! You might surprise yourself. Plus, the kids will love the backseat!

Pros: Cool exterior, lots of features, nice ride.

Cons: Firm seats, numb steering.