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2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
Flexible and fleet, but maybe not so young at heart.
Bengt Halvorson
thecarconnection.com
3/29/2004
Over the past few years, a wagon-and-hatchback craze - and an emphasis on more innovatively packaged cars - has been hitting the industry. Chevy tries to stay away from both the "hatchback" and "wagon" terms, instead calling the Maxx an "extended sedan", but the 411 is that it's a five-door hatchback without the bowing roofline (and rear-headroom sacrifices). Most notably, the wheelbase is about six inches longer than the standard Malibu sedan, allowing for either more backseat legroom or more cargo space, depending on which way you configure it.
And that ability to reconfigure-"to the Maxx", as one ad-driven psyche might say - is one of the Maxx's most attractive features. Of course the rear seat can fold forward flat, but it can also slide forward and back seven inches to allow more space for large cargo pieces or for passenger comfort, and the rear seatback can also recline somewhat. Rear door openings are about four inches wider in the Maxx, allowing for easier entry/exit. And we didn't mention yet that the Maxx is a half-inch shorter than the Malibu sedan. Now that's efficiency.
The cargo area is as spacious as it looks, and the reconfigurable cargo cover helps get the most of it. We found we could flip the cargo cover over to the hard plastic side, where the recessed area allowed us to leave muddy boots from a hike to dry in place as we drove. Two side pockets with integral cargo nets keep smaller things from rattling around.
Comfortable, fashionable inside, but not fresh
And here's where it hurts, because I like the Maxx and its unique packaging. When it comes down to the finer details - the cosmetic details that can often make or break whether a shopper buys the car - GM misses the mark on several counts.
The interior is very attractive and tasteful, but in an inoffensive, traditionally Buick sense of nice - not the kind of interior theme you'd expect in an innovatively packaged, youthful activity wagon. Basically, it's appointed with a mix of matching tones of gray and/or beige plastic and faux-wood trim inserts. Competing models like the Mazda6 or VW Passat have a certain level of fashion and vibrance, and the look and feel of the interior is more of a selling point than ever. Attractive, well-coordinated colors and textures (except for the fake wood inserts) are used throughout, though we'll venture to say few would consider the interior exciting or youthful.
But everything fits together tightly, controls and switchgear felt substantial and had satisfying tactility; storage cubbies seem designed to last; cupholders are sturdy, and door panels feel secure, not flimsy. And we didn't notice a single rattle.
Overall, the car has an interesting and quite appealing silhouette that really grew on us, but we never warmed up to the conservative and awkward front and rear fascia treatment. Yes, a wide, chromed plastic bar stretches the length of the grille in front and an equivalent one graces the back end. To an opinionated 30-ish male friend, the keyword was "dorky." Really, the effect is questionable, and it seems both the front and especially the back end would look more tasteful if simple and clean.
It's not all crazy and new. If you've driven a front-wheel-drive GM vehicle in the past five years (perhaps as a rental), you'll find the Malibu's basic controls and road manners familiar. While this isn't a bad thing, it means that it has a very conservative feel.
The only engine offered on the Maxx is a 3.5-liter V-6. It's officially an all-new engine for this year; technically that's true, as a majority of the parts are revised, but actually it's the latest in GM's family of 60-degree pushrod V-6 designs to evolve since the late '70s.
While the V-6 might still be at the low end of its class in refinement, it's a very flexible and powerful engine, if not more so in real-world driving than those from Toyota and Honda. The actual passing power is really quite amazing, and it's also one of the most fuel efficient V-6s available.
Why not bring in the Gen Y buyers with a base Maxx version with four-cylinder, five-speed manual, no skyview roof, no power adjustable pedals or remote starter, some more rugged or sporty styling cues, simple upholstery, and only a few power accessories for about five grand less?
If the Maxx is aimed toward older folks, never mind, Chevy has the formula right. But if they're trying to reach out to younger, active people (those who are excited about the upcoming Nomad mini sport wagon?) who are on a budget, Chevy may be missing out.
FULL Review Here
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Flexible and fleet, but maybe not so young at heart.
Bengt Halvorson
thecarconnection.com
3/29/2004
Over the past few years, a wagon-and-hatchback craze - and an emphasis on more innovatively packaged cars - has been hitting the industry. Chevy tries to stay away from both the "hatchback" and "wagon" terms, instead calling the Maxx an "extended sedan", but the 411 is that it's a five-door hatchback without the bowing roofline (and rear-headroom sacrifices). Most notably, the wheelbase is about six inches longer than the standard Malibu sedan, allowing for either more backseat legroom or more cargo space, depending on which way you configure it.
And that ability to reconfigure-"to the Maxx", as one ad-driven psyche might say - is one of the Maxx's most attractive features. Of course the rear seat can fold forward flat, but it can also slide forward and back seven inches to allow more space for large cargo pieces or for passenger comfort, and the rear seatback can also recline somewhat. Rear door openings are about four inches wider in the Maxx, allowing for easier entry/exit. And we didn't mention yet that the Maxx is a half-inch shorter than the Malibu sedan. Now that's efficiency.
The cargo area is as spacious as it looks, and the reconfigurable cargo cover helps get the most of it. We found we could flip the cargo cover over to the hard plastic side, where the recessed area allowed us to leave muddy boots from a hike to dry in place as we drove. Two side pockets with integral cargo nets keep smaller things from rattling around.
Comfortable, fashionable inside, but not fresh
And here's where it hurts, because I like the Maxx and its unique packaging. When it comes down to the finer details - the cosmetic details that can often make or break whether a shopper buys the car - GM misses the mark on several counts.
The interior is very attractive and tasteful, but in an inoffensive, traditionally Buick sense of nice - not the kind of interior theme you'd expect in an innovatively packaged, youthful activity wagon. Basically, it's appointed with a mix of matching tones of gray and/or beige plastic and faux-wood trim inserts. Competing models like the Mazda6 or VW Passat have a certain level of fashion and vibrance, and the look and feel of the interior is more of a selling point than ever. Attractive, well-coordinated colors and textures (except for the fake wood inserts) are used throughout, though we'll venture to say few would consider the interior exciting or youthful.
But everything fits together tightly, controls and switchgear felt substantial and had satisfying tactility; storage cubbies seem designed to last; cupholders are sturdy, and door panels feel secure, not flimsy. And we didn't notice a single rattle.
Overall, the car has an interesting and quite appealing silhouette that really grew on us, but we never warmed up to the conservative and awkward front and rear fascia treatment. Yes, a wide, chromed plastic bar stretches the length of the grille in front and an equivalent one graces the back end. To an opinionated 30-ish male friend, the keyword was "dorky." Really, the effect is questionable, and it seems both the front and especially the back end would look more tasteful if simple and clean.
It's not all crazy and new. If you've driven a front-wheel-drive GM vehicle in the past five years (perhaps as a rental), you'll find the Malibu's basic controls and road manners familiar. While this isn't a bad thing, it means that it has a very conservative feel.
The only engine offered on the Maxx is a 3.5-liter V-6. It's officially an all-new engine for this year; technically that's true, as a majority of the parts are revised, but actually it's the latest in GM's family of 60-degree pushrod V-6 designs to evolve since the late '70s.
While the V-6 might still be at the low end of its class in refinement, it's a very flexible and powerful engine, if not more so in real-world driving than those from Toyota and Honda. The actual passing power is really quite amazing, and it's also one of the most fuel efficient V-6s available.
Why not bring in the Gen Y buyers with a base Maxx version with four-cylinder, five-speed manual, no skyview roof, no power adjustable pedals or remote starter, some more rugged or sporty styling cues, simple upholstery, and only a few power accessories for about five grand less?
If the Maxx is aimed toward older folks, never mind, Chevy has the formula right. But if they're trying to reach out to younger, active people (those who are excited about the upcoming Nomad mini sport wagon?) who are on a budget, Chevy may be missing out.
FULL Review Here
