2001 Chevrolet Malibu Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

The smaller of Chevrolet's two midsize sedans slots below Impala in size, price, and market position. Malibu offers base and LS models, both with a V6, automatic transmission, and ABS. Impala can seat six; Malibu has front bucket seats for 5-passenger capacity. For 2001, power door locks and a rear defogger are now standard on the base model as well as the LS.

Competition

Perennial Best Buys Honda Accord and Toyota Camry continue to shine with refinement, model diversity, and comfort. Both come in coupe and sedan forms, offer economic 4-cylinder or sporty V6 power, have room for four adults, and are reasonably priced.

Recommended models include the smooth Chevrolet Impala, the import-flavored Chevy Malibu, the sporty Nissan Maxima, surprising Olds Intrigue, and the good-looking Pontiac Grand Prix. All come with V6 power, offer lots of standard equipment, and have pleasing road manners that will suit a variety of driving styles. We've also added the Ford Taurus and clone Mercury Sable to our Recommended list.

News

Malibu calendar-year sales eased some 5 percent in 2000, though volume remains more than respectable at 207,000-plus. Whether sales remain healthy is another matter, because this Chevy won't change much until model-year 2005. That's when a replacement Malibu appears on General Motors' new front-drive Epsilon midsize platform; Pontiac's Grand Am is on the same timetable. Epsilon is also the foundation for several other future GM products, including the next-generation Saab 9-3. Little can be confirmed about the '05 Malibu right now, but sources say it will be slightly wider outside and correspondingly roomier inside than today's model.

2001 Chevrolet Malibu Road Test

Pros	Cons

Ride	Steering feel

Build quality

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

Base/LS	Class Average
5	4.9

Strong off the line and around town, but not at highway speeds. Also not as smooth as Japanese rivals. Transmission doesn't always downshift quickly for passing.

Fuel Economy

Base/LS	Class Average
5	5.4

Test Malibu averaged 19 mpg in a mix of city and highway driving.

Ride Quality

Base/LS	Class Average
5	5.3

Rough pavement easily absorbed, though suspension and tires thump loudly over ruts, potholes.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Base/LS	Class Average
5	5.1

Feels maneuverable, secure in normal driving. Aggressive cornering brings on tire scrubbing and body lean, makes steering feel slow and vague. Stopping power adequate, pedal modulation good.

Quietness

Base/LS	Class Average
4	5.2

Wind and road noise are high enough to keep these cars from qualifying as serene long-distance cruisers.

Controls

Base/LS	Class Average
7	6

Instruments unobstructed, stalks for wipers and headlamps convenient, audio and climate controls large and accessible. Tasteful blend of fabrics, plastics, and padded surfaces gives an upscale feel.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Base/LS	Class Average
5	5.5

Generous head room and leg room. Firm, nicely contoured seats. Thin pillars, large outside mirrors provide good visibility, but high rear parcel shelf impedes vision astern.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Base/LS	Class Average
4	4.1

Good leg room with front seats less than halfway back, though cushion is flat and uncomfortable. Head room is sufficient for those under 6-ft tall.

Cargo Room

Base/LS	Class Average
6	4.5

Large trunk has a flat floor, huge opening, near-bumper-level sill. Interior storage space is generous.

Value within Class

Base/LS	Class Average
8	5.8

Not quite a cut-rate Camry, but Malibu delivers a fine blend of utility, driving ease, and features at an attractive price.

Total Score

Base/LS	Class Average
54	51.8

Scores for all Midsize Cars

Low Score		39
Average Score		51
High Score		65

2001 Chevrolet Malibu Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 08/01/2005

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Base 4-door sedan	$17,150	$15,692	$585

LS 4-door sedan	$19,410	$17,760	$585

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Base

Powertrain

3.1-liter V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, antilock brakes, daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, cupholders, power door locks, AM/FM radio, digital clock, tachometer, variable intermittent wipers, rear defogger, visor mirrors, remote decklid release, automatic headlights.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Dual outside mirrors w/driver-side remote, theft-deterrent system, 215/60R15 tires, wheel covers.

LS adds to Base:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Cruise control, 6-way power driver seat, split folding rear seat, power mirrors, power windows, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, passenger-side illuminated visor mirror, map lights, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Fog lights, alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
1SB Preferred Equipment Group 1
Base	$995	$896
Power windows, power mirrors, cruise control, AM/FM/cassette, map lights, floormats.

1SB Preferred Equipment Group 1, LS
LS	$1,365	$1,229
Leather upholstery, power sunroof, rear spoiler.

Comfort and Convenience Features
Cruise control
Base	$240	$216


Power sunroof
LS	$695	$626


Split folding rear seat
Base	$195	$176
Includes cargo net. Requires Preferred Equipment Group 1.

Leather upholstery
LS	$595	$536
Includes leather-wrapped steering wheel.

AM/FM/cassette
Base	$220	$198


AM/FM/CD player
Base	$320	$288


AM/FM/cassette/CD player
Base	$200	$180
Requires Preferred Equipment Group 1.

Remote keyless entry
Base	$150	$135
Requires Preferred Equipment Group 1.

Floormats
Base	$40	$36


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Rear spoiler
LS	$175	$158


Gold Pkg.
LS	$125	$113


Mud guards
Base	$75	$68


Engine block heater
Base, LS	$30	$27


Alloy wheels
Base	$310	$279
Requires Preferred Equipment Group 1.

2001 Chevrolet Malibu Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Chevrolet Malibu 4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	107.0

Overall Length, in.	190.4

Overall Width, in.	69.4

Overall Height, in.	56.7

Curb Weight, lbs.	3051

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	17.1

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	14.3

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	39.4

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.9

Rear Head Room, in.	37.6

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	38.0

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	ohv V6

Size, liters/cu. in.	3.1 /191

Horsepower @ rpm.	170 @ 5200

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	190 @ 4000

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

4-speed automatic	20/29

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Chevrolet Malibu 4-door sedan

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	4

Side Impact, Driver	2

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	4

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	3/36,000	--

Corrosion	6/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	3/36,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: USA

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

< 2001 Chevrolet Malibu Photos

Also in the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu Review:

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Chevrolet Malibu Road Test

Chevrolet Malibu Prices & Equipment

Chevrolet Malibu Specs & Safety

Chevrolet Malibu Photos

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