2014 Chevrolet Malibu Spy Photos

[AVANTI R5]

hat it is: The refreshed version of the Chevy Malibu, which is coming a year-and-a-half ahead of its originally scheduled arrival, and just 18 months after the car first launched. Under the mask hides a new fascia, which we believe will be brought in line with the wide-mouth look recently introduced on the Traverse. It’s possible we’ll also see a light upgrade for the interior, which would add higher-quality materials. Why it matters: Because to shoppers, the Malibu doesn’t matter. Chevrolet botched the launch of the car, introducing the unimpressive hybrid version, the Eco, before models with conventional gasoline engines. All Malibu variants have bland, mediocre-quality interiors—according to Automotive News, the rear-seat setup will receive particular attention. Exterior styling is as thrilling as vanilla pudding, leaving the Malibu an anonymous entry in a mid-size segment where the Hyundai Sonata and the Ford Fusion, among others, offer real couture. Chevy needs the Malibu to be a success, not a wallflower.
Platform: There won’t be any major changes to the current Malibu’s front-wheel-drive Epsilon-family architecture.



Powertrains: Everything should carry over pretty much as it is now: A 197-hp, 2.5-liter four sits at the base of the lineup, with a 259-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four above it. We don’t expect much to change for the Malibu Eco, either, which presently pairs a 2.4-liter inline-four with a small electric motor for a total output of 182 horsepower. Although the six-speed automatic transmissions will hang around, internal improvements could help bump the cars’ fuel-economy ratings.
Competition: Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Passat
Estimated Arrival Time and Price: Expect the new Malibu to make its debut in the fall of 2013—the L.A. auto show would be an awfully good bet—before going on sale before the end of the year. Prices won’t increase more than incrementally from the present range, which starts at $22,805. View Photo Gallery

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[Dex]

Competition: Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Passat

good one Chevy.

...Oh, they're serious? This thing looks straight out of 2007. Maybe they'll compete in the fleet market, but I don't see anybody in their right mind taking this over any of the listed competition. As far as USDM goes, I'd take the Fusion over this in a heartbeat. It's fresh and streamline. This thing is bulky and dated looking.

[SCRAPPYDO]

Agreed, it has all the style of a Cinder block

[Scooby921]

Originally Posted by SCRAPPYDO

Agreed, it has all the style of a Cinder block

And still looks better than a Honda or Toyota...

[SCRAPPYDO]

dont know the new accord is awesome and the new camry is pretty well styled.

[Not-EWRX]

How could one even justify this when the Fusion is like a 4 door aston. This looks like every other ****y chev ever built.

[hi5.0]

...but, it has Camaro/C7 Corvette-style tail lights! Instant win. The top brass at GM can rest easy knowing these will be flying off the dealer lots.

[Scooby-Doode]

You know in photos and the initial press releases I loved the styling of this car. However having seen it in person, the front is very nice, the side is plain vanilla, the rear high deck however was a huge turn off. I thought the interior was nice for the segment and different enough to set it apart from the competition.

At least GM is listening to the criticism and taking action.

[Shavenyak]

Who cares? All they need to do is sell it to Enterprise, Hertz, and Budget.