2007 Chevy Malibu Review
2007 Chevy Malibu Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Comfortable ride, 3.5-liter V6 provides performance with fuel efficiency, lots of passenger and cargo space, excellent crash test scores, remote-start feature.
Cons
- Bland interior design and materials, mediocre steering and brakes, four-cylinder engine weak for this class, stability control and manual gearbox are not available.
What’s new
On the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu, the front airbags now incorporate "dual-stage" technology, meaning the force of deployment can vary according to the severity of the crash. In addition, the OnStar system now offers "Turn-by-Turn" navigation and the 3.5-liter V6 offers more power via the adoption of variable camshaft timing.
Edmunds says
Although not exciting to look at or drive, the Chevrolet Malibu offers excellent value with its roomy cabin, peppy performance (with either V6) and good fuel economy.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu LS 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 4A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$165/mo for Malibu LS
Malibu LS
vs
$176/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
With the 2007 Malibu, Chevrolet is fielding a competitive entry in the midsize family sedan segment. Though the styling is quirky from some angles, it makes for a space-efficient interior. For instance, the Malibu offers some of the best rear-seat legroom in its class. It's also quite flexible in terms of cargo-carrying capacity -- thanks to a fold-flat front passenger seat and a more common split/folding rear seat, long objects can be carried inside the car.
The Chevy Malibu shares its General Motors "Epsilon" platform with the sporty Saab 9-3, and although not as athletic as the Saab, it's suitable for a wide variety of drivers. Most folks will be happy with the midlevel LT model's peppy yet fuel-efficient 3.5-liter V6, smooth ride quality and respectable handling. The recently introduced Malibu SS provides driving enthusiasts with more athletic handling, better steering feel and snappier performance thanks to the most powerful engine (a 240-horsepower V6) in the lineup.
Overall, Chevy's midsize sedan has the bases covered when it comes to providing what most buyers in this segment want -- affordability, a comfortable ride, respectable performance, a roomy cabin and excellent crash test scores. The 2007 Chevrolet Malibu may not be quite as refined as the class leaders, but with its overall competency and lower purchase price compared to import-brand competitors, it merits serious consideration.
Performance & mpg
The Malibu LS and LT come with a 2.2-liter, four-cylinder engine rated at 144 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. Standard on the LTZ and optional on the LT is a newly revised version of the 3.5-liter V6 that now makes 217 hp and 217 lb-ft of torque. The SS comes with a 3.9-liter V6 good for 240 hp and 241 lb-ft of torque. A four-speed automatic transmission is the sole gearbox, and the SS model features a manual-shift mode. The 3.5-liter V6 is the best choice for most folks, as it offers snappy performance along with impressive fuel economy ratings of 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway.
Safety
Front seat-mounted side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags are optional on the LS and LT, and standard on the LTZ and SS. Chevy equips all V6-powered Malibu sedans with antilock brakes and traction control; otherwise, it's optional. In NHTSA crash testing, the Chevrolet Malibu earned a perfect five stars for front-occupant protection in head-on collisions. In the side-impact test, a Malibu with side airbags received five stars for front-occupant protection and four stars for rear-passenger protection. In frontal offset crash testing conducted by the IIHS, the Malibu earned the top score of "Good," as it did in IIHS side-impact testing, when equipped with side airbags. Without the side airbags, it rated "Poor" in the latter test.
Driving
Power is adequate with the base four-cylinder, but most buyers will want to step up to one of the V6s, both of which offer plenty of torque for merging and passing. A softly tuned but composed suspension gives the Chevy Malibu a smooth ride and predictable handling in the corners. Unfortunately, the car's electric steering ruins the fun by providing too much power assist most of the time. The SS fares much better with its traditional hydraulic power steering and sport-tuned suspension. The front disc/rear drum brakes on the LS and LT perform adequately in traffic, but stopping distances are long for this class. We recommend the four-wheel disc brakes that are optional for the LT and standard on the LTZ and SS.
Interior
The Malibu's space-efficient cabin offers plenty of room all around for four adults and will easily accommodate five if your backseaters are children. The front seats are broad and comfortable, even on long trips, and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel and power-adjustable pedals ensure an ideal driving position. The design is rather bland, and materials quality is about midpack for the segment. Most controls are intuitive and easy to use. Trunk capacity stands at a respectable 15.4 cubic feet and cargo capacity is optimized via the fold-flat front passenger seat and 60/40-split rear seat.
2007 Chevrolet Malibu models
The 2007 Chevrolet Malibu sedan is available in four trim levels: base LS, midlevel LT, luxury LTZ and sporty SS. The LS comes with air conditioning, a CD player, cruise control, a height-adjustable driver seat, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, power windows and mirrors, keyless entry and a 60/40-split folding rear seat. The LT adds remote vehicle start, fancier upholstery, a cargo net, adjustable lumbar support for the driver and an upgraded audio system. With the LTZ, one gets leather seating, a rear spoiler, automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, power-adjustable pedals and OnStar. The SS features 18-inch alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, more supportive sport seats and unique trim. Major options for the Malibu include an in-dash CD changer, satellite radio and a sunroof.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2007 Chevrolet Malibu.
5 star(44%)
4 star(36%)
3 star(13%)
2 star(7%)
1 star(0%)
59 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.13 out of 5 stars
Chevy bought me over with this car
mvozz888, 10/24/2011
2007 Chevrolet Malibu LT 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 4A)
First of all I would like to say that I find it disappointing to read negative reviews on such a marvelous car. Anyone experiencing major engine or trans. issues has probably not serviced their vehicle at regular reccomended intervals.
The 2.2 liter ecotec engine is incredibly economical, though it could use a few more horses.
Before i purchased this car from my father, it had been … used every day as a company car.
My father is a salesman who is on the road daily with considerable amounts of extra cargo weight added.
He was putting 500+ miles on it weekly.
This car has had no issues with engine, transmission, torque conv, etc.
It currently has 105,432 miles and still runs strong.
5 out of 5 stars
I absolutely love my car!
bm231, 10/27/2015
2007 Chevrolet Malibu LS Fleet 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 4A)
I'm a full time college student and live an hour away from school, & I also work 30 minutes away from home. Living in MI, where our winter roads are treacherous and you'd usually buy a vehicle with 4WD. My car has never failed me and has always been 100% reliable, even with a 1 day drive across the nation to FL. The only downer I've experienced is my gas Guage being broken on E.
2 out of 5 stars
This car is a maintenance nightmare
Robert Reed, 02/01/2016
2007 Chevrolet Malibu LT 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
When I look at the comments from the first year of ownership from individuals who bought this vehicle new, I see many good comments. The complains come from individuals as the 2007 Malibu acquires some age and mileage and many, many of the complains are the very same I have experienced. We have replace the intermediate steering wheel shaft three times (this is what causes the rattle … under the dashboard at 45 MPH many owners describe here), we have replaced the $1600 electronic power steering unit (this is a frequent complaint), we replaced a defective oil filter bracket (a 26 year Chevrolet Service Department Manager said this was a very poor design), we have had the issue with the passenger side air bag/seat belt light going off and on that many people describe as well and recently experience the issue with our fuel gauge needle moving up and down, the gas low chime going off and finally it failed the emissions testing in our county in TN because the fuel gauge issue was really due to the fuel sending unit actually in the gas tank that was defective (as well as the fuel pump) and it cost me $700 to have it fixed. While being repaired for that issue I asked my mechanic to determine why the heat had stopped working recently and they found the water pump was leading coolant. Sadly, this car is one of the best looking vehicles I have ever owned, it offers a very comfortable ride and has a great engine with great pickup but the thousands of dollars in repairs I have spent on it will insure I don't by a Chevrolet product when my wife and I buy two new vehicles cash in two years when we retire. My work car is a 2000 Malibu and besides the ignition switch recall, I've never spent any repair money on it except for normal tires, brakes, tune up, routine maintenance items.
5 out of 5 stars
Jim's Chevrolet Malibu
James Pastore, 10/25/2006
2007 Chevrolet Malibu LS 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 4A)
I have read allot about the engine in this car (ecotech) and have heard nothing but good comments about it. I know they have increased the power in this engine to 900 HP for racing, so I believe this engine will work for me. Maybe it will come. However, I presently have allot of power for what I need. It is hard to keep this car at 55 MPH with barely touching the gas pedal. It passes … very easily. It looks great. Runs smooth and quiet. People have asked me what kind of car is it. They are surprised when I tell them it is a Malibu. I presently get 33.8 MPG combined.
2007 Malibu Highlights
LS
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $17,215 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 25 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $165/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 15.4 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Malibu include:
- Alarm
- Post-collision safety system
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintAcceptable
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