Used 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx Consumer Reviews
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Maxwell
Very pleased with the car to this point. Drives and rides smoothly around town. Just back from a weekend 600 mile trip and the car performed well at all speeds up to 75. Negatives are the cruise control speed which varies too much. Also, they need to do something with the catch on the rear moon roof visors which will suddenly retract when a window is opened while the car is moving.
Great Car
I love this car!! I can haul items I could not haul in a sedan. I have had this car full to the brim with potting soil and bark mulch, flats of flowers and there was still room for a bit more. I drive a lot of highway miles and I am always very comfortable with the seating and access to the controls. It handles great.
- LS 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $9,999184 mi away
- LS 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $4,400533 mi away
- LT 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $5,000574 mi away
2004 maxx a good step forward
A nice translation of the SAAB "EPISLON" platform into a new USA Hatchback, the Maxx is a well executed "extended sedan" that is a good family hauler or freeway cruiser. It did well in crash tests, handles rough roads with aplomb, accelerates well without guzzling gas, and has better fit and finish than many more expensive cars. Some cheapness in the rear trim, a poor cruise control, seats that are too narrow in back, and other first year misses keep it from knocking off Honda or Toyota just yet. But probably one of the best medium size cars out there.
Sweet Ride
This car caught my eye the moment I walked into the showroom. Different looking and sleek. Looked spacious enough. After shoppomg around for a few hours I settled on the Maxx LS. What a great choice. Handles nicely.
only 20 miles so far, but...
No long-term info here. I just bought this car. I had been waiting forever to GM to make a reasonably priced sporty wagon with AWD. Although the MAXX isn't particularly sporty and only has FWD, I couldnt wait any longer. I had a sports car before, so in comparison the ride and handling are very "cushy," but I am quickly getting used to that! I thought I got a lot of options for the price. The fit and finish are nice and the interior is very roomy. The car's outward appearance makes it a "sleeper. I think this is a flexible car that has features and utility that would be great for anyone.
Brand New Malibu Maxx
I waited 3 months for the Maxx to be launched and love the cool features! I wasn't sure about driving a mid size sedan after a convertible but it is a lot of fun to drive - a perfect choice. My son loves the moon roof over the back seat and likes to recline the seat on long rides. I like that he has the legroom and doesn't kick me fidgeting to get comfortable.
A great switch from an SUV
My wife and I decided it was time to trade in our SUV. After looking a little we spotted the MAXX. It was a great alternative to an SUV due to the large storage space in the rear and better MPG. We would highly recommend this car to any family. Only wish we would have gotten the optional DVD player for our child.
How to fix headrest
Just wanted to let people know that I was not going to purchase this car because of the front headrest being so far forward until I realized that the back headrests don't reach as far forward. I just switched the front and the rear headrests and the problem was solved. Hope this idea helps others out. Too few miles to review the rest of the car.
Love it, love it
Very adaptable for whatever use you need at the time. Much more space to pack things in than you first think. Very smooth and pretty fuel efficient for 6 cylinders. GM has come a long way and has greatly surpassed all other N. American manufacturers. Tougher times for Ford and Chrysler
Maximum Maxxx
I've had my Maxx 2 months now and have 6,000 miles on it, so this is an update review. The car is still a gem-- handles well, gets great gas mileage, and the engineering is suburb. I get comments from everyone about how they like the look of it and they love the green color. I like that it's a trouble- free car with all the features the "better" cars have... at a great price. I'm doing more 'round-town driving' now, and the car performs as well as it did on the long vacation trip. This car has it all!!!
Great buy!
We bought this car in Apr '05 as a left over '04 model. Got a great price on a vehicle loaded with features. Car has been trouble free and still looks and runs like new as we aproach 45000 miles. We couldn't be happier.
Maxx
This vehicle rides well and has plenty of leg room in the front as well as the rear. Handles well and I feel the ride is very good. The heated seats are a plus on cold days. The automatic start should be standard on all cars, as it is extremily convenient. The only thing is the hatchback closing. You have to excert force to make sure it is latched. The computerize display is really good, but the back lighting could be improved, not very bright. All in all I consider it one of the better cars I have owned.
Buy it with your eyes closed, so good
I just love this car. Packed with unbelievable features, it is a luxury at an affordable price.
malibu maxx
This is a very peppy car with the 3.5L 6 cycle engine, you step on the gas and it means business. Comfortable driving with all the buttons at your fingertips.
not bad
I have had this car for 4 days and the the steering shaft has already gone bad, but other than that I really love this car. Not much room in the back, but the kids love it the back seats adjust. couldn't ask for a better car...
Not Too Bad!?
We have had a couple problems we have had to replace the wiper switch, all the rubber window moldings, and now the temp gauge is stuck on cold and the electric fan runs all the time. We traded in a 2000 volkswagen jetta that was a lemon i hope this is not going to be the same thing.?
Great Vehicle
Why aren't there more on the road? This car offers you everything for a reasonable price. I have the top of the line LT and can not think of an option that I still would want; heated seats, tilt & telescoping steering wheel, remote start (which I can never live without again!) power moonroof, etc. It has plenty of pep and handles and rides great. It has enough cargo room to move a student to college. The only gripes are the intrusive "A" pillars and lousy OEM tires and brake rotors. Other than that, people are missing out on the Maxx revolution!
Very Impressive
I agree that the front headrests are to far forward. Try this, pull them off and turn them backward, worked for me. Getting 21MPG in city 32MPG on long freeway trip. Very confortable and quiet. MPG on trip meter is sometimes right on but usually optimistic, it is annoying that it changes in large incriments(goes from 30.8 to 31.7 in one step). 'Range to empty' actually leaves almost 2 gallons in the tank. Only annoyance is that the rear skylite shades will snap open, especially when the plactic holding the shade gets hot and flexes. Scares my 5 year old.
I love this car!
I bought my Malibu Maxx used with 80,000 miles on it. Since I have owned the car I have put over 60,000 miles on it and I have had no major problems except one. The transmission was burnt up because of a mechanics failure to properly exchange the fluid and I had to replace the transmission. Other than that this car has been a cherry. I have done some work on the car and added on a few features to make the performance and look of the car better. The Malibu Maxx is a great car and perfect for road trips, hauling loads, and comfortably seating five people.
Well Designed Auto
Strong features include: Comfortable seats--both front and rear; smooth and well controlled ride; relatively little lean cornering at 65-75 mph on the freeway; smooth automatic transmission; good low and middle range torque; good gas mileage; responsive stearing;
It's Maxximum Love
I've only had the Maxx for a couple of weeks, but so far it's lived up to every expectation. The interior is comfortable and well thought out. The seat, steering and pedal adjustments mean that anyone, including my 4'9" wife can find a comfortable position. The engine has plenty of power and the brakes are great. Even the electric steering that I had heard such terrible things about provides ease in parking and decent feel on the highway. I love the bells and whistles like the automatic climate control, automatic light control, the XM radio and OnStar. I think that the General has finally given us a winner!
To the Maxx!
Have now driven 2500 maxx-miles. Car came in perfect condition and no faults or flaws have shown up. Continued to discover features. GM has trumped the competition, including honda and toyota. The quality of design and materials is unsurpassed, and the price is a tremendous bargain for what you get. Edmunds has totally missed figuring out that the maxx really is an EXTENDED SEDAN like Chevy is advertising and not a "large wagon" like they have classified it. What is unique about maxx is that it provides so much comfort for four or five people. In that regard it is like a compact limo.
Great Alternative to SUV
I bought this vechicle to fill my need for a family vechicle which would could do some hauling. In the past, I had chosen a variety of SUVs & pickups to meet this need. Great vechicle for hauling people and stuff if you don't need 4wd. Fairly good mpg, lots of space, considerably cheaper than an SUV of similar size. Overall a great alternative to an SUV if you don't need 4wd. I chose this over a Equinox, Escape, CRV, Liberty, and several other small/mid-size suvs as it has almost as much space, is considerably cheaper, gets better MPG, and offers features (telescoping wheel and movable petals) that no one else has. I am 6'3" and my wife is 5' and we can both drive this car.
It's fun again
Bought the LT loaded and it's hard to believe this is a Chevy. With much research, I got more bang for the buck in this automobile than I could get with Mitsu, Nissan, Honda,VW or Chrysler. It is put together well, responsive (although no rubber burner) and comes with important safety features like the side air curtains.
It's about time, big bang for the buck.
If you want good power and very good fuel economy look no further. This is a very comfortable vehicle to drive smooth and quiet. It is suprising that the Malibu is the quietest car GM makes? Go figure is is quieter than any of the currently available Cadillacs. Safety was a concern of mine but all the data thus far seems to indicate that this is a very safe car. I was driving a Honda Accord EX before this car which was a great car, but I think Chevrolet has been trying for years to measure up to Honda and Toyota and has never been able to get the job done until now. Now they have the better car inside and out.
Maxx car for Mini price
The Maxx is fun to drive. It's peppy, and the steering is sensitive, even though it's front wheel drive. I got a lot of options for a relatively low sticker price. As for the interior, I like that almost everything in the drivers space is adjustable, including the pedals. The leather seats are really soft and are texturized with little breathable holes that keep the leather from getting sticky and hot. I like the Maxx's unique design (built on Saab platform) and its safety features.
Watch Out for Safety Issues
I have had this vehicle in the shop 10 times in last year. Rear hatch leaked and took two trips to repair. Front seat broke due to faulty seat metal. Now the steering has major issues that Chevy says their aware of but can't fixed. Mine locked up from stop position with wheels turned to right. During right turns your driver's side front end sounds like it is coming out the hood and floor board. Steering makes terrible sounds while turning. Braking at 50 mph and above the vehicle front end shakes violently. I have paper from GM service that brakes are OK. Don't by this car used. It is unsafe.
Even used, a great car
We bought the 2004 Maxx with about 34,000 miles and actually have put less than average mileage since. However, the car continues to please with excellent performance, amazing mileage for a 6 cyl engine and good interior ergonomics. The front end design is the primary downside; the new Chevy front end styling (see 2008 Malibu) would really set this car off. I'll be in need of a new car soon (this one's my wife's) so I wish Chevy would wise up and produce the Maxx for the current Malibu lineup.
Sleeper Chevy
Just picked up the car. Roughly 500 mi on it now. It has excellent power with great fuel economy. We got the LT loaded with nearly every option including DVD. The kids love it. (My daughter especially likes the "warm bottom seats", my son the DVD) This car is a "sleeper". Kind of boring on the outside but absolutely packed with every possible feature on the inside. The Malibu will be my wife's car. She believes it has all the features of her previous Honda Accord with none of the negatives. She is also more concerned with function over style and in pure functionality this car shines well above the others in the mid-size "pack"
Finally...wow
We researched and read for almost 3 months, trying to find a CAR that could do what our S-10 did but be able to haul 4 REAL people when not hauling cargo. Hello Maxx! Leather, automatic climate controls, remote start, adjustable pedals. I feel like a million bucks when I'm driving this car. I, for one, like the styling of the Maxx, it's just perfect. I'm still trying to get use to a car who's front hood is visible when driving but I like the beefy look of it and, in my humble opinion, the back end is just plain sexy. Four big doors for easy entry/exit, the sliding rear seats and very appreciated center rear arm rest are fantastic.
Love This Car
Am a "mature" woman & love the sporty look. People are always asking "what car is that?" Handles well and have taken several short trips (300miles) and me & a passenger have been comfortable. Love the hatchback-lots of room and easy to load & unload. Headrests are a bother-rearview obstructed-will try switching with back ones as someone has suggested. Fold down rear & passenger seat a plus. My son & daughter even enjoy driving it!
A good car!
I bought my Malibu Maxx used and I have had it for a little over a year now. It has done great in the winter and I love the power it has when I hit the gas. It is practical and all my friends want me to drive with it whenever we go out. Also with a cold air intake, the gas mileage and performance is a lot better then most cars.
Great Car
I have owned the car new since Feb. 2004. Have very few mechanical issues and have loved everything about it. Very comfortable road car and great power for a 6 cyl. MPG has been great, take it on road trips often and the AVG. MPG is almost 31 in and out of town (I don't reset the avg very often. Actually tried buying another new one two years ago but for some reason GM doesn't build them any more. Great family vehicle for the kids, and with the hatch and fold down seats (front and rear) turns into a "truck" when I need one. Only issue I have had is with the electronic steering (Saab) and have had it repaired.
I Am Happy
Gas mileage has been as advertised, 22 mpg in town and 31 on highway in 2 months/2000 miles with the Maxx. The adjustable pedals and telescoping wheel were necessary with my 6'2" frame. Driving the Maxx is much more enjoyable than my previous minivan.
Service Issues
It was all fun until... 3 Recalls, Power steering failure, issues with the Air Bags and 2 visits to dealerships while I was on vacation!! ARGH!
Best vehicle in its class
After driving this vehicle in a climate prone to ice, snow and rain, for the last two years and 55,000 mi., I can only express my gratitude to Chevy for building such a safe, reliable, incredibly responsive, ultra fuel efficient vehicle. It has the pep and style of a sports car, the handling of a formula 1, and the gas economy of a sub compact. The AVG. fuel efficiency has been consistently 28 MPG city and 32 MPG HWY. It has the comfort of a Caddy, the roomiest rear seat around, the horse power of a mini Corvette, and a unique style that says " classy chassis." The price is right and the many options are all 21st century.
Maxx LT is awesome
A very fun and fast car. The console makes the front tight but the leg room is great in the front and back.
Love it so far
I started researching vehicles about 6 months ago. I thought I had my heart set on a Pontiac Vibe until I drove it. I was driving a 1990 Toyota Cressida (now my daughter's car) and the Vibe was a step down from that ride, noise, features & comfort wise. Also test drove Honda CRV, Toyota Rav and the new Dodge Magnum. The Malibu Maxx was on my list but didn't think it would be a keeper until I drove it. Went on vacation to Colorado the first week I had it, did great on gas even in the mountains and using the A/C, kids loved the DVD player and made the trip more pleasant, husband has even approved of my purchase.
Best Hatchback made
Car is fast as hell, plenty of room, remote start, dvd package.. everyone I know loves it
Maxx is fun and zippy
I'm having a ball driving this head- turner. I traded my 2003 Trailblazer because of its bad gas mileage in-town and highway (never better than 16-18 mpg). The 2004 Malibu Maxx LT has met all my expectations--it really does get 32 mpg on the highway and it really hauls! I am having run zipping around town and sieze any opportunity for a road trip. Love the roomy interior with space for me and four friends and the cargo room is exceptional for a midsize car. Get one and get fun!
Awesome car
Awesome car with many features. 3 sunroofs, tap-shift, remote start, and more.
Maximum Maxx
Just returned from a 4,000 mile vacation in this car. Gas mileage was better than expected-- especially in the hilly terrain of Pennsylvania and Virginia-- 36 MPG! Plenty of pick-up climbing hills and passing. Still cannot believe all the adjustments on this vehicle. I can customize almost everything to my own liking. Comfortable long drive, with driver's lumbar support and adjustable seats. Love the features on the steering wheel; can maneuver everything with your thumbs without taking eyes off the road.Could fit a lot of cargo and still be able to see through back window.
malibu review
great car, lots of room, great rear sun roof, fun to drive
Hits most of the high notes
I wanted to junk the SUV but didn't want to give up on versitility. The Maxx was a perfect compromise. Easy access to the rear, thanks to the wide doors and movable rear seats, and the cargo area has plenty of room - I even stowed a 7'-0" Christmas tree with my toddler in the back seat and my wife in the front seat - with the hatch down!!! The car handles well but I kinda miss the turning radius of the SUV. I thought I'd feel uncomfortable sitting lower but not at all - now I can get out of the way faster... Overall, I'm very pleased, and as a friend of mine said - I can't beleive this is a Chevy....
First day 700 miles
Love this car. After having 2003 Buick RVD for months (which I hated mainly cause it was so underpowered & never got great gas mileage) amd Acura MDX for 2 years and Lexus RX300 for 2 years, never thought I would spend as little as $24,000 (plus 0 percent financing) for a car with all of the features I need. Drove 700 miles in first day, averaged 28.5 per gallon which is pretty good for a brand new vehicle
I love It!
I have had my car for 2 years now and I really love the style and the way it drives. I've only had 1 mishap with my car and that was with the automatic light system. I ran out my battery by leaving my car on and forgetting about the lights. That has been my only mishap.
Great Product, GM is doing it right!
My Maxx is a great car. Smooth ride, comfortable, and quick with great mileage, Much better than the imports I drove. Why would any one consider a forigen car? This car is really a winner. I drive 75 miles each day to and from work, and I enjoy the drive.
Maxx is the maxx
The new Malibu Maxx is innovative and performs great. It offers a smooth ride with all the bells and whistles. Great car for the price.
One month, 600+ miles later
When I 1st saw the Maxx at the Auto Show, I thought it was intriguing but I never thought Id own a Chevy. After 600+ miles (since my 20-mile review), my opinion has only improved. The car is very cute appearance-wise. Gas mileage is decent: 24 mpg (driving almost exclusively on suburban surface streets). The easy handling is growing on me. The car does a good job of shutting out road noise and has a very smooth ride. The doors and hatch need to be closed with a bit of force, though. The die-hard sports-car aficionados I know turn up their noses at my car, but people who appreciate fun, comfort, and convenience love it!
Enjoyable
I've had my Maxx for over a year. I love the power and on a 3000 mile road trip the mileage was as good as my old Honda Accord. Overall it's a great car. I think I would've gotten a better deal if I'd waited until it was on the market a while longer. Minor problems include the rear sunshades snapping, rear passenger window 'bumping' when you open it, and the front passenger often hits the heat button for the seat on entry (not fun in the summer). Occasional hesitation on start up happened a lot at first (the dealer claimed it's Chevy thing) and a recent problem with the wipers.