2007 Chevy Malibu Review






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Edmunds' Expert Review
- Comfortable ride, 3.5-liter V6 provides performance with fuel efficiency, lots of passenger and cargo space, excellent crash test scores, remote-start feature.
- 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.
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.
Most helpful consumer reviews
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
- 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
- Side Impact TestGood
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintAcceptable
- IIHS Small Overlap Front TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front TestGood
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Used 2007 Chevrolet Malibu Overview
The Used 2007 Chevrolet Malibu is offered in the following submodels: Malibu Sedan. Available styles include LS 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 4A), LT 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A), LTZ 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A), SS 4dr Sedan (3.9L 6cyl 4A), LT 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 4A), LS Fleet 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A), and LS Fleet 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 4A). Pre-owned Chevrolet Malibu models are available with a 2.2 L-liter gas engine or a 3.5 L-liter gas engine, with output up to 217 hp, depending on engine type. The Used 2007 Chevrolet Malibu comes with front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 4-speed automatic. The Used 2007 Chevrolet Malibu comes with a 3 yr./ 36000 mi. basic warranty, a 5 yr./ 100000 mi. roadside warranty, and a 5 yr./ 100000 mi. powertrain warranty.
What's a good price on a Used 2007 Chevrolet Malibu?
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, VA. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
Which used 2007 Chevrolet Malibus are available in my area?
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Should I lease or buy a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
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