| Model year | 2010 |
| Make | Chevrolet |
| Model | Malibu |
| Style | LT1 |
| Base MSRP | $23,435 |
| Options on test vehicle | None |
| As-tested MSRP | $23,435 |
| Drive type | Front-wheel Drive |
| Engine type | 2.4-liter inline-4 |
| Displacement (cc/cu-in) | 2,384cc (145 cu-in) |
| Block/head material | Aluminum/aluminum |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing |
| Compression ratio (x:1) | 10.4 |
| Redline (rpm) | 6,500 |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm) | 169 @ 6,400 |
| Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) | 160 @ 4,500 |
| Fuel type | 87-octane recommended |
| Transmission type | Six-speed automatic and column shifter and steering-wheel-mounted paddles |
| Transmission and axle ratios (x:1) | I: 4.48; II: 2.87; III: 1.84; IV: 1.41; V: 1.00; VI: 0.74; R: 2.88; Final Drive: 2.77 |
| Suspension, front | Independent MacPherson struts, coil springs, stabilizer bar |
| Suspension, rear | Independent multilink, coil springs, twin-tube dampers, stabilizer bar |
| Steering type | Electric-assist, speed-proportional rack-and-pinion power steering |
| Steering ratio (x:1) | 16.4 |
| Tire brand | Firestone |
| Tire model | FR710 |
| Tire type | All-season, low-rolling resistance |
| Tire size, front | P215/55 R17 935 |
| Tire size, rear | P215/55 R17 935 |
| Wheel size | 17 inches |
| Wheel material | Stamped steel with plastic-chrome hubcaps |
| Brakes, front | 11.7-inch one-piece ventilated cast-iron discs with single-piston sliding calipers |
| Brakes, rear | 10.9-inch one-piece solid cast-iron discs with single-piston sliding calipers |
| Acceleration, 0-30 mph (sec.) | 3.2 |
| 0-45 mph (sec.) | 5.7 |
| 0-60 mph (sec.) | 9.1 |
| 0-75 mph (sec.) | 13.6 |
| 1/4-mile (sec. @ mph) | 16.7 @ 83.6 |
| 0-60 with 1 foot of rollout (sec.) | 8.8 |
| Braking, 30-0 mph (ft.) | 33 |
| 60-0 mph (ft.) | 133 |
| Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) | 64.4 |
| Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) | 0.75 |
| Sound level @ idle (dB) | 40.9 |
| @ Full throttle (dB) | 71.9 |
| @ 70 mph cruise (dB) | 68.8 |
| Acceleration comments | No real means of making a significant difference in acceleration here. Brake torque gains marginal time. Manual shifting doesn't improve the time because automatic shifts come at redline anyway. Best run in "D." |
| Braking rating | Average |
| Braking comments | Soft, low-effort pedal, but still relatively consistent. Brakes are working, however, as they smelled during our test sequence. |
| Handling rating | Average |
| Handling comments | Skid pad: Utterly feel-free steering; dead, numb. No weight, effort buildup or feel. What's the front end doing? Slalom: Response and manners are on par for the class, but numb steering hurt overall impression and, more importantly, confidence as the limit approaches. |
| Elevation (ft.) | 1,121 |
| Temperature (°F) | 67 |
| Relative humidity (%) | 70 |
| Wind (mph, direction) | 5.0, tail and crosswind |
| EPA fuel economy (mpg) | 22 city/33 highway/26 combined |
| Fuel tank capacity (U.S. gal.) | 16 |
| Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.) | 3,436 |
| Curb weight, as tested (lbs.) | 3,428 |
| Weight distribution, as tested, f/r (%) | 60.5/39.5 |
| Length (in.) | 191.8 |
| Width (in.) | 70.3 |
| Height (in.) | 57.1 |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 112.3 |
| Track, front (in.) | 59.6 |
| Track, rear (in.) | 60.0 |
| Turning circle (ft.) | 40.4 |
| Legroom, front (in.) | 42.2 |
| Legroom, rear (in.) | 37.6 |
| Headroom, front (in.) | 39.4 |
| Headroom, rear (in.) | 37.2 |
| Shoulder room, front (in.) | 55.9 |
| Shoulder room, rear (in.) | 53.9 |
| Seating capacity | 5 |
| Cargo volume (cu-ft) | 15.1 |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain | 5 years/100,000 miles |
| Corrosion | 6 years/100,000 miles |
| Roadside assistance | 5 years/100,000 miles |
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