
Chevrolet "MALIBU" is known as "Malibu" in Chinese. Malibu The full name of Malibu is Chevrolet Malibu, which is a mid-to-high-end car born from General Motors and shares the same origin as the Buick "Double Jun" series. On February 15, 2012, the Chevrolet Malibu officially entered the domestic market, with a total of 5 models launched. Product features: The 2018 Malibu is equipped with a 1.5T top-mounted direct-injection turbo engine and a 6-speed automatic DSS intelligent start-stop transmission, adopting Chevrolet's new unified tail badge naming, and adding the 530T Fashion Edition model.

The Chevrolet Malibu is a classic mid-size sedan under General Motors. My father used to drive the second generation. It was originally introduced as a muscle car in 1964, and later in 2008, the eighth-generation model became a global strategic vehicle. The currently available ninth-generation Malibu XL in China is nearly five meters long and comes with two powertrain options: 1.5T and 2.0T. This car sells exceptionally well in the U.S., holding a status similar to our Accord and Camry, with durability and reliability being its hallmarks. However, it seems production was discontinued in China last year, so buying one now would require looking for used car sources.

I've previously researched the specs of this car. The 9th-gen Malibu XL has a length of 4933mm and a wheelbase of 2829mm, typical for a B-segment sedan. The 1.5T version with 169 horsepower is sufficient for daily use, while the 2.0T's 237 horsepower paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission delivers more excitement. Safety features are quite comprehensive, including six airbags and blind spot monitoring. In terms of fuel consumption, the 1.5T averages around 7L/100km, and the 2.0T about 8.5L/100km. The chassis tuning leans towards sportiness, offering better cornering support compared to Japanese cars in the same class. Currently, 2016-2018 models in the used car market can be acquired for approximately 80,000 to 120,000 yuan.

This car is named Malibu XL in the domestic market, which is actually an extended version of the eighth-generation overseas model. When SAIC-GM localized it in 2016, they increased the wheelbase by 91mm, instantly making the rear seating space more spacious than the Passat. The most interesting part is its naming—Malibu is actually the name of a coastal city in California, and the taillights are designed to resemble ocean waves. The current model features Chevrolet's new family face, with split headlights and a black emblem, giving it a sharp look. Unfortunately, production was discontinued last April, and during the final inventory clearance, the 2.0T model was priced around 150,000 yuan, even cheaper than the Civic.

Young friends would probably love its Redline version, with the all-black exterior looking super cool. I test-drove the top-end 2.0T model, and the 237 horsepower delivers noticeable acceleration push. The 9AT gearbox shifts much smoother than the old 6AT. The 8-inch touchscreen on the dashboard supports CarPlay, though there's a bit too much plastic trim. The most surprising part is the trunk - 520 liters of capacity that can even fit ski equipment. Maintenance isn't expensive either, with minor services costing just over 500 yuan, similar to a Sagitar. For those who love tinkering, there are tons of aftermarket parts on Taobao - installing an exhaust for a sporty sound is particularly flashy.


