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Spotlight: 2017 Chevy Malibu

budds-2017-chevy-malibu

If you’re a fan of the 2017 Chevy Malibu, you’ve likely seen the commercial that demonstrates how far the Malibu has come as a mid-size vehicle since its initial inception.

To review, the ad focuses on a group of people standing around a sedan that’s devoid of any decals or markings that would give away its model or make.

When asked what automaker they suspect made the car, the responses vary from Lexus to BMW to Acura.

As you might imagine, the panel guessed that the car was also priced according to the luxury brands they hypothesized made it.

They were rightfully surprised when the vehicle was revealed to be none other than the Chevy Malibu.

Here’s the commercial if you’d like to see it.

The specific Malibu featured in the advertisement is a 2016, launched in the first year of the vehicle’s ninth generation of development. (And the 2016 was a complete redesign, to boot.)

But the ad might as well be about the 2017 Chevy Malibu too, as it offers the same design style with additional updated features.

Luxury without the price

The bottom line when it comes to the 2017 Chevy Malibu is that, as the participants in the panel suggest, it has the look and feel of a luxury vehicle but without the luxury price.

The affordability of the Malibu has been the primary draw for consumers since production restarted in 1997 after a 14-year hiatus. But now, with the ninth generation of vehicles—and specifically the 2017 model—consumers can get that affordability, comfort, and style all in one.

It’s a big part of why the 2017 model has been receiving rave reviews. For instance, U.S. News ranked it the best mid-size car for families. It has also earned an IIHS top safety pick.

Here’s a closer look at why the 2017 Malibu has become such a darling among consumers in the mid-size sedan class.

budds-chevy-malibu-interiorStyle

You don’t draw comparisons to Lexus, Acura, and BMW without having some serious style—and the Malibu’s got it in spades. Aerodynamic sculpting and sleek LED daytime lamps characterize its grill. On the rear, LED taillights and dual exhaust outlets give the car a sporty feel.

The ninth-generation redesign was a bold one, aiming to make the vehicle larger, yet sleeker at the same time. And while it’s a bigger overall vehicle, it’s actually much lighter—about 125 kg to be exact.This leads to fuel economy savings, which helps the Malibu achieve up to 7.8 liters/100km on the highway.

Under the hood

Another thing that helps the Malibu achieve such a favorable fuel economy for a mid-size sedan is its standard 1.5 litre, 4-cylinder 163-horsepower turbocharged engine. That engine gives the vehicle adequate power without becoming a fuel guzzler.

A 1.8 litre 4-cylinder is available on hybrid models, and a 2 litre, 4-cylinder is offered on higher trim models.

The Malibu comes standard with a 6-speed transmission, though a 9-speed transmission is offered on more high-end trims.

Technology

The 2017 Chevy Malibu comes standard with all the safety and infotainment features you’d expect from a mid-size sedan, but one technological gizmo that was an industry-first with the 2016 model is the Teen Driver feature.

Specifically, Teen Driver compiles vehicle reports for parents. It keeps an eye on safety devices, manages the audio system when seat belts aren’t engaged, and also warns drivers—both audibly and visually—when they’re traveling over pre-set speeds.

It’s kind of like having mom and dad in the car with their teen, a feature that can provide additional peace of mind for parents during a period where they’re bound to be uneasy about their inexperienced child behind the wheel.

Another neat feature, this one on the Hybrid, is the Driver Efficiency Gauge, which helps drivers learn how their driving habits are either improving or hurting their fuel economy.

Have you been thinking of a 2017 Chevy Malibu?

There’s a saying that it’s the exterior that catches your eye, but the interior that sells you. The 2017 Chevy Malibu meets both of these benchmarks with its sleek exterior style and a more spacious cabin jam-packed with features.

The vehicle is available in five different trims—L, LS, 1LT, Premier, and Hybrid. If you’d like to explore them for yourself, stop into Budds’ to test drive a 2017 Malibu—and see for yourself why this car continues to set the standard for mid-size sedans.