2010 Malibu

Stylish design; comfortable ride; powerful V6; fuel efficiency

The 2010 Chevrolet Malibu comes in three different trim levels--LS, LT, and LTZ. Standard on each model is a 169-hp, 2.4L 4-cylinder engine, which can now run on an E85 ethanol/gasoline blend. A 252-hp, 3.6L V6 with variable valve timing is optional on the LT and LTZ trims. Four-cylinder LS and LT models get a 4-speed automatic transmission, though a 6-speed automatic is optional on the LT and standard on the LTZ. With the 4-cylinder engine, the Malibu achieves respectable fuel-efficiency ratings of 22 mpg city, 30 mpg highway.

Inside and out, the Malibu's lines are modern and attractive, with great attention to detail. The flowing instrument panel forms a "dual cockpit" design. LTZ models get front fog lamps and attention-getting LED rear lamps.

With its 4-wheel independent suspension and either 17- or 18-inch wheels, the Malibu offers a smooth ride and sporty handling response, due to a standard rear stabilizer bar. Four-cylinder models have electric variable-assist power steering, while V6 models have hydraulic power steering.

Interiors in LS and LT Malibus are cloth, while the LTZ offers standard leather seating. Gauges are displayed with distinctive blue backlighting. Available ambient lighting backlights the center console and door pulls, and the overhead console in LTZ models bathes the center console area with LED light.

All Malibu models, including the base LS, come quite well equipped, with cruise control, remote keyless entry, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, and an MP3-compatible CD audio system. Top LTZ models include heated front seats, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, a 6-CD stereo and a remote starter system. XM satellite radio is available on all Malibus. A power sunroof is optional across the range, and the upgraded stereo is optional on LS and LT models.

Front passenger airbags, head-curtain side airbags covering front and rear outboard seats, and seat-mounted thorax-protecting air bags are standard for all models. Additionally StabiliTrak electronic stability control is standard across the Malibu range, and it incorporates brake assist and traction control.

GM's OnStar system is standard on all Malibu models.

Value

Chevrolet's 2010 Malibu has established itself as stylish, comfortable, safe and reliable transportation for a family concerned about low initial cost and low running costs. With plenty of standard convenience and safety features, crisp handling and an array of powertrain options from fuel-sipping to pedal-mashing, the Malibu puts plenty of excitement into the Chevrolet lineup.

Changes

The biggest news for the 2010 Malibu is that Chevrolet has dropped the Malibu Hybrid from its lineup. In the rest of the Malibu model range, a power-adjustable lumbar support is now standard, a 6-speed transmission is standard on the 4-cylinder LT, and the power mirror switches have been relocated to the door armrest. The 2.4-liter Ecotec engine now includes E85 FlexFuel capability.

New colors include White Diamond, Taupe Gray Metallic and Mocha Steel Metallic, while several colors have been dropped.

ENTERTAINMENT

• Audio system, AM/FM stereo with CD player and MP3 playback seek-and-scan, digital clock, auto-tone control, Radio Data System (RDS), automatic volume, TheftLock, auxiliary input jack and cross-band presets

• Audio system feature, 6-speaker system

• XM Radio is standard on more than 50 2010 GM models, including three trial months of service. XM turns your world on with commercial-free music channels for virtually every music genre, all in amazing digital quality sound. Turn on your favorite sports, the biggest names in News, Talk and Comedy, family programming, exclusive concerts and original music series, wherever you go from coast to coast. Everything worth listening to is now on XM. (XM service available only in the 48 contiguous United States and the District of Columbia. XM Radio subscription required and sold separately after trial period. Fees, taxes, and a one-time re-activation fee, may apply. Subscriptions governed by XM Customer Agreement available at xmradio.com. All fees and programming subject to change. Family programming Packages are available.)

SAFETY

• StabiliTrak, stability control system with brake assist, includes Traction Control

• Daytime Running Lamps

• Air bags, dual-stage frontal, and thorax side-impact, driver and front passenger, and head curtain side-impact, front and rear outboard seating positions includes Passenger Sensing System (Head curtain side air bags are designed to help reduce the risk of head and neck injuries to front and rear seat occupants on the near side of certain side-impact collisions. Always use safety belts and the correct child restraints for your child's age and size. Even in vehicles equipped with air bags and the Passenger Sensing System, children are safer when properly secured in a rear seat. Never place a rear-facing infant restraint in the front seat of any vehicle equipped with an active frontal air bag. See the vehicle's Owner's Manual and child safety seat instructions for more safety information.)

• OnStar, 1-year of Directions and Connections plan. Includes Automatic Crash Response, Emergency Services, Crisis Assist, Stolen Vehicle Assistance, Remote Door Unlock, Roadside Assistance, Remote Horn and Lights, innovative easy to use Turn-by-Turn Navigation with OnStar eNav (where available), Hands Free Calling, OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics, and Low Mileage Discount (OnStar services require vehicle electrical system (including battery), wireless service and GPS satellite signals to be available and operating for features to function properly. OnStar acts as a link to existing emergency service providers. Turn-by-Turn Navigation requires ABS and Directions and Connections plan. Not available in certain areas. Visit onstar.com for coverage map. Vehicle Diagnostics capabilities vary by model. Remote door unlock success varies with conditions. Ability to locate stolen vehicles varies with conditions. Subscription Service Agreement required. Call 1-888-4ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827) or visit onstar.com for OnStar's Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy and details and system limitations.)

• Safety belts, 3-point, all seating positions includes front seat pretensioners

• LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Top tethers for CHildren) for child safety seats

• Door locks, rear child security

• Trunk emergency release handle

• Tire Pressure Monitor

MECHANICAL

• Engine, ECOTEC 2.4L DOHC, 16-valve, 4-cylinder Variable Valve Timing MFI uses gasoline only (169 hp [126.0 kW] @ 6400 rpm, 160 lb-ft of torque [216.0 N-m] @ 4500 rpm) (Standard for Retail order types in all states. Standard for Fleet or Government order types ordering YF5 or NE1 emissions. Not available for Fleet or Government order types in Federal emissions states.)

• Transmission, 4-speed automatic electronically controlled with overdrive

• Front wheel drive

• Battery, maintenance-free with rundown protection

• Suspension, 4-wheel independent

• Steering, Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist

• Brakes, 4-wheel antilock, 4-wheel disc

INTERIOR

• Seats, front bucket with Custom Cloth reclining seatbacks and adjustable outboard head restraints

• Seat, rear 60/40 split-folding seatback

• Seat adjuster, driver power vertical height

• Seat adjuster, driver power lumbar control

• Console, floor with floor shifter, integral sliding armrest and dual storage compartment

• Steering column, tilt and telescopic

• Steering wheel, 3-spoke with mounted cruise controls

• Instrumentation, analog with speedometer, engine temperature, fuel, tachometer and PRNDL

• Driver Information Center with driver customization, warning messages and vehicle information including outside temperature display, trip odometer and programmable menu functions

• Windows, power with driver Express-Down and rear passenger lockout

• Door locks, power programmable with lockout protection and delayed locking

• Remote Keyless Entry, enhanced range

• Cruise control, electronic with set and resume speed

• Trunk release, power, interior

• Theft-deterrent alarm system, content theft alarm

• Theft-deterrent system, vehicle, PASS-Key III+

• Air conditioning, single-zone manual

• Defogger, rear-window electric

• Cup holders, dual front and rear

• Power outlets, 2 auxiliary

• Mirror, inside rearview manual day/night

• Visors, driver and front passenger vanity mirrors, covered

• Lighting, interior with front reading lights

• Map pockets, driver and front passenger seatbacks

EXTERIOR

• Wheels, 17" (43.2 cm) fascia spoke (Painted Sterling Silver trim)

• Tires, P225/50R17 touring, blackwall

• Tire sealant and inflator kit in place of spare tire (Deleted when (ZFH) compact spare tire is ordered.)

• Fascia, front body-color

• Fascia, rear body-color with chrome license plate bezel

• Moldings, body-color rocker

• Grille, Black with chrome surround

• Headlamps, halogen composite with crystalline-like lenses and automatic exterior lamp control

• Tail lamps, incandescent

• Mirrors, outside power-adjustable Black, manual-folding

• Glass, acoustic, laminated

• Glass, Solar-Ray light-tinted

• Window trim, bright, side

• Wipers, front intermittent, variable, speed-sensitive

• Door handles, body-color

Engine

• Engine Order Code: LE5
• Engine Type: Gas 4-Cyl
• Displacement: 2.4L/146.5
• Fuel System: MFI
• SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM: 169 @ 6400
• SAE Net Torque @ RPM: 160 @ 4500

Transmission

• Drivetrain: Front Wheel Drive
• Trans Order Code: MN5
• Trans Type: 4
• Trans Description Cont.: Automatic w/OD
• First Gear Ratio (:1): 2.95
• Second Gear Ratio (:1): 1.62
• Third Gear Ratio (:1): 1.00
• Fourth Gear Ratio (:1): 0.68
• Reverse Ratio (:1): 2.14
• Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1): 3.91

Mileage

• Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG): 25
• EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG): 22
• EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG): 30

Electrical

• Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary): - TBD -
• Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps): - TBD -

Cooling System

• Total Cooling System Capacity (qts): 7.5

Weight Information

• Base Curb Weight (lbs): 3415

Trailering

Suspension

• Suspension Type - Front: MacPherson Strut
• Suspension Type - Rear: 4-Link Independent
• Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm): - TBD -
• Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm): - TBD -
• Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in): 0.87
• Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in): 0.75

Brakes

• Brake Type: Pwr
• Brake ABS System: 4-Wheel
• Disc - Front (Yes or ): Yes
• Disc - Rear (Yes or ): Yes
• Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in): 11.65 x - TBD -
• Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in): 10.87 x - TBD -

Tires

• Front Tire Order Code: - TBD -
• Rear Tire Order Code: - TBD -
• Spare Tire Order Code: - TBD -
• Front Tire Size: P225/50R17
• Rear Tire Size: P225/50R17
• Spare Tire Size: - TBD -

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size (in): 17 x - TBD -
• Rear Wheel Size (in): 17 x - TBD -
• Spare Wheel Size (in): - TBD -
• Front Wheel Material: Steel
• Rear Wheel Material: Steel
• Spare Wheel Material: - TBD -

Steering

• Steering Type: Electric Pwr
• Steering Ratio (:1), Overall: 16.4
• Lock to Lock Turns (Steering): 2.7
• Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft): 40.4
• Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft): - TBD -

Fuel Tank

• Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal): 16

Exterior Dimensions

• Wheelbase (in): 112.3
• Length, Overall (in): 191.8
• Width, Max w/o mirrors (in): 70.3
• Height, Overall (in): 57.1
• Track Width, Front (in): 59.6
• Track Width, Rear (in): 60.0
• Min Ground Clearance (in): - TBD -
• Liftover Height (in): - TBD -

Cargo Area Dimensions

• Trunk Volume (ft³): 15.1

Interior Dimensions

• Passenger Capacity: 5
• Passenger Volume (ft³): 97.7
• Front Head Room (in): 39.4
• Front Leg Room (in): 42.2
• Front Shoulder Room (in): 55.9
• Front Hip Room (in): 53.0
• Second Head Room (in): 37.2
• Second Leg Room (in): 37.6
• Second Shoulder Room (in): 53.9
• Second Hip Room (in): 52.1

Summary

• Vehicle Name: Malibu
• Body Style: 4 Door Sedan