2016 Chevrolet Malibu: More Tech, More Space, Less Weight

Chevrolet’s Malibu has just undergone its most substantial redesign in perhaps the nameplate’s history. The all-new model, which debuts this week at the 2015 New York Auto Show, the nameplate’s ninth generation, is not only larger than its predecessor, it’s also packed with more technology and yet it weighs close to 300 pounds less.

The key is the car’s E2XX platform; it’s one of General Motors Company’s [NYSE:GM] four core platforms and is destined to underpin a host of models sold under every brand except Cadillac. Designed virtually from the ground up to deliver more efficiency, connectivity and advanced safety features than ever, the E2XX platform is what allowed the 2016 Malibu to grow while still losing weight.

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Designers stretched the wheelbase by 3.6 inches, resulting in a 2.3-inch increase in overall length. Width remains the same as before at 73.0 inches, but the hood and cowl are lower, giving the car an impressive stance. The increase in wheelbase has led to more space inside, especially at the rear which now benefits from an extra 1.3 inches of legroom. The weight savings, meanwhile, have been brought about mostly from the use of high-strength steel in the car’s construction.

The exterior has clearly been influenced by the latest Impala but the look is far more expressive, and it has to be, now that every automaker from Kia to Toyota is shooting for drama in what was formerly a drama-free zone. Inside, the Malibu has dropped the twin-binnacle, tiered look, striking out with a more conventional shape that's far more unified and appealing. Premium touches include wrapped-surfaces and large displays.

Just as impressive as the exterior is what’s under the hood. The Malibu sticks with a trio of four-cylinder engine offerings, and the hybrid option is back, this time with a drivetrain derived from that of the 2016 Chevy Volt. The smallest engine is a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder good for 160 horsepower. Spinning the front wheels only, via a six-speed auto, it promises up to 37 mpg highway.