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Chevrolet Malibu Maxx amounts to a four-door hatchback sedan
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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SAN ANTONIO, Tex. -- What new model stretches the structure from an elongated wheelbase, puts a six-pack powerplant below the hood and installs seats for five in a spacious cabin with four side doors for passengers and a hatchback gate at the tail for hauling a load of gear?
In Chevrolet's 2004 line it's the Malibu Maxx.
Think of Maxx as a comfortable four-door similar to the redesigned Malibu sedan, only the wheelbase gets more inches in length to add space to the rear of the cabin and there's a cascading back door in hatchback format for easy access to the cargo bay.
That tail gate makes Maxx a four-door hatchback, which is an emerging trend in car design for 2004.
And Maxx functions as a multi-task hauler of people as well as all their gear.
Malibu's wheelbase gains an additional six inches in length in the stretch and that adds room with cabin space expanding to 106 cubic feet.
Then Maxx gets a back bench that slides almost seven inches fore and aft to vary the space for people and goods -- and increase backseat legroom to 41 inches.
The back of the right front bucket folds forward to form a flat horizontal surface, and backs of the rear bench, divided into two sections of 40/60 percent, also fold on the same plane.
Long cargo items like 2x4 lumber, a rolled up rug perhaps or pairs of skis can be stacked on top of these folded seats and extended from the dashboard rearward to the trunk's back bulkhead.
Cargo room amounts to almost 23 cubic feet -- twice the space in the trunk of a typical mid-size sedan.
In the back bay Maxx stocks a power outlet and a multi-functional panel that fits in four different positions for stacking cargo in twin tiers.
The panel also functions as a tabletop that's useful for tailgate picnics.
Hooks are provided for cinching small articles in the bay, with nets on side walls to corral more small stuff.
And there's plenty of light flowing into the bay, due to a standard glass skylight mounted above the back seat.
A skylight shade, split in half and retractable, can be operated by a rider on either side of the seat.
Up front, the driver sits in a form-fitting bucket with a floor console at the center spot.
Large round analog gauges dot the dashboard instrument cluster and every Maxx stocks a steering wheel with tilt/telescope movement, power windows and locks and mirrors, plus power height control for the driver's seat.
The exterior design looks cool with sophisticated sculpting of body panels in a progressive, modern statement.
Maxx's prow dips slinks low to the point of a linear grille punctuated by oversized multi-lens headlamp clusters that wrap around the front corners.
Flanks are relatively smooth but flat in chiseled format and the roofline extends beyond rear doors to the top edge of the hatchback door before descending to a brief tail deck that falls off in blunt fashion to the back bumper.
Platform for Malibu Maxx is the GM Epsilon structure also employed for Malibu's sedan.
Wheelbase runs long at 112.3 inches and the track is wide -- 60.0 inches up front and 60.2 inches in back.
The Epsilon brings world-class chassis dynamics that set up superior handling traits. It's stiff in structure with a firm suspension at work and quick-to-turn steering.
Suspension consists of independent MacPherson struts up front with a four-link independent unit at the rear.
The rack and pinion steering system employs electric power with variable assist.
Brakes display a disc at every wheel with power assistance plus connection to an anti-lock brake system (ABS) with dynamic rear proportioning (DBP) and traction control system (TCS).
Additional standard safety equipment includes dual-stage inflation of two frontal air bags for the driver and front-seat passenger.
In the power department, Maxx packs a surprising punch.
The 3500 series V6 engine from The General displaces 3.5 liters from an iron block with aluminum cylinder heads and overhead valvetrain.
Output runs to 200 hp at 5400 rpm and as much as 220 lb-ft of torque at 3200 rpm, with fuel economy figures of 23 mpg in town and 32 mpg for highway cruising.
The plant ties to GM's electronic automatic four-speed Hydra-Matic 4T45-E transmission, a smooth and quiet shifter.
And it comes with a clever shift-it-yourself button set on the side of the shifter stalk.
Pull the lever down to Low and you can work through gears one, two and three by simply pressing the shift button with a thumb.
We love the precise control that shift button brings to an automatic transmission.
Our seat time in Malibu Maxx takes place during a day of tests on city streets, suburban multi-lanes and winding country roads in the vicinity of San Antonio, Tex.
On Loop 1604, the San Antonio beltway, we push pedal to the metal to experience the top range of Maxx's power, with ample strength on tap for confident moves when passing.
On Scenic Loop Road in Helotes we ply the steering wheel to test the agility of Maxx in a twisty set of curves winding through Texas hills. And it hangs in a tight line enhanced by the grip of front rubber and a compliant suspension that maintains a flat stance around all bends.
Malibu Maxx comes in a pair of trims -- LS and LX -- each with a long list of standard equipment.
A factory-installed remote starter package appears on the list of options, along with curtain-style air bags, heated front seats, an in-dash CD changer for six discs, DVD-based video entertainment system for backseat riders with seven-inch LCD screen, OnStar telecommunications and the XM satellite radio service.
Chevrolet couples Maxx with a $21,600 MSRP for LS trim and $24,110 for LT -- plus a delivery fee of $625.
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX Specs |
| Description: |
Mid-size 5-door hatchback sedan
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| Model Options: |
Mid-size 5-door hatchback sedan
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| Wheelbase: |
112.3 inches
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| Overall Length: |
187.8 inches
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| Engine Size: |
OHV 3.5-L V6
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| Transmission: |
Auto/4 4T45-E
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| Drive: |
Front
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| Braking: |
Power 4-disc
ABS/DBP/TCS
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| Airbags: |
2 (front)
+ opt. 4 (side curtain)
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| Gas Mileage: |
V6: 23/32 mpg
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| Price: |
Maxx LS: $ 21,600, Maxx LT: $ 24,110 |
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