Chevrolet Malibu Maxx 2005 Review

On a business trip to one of those rectangular western states, I rented a 2005 Chevy Malibu Maxx. This is a good choice for families.

What It Is

The 2005 Malibu Maxx is a wagon design that looks like a stretched hatchback. The model I rented was equipped with the 3.5-liter 200 hp V6 engine (220 ft-lbs of torque at 3,200 rpm), which I found exceptionally smooth and quiet. The V6 engine is mated to a four-speed automatic transmission, which likewise shifted smoothly during routine driving.

There was a nice array of toys in the Maxx I drove, including alloy wheels, A/C, cruise control, traction control, power windows and locks, a fine-sounding stereo, a nifty information readout in the dashboard, interval wipers (front and rear), tilt steering wheel, automatic headlights and map lights. Overall, the car looked and felt solid.

Accomodations

The 2005 Malibu Maxx has a real back seat with lots of leg room for adults, not to mention growing kids. With the driver's seat positioned where I like it, there was LOTS of room in the back seat. Even cooler is the fact that the rear seats can recline somewhat. Also in back are two non-opening skylights, each with a sunshade. Behind the back seat is a usable cargo space.

Up front are two cloth bucket seats that are firm and moderately bolstered. The seatback felt great to me, with a nice push right where I like it in the lower back. However, the cushion might have been a little too firm for me, and I generally like a firm seat.

Behind the Wheel

The vinyl steering wheel was comfortable to grip but seemed a little further away than I'd like. A nifty information center was located on the stereo. This showed time, outside temperature and a variety of other bits of information. The information readout was hard to see in the sun and almost impossible to see with sunglasses on.

The information center, radio and heater controls are all in the same integrated display, really more buttons than could easily be operated while driving the car. Although the heater and A/C system worked well (and I needed both!), it was tricky to figure out what I wanted to do when I was driving. The ignition key goes into the dashboard instead of the steering column.

The multispeaker stereo system (CD and radio) is one of the best I've ever heard. The sound quality ¾ at least at the levels I listened at ¾ was clean and bright with strong bass.

Visibility out the front is fine but the Maxx's small back window really hampers the view behind the car. I had to look, look again and check one more time when I changed lanes in traffic.

Driving the Maxx

This is a very quiet and smooth car. The speed limit where I drove was 75 MPH in spots and I made a point to drive equal to or greater than the speed limit. At these speeds, the Malibu Maxx was amazingly quiet, with no engine noise, almost no road noise and just a bit of wind noise. There was plenty of power to keep the car at Interstate speeds.

On the debit side, the Maxx's isolated interior mirrored its isolated engine. I've never driven another car that felt so disconnected between the gas pedal and the engine. It was the oddest feeling, kind of like I was controlling the engine in the car in front of me and that car was pulling me along by a stretchy rubber band.

Around town, the Malibu Maxx is a well-mannered family car, capable of being driven to the supermarket and soccer practice without a second thought. On the Interstate, the Maxx felt rather floaty, like GM cars of old.

What will really bring a smile to a family is the gas mileage I experienced: 31 MPG in my 290 miles of driving. I really squeezed the gas in, too, wanting to get an accurate reading.

Summary

The 2005 Malibu Maxx is not the sporty car I expected, despite its edgy looks. Under the metal beats the heart of a family wagon, which is a good thing. If you do battle in the suburban jungle and want something that looks sporty yet serves the needs of a family, I recommend the Maxx.