1997 Chevrolet Malibu Review & Road Test at Automotive.com
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Chevrolet
Malibu
1997

1997 Chevrolet Malibu Review

Below is a full, detailed review and road test of the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu written by either the experts at New Car Test Drive or by one of Automotive.com's very own. A full evaluation of the driving experience, price, equipment, and specs are here ...     read more
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1997 Chevrolet Malibu Review

The best Chevy sedan yet.
Introduction
It was simple. Chevrolet didn't have a

model to compete with the Ford Contour, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Nissan

Altima and Dodge Stratus. That's a big, lucrative market and a player the

size of Chevrolet has to be in the game. Creating a model that could make

the lineup was not an easy assignment. These are formidable competitors

with good records. Chevrolet would have to hit the proverbial home run

if it was to stay in this component of the midsize game.

Going, going, gone. The Malibu easily clears the center field fence.

The Malibu comes in two competitively priced models. The base Malibu

comes with a 150 horsepower, 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine. The LS uses

a 3.1-liter V6 rated at 155 horsepower. The V6 is an option for the base

car.

A comparably equipped four-cylinder Accord will be in the low $19,000

range, a V-6 Stratus around $20,000, a V-6 Contour also around $20,000,

so the Malibu is priced right.

When speaking about target audience, Chevrolet talks of people in their

mid-30s and 40s looking for quality, safety, reliability, durability, and

practicality. That's a something-for-everybody philosophy that a little

time behind the wheel reveals the Malibu does indeed offer. Next Page


1997 Chevrolet Malibu