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2006 Chevrolet Malibu Review
Driving personality in a midsize sedan or Maxx.
2006 Malibu Review Summary & Specifications
The Chevrolet Malibu has a solid driving personality, a nice ride, a quiet, and a comfortable cabin. The Malibu Maxx is an attractive alternative with its liftgate, adjustable rear seating and some of the versatility of a small SUV, all in a package no larger than a mid-size sedan. And the new, more powerful V6 in the SS is a welcome addition.NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Tom Lankard filed this report from Northern California.
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| Vehicle Category | Midsize Cars |
| Editor | Tom Lankard |
| Model Lineup | Chevrolet Malibu LS ($17,365); LT ($18,725); LTZ ($24,205); SS ($23,865): Maxx LT ($21,025); Maxx LTZ ($24,755); Maxx SS ($24,065) |
| Engines (standard) | 3.9-liter ohv 12-valve V6 |
| Engines (optional) | 144-hp 2.2-liter dohc 16v inline-4; 201-hp 3.5-liter ohv 12v V6; 240-hp 3.9-liter ohv 12v V6 |
| Transmissions (standard) | 4-speed automatic with sport-shift |
| Transmissions (optional) | 4-speed automatic; 4-speed automatic with sport-shift |
| Safety Equipment (standard) | dual-stage frontal airbags; LATCH universal child seats anchors; seatbelt pretensioners |
| Safety Equipment (optional) | ABS with traction control; front seat-mounted side-impact airbags, front and rear side curtain airbags |
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Assembled In | Kansas City, Kansas |
| Manufacturer Phone | 800-950-2438 |
| Manufacturer URL | www.chevrolet.com |
| Base Price MSRP | 17365 |
| Model Tested MSRP | Chevrolet Malibu Maxx SS ($24,065) |
| Standard Equipment | automatic climate control; leather seats; heated front seats; 6-way power driver's seat with manual lumbar adjustment; leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel with steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls; front and rear reading lights; remote vehicle start and keyless entry; two illuminated vanity mirrors in front; fog lamps; manually foldable, power and heated outside rearview mirrors; power windows, door locks and outside mirrors; cruise control; tilt/telescoping steering column; power adjustable pedals; six-speaker stereo with RDS; rear-seat audio controls with two wireless headphones; front and rear seat carpeted floor mats; cargo net |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) | XM Satellite Radio with three-month trial subscription ($325) |
| Destination Charge | 625 |
| Gas Guzzler Tax | |
| Price as Tested | 25015 |
| Layout | front-wheel drive |
| Horse Power | 240 @ 6000 |
| Torque | 241 @ 2800 |
| Fuel Economy | 18/26 |
| Wheelbase | 112.3 |
| Length/Width/Height | 187.8/69.9/58.1 |
| Track Front/Rear | |
| Turning Radius | 41.4 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room | 39.4/53.5/41.9 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room | 39.4/52.4/41.0 |
| Trunk Volume | 41.0 |
| Payload | |
| Towing Capacity | not recommended |
| Front Suspension | independent, MacPherson coil-over-strut (gas pressurized), anti-roll bar |
| Rear Suspension | independent, 4-link, coil springs, twin-tube shock, anti-roll bar |
| Ground Clearance | 6.1 |
| Curb Weight | 3620 |
| Stock Tires | P225/50R18 all-season |
| Brakes Front/Rear | vented disc/disc w ABS |
| Fuel Capacity | 16.3 |
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