Maxx-ium luxury

Louis Chevrolet would not recognize the car I tested last week that bears his name. In 1911, when the first Chevrolet went into production, there was no such thing as automatic air conditioning, automatic four-speed transmissions, or automatic power windows. Even the famous Chevrolet bow-tie emblem, the inspiration of Chevrolet's partner, William Durant, would not appear for another two years. (Durant saw the design in a French wallpaper pattern.) Durant had previously founded General Motors, but then lost control of it. Meanwhile, Chevrolet built a race car based on a Buick and earned a reputation in racing. The two teamed up to manufacture what would become the best-selling car brand in the world.

My Malibu Maxx has little in common with its distant cousin. While the original Chevy Classic Six was little more than an open-air, horseless buggy, my test vehicle was festooned with a remote-start, 205-horsepower V-6 engine, a hatchback configuration for easy loading, a spacious interior with reclining rear seats, an array of safety features, and an impressive CD sound system.

There are two Malibus -- the sedan and the Maxx, a five-door hatchback with SUV-like qualities. The Maxx is part sedan, part SUV. It performs like a sedan, but it has reclining, sliding, foldable second-row seating and an available rear entertainment center. Chevrolet is hoping the midsize Maxx will attract some import sedan and wagon buyers, and indeed, it's based on GM's Epsilon platform that is shared with the Saab 9-3. To further tempt import shoppers, the Maxx offers a roomy interior with a fixed rear skylight to give the cabin an airy feel. Lightweight, perforated sun screens pull out of recessed pockets to block the sun on warm days. I particularly enjoyed the roomy rear seats faced with soft, perforated leather. The legroom was exemplary for a mid-size vehicle, and the fold-down center armrest was an unexpected luxury.

Speaking of luxury, the Maxx is trying hard to compete in the upscale market, although it is priced like a typical midsize. My sample LT model had a window sticker price of $26,650, but a current GM promotional price has it pegged at just $21,709 -- and that's for a well-equipped LT model with automatic transmission; anti-lock brakes; front, side, and head air bags; automatic headlamps; leather; rear audio controls with wireless headphones; power adjustable pedals; remote entry; remote start and telescoping/tilting steering wheel. I haven't seen a better-equipped vehicle at this price in a long time.

The Maxx is available in two different trim levels -- LS and LT. The LS is very well equipped with the features most buyers want, but the LT adds luxury features like a remote vehicle starter, front heated leather seats, automatic climate control, foglights and heated outside mirrors. Options include an in-dash CD changer, satellite radio, separate rear audio controls, a rear-seat DVD player and OnStar. Every Maxx is equipped with a V-6 engine coupled to a four-speed automatic transmission.

Our group of three test drivers (ranging in height up to six-foot-four) enjoyed plenty of head, shoulder and legroom in the front and rear seats. The 60/40-split rear seat reclines and offers seven inches of fore/aft travel. Cargo capacity behind the rear seats measures 22.8 cubic feet, and a parcel shelf keeps valuables hidden from curious eyes. The cabin is attractively laid out, featuring a tasteful two-tone decor with faux wood trim accents. The front seatback folds flat for carrying extra-long objects.

Driving Impressions

Since the Malibu Maxx shares its mechanicals with the agile Saab 9-3, you would expect it to be a good performer, and you would be right. The electric-assist power steering helped mask the front-wheel torque steer that appears during hard acceleration when the steering wheel is turned slightly off-center. (Electric-assist power steering eliminates the traditional hydraulic system and improves fuel mileage.) Although the Maxx's V-6 horsepower rating might seem limited when compared to the competition, its generous low-end torque and final gear ratio made it feel more powerful than its numbers suggest. As I've said before in this column, vehicle weight, gearing and torque are as important as horsepower. The Maxx weighs about the same as a Mazda 6 sport wagon, or a Mercury Sable wagon, but is four hundred pounds lighter than a Dodge Magnum wagon. (In fairness, the Magnum is 10 inches longer and has five cubic feet more luggage capacity than the Chevy.) Maxx sits on a four-wheel independent suspension, and the ride is quiet, well controlled, and plush without being mushy. The exterior styling is modern, but conservative, with the sharp edges that are the rage today. Louis Chevrolet would be proud.

Steve Robertson of Robertson's Creative Photography is a car enthusiast and former staff writer/photographer for the Southeast Missourian. Contact him at sjr1@robertsonsphotography.com.