Body style: Wagon (station wagon, estate, combi, touring)
Segment: Medium
Production years: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Designed as a vehicle fit for any salesman, adequate for any family that couldn't afford an expensive station wagon, or a money-maker for a car rental company, the 2003 Malibu Maxx was a badge-engineering done good example.
Chevrolet developed the Epsilon platform together with Fiat, thus resulting in the European Opel/Vauxhall Vectra, the Italian Fiat Croma, and the Pontiac G6. But GM needed a more affordable vehicle that could sell in high numbers to fleet owners, including car-rental companies. For that, the bow-tie brand made the Malibu Maxx. A car that was a far cry from the original 1964 Malibu.
At the front, the grille was split in two by a horizontal slat that sported the bow-tie badge. In its first two years, that was chromed, but after 2006 Chevrolet dropped that, favoring a body-colored one. Its look resembled the European Vectra C, yet there were different quarter panels and fenders. The added, rack-forward D-pillar at the back made the car look like a mix between a station wagon and a hatchback. It wasn't a design to write home about it.
Chevrolet made the Malibu in a few trim levels, starting with a basic version featuring mediocre plastic panels and amenities. It was the kind of vehicle preferred by salespeople and rental companies. Still, it could be a handy family car thanks to its low running costs. In addition, thanks to its split-folding rear bench fit for three, the Malibu Maxx impressed with its massive trunk space.
Under the hood, GM installed the 2.2-liter gasoline engine for the base trim level but didn't forget to offer an SS version powered by a punchy, 3.9-liter V6.
ENGINE SPECS - 3.5L V6 4AT (203 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V6 |
Displacement: | 3500 cm3 |
Power: | 149 KW @ 5400 RPM 203 HP @ 5400 RPM 200 BHP @ 5400 RPM |
Torque: | 220 lb-ft @ 3200 RPM 298 Nm @ 3200 RPM |
Fuel System: | Electronic Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 16.4 gallons (62.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 124 mph (200 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 8 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 215/60/R16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 187.8 in (4770 mm) |
Width: | 69.8 in (1773 mm) |
Height: | 58.1 in (1476 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 60/60.2 in (1,524/1,529 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 112.3 in (2852 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 6.1 in (155 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 40.6 cuFT (1150 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3459.6 lbs (1569 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 23.1 mpg US (10.2 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 31.8 mpg US (7.4 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 27 mpg US (8.7 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 3.9L V6 4AT (243 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V6 |
Displacement: | 3790 cm3 |
Power: | 178.7 KW @ 5200 RPM 243 HP @ 5200 RPM 240 BHP @ 5200 RPM |
Torque: | 240 lb-ft @ 2800 RPM 326 Nm @ 2800 RPM |
Fuel System: | Turbocharged Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 16.4 gallons (62.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 124 mph (200 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 8 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 215/60/R16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 187.8 in (4770 mm) |
Width: | 69.8 in (1773 mm) |
Height: | 58.1 in (1476 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 60/60.2 in (1,524/1,529 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 112.3 in (2852 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 6.1 in (155 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 40.6 cuFT (1150 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3459.6 lbs (1569 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 18 mpg US (13.1 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 25.8 mpg US (9.1 L/100Km) |