2003 CHEVROLET Malibu Sedan 3.5L V6 4AT FWD (203 HP)

Vehicle Overview

The Malibu nameplate had its origins in 1964 when it was a top trim level for the Chevelle, but that was long gone. So by 2003, when Chevrolet introduced the sixth generation of it, it was already just a mid-size vehicle built mostly for fleet owners.

General Motors looks like it didn’t want to spend too much on the development of the 2004 Malibu. Thus, it used the Epsilon platform shared with the European Opel/Vauxhall Vectra, the Italian Fiat Croma, and the Pontiac G6. Even though it was available with some unique versions, such as the SS.

Malibu’s problem was not exactly that GM didn’t want to spend too much on its development, but it showed that through the car’s bland design. 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, and yet, there were different quarter panels and fenders. The wide trunk lid featured the third stoplight, which was another budget-friendly solution.

Chevrolet made the Malibu in a few trim levels, starting with a very basic version that featured mediocre plastic panels and basic amenities. It was the kind of vehicle preferred by salespeople and rental companies. Still, it could be a very useful family car thanks to its low running costs. Moreover, it offered a large enough trunk for a cross-country trip.

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.