ESCAPE IN THE 2013 MALIBU

By Malcolm Gunn, Wheelbase Media - To be a mid-sized sedan in this day and age means that you actually have to be a lot more than just a mid-sized sedan.

You have to have a super-attractive entry price.  You also have to show that you like clean air, trees and fluffy rabbits romping in fields.  And, you have to be sporty enough for moms and dads who gave up their two-door cars when the stork came calling.  But, since you can't really put all of that together in one car, the Malibu -- and others in this class -- have separate models to take care of a broad buyer base.

Once considered somewhat plain and uninspiring in a rental-fleet sort of way, the Malibu regained its groove for the 2008 model year with sharp styling, thoughtfully designed interior appointments and competent road manners.  The reviews bordered on gushing, sales spiked and the mid-size Chevy was walking proud again.  The new 2013 Malibu has been repurposed for new challenges and increased sedan-class competitiveness.  From top to bottom it's a completely different car, starting with a more rigid platform based on the Opel Insignia (also part of GM).

Exterior dimensions are closely aligned with the out-going Malibu, except for about 11.5 centimetres of shrinkage between the front and rear wheels.  Despite this deficit, most key passenger- and cargo-area measurements, except legroom, have actually increased.  The speedometer and tachometer gauge pods are located in what are clearly Chevrolet Camaro-inspired housings.  As with other recently launched GM sedans, the Malibu comes with 10 standard airbags, including front-knee inflatables.

In short, the 2013 Malibu offers a variety of models to a diverse group of buyers.  Welcome to the modern mid-size sedan.

For buyers with a green streak, the Malibu Eco features a 182-horse 2.4-litre four-cylinder and a special 15-horsepower electric motor/generator that adds "eAssist" via a belt drive during acceleration and passing.  Called a "mild hybrid" because the Malibu Eco cannot run on electric power alone.