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The 2010 Malibu has three trim levels: LS, LT, and LTZ. All models come with a 169-hp, 2.4-liter E85-compatible four-cylinder engine as standard equipment. The LS includes a four-speed automatic transmission. The LT and LTZ include a six-speed automatic transmission. Optional on the LT and LTZ is a 252-hp, 3.6-liter V6, matched with a six-speed automatic. The Malibu comes with standard safety features such as seat-mounted thorax airbags, side-curtain airbags, stability control, traction control, and anti-lock brakes. Bluetooth is standard on the LTZ, optional on the LT. New for 2010, driver power lumbar is standard on all trims.

This latest Malibu mirrors the dressy exterior styling of several mega-bucks German touring sedans, while the fit and finish of body parts, the precise consistency of seams as body panels merge, also compares keenly to German cars. The stylish treatment carries over to the interior design of the Malibu, as the cabin looks handsome and deploys deluxe materials to cover dash, doors and seats.

The Malibu’s unibody platform features a long wheelbase and wide track with world-class chassis dynamics to set up its superior handling traits. A fully independent suspension features MacPherson struts with aluminum L-shaped control arms up front with a four-link rear suspension. V6-models like our LTZ tester get a slighter larger rear sway bar as well.

The exterior of this car is terrific.  The exterior is sleek, handsome, and much fitter and hipper than the old Malibu. The headlights have a great design to them and the dual port Chevrolet grille works well on the front end.  The panel gaps are all ridiculously tight!

Like the exterior the interior is sharp looking. It’s good in that it’s a creative design using contrasting colours and materials; the basic black is broken up with swathes of colour and aluminum-look plastic, and it does break up the humdrum. There were some nice touches inside: soft, teal mood lighting, a USB connector on the stereo (though, its removable rubber cover would be lost in a week), a cavernous centre console box and big, comfy, leather seats that are electrically adjustable. The leather seats looked great and were supportive.  The fit and finish was terrific just like the exterior.  The top of the dash has soft touch material (lesser trim models do not feature soft touch material).  The wood is definitely fake.  The upgraded Bose branded sound system sounded fine but not mind blowing.  A USB port was on the head unit and connected to my iPhone quickly without an issue.  The front seat backs are scooped out to increase rear seat leg/knee room.  The automatic climate control is simple to use and the radio is the General Motors black tie unit.  Overall the interior looked nice but I know the materials fall slightly in the lower trim models.

2010 Chevrolet Malibu Performance & Efficiency Standard Features

   

- 2,384 cc 2.4 liters in-line 4 front engine with 88.0 mm bore, 98.0 mm stroke, 10.4 compression ratio, double overhead cam, variable valve timing/camshaft and four valves per cylinder LE5

- Unleaded fuel 87

- Multi-point injection fuel system

- 16.0 gallon main unleaded fuel tank 13.3

- Power: 126 kW , 169 HP SAE @ 6,400 rpm; 160 ft lb , 217 Nm @ 4,500 rpm

Most will appreciate the Malibu for its overall practical serviceability however, and to that end it’s an excellent family mother ship, ideal for transporting everyone in quick, quiet comfort, not to mention safety. Replete with all the usual standard airbags up front, plus thorax and curtain-types down each side, as well as standard four-wheel discs with anti-lock, plus traction and stability control to make sure those airbags are less likely to ever be needed, the Malibu will protect your family well.

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• Revolutionary planetary gear system boasts 8,000 pounds
• Intuitive design ensures a simple, hassle-free installation
• Galvanized aircraft cable with replaceable hook
• Includes wired remote control, roller fairlead, and hook
• Tested under extreme conditions

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The Ford Flex crossover was introduced last year with one engine, a 3.5-liter V6, which puts out 262-hp at 6250 rpm and 248 ft-lbs of torque at 4000 rpm. It has adequate power and gets a very respectable 16 mpg city, and 22 mpg highway, in the all-wheel-drive version. This year, Ford is offering the optional EcoBoost 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6, which puts out a strong 355-hp at 5700 rpm and 350 ft-lbs of torque at only 3500 rpm. And despite the added power, the gas mileage is exactly the same as the non-aspirated engine, although I actually managed to get 24 mpg highway. Plus, it takes non-premium fuel. If Ford had used a V8 to get the same horsepower and torque numbers, it probably would have cut gas mileage by 25 to 30 percent. So the EcoBoost lives up to it’s name.

All Flex models send power through a six-speed automatic gearbox.  When powered by the EcoBoost V6, Flex is equipped with a six-speed SelectShift Automatic transmission.  This advanced gearbox offers you a choice between fully automatic operation and manual control. 

The EcoBoost equipped Flex also comes standard with Ford’s new electric power assist steering (EPAS) system that gives a great feel for the road, is boosted just right for parking lot maneuvering, and safely getting around slower city traffic.

When you open the doors of the Flex EcoBoost Limited you see oversized seats, real wood trim on the leather-wrapped steering wheel, dashboard and doors with plenty of chrome trim wrapped around the instrument cluster, inside the steering wheel, air-vents and controls for the aluminum-faced center stack.  The tilting/telescoping steering wheel feels perfect in your hands and contains buttons for the audio system and cruise control. The wide leather-trimmed seats have white contrast stitching for another luxury touch.  The driver gets 10-way power adjustments and front the passenger seat is 6-way power adjustable.

You also get power windows/door locks, self-dimming rearview mirror, tri-zone electronic climate control with rear fan/thermostat for second/third row seats with round air-vents located on the headliner, power adjustable pedals, power opening/closing rear hatch, ambient lighting, dual map lamps, dual illuminated vanity mirrors, HomeLink garage door opener, grab handles above each passenger door, HID headlamps, foglamps, Vista Panorama skylights with power operated front sunroof, two smaller glass panels above the second-row seats and a wider single glass panel above the third-row seats that let in the light or have manual shades to block the sun when needed, keyless entry, dual power/heated remote sideview mirrors, rear windshield wiper/washer/defogger, memory for two drivers for the seats/sideview mirrors, rear cargo net, power pedals, thick cut-pile carpeting/floor mats, Ford SYNC with Traffic, Directions and information leverages industry-leading voice-recognition software, integrated GPS technology, and a customer’s Bluetooth-capable mobile phone, Sony surround sound AM-FM-CD audio system, SIRIUS satellite radio, active park assist using sensors on the front and rear of the vehicle that work in conjunction with the EPAS system to guide you into a parking space, and a reverse camera system that displays the area behind the Flex in the rearview mirror if you don’t have the navigation system, when the Flex is shifted into reverse.

The 2010 Ford Flex’s EcoBoost engine serves up big power while not blowing it on fuel economy. The Ford Sync system is still the best way to integrate MP3 players and cell phones. Optional navigation includes traffic, weather, and fuel prices.

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