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| The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. |
I had just begun my career as a professional TireKicker (automotive journalist) when Chevrolet announced it was bringing back the Malibu. The name,
first used in 1964 for the top-of-the-line midsize Chevelle, was retired in 1983 and replaced by
the now-unloved, unmissed Corsica. Needless to say, as a child of the 60s and 70s, I was excited...until I saw
the 1997 Malibu. If ever a car was destined to be seen more often at airport rental car lots than in the driveways of actual car-buying people, the '97 Malibu was it.
Each generation of the Malibu since has been an attempt to crawl out of that hole and make a car that Americans would choose to spend their hard-earned money on instead of a
Toyota Camry,
Honda Accord, Nissan Altima,
Mazda 6,
Subaru Legacy,
Hyundai Sonata,
Kia Optima,
Ford Fusion or
Chrysler 200.
It appears the fifth time could be a charm.
