2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx

Introduced in mid-2004 as a variant on the attractive and very adept Malibu sedan, the 5-door Malibu Maxx is one of the most distinctive-looking automobiles sold in North America. A real 5-door hatch in the European idiom, the Maxx combines good looks, practicality, and legendary Chevrolet reliability in a reasonably-priced package tailored to the needs of the American car buyer. Price $21,975 base; Maxx LT: $25,120 Warranty: 3/36,000

The Maxx is somewhat reminiscent of the square-back Oldsmobiles of the 70s. However, unlike the Olds, which only looked like a hatchback, the Maxx is the first true hatchback Chevrolet has built since, well, since the Chevette. Don’t laugh. A lot of people will argue the 5-door Chevette diesel was an automobile decades ahead of its time. It was sure ugly though. Although the Maxx’s looks won’t appeal to every American buyer, the 5-door hatchback body style represents perhaps 90% of the automobiles sold in Europe these days. I think it is particularly attractive from a full-on rear view. Fit and finish are both first rate and rival current offerings from both Europe and the Far East. The dash particularly and the interior generally are leagues better in design and convenience than the General’s previous offerings in this price range. The huge rear hatch opens up and out of the way and the rear seats fold flat to accommodate long and bulky cargo. When cargo space is not needed, you have comfortable seats for four or five people. This style of vehicle seems to me infinitely more practical for average families than an awkward gas-guzzling SUV. I flat loved it and would buy one.

Four large doors and chair high seat cushions make getting in and out of either the front or the rear seats of the Maxx a snap. Both the steering wheel and the foot pedals are adjustable. This makes it easier for people of average dimensions to get comfortable. Equally importantly, with adjustable controls, vertically (or radially) challenged people don’t have to pull the driver’s seat to the full forward position in order to reach the foot pedals, which is a significant safety feature. I appreciated the standard sunroof on my top-of-the-line Maxx LT. Actually there was both a large sunroof over the front seats and what amounts to a fixed skylight over the rear seats. Both combined to fill the spacious interior with light. The German-engineered Epsilon architecture, which is also featured on the Saab 9-3 and the brilliant Opel Signum (sold only in Europe), provides the Maxx with an unmistakable European feel and handling. It transforms the total Maxx driving experience into a distinct pleasure. Of course, the front drive Maxx comes with all manner of convenience electronics (power everything, much of it standard equipment) and state-of-the-art safety features (side-curtain air bags and traction control for example).

A potent new-for-2004 American-built 3.5L 3500 V-6 putting out 200hp and 220 lb-ft of torque comes standard on the Maxx. Power reaches the front drive wheels via a standard 4-speed automatic transmission built in Windsor, ON. Unfortunately, the powerful engine combined with the low first gear produces perceptible torque-steer when the gas pedal is floored. The braking system features longer lasting European-style brake pads that deliver first-rate braking feel and stopping power. Both the front and rear suspension systems make extensive use of aluminum components to reduce unsprung weight. These lighter pieces help to lessen the impact of road irregularities on the body structure thus reducing dreaded noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). The Maxx also uses electric power steering to save weight and complexity. The new system has built-in variable effort and is supposed to eliminate steering stiffness on the extremely cold mornings you get up north and on the high plains of the southwest. It works very well but probably lacks some of the refinement of similar systems found on more expensive automobiles. Which proves once again, you gets what you pays for.

I really have to say I did not appreciate the remote starter kit that came standard on my Maxx LT. It will encourage people to idle their cars excessively in cold weather. 90% of the people who use this device will turn their engines on 10 minutes or more before they get into the car to drive off. This will create local air pollution and is probably illegal in most jurisdictions. Excessive idling is punishable with heavy fines in the European Union. It’s illegal in Canada but the regulations are not broadly enforced. Besides which, a modern automobile is engineered to be driven off within seconds of starting the engine. Idling a cold engine promotes wear throughout the entire drivetrain. Anyway, whoever’s idea this was, I think it stinks. Apart from that, I really liked the Maxx. In fact, I think I even like it more than its sister the Malibu, which I tested earlier. I also like the idea you can get all matter of upmarket luxury and convenience items on a car like the Maxx (eg, OnStar, DVD entertainment system, killer sound, etc) without having to pay upmarket prices for more car than most people really need or even want.