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First Impressions of the Chevrolet Malibu for 1997

A high point in the sedan market is the Chevrolet Malibu. In 1997 Chevrolet rolled out an upgraded version of the Malibu with two versions: LS and Base. Sales for the Malibu, especially the Malibu LS, were brisk during 1997 and 1998. The improved reliability and the updated styling were responsible for the increased interest.

Stop and Go

The restyled Malibu LS is equipped with a 3.1-liter six-cylinder engine that utilizes 12 valves. The Chevrolet engine is mated to a General Motors four-speed transaxle. This has resulted in an increase in horsepower and torque over the 1996 version.

The front brakes are disc while the rear brakes are drum. Steering is handled through a power-steering rack-style configuration. The Malibu uses power-assisted brakes, with 4-Wheel ABS support. Load balancing is provided by coil front springs and coil in the rear.

Statistics

The Malibu is 190.40 inches long, 69.40 inches wide, and 56.40 inches high. It has a wheelbase of 107.00 inches. It is able to seat 5 comfortably.

The original manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) was $15,470 when new, with a dealer invoice cost of $14,155. This price was in line with the industry average price for a 4-door Sedan.

Fuel Efficiency

The fuel system for the 1997 Malibu is a SFI design, using gasoline fuel. The fuel flow is controlled by a electronic system and is a fuel-injected MFI design. The fuel capacity of the fuel tank is 15.20 gallons.

The 1997 Malibu gets 29 miles/gallon on the highway and only 20 in the city. This is below average for a sedan car.

Parting Shots

The 1996 model began the promise of the Chevrolet Malibu. The 1997 expanded on this success and has proven to be a strong seller in most markets. Even with strong competition from other manufacturers Chevrolet hopes that the Malibu LS will continue to be a profitable vehicle.