The Chevrolet Malibu is a legendary nameplate in my mind. I cut my teeth on dad’s bland, beige 1982 Chevy Malibu Classic station wagon. Not exactly cool, but as a 16-year-old from a small town, it was my ticket to freedom and happiness. Like a boat, it was big and bulky with a soft, supple ride. Reliable and tough, it could withstand weekend outings jam-packed with friends, shopping sprees to Buffalo and Toronto, and the occasional ding and scratch. Thankfully, Chevy has shed the Malibu’s boring, old image of the past and transformed it into something new and exciting for 2008. The completely redesigned Chevy Malibu is a dependable, attractive sedan that could give its key competitors - the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord - a run for its money. The base Malibu LS starts at an impressive price - only $22,995. It tops out with the LTZ at $33,610. A gas-electric hybrid is new to the family; it costs $26,995. It’s the first hybrid car in Chevy’s lineup and one of the cheapest on the market. But even the base LS trim is well-equipped for its frugal price. It comes with standard features such as remote keyless entry, air conditioning, cruise control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering column and power windows, doors, and locks.

My tester, an LTZ, adds power-adjustable pedals, heated front seats, an AM/ FM radio with six-disc CD changer, MP3 player, a 210-watt, eight-speaker sound system with speed-compensated volume control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with cruise and audio controls and a remote vehicle start system. The remote start is a fantastic feature that lets you fire up the engine and warm up your car on a cold winter’s day, from the comfort of your home, by simply touching a few buttons on the key fob. My LTZ tester also dons 18-inch ultra-bright aluminum wheels, power heated outside mirrors, chrome door handles, LED tail lamps and stainless steel exhaust with dual chrome tips. From the front, a new dual-port silver-mesh grille features chrome surrounds and a body-coloured bar. The fog lights add a nice touch. Sharp angles, attractive flowing lines, and exterior Red Jewel paint mix well to create a well-proportioned, athletic stance.

The LTZ’s interior is surprisingly posh. The reclining front bucket seats are covered in two-tone leather trim. The colour scheme on my tester, cocoa and cashmere (a.k.a. dark chocolate and beige) with satin nickel interior accents, is a bit overwhelming at first, but you quickly get used to it. The power-adjustable front seats are large and cozy. The driver’s seat moves eight ways; while the passenger seat adjusts six ways. I love the heated front seats, but don’t like the location of the switches - they’re hidden in the outside seat corners, which is hard to see, especially at night. The rear seats offer sufficient head, leg and shoulder room for three passengers. A large, thin steering wheel reminds me of those found on older cars like my dad’s 1982 Chevy Malibu.

Blue ambient lighting on the instrument panel gauges is easy on the eyes and complements the overhead LED lights above the centre stack nicely. The driver information centre displays useful stats such as estimated fuel economy, exterior temperature and oil life remaining on the vehicle. XM satellite radio with no commercials is an added bonus; it’s free for the first three months. Innovative storage compartments include a bin on top of the centre stack, which is ideal for hiding CDs and cellphones. Covered cup holders keep the cabin looking clean and neat. The cargo area is also deep and ample with 428 litres of space. The 60/40-split folding rear seat provides extra room, if needed. The Malibu LTZ is powered by a 3.6-litre V-6 engine with 252 horsepower and 251 lb-ft of torque. A new six-speed automatic transmission is mated to the engine. Paddle shifters are mounted on the steering wheel for manual-like driving, although I’m not particularly fond of them.

The Malibu is not as nimble as a Honda Accord, but it’s still pleasant. The vehicle feels heavy and there’s some throttle delay, off the line. At cruising highway speeds, it’s very comfortable and quiet in the cabin. The fuel economy is rated at 12.2 litres/100 km in the city and 7.8 on the highway. I averaged 12.1 litres/100 km combined highway and city driving. Regular fuel is required. There are plenty of standard safety features, too, including six airbags (dual-stage frontal airbags, front seat-mounted thorax side-impact air bags and head curtain side-impact air bags), four-wheel disc brakes with a four-wheel anti-lock braking system, OnStar in-vehicle communications and assistance service, and a theft deterrent system with electronic immobilizer. Extras on my tester include a power sunroof ($1,195), premium paint ($385) and a rear power centre and rear window shade ($325), which adds privacy and protection from the sun’s strong rays.