2016 Chevrolet Malibu Photo Gallery

Chevrolet keeps trying to make its horizontally split grille work. Getting better?

From some angles the Malibu appears smaller than it is. This isn't one of them.

From the front quarter the Malibu appears long, low, and very smooth. Too smooth?

The 2013-2015 Malibu looked much different. Squarer but stronger forms. Fans were few.

The new Kia Optima: not as sleek, but sportier and arguably more upscale.

More muscular fenders help the Chevrolet Impala stand out more in traffic.

The continuously sweeping roof line is the most interesting aspect of the design. Dips low in back.

The Chrysler 200 has a similar shape, but less attractive proportions. Long front overhang.

The Ford Fusion was first with this look. Still the best? Or has Chevrolet taken that honor?

Clean finish.

A lot going on in here. Note stitched and padded trim on the dash face and the sides of the console.

The Kia Optima's interior would seem more severe even in a lighter shade. Audiesque quilted seats.

The Malibu interior in dark cloth instead of light leather. Note pattern on instrument panel trim.

An element too many? Door pull not shaped for grasping.

Much more distinctive than the exterior. The instrument panel wing is cloth in lesser trims.

Most controls are well designed. But the manual gear selector is in the same awful place as before.

More comfortable than the driver seat in the Optima, despite the lack of quilting.

The back seat is now competitive, but still not among the best.

Trunk about average for the class. But no grab handle on the inside of the lid.

The forte of the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine is effortless acceleration.