2000 Chevrolet Malibu Touring W/nav.sys

Vehicle Overview, , , The front-wheel-drive Malibu is Chevrolet's No. 2 passenger car in sales behind the Cavalier, and will take on more responsibility as the brand's only midsize entry. The Lumina, a larger midsize sedan, will be in production at least until the end of the calendar year 2000. A V-6 engine becomes standard as Malibu's most notable change this year., , Oldsmobile formerly offered a version of this car as the Cutlass, but it was dropped at the end of the 1999 model year., , Exterior, A new grille and badging give the front a fresh appearance, and the LS model gains new 15-inch aluminum wheels, but otherwise this is the same middle-of-the-road design that debuted in 1997. Available only in four-door styling, the Malibu is 190 inches bumper to bumper, an inch or so longer than the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, two of its key rivals., , Interior, Bucket seats are standard and a front bench is not available. Malibu's spacious rear seat has more legroom than the Lumina. The split rear seatback folds to expand the trunk's already generous 17-cubic-foot capacity, and the trunk has a wide, low opening for easy loading., , Standard features include air conditioning, a tilt steering wheel, a stereo radio and a theft-deterrent system., , Under the Hood, A 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine, formerly standard in the base Malibu, is gone. A 3.1-liter V-6 with 170 horsepower and a four-speed automatic transmission are now standard on the base and LS models. Anti-lock brakes, a feature that is optional on several competitors, are standard on both Malibu models., , Performance, Short on thrills and frills but long on practicality and value, Malibu offers acceptable performance, ample space and a lot of features for a reasonable amount of money.