Malibu is an extended sedan, not a wagon

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The folks at Chevrolet call the Malibu Maxx a five passenger "extended sedan," rather than referring to it as a station wagon (heaven forbid).

Construction consists of a unit-body frame, front engine and front-wheel drive. The Malibu Maxx philosophy was to deliver what most frequent travelers crave -- first-class comfort for the price of coach class, provided by a spacious new alternative in the midsize car segment. Malibu Maxx is rated by the EPA as midsize and now comes in four trim levels: LS, LT, LTZ and SS.

The standard engine in the Malibu Maxx is GM's 3500 3.5-liter V-6 producing 201 horsepower, mated to a four-speed electronic-shift automatic transmission. Torque is rated at 221 foot-pounds. Towing capacity is calculated at up to 1,000 pounds. The Malibu Maxx SS ups the power ante with a new 3.9-liter OHV V-6 that generates 240 horses and 241 foot-pounds of torque.

The five-door Malibu Maxx rides on a wheelbase that is 6 inches longer than the 2004 Malibu sedan, yet its overall length is a half-inch shorter. The result is an interior that is cavernous for a car its size. The Malibu Maxx rides and handles like a sedan while providing the interior versatility of a sport utility in the form of a wagon. Call it a five-door extended sedan or by any other name if you like, the resemblance of the traditional station wagon is still inherent. I'll give that the design of the Malibu Maxx's rear profile with the angle of the rear window in the lift gate (constructed of lightweight aluminum for easy operation) -- is more reflective of a sedan.

The Malibu Maxx SS takes the performance throne while adding unique interior and exterior appointments, sport-tuned suspensions and 18-inch wheels and tires. Both the Malibu sedan and Malibu Maxx are based on General Motors' "Epsilon" global architecture, accounting, in part, for the European flair in their ride and handling, though each Epsilon-based vehicle is adapted regionally to meet local conditions and tastes.

The rear seat slides nearly 7 inches fore and aft and is split 60/40 not just in the seat back, but also the seat cushion, to further increase comfort.

The seat backs recline, allowing different-sized rear passengers to tailor their seating position in a way a front-seat passenger can. The Malibu Maxx SS offers 106 cubic feet of passenger space and 41 inches of legroom, even with the seats pushed all the way back.

A standard glass, fixed rear skylight provides a spacious, open atmosphere over the rear seats, reducing the feeling of occupants being cut off from the outside that some back seats create.

The skylight comes with a retractable shade. Comfort for rear-seat passengers is enhanced with a heating/air-conditioning system designed for their needs. In addition to providing airflow to the feet, two vents on the center of the dash -- dubbed "turbo blasters" by the car's engineers -- are designed to pour generous amounts of heated or cooled air directly into the back seat.

The cargo area of the Malibu Maxx SS is officially calculated at 22.8 cubic feet -- nearly 50 percent larger than other midsize sedans, but the design of the cabin and seats offers even greater flexibility. Rear seats and the front passenger seat fold forward flat, creating a space that can accommodate longer items. The rear seats also are split 60/40, providing flexibility for passengers and cargo.