2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx

If you have a family, you know the value of a solid, practical car, and our favorite family sedan for 2004 is the Chevrolet Malibu. And one of the reasons that the Malibu is a MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice winner is this Malibu Maxx. But what is it about the Maxx that makes the Malibu such a family-car standout?

To be a great family car in the 21st century, we think the design must deliver excellent versatility, economy, safety, and everyday performance. A tall order. To meet these requirements, Chevrolet designers have equipped the 2004 Malibu Maxx with all of the same features that make the Malibu sedan such a top notch family hauler, and then went a bit overboard with clever extras.

Both Malibus are built on the same solid Epsilon platform shared with the Saab 9-3. But the Maxx stretches the wheelbase a full 6-inches for an SUV-like 112.3-inches. That results in a stretched out cabin that gives Chevy’s ‘‘extended-sedan’’ the look of an old Jensen GT from the 1970’s. It’s kind of clunky.

But the Maxx makes up for its peculiar styling with an enormous and flexible interior. The raised, theater-style second-row seating has more than 7-inches of fore-and-aft travel for more leg room than a full-size Chrysler 300 and still splits and folds 60/40 for maximum versatility. With 22.8 cubic-feet of cargo space, the Maxx offers almost 8-cubic-feet more than the Malibu sedan and adds a clever multi-position cargo shelf. Impressive flexibility continues up front as the passenger side seat folds flat to allow for objects up to 9 feet long.

When rear passengers are your primary cargo, the interior is kept bright and sunny by large fixed glass skylights with retractable sunshades. And to help keep them quiet on long trips there is an optional rear seat DVD entertainment system.

Up front, we find the standard Malibu instrument panel with its modern styling, big switch-gear, and import-looking fine grain low luster plastics. Gauges are large and clear, with a tachometer included. Both LS and LT trim include wide, comfy bucket seats with power height adjustment for the driver. Seat heat is optional, but power-adjustable pedals are standard, as is air conditioning with oversized vents capable of putting a lot of cool air to the rear seats, and a single-CD stereo with rear radio controls in LT trim. Both an in-dash changer and satellite radio are available. As for safety, besides dual-stage air bags up front, both seats get standard head curtain air bags.

The Maxx moves out thanks to a smooth, low friction, 3.5-liter pushrod V6. It has 200 horsepower and 220 pound-feet of torque on tap to move you and your family effortlessly. The sole transmission is a 4-speed automatic that, as we have said before, has the shift quality of a Lexus.

Traction control means instant hookup, as the Malibu Maxx darts to 60 in 8.1 seconds. The quarter mile takes 16.3 seconds at 85 miles-per-hour. Times are barely slower than the sedan despite an extra 160 pounds of weight. The V6 drivetrain is strong off the line, dips a little in the mid-range, and then picks up power again above 4,000 rpm. This drivetrain is well balanced for both urban and highway driving.

So too are EPA mileage estimates at 22 city/30 highway. Expect 26 in mixed driving. Try getting that in a mid-size SUV.

But in some cases, the handling of our Maxx did mimic an SUV. Hardware consists of MacPherson struts up front and a 4-link-per-side independent rear suspension. It gives the Maxx a solid feel, but with noticeable front plow. That makes this a very safe car unless you really push it. Then the tail will break away without much warning. It is, however, far easier to control and recover than the typical utility. As with the sedan, we found the electric power steering to be quick, and while it lacks feel, steering response is very consistent.

Braking is by 4-wheel discs with standard ABS. It took an average distance of 139 feet to stop the Malibu Maxx from 60. That is a bit on the long side. Like the steering, the brakes offer little feedback, but deliver straight, stable stops.

In daily family driving, the Malibu Maxx delivers a smooth, solid ride, with adequate noise control over a variety of road surfaces. It is an easy vehicle to live with. And that includes prices. The well-equipped Malibu Maxx LS starts at only $22,225. Go for the fully loaded LT version, and you’ll still only pay $24,725. Not a lot of money for a modern family car with so many clever and unexpected attributes.

It’s no secret that many mid-size family sedan buyers are now driving SUVs. But with higher gas prices, a lot of them wouldn’t mind switching back, as long as they can retain on-board flexibility. That’s where the Malibu Maxx not only shines, it’s brilliant. For the best combination of versatility, economy, safety, everyday performance, and price in a family sedan, we recommend taking it to the Maxx.