New Malibu a game changer

Improving interiors has been a big focus for General Motors. In the course of just a few model years, GM has vaulted ahead of its Detroit competitors in terms of interior quality and surpassed even foreign competitors in terms of interior design.

The Chevrolet Malibu's interior, particularly in the higher-end versions, is well thought out, well assembled and very handsome. A two-tone palette is used to mimic the twin-cockpit look of early Chevrolet Corvettes.The dashboard seems to sweep up from the center and around the front seat occupants.

Bins and baskets open smoothly and silently. On the inside, instead of bare plastic, they're coated in soft cloth. A small matter, perhaps, but a nice touch and one that adds to the sense of value.

Whatever the problems with GM car interiors of the past, controls have always been easy to find, use and understand. Fortunately, the Malibu doesn't lower the bar there while raising it elsewhere.