What's Under the Hood

Choose between a 164-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder combined with electric assist power steering that should get 31 mpg on the highway and a 252-hp, 3.6-liter V6 with variable valve timing and conventional hydraulic power steering good for 26 mpg on the highway. A six-speed automatic with driver shift control is standard on all but LS and LT with the four-cylinder engine; LTZ four-cylinders get the six speed. Every Malibu comes with a powertrain warranty good for five years or 100,000 miles, four-wheel-disc antilock brakes, and traction control. Stability control is standard on LT and LTZ models.