The 2008 Chevrolet Malibu is a midsize sedan that comes in four trim levels: LS, 1LT, 2LT and LTZ. The LS comes with 16-inch steel wheels, keyless entry, full power accessories, air-conditioning and OnStar. A six-speaker CD audio system with satellite radio and an auxiliary audio jack is also standard. On top of this, the Malibu 1LT adds 17-inch alloy wheels and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. The 2LT upgrades further with polished wheels, remote engine start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a power driver seat, power-adjustable pedals and heated front seats. The luxury-laden Malibu LTZ adds silver grille inserts (versus black), foglamps, LED taillights, 18-inch alloy wheels, an upgraded audio system with a CD changer and eight speakers, leather seating and a power passenger seat. A few key features, such as a traditional navigation system and dual-zone climate control, are not available on any Malibu.

Options are grouped into a handful of packages that allow many of the higher trims' features to be added to the lower trims. There's also a rear power package that includes a 110-volt AC outlet (behind the center console) and a manual rear sunshade.

Although the Malibu is no lightweight at about 3,500 pounds, even the four-cylinder version provides decent performance, with the 0-60-mph sprint taking less than 10 seconds. The V6 furnishes very impressive acceleration, running to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds. EPA fuel economy estimates stand at 22 mpg city/30 mpg highway for the four-cylinder, while the V6 earns a 17/26 mpg rating (a tad worse than Accord, Camry and Altima).

Antilock disc brakes, traction control, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags are standard on all trims. The LT and LTZ versions add stability control. In the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety frontal offset crash test, the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu scored a 'Good' rating, the highest possible.