Item: 2013 Holden V300 Malibu
Rating: 2.5

Responsive turbo-diesel engine
Refined petrol engine and transmission combination
Large boot

Diesel engine lacks refinement
Petrol engine only adequate
Dull driving experience
Cheap interior details
Steering lacks precision
Frustrating sequential shift function

Overview

Released in June 2013, the Holden V300 Malibu was a mid-size sedan. Manufactured in Bupyeong, South Korea, the front-wheel drive Malibu was powered by 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol and 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engines that were mated to six-speed automatic transmissions.

LE5 and VCDi Engines

Of the engines,

the 2.4-litre LE5 ‘Ecotec’ petrol engine had an aluminium block and head, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing (for intake and exhaust valves) and a compression ratio of 10.4:1; and,
The 2.0-litre ‘VCDi’ diesel engine had common-rail direction injection (up to 1800 bar), a variable geometry turbocharger, double overhead camshafts (chain-driven), four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 16.3:1.

Platform and dimensions

Like the Opel Insignia , the Malibu was underpinned by GM’s Epsilon II platform with MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension. Compared to the Insignia, however, the Malibu was 35 mm longer (at 4865 mm), 1 mm narrower (1855 mm) and 33 mm lower (1465 mm), though wheelbase length was unchanged (2737 mm).

Steering

Malibu models with petrol engines had electric power-assisted steering; Malibu models with turbo-diesel engines, however, had hydraulic power-assisted steering.

Holden V300 Malibu specifications
Engine	Trans.	Variant	Peak power	Peak torque
2.4-litre petrol I4	6sp auto	CD, CDX	123 kW at 5800 rpm	225 Nm at 4600 rpm
2.0-litre turbo-diesel I4	6sp auto	CD, CDX	118 kW at 4000 rpm	350 Nm at 1750 rpm

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Holden Malibu included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with load limiters and dual pretensioners.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the Malibu received a five star safety rating which included a 94 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 83 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the offset crash test, the Malibu provided generally good levels of occupant protection, though lower leg protection for the front passenger was rated as adequate. Maximum points were awarded in the side impact test though, in the more severe pole test, chest protection for the driver’s chest and torso were assessed as marginal and adequate, respectively.

Under ANCAP’s methodology, this testing resulted in a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 35.47 out of 37.

Features: Malibu CD and CDX

Standard features for the Malibu CD included 17-inch alloy wheels with 225/55 R17 97V Kumho Ecsta tyres, a nine speaker sound system with a CD player, auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB/iPod), Bluetooth connectivity and ‘MyLink’ infotainment system (includes Pandora and Stitcher apps), a seven-inch colour touch screen, climate control air conditioning, cruise control, automatic headlights, a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking with proximity key, power windows and heated mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, an electric parking brake, 12 volt power outlet, trip computer and an immobiliser.

The Malibu CDX was further equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels with 245/45 R18 100V Bridgestone Potenza tyres, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, eight-way power adjustable and heated front seats, leather seats, front fog lights, rain-sensing wipers and leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift lever. Visually, the CDX variants could be identified by their chrome door trim and LED brake lights.

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