2014 Chevy Malibu arrives as an emergency dose of spice

There was nothing specifically wrong with the 2013 Chevy Malibu, but in the same breath, there was nothing particularly right. It played to the midsize sedan stereotype of being harmless and forgettable, like a bowl of overcooked bow-tie pasta. Toyota has long proved with its Camry that bland can still yield significant sales, but just because it can, doesn't mean that it should — and with sharper competitors in the Ford Fusion and Honda Accord, the Malibu seemed lost upon arrival.

With the 2014 Malibu, Chevy vows to add a little spice from its decidedly attractive and non-too-bland Impala, and when you look at its more chiseled nose, the efforts pay off. But adding a pinch of pepper doesn't reinvent the bowl.

Inside the sheetmetal, it's business as usual. The center console has received a mild reworking, with a longer armrest — because, you know, arms are ever growing — and a pair of cup holders with accompanying cell phone holders. Rear legroom expands by 1.25 inches, a not-insignificant amount for lengthy people, and there's new safety features, such as Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

To truly add substance to the meal, the Malibu needed more focus on its lackluster handling. For that, again, the Impala lends a hand. Rebound springs are now internal to the struts, allowing for less barge-like roll stiffness and better weight transfer. The variable-effort power steering provides lighter touches for slow speed maneuvering while adding some meat when things get frisky.

The available 2.0-liter turbo boasts 14 percent more torque at 295 lb-ft, while the horsepower tips 259. The standard motor now switches to Chevy's 2.5-liter Ecotec four cylinder, offering 196 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. New start/stop technology shuts the engine down when momentarily coming to rest and contributes to a five percent increase in city fuel economy (23 city / 35 highway).

Time will tell whether this rushed redo of the Malibu has what it takes to add substance to its tasteless predecessor. At least those with abnormally long arms can now finally rest in peace.

Source: Yahoo!