Test Drive with Kyle Ashby

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Turbo LTZ

Anyone can list features of a nice car, but understanding the benefits can be the difference between buying a car and not bothering to share the test drive experience with friends.

I have worked in the advertising and marketing field for more than 25 years. One of the most crucial points when selling anything is identifying the benefit of the product to the potential customer. By creating an opportunity for the customer to connect emotionally, the benefit will help make the close. Whether we are talking about advertising, selling widgets or buying a vehicle, all rules still apply.

I had the opportunity to drive a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Turbo with the LTZ package for a week. Driving the first ever Malibu with a turbocharged power train was a driving experience full of benefits. This LTZ was fully loaded with an all new sporty exterior look and more spacious two tone leather interior. LED taillights, fog lamps, eight way power and heated front seats, and a seven inch color touchscreen XM ready stereo are just a few of the features on the new model.

Driving the Malibu is an experience unlike any other mid size car with its 259 horsepower turbo charged 4 cylinder engine and hydramatic six speed automatic transmission.

Living in Northern Utah offers multiple mountain passes to travel before reaching a destination. Driving a little four cylinder car without enough power to conquer the elevations and steep grades on Utah's highways and freeways can result in frustration. Driving this fast four cylinder powerhouse of a Malibu over mountain passes was comparable to driving vehicles with larger engines. I didn't notice a lack of power or cruising insufficiencies. In fact, the all new ride and handling package engineered for best-in-class performance, including a four-link independent rear suspension lived up to all of my expectations and truly was the most noticeable benefit of this turbo driving experience.

All safety features have earned a 5-Star overall score. This model had a lane departure warning system, forward collision alert and rear vision camera which are all features that help keep the driver and passengers safe. As a husband and father of four, I appreciate the extra visual assistance while backing out of the driveway. It is comforting to know that everyone is safe inside of the car with eight airbags. And the benefit of being alerted to possible collisions is a huge benefit within itself.

As I'm a bit of a tech head, I thoroughly enjoyed Chevrolet MyLink which includes Bluetooth streaming audio music, Pandora and Stitcher from select smartphones. It was easy to connect my iPhone to the Malibu via Bluetooth. Running Pandora through MyLink was very useful as all of my personal Pandora settings, stations and even active thumbs up or thumbs down options were all available from the 7 inch touchscreen in the car rather than being distracted by handling the handset of the phone itself.

As the features of this all new Malibu are plentiful, the overall benefit from driving this sporty mid size car was the comfort from its hint-ofluxury interior, added security, and the extra power under the hood.

You can find the 2013 Malibu LTZ Turbo at Axtell Taylor in Logan at 1955 North Main Street. Their phone number is 435-752-6801.

Base Price: $28,590
Price as Driven: (2LZ Trim with Turbo) $30,925