Those days may be over. This car’s a deal, priced at thousands less than a comparable Accord or Camry. And my LS model even had some nice extras like a one-touch driver’s power window, an in-dash CD and six speakers, and power-adjustable brake and gas pedals. Though I liked the car’s acceleration, I was disappointed in its chintzy 15-inch wheels. And I found it difficult to get comfy in the poorly sculpted front seats. Still, in a category where price matters, I can’t help but think this new Malibu will grab sales from the imports.

Tip: Need to haul stuff? The Maxx edition has six extra inches of cargo space.