Holden Malibu Facelift To Get Roomier Cabin, Bolder Styling

The Holden Malibu turns three next year, the halfway point in its life cycle.

With middle-age comes the need for some sprucing up, and General Motors aims to give the Malibu a thorough tweak to keep it competitive.

Revisions to interior packaging will see rear seat legroom and front seat width grow, but it’s the exterior that GM says will see the greatest changes.

Speaking to the media at the Detroit auto show, GM Executive Vice President of product development and former Holden Managing Director Mark Reuss said the updated Malibu will be an eye-catcher.

“You are going to be blown away styling-wise,” he said. “I think it is more true to what Chevrolet should be.”

Reuss's comments were echoed by GM vice president of design, Ed Welburn, who did not shy away from talking up the new Malibu's styling, even referencing the new Corvette performance coupe. 

“When you look at the Malibu’s taillamps you can see a hint of Corvette Stingray. You see it in the form vocabulary in the body side. It has flare. It has spirit. It has tension,” he said.