Brian Chee’s Opinion of the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx SS’s Design:
At first glance, the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx SS has a surprisingly sporty look to it, a unique appearance courtesy of its stretched platform, wagon-esque body and the addition of a rear spoiler, 18-inch alloy wheels and a fake front air dam fascia. Dual exhaust pipes, fog lamps and large headlights also add an immediate appeal.

But then you wake up…and you realize that you’re driving a Malibu Maxx with an SS badge on the doors and a bunch of bolt-ons that make it look as though there’s more sport than what’s really going on. That’s enough to elicit a good moan, to be sure, so do yourself a favor. Look at it twice before you buy it. If you still like it, if it still tickles your senses, then God Bless you.

On the inside, this car is Maxx functional, with nice room in back, controls placed correctly, a 60/40 split rear seat, and a hard cover for the cargo area. Highlights specific to the Maxx SS include those twin exhaust pipes, silver trim on the grille,l and that all-black color scheme. Weird oddities that continue with the SS include a rear sunroof that doesn’t open. All in all, the SS version of the Malibu Maxx improves a little on a design that has, since its inception, told the world that its buyers are on a budget.

Yukon Chow’s Opinion of the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx SS’s Design:
You really have to hand it to GM’s hard-nosed approach to developing innovative ideas born from good intentions. However, the company’s ability to achieve maximum appeal by executing and packaging that innovation successfully leaves much to be desired. Sure, the Malibu Maxx isn’t nearly as hideous looking as the (gulp) dead-and-buried Pontiac Aztek that fell short in its execution, and one can see that good intentions were in mind for both cars. In the spirit of the now defunct Pontiac though, the Malibu Maxx SS is an all-purpose wagon (five-door hatch, sports tourer – call it what you will) with an attractive ingredients list that has yet to reach it’s maxximum potential when it comes to offering an attractively styled, cohesive product.

Take for instance the exterior – it’s not quite off-putting, it’s not entirely polarizing, but it looks odd enough that if crossovers could talk, the first words uttered would likely be “so what are YOU supposed to be?” If the design team wasn’t aiming for ‘quirky’, then it’s as if they couldn’t decide on a universal design direction for the exterior. A particular qualm I have is the bumper-to-headlight treatment, which makes it seem like either the headlights are mounted too high or the angle of the headlight design clashes with the angle of the bumper. The interior of the Malibu Maxx SS is much more welcoming than the exterior.

Overall, it seems like development around the Malibu Maxx was stretched too thin and fell short of delivering what could have been another surprise hit like the HHR. Instead, Chevy produced a work-in-progress in need of another pass through the drawing board.

Ron Perry’s Opinion of the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx SS’s Design:
Dated! That’s the first thought that comes to mind when I think of the Malibu Maxx SS. Even though this car is new, it looks old. The design is somewhat reminiscent of the AMC Gremlin. When I look at the Maxx SS, that old tag line, “where’s the rest of your car, toots?” comes to mind. I just can’t believe there weren’t better drawings on the board when this car was sent for approval. Maybe the design guys need to dig through the trash and recoup some of the designs that were tossed. Then again, if this was the best they had, maybe not! There are no smooth lines on the Maxx SS. Everything is choppy and cobbled together. The 2006 Malibu Maxx with its “SS” upgraded trim does improve the car’s overall design but this thing still looks like it would be at home on the set of the original Brady Bunch TV series.

Christian Wardlaw’s Opinion of the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx SS’s Design:
This is not an appealing vehicle thanks to strange dimensions. But the Malibu Maxx’s front end is nicely cleaned up for 2006, and the car is no longer flat-out ugly. On the SS model, big brushed aluminum 18-inch wheels and dual exhausts help give the Maxx a more substantial and better balanced appearance.

Inside, you’d better like black and gray, because that’s all you get except for some chrome detailing. The light gray pillar covers and headliner help lighten the mood, but the twin rear sunroofs over the back seat are just plain silly. Stereo and climate controls are a little busy but clearly marked and easy to use. Displays are a nice dot-matrix design, the three-spoke SS steering wheel is sporty and contains handy satellite audio controls, and the gauges are racy if marked by small numbers. Vents are highly functional. I dislike the “Malibu” insert above the center stack – it looks cheap and should be replaced by a larger hazard button.

For a car that touts utility, the glovebox is too small. At least the center console is large. Good-size front door pockets, twin rear storage nets on the seatbacks, and a small center console inside rear center armrest provide additional space to stash stuff. Our test car had standard rear audio controls, but not the optional DVD player. The rear seats fold and the front seat folds, but the result is not a flat load floor. The handy cargo cover is a tray that can be placed in any of three locations to maximize storage options, and it comes with a leg to serve as a tailgating table.