Brian Chee’s 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx SS Driving Impressions:
It used to be that the SS badge meant something special, and while the Malibu Maxx is a fun, spry little car to drive – it doesn’t quite reach the Special shelf. That may not matter for the typical daily commuter, as the Maxx SS keeps things lively thanks to a 240-horsepower 3.9-liter V6 engine that provides a fun torque rating of 240 lb.-ft. at 2,800 rpm.

That will make you feel alive at first, true, but the problems start at higher speeds, when the car feels tired and unable to conjure up additional bursts of passing performance. This comes courtesy of a four-speed automatic transmission that forces the driver to extend revs and pool power. There’s no manual transmission, and just simply putting the Malibu Maxx SS in D is not an option, as you’ve really got to work the tranny’s manual-shift setting to wring out the performance, which throws a damp blanket on fuel economy. A brief drive registered around 18 miles-per in mostly freeway driving. The manual mode in the Maxx SS is unlike most cars today – there’s a button on the shifter, as opposed to a shift gate – which makes it feel curiously techie, though it does create a habit of one-handed driving.

Oh well. There’s little need for two hands on the wheel of this car, as drivers who take the Maxx SS out on a twisty mountain road will quickly discover. A sport-tuned suspension and 18-inch wheels make the ride responsive, yes – but not enough for an SS badge. Driving this car is like listening to your favorite song with only one speaker working: the sound is there, but darn it, it’s just so hard to hear the music.

Yukon Chow’s 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx SS Driving Impressions:
The 2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx SS are both recipients of GM’s “all-new” overhead valve 3.9-liter V6. Forget the oft-debated statement of mating “new and advanced” to an otherwise old-world technology like the push-rod operated overhead valve engine that powers this and a fleet of other GM vehicles. If it works, it works – and while sideliners can gripe all they want, it sure doesn’t seem like owners have complained much about shortfalls of GM’s ‘tried and true’ family of 60-degree V6 engines. The advantage of a 40-horsepower injection of testosterone over the LT and LTZ trims in this Malibu Maxx SS makes driving the offbeat looking five-door – dare I say it – enjoyable with adequate power delivery whether going from stoplight to stoplight on city streets or at passing speeds on bustling local freeways. The engine revs freely, giving no indication that it’s anything but modern and sophisticated.

Between the engine and the wheels, however, lies an automatic transmission that feels equivalent to a pair of elastic rubber bands being employed to transmit power in place of a set of taut rawhide reins. The placement of the thumb-actuated tap up/down manual control buttons mounted on the shift column, while interesting, is overshadowed by the lack of aggression the transmission displays, especially in manual mode where gear shifts have a pronounced and delayed effect. Overall the powertrain suffers from a transmission that just isn’t up to the task at keeping up with an eager, ready-to-go setup offered by this SS trim.

Although the Malibu Maxx SS sports an upgraded suspension and a much welcomed larger wheel/tire combo, bigger brakes and thicker stabilizer bars would be nice. Nevertheless, the present set up gets passing grades for holding the road rather nicely.

Ron Perry’s 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx SS Driving Impressions:
Every automotive journalist has a pivotal career dream drive…this wasn’t mine! But high-end and exotic rides aren’t what Americans buy. Cars like the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx SS are for the real world. As I walked toward the car in the parking lot, I was already prejudging the Maxx SS on looks and the shoddy reputation of the standard model. Surprisingly, the more time I spent behind the wheel, the more my opinion changed, but not completely.

The first thing I noticed was an abundance of torque steer. Other manufacturers have resolved this, why not Chevrolet? I found the engine to be slightly buzzy at high rpm but the torque and quick acceleration from the 3.9-liter V6 was ample and gave the Maxx SS a spirited feel. The ability to manually shift the Maxx SS is a nice touch but the placement of the shift button confuses me. The button resides on the shifter handle where the overdrive button is usually found on most cars equipped with an automatic. Having the button here seemed to promote one-handed driving.

Steering is gravely overboosted with little road feel. At first I thought it was likely the tires that gave the Malibu Maxx its twitchy feel, but since the ride was quiet and smooth I concluded it had to be the steering. Ride comfort and quietness are exemplary considering this is the performance version of the Malibu Maxx, which usually means a trade-off of these nuances for a stiff ride and lots of road noise.

Christian Wardlaw’s 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx SS Driving Impressions:
If you’ve rented a regular-strength Malibu Maxx, owning one is the furthest thing from your mind. But if you liked the roomy interior, the utility, and the price tag, you should drive the new SS model. The 3.9-liter V6 has plenty of power and torque, and the four-speed transmission features smooth, precise shifts. The transmission works extremely well with this engine, proving quick to downshift for passing or climbing with no hunting on hills. Quibbles include the silly shift buttons for the three-speed manual mode, and an occasional “thunk” when lifting off the brake and gassing the throttle from speeds under 25 mph. Fuel economy is OK, but not terribly impressive since we averaged just 18.4 mpg in a mix of city and highway driving.

The brakes work fine if you don’t ask much of them. The pedal features a short range of travel and stiff underfoot feel, but you acclimate quickly. Under duress, it didn’t take long for the brakes to heat up and begin to flutter a bit. Also, fade was an issue on the downhill part of my test loop. Finally, the ABS is quick to kick in on bad pavement or when one front wheel is unloaded.

My favorite thing about the Malibu Maxx SS was the steering. It’s hydraulically-assisted, not electrically-assisted like other Malibus, and the difference is like night and day. This setup cures the Maxx SS of the regular model’s poor steering feel and directional stability. The 225/50R18 Goodyear Eagle LS2 tires offer superb grip and don’t squeal much when pushed. The Maxx SS will slide wide when run hard into a corner, but with proper braking technique before entering a turn the car remains neutral and composed. Body roll is evident but not significant. Ride quality on L.A.’s sectioned concrete freeways is a bit busy, but the Maxx’s body weight is nicely managed over dips, the suspension reacting not too stiffly and not too softly. The tires are quiet, but the suspension lets some significant impact harshness affect the cabin over really bad pavement breaks.

Overall, the 2006 Chevy Malibu Maxx SS is entertaining, if not downright fun. The weak brakes don’t inspire confidence, but otherwise this is a legit sports sedan.