Brian Chee’s Opinion of 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx SS Quality:
Black is such a forgiving color. Take the Chevrolet Malibu Maxx SS: subpar plastics on the inside don’t look quite as garish when the color scheme is black on black, instead of brown on beige. Shoot, they even look like they fit together better, though a semi-close inspection will reveal uneven gaps and finish issues throughout the cabin. What makes the SS model different from the Regular Joe Malibu Maxx, however, is that some of the materials used throughout the cabin are actually better. Of course, you should expect leather if you’re paying the SS premium on a Maxx – indeed, you should expect a bit more, such as attention to detail throughout the cabin’s construction. There are some upgrades worth mentioning, though frankly the list is short. There’s the aforementioned leather seats. The 18-inch wheels. The rear spoiler. As a result, it looks nicer than the regular Maxx, and Billy Crystal says that it’s better to look good than it is to feel good. Bottom line: if you want tight gaps and quality fit and finish, step away from the Maxx SS.

Yukon Chow’s Opinion of 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx SS Quality:
Fifteen years ago, GM build quality saved my hand from serious injury as my uncle unknowingly slammed the door of his Chevy Celebrity closed while my hand was on the B-pillar. I like to say that I was spared that day due to the large gaps between the doors and body of the car. Staring at the Malibu Maxx fifteen years later, I can’t say that I’d be so lucky if the same thing were to happen this time around.

However, several small areas are causes for concern for me as a potential buyer. The trim pieces adorning the steering wheel and below the glovebox would be better if they didn’t look and feel like the adhesive was still setting. Open the center console cover or either of the sunshades covering the rear skylights and be prepared to bear witness to more questionable workmanship. The exposed screws hinging the center console to the armrest held on for dear life as I examined the strength of the flimsy door when opened. It’s a good thing that the bottom portion of the console demonstrates as much flex as the top and sways in unison because if stable, the fasteners stand a good chance of being ripped off at the lack of free play.

By far the most telling part of the car, as far as quality is concerned, is the attention to detail paid to the clasping mechanism for the rear skylight sunshades. I sure hope this is a pre-production model because holding the track-less spring-loaded retractable sunshades closed is a metal clasp fastened to a poorly cut portion of the plastic trim surrounding the skylights – a piece of work that at best resembles a hastily completed trim job with a Dremel rotary tool. Sharp bumps in the road or a set of curious hands may send either sunshade whipping towards its natural at-rest position, potentially taking other objects out with it.

Ron Perry’s Opinion of 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx SS Quality:
Quality is where I feel the Malibu Maxx SS shines. I was surprised that everything looks nice and has a quality feel – with the exception of the dated digital display on the radio. Materials are acceptable for a car in this price range, and I found no loose parts or floppy pieces. Gauges are easy to read and the biggest surprise for me was the firm shift action of the transmission lever. So many times Chevrolet models have sloppy, rubbery movements that impart a feeling of low quality with the first shift into drive. Outside, the quality theme continues. The Maxx has no loose, floppy parts as seen on other GM models. Nice 18-inch alloy wheels with decent size rubber are under the Malibu SS and the dual chrome exhaust tips are an added nice touch. The only issue I had was with the latch not catching on the tailgate but that likely is nothing more than an adjustment issue.

Christian Wardlaw’s Opinion of 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx SS Quality:
Cheap plastics, especially the silver painted trim pieces on the dash and surrounding the control pods on the doors and steering wheel spokes, are in evidence here but the dash pad and upper door panels are soft, low-gloss material that speaks of quality. Chrome accents dress up the stereo and climate control knobs, gauges, and shifter surround. The nice mesh woven headliner imparts a sense of upscale ambience, and the grippy cloth seat inserts feel durable, but the leather bolsters feel dry and insubstantial. Is it even real leather? I’ll bet this stuff will crack as the car ages.

Bad pavement brings out the structural creaks, but there were few rattles and squeaks in our test vehicle. Loose console trim under the dashboard’s center stack is a throwback to the bad old days of GM build quality, there was lots of wiggle to the gray plastic dash garnish on the passenger side, and I found some gap inconsistencies on the steering wheel and center stack. But for the most part the car is screwed together pretty well.

Outside, sloppy detailing lowers the quality rating. Look too closely, and you might find inconsistently mounted lights front and rear, misaligned trim along the lower part of the greenhouse, and inconsistent gaps here and there. But you’ve got to look closely, which ranks as an improvement over GM models of yore.