Desperately aware that most Americans consider the new, 2013 Chevrolet Malibu about as stylish and striking as a tub of margarine - we've seen it referred to as 'Maliblah' and 'Blandola' - GM has taken a leaf out of the Honda Civic playbook by announcing an extensively facelifted version little more than a year after the release of the current model.
This, then, is the 2014 Chevy Malibu, which will go on sale in the United States in the third quarter of 2013, with a whole new front end - not just a replacement plastic bumper - styled around a more prominent lower grille, while the bonnet now extends down and over the top of the upper grille.
The chromed grille trims are also chunkier, much like those on the 2014 Impala.
Inside, there's a new centre console with a longer armrest, two cupholders and two ‘dedicated cellphone holders’, while the front seat backs have been reshaped to provide more rear-seat knee-room, the rear seat backs have been slightly hollowed out and about 12mm trimmed off the front of the rear-seat squabs - all of which provides about 30mm of extra rear-seat space without moving a single bolt or weld.
NEW ENGINE
The standard Malibu engine is now an all-new 2.5-litre DOHC petrol four with variable valve timing and idle-stop function as standard issue, that's rated for 145kW and 253Nm, while burning 10.3 litres per 100km in town and 6.8 out on the freeway.
GM has also tweaked nearly 14 percent more torque out of the range-topping 193kW two-litre turbo engine - up to 400Nm - and revised the suspension, in line with the new Impala, for a less wallowy ride, tightened the electric power steering by reducing its input at cruising speed, and modified the brakes for a more confident feel - which usually means simply tweaking the master-cylinder diameter aand boost ratio for more initial bite.
New options include side blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning, to stop you reversing out of your driveway into oncoming traffic.
GM concedes that it's a knee-jerk reaction to the unfavourable reception afforded the 2013 Malibu, but if it makes the car feel less remote from the driver, while providing some extra cabin comfort, it may just be an effective one.
As for looks, yes, the 2014 Malibu is more assertive than its short-lived predecessor; it could hardly be less so.