They have a lot of the same features/options and share a lot of the same parts (particularly in the powertrain), yet the Malibu is universally praised, the G6 is universally panned and the Aura tends to fall in the middle of the pack.
The time when each one of these was introduced has a significant impact on why the car was considered “praised, panned or middle of the pack.” It’s true that all three of these cars — Aura, G6 and Malibu — ride on a similar platform (GM’s Epsilon platform) and share many components. You also hit the nail on the head describing each car’s overall presence in the marketplace.
The oldest example of these three is the Pontiac G6, which debuted as a 2005 model. Since then, GM’s product design, quality and refinement has progressively improved, most notably with the interiors.
Saturn’s midsize Aura was an improvement to the platform when it was new as a 2007 model, but the Aura still came up short compared to competition from heavy-hitters like the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima. The pinnacle of the Epsilon platform is the 2008 Malibu. While it doesn’t easily outdo the competition, it’s now a competitive entry in the midsize segment.
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The Aura and Malibu are very similar. They drive exactly the same and have similar interiors. The Aura WAS highly praised when it was new but the Malibu pushed the Aura to the side and suddenly journalist became dismissive of the Aura as if it was an also ran. The Malibu's interior is better, but not by much. When the Aura came out journalists said "finally a competitive midsize car from GM with a DOHC engine". When the Malibu came out they said the exact same thing as if the Aura never existed. As for the Aura not being competitive with the Camry I would note that the Aura beat the Camry in a C&D comparo and in a AW comparo. The camry has never placed higher than the Aura or Malibu except in Motortrend where they appear to be partial to the flawed camry because it was awarded COTY honors.
Had an '05 G6. Never again. Required 2 electric steering box replacements. I do a lot of mountain driving; luckily, the freeze-up never happened at 55 on a 2-lane curve. 3 sets of brakes in 90,000 miles. I drive 45K a year, mostly for work. Brakes heated up a bunch in the mountains. Finally, it needed FOUR new steering racks. Each time (warranty replacement for all) they said it was the "new, upgraded" rack; each time it started catching and clunking after about 10K miles. GM = junk. I might buy a Vibe as an econobox, but it's a Toyota, anyway.
The steering system has a serious design flaw. Both the intermediate shaft and the steering rack had been replaced twice and my G6 just turned 15k miles. The V6 idles rough and I have some minor electrical issues. Otherwise the car is fine.
I brought a second hand 2007 Pontiac G5 and overall the performance has been stellar. However, last fall I started hearing a knocking in the front end when making slow right hand turns had less than 30,000kms. I brought the car to the dealership and was told yeah its the steering column and they would be happy to replace it under warranty.Less than 6 mths later I was back at the dealership with the same issue and yet again it was fixed under warranty..I went to pick it up and on my way home it started again..so I brught it right back in and they ended up replacing it again. To date I am on Steering column #5 and in June of 2010 I will be out of warranty. I am so frustrated as I owe too much to sell my car and to trade it in would only yeild the same result...me owing for something I don't have. They are calling it a safety bulletin and not a recall which baffels me as at its worst you really dont know if your steering will or not. Sad...This will be my last car by this company.
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What is stated here is correct. Time has allowed GM to improve each new car as it is introduced. All three are light years ahead of their predecessors.
What isn't mentioned here is how GM has been winning the PR battle. Conventional wisdom amongst journalists now allows for occasional praise of GM cars lest they be scorned by GM. (Anyone remember GMs retaliation against the LA Times for a bad G6 review? Remember how the 'middle of the pack' Aura made car of the year?)
Automotive journalists were hearing about how good the Malibu was long before anyone actually drove it. It can and does affect their reviews of the cars.