General Motors took a good thing and made it even better when it brought a new-look Chevrolet Malibu out in the midst of its financial woes in 2008. The manufacturer appears to be offering up a replay with the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu.

What’s more, fans of Chevy and its popular midsize sedan in particular are already eagerly looking ahead to the 2013 version, too. Word has it that the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu will hit the market – a worldwide market no less – not too many months into 2012 as GM starts a roll-out of several revised and updated Chevy models. GM plans to make the Malibu its first midsize sedan to be sold internationally and has already announced it will be sold in more than 100 markets, including Korea, on six continents.

The 2012 Chevrolet Malibu, which received some design tweaks of its own, leads the way to 2013 and hints at some of the changes to come. The Malibu for years has claimed a role as a comfortable and classy, if a bit conservative, vehicle, and the 2012 edition carries on the tradition.

The LS, LT and LTZ trim levels for 2012 continue to offer a couple of engine choices. Most versions come with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine good for 169 horsepower and 160 lb-ft of torque, a powerplant most find more than adequate. Others get a 3.6-liter V6 that bumps the numbers up to 252 horses and 251 lb-ft of torque. Fuel mileage estimates are 22 mpg city/33 highway for the 4-cylinder and 17/26 for the V6.

Anybody with his or her heart set on the V6 will need to cut a deal on a 2012, because the only engine offered going forward will be the 4-cylinder. All trims come with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The LS gets cruise control and a stereo that includes a CD player with MP3 capabilities. The LT adds steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and an interface package with a 110-volt household outlet among other features. The LTZ offers remote start, a sunroof, automatic climate control, leather seats with a heated front seat and an eight-speaker Bose sound system.

The 2012 Chevrolet Malibu, as has its predecessors, for the most part scores well with reviewers for its interior. They appreciate the stylish cabin, the two-tone design and the quality of materials and find its controls and gauges easy to read and use. Some make special note of the comfortable front seats and point out that rear passengers have more legroom and space overall than in other cars in the class.

Reviewers like the ride offered by the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu, too, and while no one mistakes it for a sports car, they do note that there is a fun factor in driving it.

The experts acknowledge, at the same time, that this is a competitive class and other vehicles might score better in performance. For that matter and for the same reason, others might have an edge in the cabin as well. The point is, the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu holds its own quite nicely in a crowded field that includes not only rivals like the Ford Fusion and the Hyundai Sonata, but even stalwarts such as the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

Safety has traditionally been another Malibu strongpoint, and the 2012 version follows suit with stability and traction control, antiskid technology, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes and a full array of airbags.