Story and photos by Tom Strongman
The Chevrolet Malibu is riding a crest of well-deserved popularity, and the availability of a hybrid only sweetens the pot.
The front-wheel-drive Malibu, built at GM’s Fairfax plant in Kansas City, Kan., was named North American Car of the Year. This handsomely designed sedan gives no quarter to competitors such as the Toyota Camry or Honda Accord. The cabin is attractively styled and very well finished.
The hybrid Malibu is rated at 24 miles per gallon in the city and 32 on the highway, while a non-hybrid four-cylinder Malibu is rated at 22 mpg in the city and 30 on the highway. In mostly city driving, I averaged about 22 miles per gallon according to the car’s onboard computer.
The base price is $22,140, and the test car had a sticker price of $22,790.
Many competing hybrids combine an Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine, electric motor and a continuously variable transmission, but Chevrolet’s current system is simpler. It has a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine and an electric motor that put out a combined 164 horsepower. The electric motor adds power mostly when accelerating from a stop, climbing hills or passing.
Unlike many other hybrids, the Malibu hybrid cannot run on the electric motor alone. Chevrolet’s system saves fuel by shutting off the engine at idle and cutting off fuel during deceleration. Regenerative braking captures electrical energy that charges the battery.
The hybrid drives much like a regular Malibu. The most notable difference is the auto-stop function that shuts off the engine when the vehicle stops. Even though the restart is instantaneous, it creates a bit of jerkiness in a series of close stops.
The Malibu Hybrid’s air-conditioning system has two modes. The most fuel-efficient mode limits the draw on the hybrid powertrain, while normal mode provides maximum cooling and defogging while sacrificing some fuel economy.
The Malibu’s suspension is soft, and the weight of the battery pack can sometimes be felt over bumps. The battery intrudes on cargo space when the seat is folded.
The instrument panel has a pebbled texture that is a nice counterpoint to selected areas of low-gloss, smooth plastic. Interior panels have tight gaps, and the gauges are bright and clear. The audio and climate controls move with precision.
Hybrids continue to grow in popularity, and Chevrolet is working on a second generation of its hybrid powertrain. Until that is available, however, the current hybrid offers a modest increase in fuel mileage with no drawback in performance.
Price: The base price of the test car was $22,140. Destination charges brought the sticker price to $22,790.
Warranty: Three years or 36,000 miles with a five-year, 100,000-mile warranty on the powerplant. Hybrid components and battery pack have an eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty.
To reach Tom Strongman, send e-mail to tom@tomstrongman.com.