With the future of GM hanging by a thread, what has the company to show for with hybrid, HEV sedans?
The gist, we wanted to find out what GM had to offer in the shape of the Malibu hybrid and feel it offers a comfortable ride with neutral handling that is is enough to satisfy most drivers. The car is quiet, comfortable and smooth, priced reasonably.
Technically speaking, the platform is shared and engineered with Daimler and BMW, though the manufacturers offer different engines. The Malibu uses the ECOTEC 2.4L 4 cylinder with variable valve timing, mated to a 10,000 watt NiMH battery pack with an 8 year or 100,000 mile warranty on specific hybrid component. Read the fine lines.
The Pros And Cons. The pros of the Chevy Malibu is that it is reasonably priced at around $25,000 and if you own a previous GM car, some dealerships will take off an additional $1000. Check your state or country for further tax rebates. GM has put some thinking into this hybrid system. The electric engine kicks in as soon as you step on the accelerator. You definitely feel a little push and the regenerative braking is so smooth, we had to watch the battery gauge to make sure it was recharging. It works best under frank and consistent braking. For $5 to 6,000 more, you get 5 to 6 mpg better fuel efficiency estimated at 26mpg for city and 34 on highway.
The cons are probably more based on tastes than anything but the Malibu lacks a specific character. It handles well, but nothing out of the ordinary for a modern car. It’s smooth and will appeal to daily drivers who just need a car to get from point A to B. You can be a fan of the nose but we feel the side of the car has more appeal than the generic looking back.
All in all, it is a good car at a reasonable price. Whereas GM shot itself in the foot with its over-priced Tahoe hybrid, with everything under the sun except the kitchen sink, the Malibu will appeal to many. One thing that never ceases to amaze us is how little people know about HEVs. As we were driving out of the lot, a lady with a regular Malibu asked what it was. She had never heard of the term, hybrid. I guess we have our work cut out here at Electricnick.
Special thanks to Connell in Costa Mesa, California for letting us test drive their vehicles.