Autoblog first impression of the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu (and hybrid version)
Autoblog's Chris Tutor has spent some time with the new 2008 Chevy Malibu and his impression is wonderfully favorable. As AutoblogGreen readers know, this sedan also comes in a hybrid version, but it's not much of an eco-car. The hybrid Malibu uses a the same belt-alternator-starter mild hybrid system with a a nickel metal hydride battery that is used in the Saturn Aura and the Saturn Vue mated to a 2.4L EcoTec four cylinder. Chris spent a little bit of time with the hybrid version, and found it drove pretty much the same as the standard version. He thinks it'll be mostly people who "want to look more green than their neighbors" who will fork over the extra $1,800 for the slight increase in MPG. The standard version gets 22/30 city/highway mpg and the hybrid 24/32. Hop on over to Autoblog for the full review of the 2008 Chevy Malibu and lots of pics.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
DJStumpy 4:38PM (4/23/2008)
I've actually driven one of these and can tell you that the sticker mpg is nowhere close to real life. Around town (I live in a rural town) I get mid 30's and with the cruise set on the highway I get mid 40's. People need to actually own/drive one of these before they criticize.
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Geoff de Ruiter 4:20PM (11/05/2007)
What a joke hybrid. insert rolling eyed smiley face. Actually on second though...a 2 mpg increase in all vehicles would probably put us under the tipping point, good for you Chevy! Not! I still stand with my original comment, what a joke this hybrid is, and it's just like the other hybrids that Chevy has produced.
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Damon 2:27AM (11/06/2007)
What a joke. Yet another hybrid that gets worse mileage than my non-hybrid 2007 civic. Take a look at Edmunds.. all the interior dimensions are maybe an inch or two more than a civic; we're not talking a Geo vs. an SUV here. Who in the world would fork over the extra cash to get the hybrid version of this? Just buy a smaller car.
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Maliboo 1:57AM (11/06/2007)
2mpg a gal more! Thats i! Wow, Thats got to be wrong!
http://www.chevymalibuforum.com/
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why not the LS2/LS7? 2:41AM (11/06/2007)
Damon, this vehicle is far larger than your Civic.
No, the mpg boost by the hybrid isn't super impressive. It'd take about 300,000 miles to pay back. So you better be in it for the reduction in fuel use more than the reduction in running costs.
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MikeW 10:14AM (11/06/2007)
It is close.
The wheelbase is 6" longer, but 3" of that is eaten up by the 60 degree V6, and larger wheels/wheelwells. So those extra 3" are reflected in the rear seat legroom 37.6" vs 34.6"
The trunk of the malibu 'hybrid' is still 4 cubic feet larger, but you don't get a mini-spare, and honda deletes the folding seats.
Total passenger volume is 97.7 vs 90.9 cubic feet.
Shoulder and hip room is still greater, and that might make all the difference whether another couple would ride in the back of your car, or they would drive themselves.
and the gas tank of the civic hybrid is smaller than regular civics by about a gallon (12.3 vs 16.4 in the malibu)
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Chris Vitale 11:54AM (11/06/2007)
Damon, I sure as hell would fork over another $500 bucks. The hybrid is $1800 more, then factor in a $1300 tax credit.
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MikeW 12:12PM (11/06/2007)
Still, why would you pay $500 for a slower car, which doesn't have a spare wheel.
Just wait a short time for the 6 speed auto or another year for the dual mode version.
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gsolman6 1:12PM (11/06/2007)
If you can get a $1800 tax credit for a 2mpg gain then that system of incentives should be revisited. Looks like GM is designing for the test again which just makes all of their environmental boasts of late look so insincere.
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