EVS23: Testing out the Chevy Malibu hybrid (video)
Driving the soon-to-be-released Chevy Malibu around the Anaheim Convention Center wasn't earth-shattering. Then again, I don't think that earth-shattering is what GM has in mind with this mild hybrid. For one thing, this car won't be all that widely available when it goes on sale for around $22,000 in mid-January. For another, aside from some green badging and an "eco" light on the dashboard, there's not much that will tell you this Malibu is any greener than any other on the road today. If you're looking to an energy info screen a la the Prius or the new plug-in Ford Escape hybrid (which is sweet), you're out of luck.
What the Malibu hybrid does offer is a reasonable green alternative. It's a full-size sedan and the "eco" light (according to the GM representative who I rode along with on the test drive - sorry I forgot her name) does affect how people drive; they try to drive so the light goes on. This isn't all that hard when you're slowing down. The belt-alternator-starter mild hybrid system and nickel metal hydride battery add around $1,800 to the price of the car while offering a slight increase in MPG. As we've said before, the standard version gets 22/30 city/highway mpg while the hybrid does a bit better at 24/32. Is it worth it? If you were inclined to purchase a Malibu in the first place, my vote is "yes," but this isn't a must have by any means.
Gallery: EVS23: GM's Malibu and Tahoe hybrids
Gallery: 2008 Chevy Malibu Hybrid
Related:
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tony Belding 8:21PM (12/19/2007)
No. I don't see any way that it's worth it for a 2 MPG gain.
I've often thought conventional (non-plug-in) hybrids are pretty questionable, but this goes beyond questionable. It's ridiculous.
Reply
why not the LS2/LS7? 9:08PM (12/19/2007)
If everyone got 6% better mpg it'd make a huge difference in how much we spend on oil. Not thinking of the big picture is what made people think buying 11mpg H2 Hummers was a good idea just because gas was cheap in 2000.
Reply
gsolman6 10:58PM (12/19/2007)
The really bad thing about this hybrid is taxpayers will be footing the bill, ~$1,800 IIRC, for a tax credit in return for such a marginal improvement in efficiency.
Reply
GenWaylaid 1:59AM (12/20/2007)
All cars should come with an "eco light." Helping a driver recognize and reinforce efficient driving practices is probably good for 2 mpg on its own, perhaps much more.
Reply
Chris M 3:01AM (12/20/2007)
With such a modest fuel economy, I don't think
Toyota or Honda have anything to worry about.
For just a few dollars more, we could get a real hybrid with nearly double the milage!
Reply
pedmac 12:27PM (12/20/2007)
5 pct is actually quite a bit less pollution and less dependance on oil ..
lets see wat li-ion do ?
Reply
MikeW 1:46PM (12/20/2007)
I'm all for raising the bottom, but this is the wrong way. It is a stop gap, for marketing purposes "see GM has had 'hybrids' for a long time"
No spare wheel, ridiculous.
Just wait for the 6 speed automatic, 6t40. '08.5, and hopefully it will be standard on the '09s.
Reply
s10 3:11PM (12/20/2007)
So the fuel saving is minimum: 24/32 against 22/30 for the normal version.
Basically, GM is giving you the "hybrid" badge, so you feel you're doing something for the environment, but in fact you're doing close to nothing.
The general public thinks all hybrids are the same and the "hybrid" badge wears off...The oil companies continue to laugh all the way to the bank.
GM did it again!
Reply