Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid Review

2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid Sedan

The Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid (along with its mechanical twin, the Saturn Aura Hybrid) is GM's first foray into the midsize hybrid sedan segment. It's powered by a gas engine augmented by a small electric motor. Like other vehicles in its class, the Malibu Hybrid promises improved fuel economy along with passable performance and the typical virtues one would expect from a family sedan.

Current Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

New for 2008, the current Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid comes in one well-equipped trim level. Standard features include alloy wheels, keyless entry, automatic climate control and a CD stereo with MP3 playback, an auxiliary audio jack and satellite radio. The brief options list includes additional power accessories and a sunroof.

Under the hood, the Malibu Hybrid features a four-cylinder gas engine that works in conjunction with a tiny electric motor. Unlike cutting-edge hybrid competitors, the Malibu relies on its gas engine to do almost all of the work. The gas mill is a 2.4-liter unit rated for 164 horsepower and 159 pound-feet of torque; the electric motor adds a maximum of 5 hp for a total of 169 hp.

The electric motor can propel the Malibu Hybrid by itself at speeds of up to 3 mph, and it also comes into play under hard acceleration. However, its main task is to restart the gas engine, which automatically shuts off during a full stop to minimize fuel consumption. At 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway and 27 mpg combined, the Malibu Hybrid's EPA-rated fuel economy is just 2 mpg higher than the non-hybrid four-cylinder Malibu. And the hybrid's acceleration is leisurely at best, with the benchmark 0-60-mph sprint requiring about 11 seconds.

Measured against other midsize hybrid sedans, our editors agree that the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid falls short. Competing models offer far more impressive gains in fuel economy relative to their non-hybrid four-cylinder brethren -- the Altima Hybrid is rated at 35 mpg city/33 mpg highway, and the Camry Hybrid comes in at 33/34. This is largely because the electric motors in these models are far more powerful than the one in the Malibu, which allows them to operate solely on electric power at city speeds. The extra electric power also enables these sedans to accelerate with more authority. The Malibu does boast a considerable price advantage over those more sophisticated hybrids, but its modest fuel-economy advantage over the base four-cylinder Malibu makes it a questionable economic choice.

On the upside, the Malibu offers the same refined ride and attractive interior design as the non-hybrid Malibu. Ergonomics are first-rate, road and wind noise are muted and the front seats are nicely shaped for long hauls. Rear-seat legroom is excellent, although the rakish rear roof line may limit headroom for taller passengers. (There's also no center armrest.) And one notable advantage to the Malibu's relatively puny electric motor is that the trunk isn't filled with space-eating battery packs.

Quite frankly, the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid doesn't make much sense. It offers only 2 additional miles per gallon and very minor equipment upgrades compared to the four-cylinder Malibu LS -- and it costs $4,000 more. Competing hybrid sedans -- or even the midsize Prius hatchback -- are better bets when it comes to both fuel economy and performance.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.