Chevrloet Malibu Hybrid
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I am not sure what system this is using. But I would guess the powertrain would be similar to the Saturn Aura version.
The one that barely gets better mileage than the regular base engine.
But I also heard a while ago that the Malibu would get something different and much better. More like what the Camry Hybrid and Altima Hybrid have.
I like the new Malibu, but this perticular interior finish doesn’t look that great. At least on this picture.
Damn! What a sea of drab, gray plastic inside and out. It must certainly look better in another color.
I have high hopes for GM with this nice sedan. It still trails behind Accords, Altimas, and Camrys, but if GM will build it right and keep it fresh it should be a perfectly decent family sedan.
(p.s. that’s a mighty big gap between the dash and the door)
Damn! This kind of gray plastic look cheap. I see before, the interior in other colors (2 colors to). And they look better. Why gray like that, that’s ugly.
I don’t know about these hybrids. I would want less electronics to mess with except the radio. I can’t wait to see the new Malibu. The gray interior and the black interior look the best IMO. I like the normal looking stuff compared to the orange/red they have shown in the concept. As far as gaps go, it is a Chevy and not a Buick or Lexus.
If this is a base interior, it looks pretty good. The door panel looks a bit blah, but still a lot better than the outgoing model.
JM
Also, I just read that the 4 cylinder will be available with the 6 spd auto. It’ll be interesting to compare the mpg numbers of that versus the hybrid.
JM
As far as gaps go, it is a Chevy and not a Buick or Lexus.
A Buick or a Lexus isn’t its competition. Still, I can look over the gap as long as it isn’t indicative of quality overall. Like someone else wrote, the new Malibu is a vast improvement over the outgoing model.
I hope this is a big seller for Chevy.
Holy gray plastic, Batman!
JW said..
As far as gaps go, it is a Chevy and not a Buick or Lexus.
6:00 PM
Well, check out the Sonata, Fusion, Optima, or even the Sebring(door panel gap to dash)…. they are closer than this, iirc.
I know my 2004 Sonata is!
And it has an Auto-Manual shifter, not just a automatic,which is something I like…a choice of how to shift, or not to shift(let the slushbox do it, or not).
Same for the Kia….
and it’s a 5 speed, gets 34 MPG now(heard on another forum this miught get 32 hwy…).
As for hybrid? It had better get more than 35MPG hwy, when Edmunds tests show the Optima gets 34 normal engine.
lol.
Sad.
It better get around 40, at least.
PS: all these hybrids = cost too much.
Where’s the hybrid car an avg person making 12 per hour can buy?
Maybe the diesels coming out… soon, will be available on compact for 15-18K(like the 08-09-Jetta diesel,coming out next spring…60 hwy, 40 cuty..50 combined, but on a Rabbit platform).
If I had to make a guess, I’d say that the best bet in an ’08 Malibu will be the V6 in upscale trim.
Chevy’s 4 cylinder engine is OK, but crude compared with the Accord’s 4, and probably other 4s, too.
Chevy’s V6 is much smoother than GM’s generic 4 and gets gas mileage that’s as good or better–at least that’s what I’ve read.
The hybrid, if like Saturn’s, will be weak and not enough advantage to warrant any extra cost.
So, the Malibu of choice will be the V6 IMO. At least it’ll surely be better than the current, bland Malibu.
have high hopes for GM with this nice sedan. It still trails behind Accords, Altimas, and Camrys, but if GM will build it right and keep it fresh it should be a perfectly decent family sedan.
how does this sedan trail behind accords, altimas, and camrys? Last time i checked the malibu and aura were all up to par with their 3.6 motors and 6 speed transmissions. the only thing i’ve seen that makes them trail behind the competition is the fact that their is no dual zone climate control offered, and also no navigation.
This shade of gray looks terrible on any car, but for some reason it’s always an option. The new Malibu is so much more attractive than the Camry and arguably better than the upcoming Accord. We can nitpick over minutia, but this looks fantastic and is going to sell like crazy. Kudos to Chevy for finally waking up.
I do hope the hybrid mpg is a substantial improvement, because the Aura hybrid is disappointing.
All right ! another car for the rental fleets !! This car makes the new Sebring look like a Ferrari !!
Anonymous said…
All right ! another car for the rental fleets !! This car makes the new Sebring look like a Ferrari !!
8:42 AM
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i agree. drove by chryler on way home, and the sebring , honestly, does look better(if they would get rid of the raked hood…and out dated headlights… it might be even better looking …).
I’d drive the sebring over this thing.
Is that the side mirror adjustment button on the A pillar ?? If it is, thats a stupid place for it, it means you have to stretch to use it and then sit back to see if the mirror is positioned correctly. It probably is since this is another POS from GM.
how does this sedan trail behind accords, altimas, and camrys? Last time i checked the malibu and aura were all up to par with their 3.6 motors and 6 speed transmissions.
It trails them in styling and quality both in and out.
This is one of those cars where the design is very good but it is nearly invisible in base form. This version of the Malibu is from the fleet rental 101 design handbook. I hope that there aren’t many of these vanilla things on the roads, or that’s how this car will be perceived.
As far as the Sebring looking better than the new Malibu…well, I’d rather be poked in the eye than look at a Sebring. In fact, when I look at a Sebring I feel like I’m being poked in the eye. That’s just me though. If people out there like the Sebring then that’s good for them. I’m not trying to convert anyone. I don’t think the Malibu is the best looking car in the world or anything, but I do think it looks good. I do think the Malibu is styled better than the Accord and Camry, both inside and out. Especially the inside though. Don’t forget there are SEVERAL interior styling options available, unlike the Honda or Toyota(I’m not just talking about cloth or leather). However we’ll see if the Malibu has what it takes to compete on quality and reliability. If you like the Honda or Toyota better then buy them. If you like the Malibu get that. Myself, I’m hoping to get the new Mazda 6 when it comes out. But I may end up with a 4cyl 6spd auto Malibu depending on finances.
JM
P.S. My question is what happens to the Aura when this new Malibu comes out.
GM needs to bring their steering wheels into the 21st century. Other than that, the non-Hybrid interiors look quite good (in pictures). However, I sincerely do hope they get away from the hard plastics that seem to coat just about every surface on the HHR.