Gear Heads - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid test drive 
Val says: by Christine & Scott Gable - He is a car enginner and she ... the wife! :wink: First Impressions Scott: "I think Chevrolet did a really nice job with the Malibu's redesign, both inside and out. I love the overall shape with C-pillars that swoop into an almost fastback look, and the driver and passenger seating that feels just a little bit like being enveloped in individual pods. The curving dash treatment reminds me of one of my favorites of all time, Batman and Robin's Batmobile. OK, so it's beautiful, but what about that hybrid drivetrain?" Christine: "Ever since we got a good look at the Malibu's pretty face at GM's 2008 model year preview event, I've been looking forward to getting behind the wheel to see if Chevy's newest hybrid lives up to its redesign on the road as well. Sitting in the driver's seat for the first time, I found that I couldn't quite get the ultimate comfort zone in the driver's seat (scant electric controls) and noted window clearance was a tad low ... would this hybrid hold its own when we hit the road?" Look and feel: Longer is better The cloth front seating was comfy and cocoon-like, but not at all cramped. Scott had plenty of leg and elbow room for his big frame in any seating position, front or rear. But a little unsettling was the relatively low greenhouse area, especially at the side windows. Visibility overall is fine (though over-the-shoulder rear view is a touch small), but Scott's a wind-down-the-window-prop-your-elbow-on-the-door frame kinda guy and that short window frame feels a little unnatural.
The new 2008 Malibu has what Chevrolet calls a wheels-at-the-corners stance. The vehicle is 3 inches longer with a 6 inch longer wheel base than its predecessor, which gives it a more stable and forgiving ride. And it shows up in handling characteristics as well. Our tester was completely predictable and swallowed bumps and potholes with pleasantly smooth aplomb on some of the more unforgiving secondary roads that we travel on our daily commutes. We've driven vehicles that we've felt both shaken and stirred at journey's end--but not so with the new Malibu's well-behaved suspension. Cargo room is almost always a concern with hybrids as the battery tends to take up precious space--often first to go is the trunk capacity. Chevrolet designers did a good job here too by keeping the hybrid battery compact and unobtrusive, and maintaining enough clearance to allow pass-through storage over the split-fold rear seat. Where some hybrids lose both the split seat and several cubic feet of stowage, the Malibu Hybrid has a very generous 15 plus cubes in the trunk and can still accept a couple of 2x4's. Fuel-ability: The mild hybrid
Chevrolet uses General Motors' BAS (Belt Alternator Starter) hybrid drivetrain to power the Malibu Hybrid. While it's a mild hybrid system that lacks the potency of some of its more sophisticated (and expensive) brethren, it still delivers plenty of fuel savings ability. Full hybrids have large electric motors and battery packs that allow them to drive at low speeds for short distances on electric power alone. This BAS system on the Malibu Hybrid acts as an assistant to the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, providing torque boost during acceleration. Additionally, the hybrid system shuts-off the engine when the vehicle is stopped and provides early fuel shut-off and regenerative braking during deceleration. And it's these cumulative little things that save fuel that would normally be wasted during coasting and idling. What we liked about this hybrid system's simplicity (aside from its cost savings) is the use of an economy light in the dash. This clever little device simply glows a warm green "ECO" whenever the car is being driven in a light, easy and, well...ECOnomical way. It works by sensing engine load, RPMs, vehicle speed and throttle position to determine how much fuel is being consumed. We found that by simply lifting ever so slightly on the throttle under light cruise conditions, the glow would come on and we could feel the load on the engine lighten--and that translated into fuel economy gains that showed on the fuel consumption display. A little practice is all it took to keep the Malibu's fuel economy hovering right around 29 MPGs cruising around town. When It's All Said and Done: A good bargain It can all be summed up by the simple phrase: "It's what ya get for what ya spend." The 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is a very nice vehicle for the money. Is it the fuel mileage champion? No. Is it the least expensive car you can get? No. Is it the sexiest, most gorgeous hybrid you can buy? No. Will it make your neighbor do a double take when he sees it in your driveway? Maybe, but probably not. So what's the big deal about the Malibu Hybrid?
It's a good looking, very comfortable and capable family sedan that happens to get excellent fuel mileage and can be had for a very appealing sticker price that won't bust the family budget. The hybrid package carries a $2790 price premium over the base Malibu LS (about half that of most hybrids over the base)--so does that make it a good deal? According to fueleconomy.gov, the regular 2.4-liter Malibu nets 25 MPG combined, while we got 29 MPG combined during our test week. Allowing for 15,000 miles annually, crunching all the numbers gives the hybrid package just a tick over a 10-year payback time. That's probably longer than most folks own a car, but if you're a "keep your car a long time kind of person," then it's probably worth it, especially if you factor in the hybrid's less tangible reduced carbon footprint. Details and Specs: Technical Features: 2.4-liter 4-cylinder DOHC engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, nickel-metal hydride battery, electric motor/generator unit, regenerative ABS brakes Safety Features: dual front airbags, passenger sensing system, head curtain side airbags, side impact airbags, traction control system Interior Features: hybrid gauge package, "ECO" fuel economy indicator, automatic air conditioning, power door locks and windows with driver express down, power trunk release, XM Satellite radio, AM/FM/CD, split-folding rear seat, steering wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls Exterior Features: 16-inch alloy wheels, low rolling resistance tires, P215/60/R16, folding exterior power mirrors, chrome exhaust tip Original post: 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid test drive |
