Car Reviews: 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

Impressive styling, low base price, Onstar, and luxury quiet rides make the Chevrolet Malibu a highly attractive selection for those who want great value at a reasonable price. The Malibu offers three engines in 2008, but we are particularly interested in is the hybrid engine and the performance it achieves with its power partner, the electric motor/generator.

First, lets take an overall look at the new Chevrolet Malibu. The Malibu has undergone some changes that allow it to run with the big boys. It's got game. Handsome and sleek styling, the Chevy Malibu is larger with a 112 inch wheelbase, a quiet cabin and suspension tuning. The ultra quiet ride comes from acoustic laminated front windows.

The new Malibu resembles a luxury sedan inside and out, but the hybrid version is lacking in green technology and fuel economy.

2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRID SEDAN

On the hybrid motor Malibu only one trim is offered. Standard safety features available on all trims include antilock disc brakes, traction control, front-seat side and side curtain airbags. Stability control is an added feature to the LT and LTZ versions. It scored the best rating of "Good " in crash tests.

Drivetrain Engine Trans* MSRP
FWD 2.4L I4 Auto $22,140

The Malibu gasoline models are impressive, but the hybrid version leaves us wanting. The electric motor is small, the fuel economy is not much improved from the gasoline version and acceleration is not viable with the electric motor and has only a 169 hp when assisted by the electric motor. Worse, this hybrid version has the highest emissions of the hybrids.

Although the Chevrolet Malibu is called a hybrid, it is not technically in the same class with true hybrids. It is a mild hybrid and a light hitter in the hybrid class. The electric motor assist does not perform in a synergistic mode with the gasoline engine; instead it shuts the motor down at traffic stops and restarts it to save on fuel. Its fuel economy is close to the non-hybrid four-cylinder engine.

The electric motor/generator has only 4 kilowatts of power for the 164 horsepower four-cylinder engine. It hasn't the power to move the Malibu in acceleration beyond 3mph. By comparison, true hybrids feature (average) 30-kilowatt electric motors and can power a vehicle up to 30 mph.

The best feature of this hybrid is its styling and cost; it costs about $3000 less than other hybrids. If you have your heart set on a true hybrid you can choose from several good value hybrid motor automobiles, or you can wait for the next version of a true green hybrid, environmentally friendly, Chevrolet Malibu. They are in the works, but there's no word of when they will be available.