2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid Priced At $28,645, Nation Furrows Brow

Aaron Cole
by Aaron Cole

Chevrolet announced this week that its hybridized version of the mid-sized Malibu would start at $28,645 including destination, for a fuel-sipping, 48 city-mpg, long-legged miler with all kinds of good looks.

Those are the facts.

Also true: the Ford Fusion Hybrid is $3,585 less expensive (although it only manages 41 mpg in the city), the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is $1,810 less expensive (40 mpg city), the Toyota Camry Hybrid is $1,220 less dear (although it manages 43 mpg in the city) — so only the 50-mpg Honda Accord Hybrid starts at a higher price ($1,495 more).

The Malibu Hybrid will be available only in LT trim when it goes on sale in the spring.

The hybrid Malibu sedan sports a 1.8-liter turbo four and a 1.5 kWh lithium-ion battery that can power the car alone up to 55 mph. According to Chevrolet, the car weighs 300 pounds less than its predecessor, but sports a 4-inch longer wheelbase.

The Malibu Hybrid will sport a 7-inch MyLink touchscreen (an 8-inch screen will be available) and LTE hotspot as standard.

A nation of potential mid-size hybrid buyers just wondered aloud if the mid-size, middle-priced Malibu Hybrid constituted a good deal from the Bow Tie brand.

Aaron Cole
Aaron Cole

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  • Carlson Fan Carlson Fan on Dec 12, 2015

    I wouldn't call the GMT-900's pointless. I wanted one back in August 2007 but they weren't available. Then when I learned of the reduced towing capacity that was a deal breaker for me. I think they were still rated to tow 5700 lbs. or something like that. Not enough capacity for my needs. Still the thinking was sound. Another 5 mpg on a FS SUV is a way bigger gain than 10 MPG on a little econobox.

  • Brett Woods Brett Woods on Dec 13, 2015

    I really can't NOT cross-shop this car because there are too many positives about it.

  • Ponchoman49 Ponchoman49 on Dec 14, 2015

    The 2016 Fusion S hybrid starts at $25675 including destination according to Edmunds latest prices which makes it $2970 less than the 2016 Malibu not $3585. The Malibu LT is the next to most expensive trim level so you are getting more std features than the base Camry LE hybrid with it's plastic hubcaps or the cheapest trim level Fusion S hybrid. If a L or LS Malibu hybrid were offered it would probably be very close in price to those two above basic trim level cars.

  • Laserwizard Laserwizard on Dec 14, 2015

    Total Recall Motors and Brand X will be restating their EPA numbers after people find out that they won't be able to achieve higher than 35 mpgs in the city with this thing. The smirk on their corporate face of Witch Barra and her murdering thugs will be smacked off in less than a year as the deception is exposed and the company will report lower numbers than Ford. BTW - not one Honduh hybrid has ever hit posted EPA mileage claims. Class Action lawsuits bear this out.

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