Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid: 'H' Marks the Spot… of a Gravesite
Admit it — you weren’t aware Chevrolet made a hybrid version of the midsize Malibu. You’d be forgiven for replying in the affirmative, as the variant introduced for the 2016 model year sported a profile lower than that of an SOE agent in occupied France.
And yet the Malibu Hybrid lived. But now it must die.
As reported by Green Car Reports, General Motors has discontinued the Malibu Hybrid for the 2020 model year, citing slow sales as a motivator. As GM tosses roses on the grave of the Chevrolet Volt and Cruze, while digging a new one for the Impala, it seems being a car in GM’s lineup is riskier than eating expired mayo. The cancellation also leaves the automaker without a hybrid vehicle, though the fully-electric Chevy Bolt soldiers on into the coming model year with more range in tow.
GM spokesman Kevin Kelly confirmed the variant’s discontinuation to GCR on Monday. With sedan sales sinking everywhere and the Malibu’s long-term future in doubt, it’s not a surprising move. Given the amount of attention paid to the Malibu Hybrid, one wonders whether GM ever wanted to sell any of the things.
Rated at 46 mpg combined, the Malibu Hybrid paired a 1.8-liter four-cylinder with an electric motor for a total output of 182 horsepower. Conventional Malibus don a turbocharged 1.5-liter in base guise. Should you really want to impress your cubicle mates, there’s a 2.0-liter on offer for uplevel trim customers.
As we bemoan the sinking sedan segment, it appears the Malibu is the Chevy passenger car not called Corvette that’s destined to live the longest. Automotive News‘ product pipeline shows the model existing until 2024, with a possible facelift arriving in 2022, should the automaker deem it beneficial. The Malibu was last updated for the 2019 model year.
[Image: General Motors]
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@Conslaw--Good points. I am probably going to buy a neighbors 2012 Lacrosse e-assist because the miles are low, 43,000 miles, it is in perfect condition, and the price is low but as you stated the trunk is small due to the hybrid battery. I believe that is why my neighbor no longer wants it but for my wife and I we are less concerned about the trunk space since we will not use the trunk that much and we have a CRV which has more than enough cargo room when we need it.
I considered this when I saw how much they depreciate post lease compared to say an ES hybrid/avalon hybrid. During my research I found out that GM purposely put a pinch in the fuel filler neck to keep the tank capacity at 13 gallons but if you didn't autofill the gas nozzle you could manually add a couple of more gallons and get something like 700 miles/tank. Thats a luxury in and of itself. I personally like the styling of the latest 'Bu and hope GM keeps making them.