Leveraging driving components and software from the ever-popular Chevy Volt, the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid can now boast the title of best midsize sedan fuel economy. With EPA ratings of 47 mpg city and 46 mpg highway, the Malibu’s 46 combined fuel economy easily slots it atop all of its competitors in the midsize segment.
Steve Marajos, marketing director of Chevrolet Cars and Crossovers, says, “The Malibu Hybrid offers outstanding fuel efficiency and integrates the latest technology to give customers a world-class hybrid,”. Marajos goes on to say, “Combined with a number of available, leading safety and connectivity features, it’s a great choice for those who want exceptional efficiency with Chevrolet’s signature value.”
Starting at $28,645 the Malibu Hybrid is based on the LT trim level and shares many of its features with the rest of the Malibu lineup which was redesigned for 2016. Some of the improvements for this year include a longer wheelbase for increased comfort as well as a weight reduction of 300 pounds to help improve both driving feel and fuel economy.
In addition to the chassis improvements, Malibu Hybrid offers a plethora of technology and safety features. Technology features include Chevrolet MyLink with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and access to select phone apps such as music, maps and others from MyLink’s seven-inch color touch screen display.
Malibu Hybrid’s list of technology imporvements continues, offering ten standard airbags, a rear-vision camera, cruise control and push-button start with passive entry. Chevy also includes active safety features such as Lane Keep Assist, Front Pedestrian Braking, Rear Vision Camera and Low Speed Automatic Braking.
Perhaps the most interesting part of any hybrid is the drivetrain. The 2016 Malibu Hybrid consists of a new, direct-injected 1.8L engine paired with a “two-motor drive” unit. The drive unit is based on the one used in the second generation 2016 Volt and provides additional power to assist the engine during acceleration, for 182 horsepower of total system power. An 80-cell, 1.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack provides electric power to the hybrid system which can power the Malibu Hybrid up to 53 miles per hour on electricity alone. When you want to go faster, the gasoline-powered engine automatically comes on at higher speeds and high loads to provide additional power. In addition to the drive unit, the Malibu Hybrid also shares the 2016 Volt’s blended regenerative braking system.
The all-new power plant implements even more first-time tech from Chevy, including their Exhaust Gas Heat Recovery, or EGHR, technology, which uses exhaust heat to warm the engine and cabin. EGHR allegedly improves engine warm-up and helps offer consistent fuel economy performance in cold weather.
To get an idea of how Chevy’s hybrid cars perform in real world driving, check out our mpg real world review of the 2016 Chevy Volt:
