We’ve driven the 2008 Chevy Malibu before and came away very impressed by new styling inside and out.
Recently, we were handed the keys to a hybrid-powered version. While we were still impressed by the styling, we came away somewhat perplexed by the powertrain.
A 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine is coupled with an electric-battery system. This is General Motors’ older version of hybrid power. A new, two-stage version is available and we’ve driven it in the new Tahoe.
The older version uses the batteries for keeping some systems like the air conditioning and radio operating while at a stop. To propel the car, the gasoline engine kicks in almost instantly.
With fuel mileage figures of 24 and 32, there’s not much to be gained over a straight, four-cylinder gasoline engine that gets 22 and 30 mpg.
The Chevy hybrid uses a 4 kilowatt battery system. The Toyota system, as seen in the popular Prius, has a 30 kilowatt system and can actually move the vehicle under electric power up to 30 miles per hour. The same system can be found in the Camry and Nissan Altima.
So why the hybrid? Perhaps to give Chevy a platform to claim it’s trying to be green. Hopefully, the new two-stage hybrid will be added soon and actually provide some discernable fuel mileage gains.
However, the Malibu hybrid is one of the most affordable hybrids on the market. Our, well appointed test vehicle was priced at $22,790. That’s in line with the cost of a Prius, but you get about 10 mpg less efficiency. It’s also about $3,000 less than a comparable Camry or Altima hybrid.
While we’re not sold on the older GM hybrid system for power, we love the Malibu otherwise.
The sharp styling features slightly bulging fenders, a clean grill and tail end.
The interior features a dual-cowl layout with wrap-around, faux wood trim. You can get the interior in either a dark brown/tan or dark grey/lighter grey design, depending on the exterior color.
Standard features include A/C, power windows and door locks, tilt/telescoping steering wheel with audio and cruise controls, four-wheel disc brakes and stability control.
The hybrid version is much slower than the V6 model we tested earlier, as you’d expect. But the ride and handling are about the same. The Malibu is tight on the inside with no wind noise or engine rumble in the passenger compartment.
If you watch the “eco” light on the dash, you can see when you’re getting the most efficiency out of the car. However, you can do the same by using a light right foot driving any car.
With ample seating for five adults and a large trunk, the Malibu is a great family sedan. If you want the hybrid version, you’re at least taking a small step toward fuel economy. But not much.

Ryan’s Ride –
I’m all for hybrid power but GM needs to switch to its new two-stage system in all it’s vehicles as quickly as possible. The older version is merely window dressing in an effort to be environmentally conscious.
The regular Malibu is available with a fuel-saving four cylinder or efficient V6. I’d recommend going that way, for now. You get better performance and don’t sacrifice that much in fuel economy.
The Malibu is one of the nicest sedans on the market when it comes to the interior. The dual cockpit layout is out of the ordinary and very attractive.
The front seats are comfortable and the driver’s seat is fully adjustable. The rear seats offer plenty of leg room and the split seats can be folded for cargo use.
The trunk is huge, partly because there’s no spare tire. Instead, a tire sealant and inflator kit is included. That should be sufficient to get you to a tire shop if you have a flat tire or failure.
Loyal Chevy buyers will be drawn to at least look at the Malibu if they’re considering a Camry or Accord.

Marilyn’s Moment –
I’m not all that aware of what goes on under the hood, so the Malibu hybrid was just fine for me. While it’s no race car, the sedan gave me plenty of power for the driving I do.
For me, the interior alone would be a strong selling point. The two-tone color scheme, efficient controls and easy to read gauges make the Malibu a very attractive vehicle. There are two cupholders in the center console and also the front doors.
The back seat offers plenty of leg room. However, a fold-down, center armrest would have been a good idea.
The trunk is huge and the deck lid opens out of the way for easy loading.
I received a lot of comments when we first tested the Malibu months ago. I still was asked about the car at several stops with the hybrid. Everyone was impressed by the interior.
For the casual viewer, the hybrid garnered even more approving nods. However, once I explained the fuel mileage figures, most turned to skeptics.
Like, Ryan, I’m all for alternate systems that improve fuel mileage. While the hybrid system in the Malibu is a step in the right direction, it could be better, especially when GM has a better system available.