2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRID

A Hybrid Family Car for the Masses

In addition to two new gas-only turbocharged four-cylinder powertrains, the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu sedan gains a new hybrid model featuring a variant of the powertrain in the new second-generation 2016 Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid sedan. During a trip to the San Francisco Bay Area, we got a brief drive in Chevrolet’s new midsize family sedan hybrid.

Power comes from a new direct-injected, 1.8-liter I-4 engine mated to a two-motor drive unit. The gas engine is rated 122 hp at 5,000 rpm and 129 lb-ft of torque at 4,750 rpm. One electric motor generates 55 kW of power, while the second motor provides 76 kW of power. In conjunction with the gas engine, total system output rates 182 hp and 277 lb-ft.

Other powertrain highlights include Chevy’s first application of Exhaust Gas Heat Recovery (EGHR) technology that uses exhaust heat to warm the engine and passenger compartment. Juice is stored in and supplied to the two-motor drive unit via an 80-cell, 1.5 kW-hr lithium-ion battery pack. Chevrolet claims the Malibu can accelerate up to 55 mph solely on electric power. The Malibu Hybrid also uses the Volt’s blended regenerative braking system to recover kinetic energy during braking.

 Although the drive loop from the Palo Alto airport through the main part of downtown and back was a short 6.6 miles, the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid felt just as competent as its gas-powered siblings. The electric motor provides plenty of low-end grunt off the line, though the 1.8-liter engine felt coarser as it climbed up the rev range compared to the gas-only turbo engine options. The steering is nicely weighted for the class and provides a linear and predictable feel, and the suspension is nicely tuned for a balance between ride comfort and handling. After three jaunts around the same drive loop, the on-board computer claimed an average of 43.3 mpg in a strictly city driving environment.

In addition to its new hybrid tech, the automaker is proud of the advanced safety tech available on certain 2016 Chevrolet Malibu variants. Available on LT and Premier models, the base Driver Confidence Package includes City-speed automatic braking and front pedestrian braking, IntelliBeam automatic high-beam headlamps, front and rear park assist, side blind-zone alert with lane change alert, lane keep assist, following distance indicator, forward collision alert, and rear cross traffic alert.

 Top trims are available with the Driver Confidence Package II that includes adaptive cruise control, front automatic braking, semi-automatic parking assist, and an electronic parking brake. These systems use a series of cameras and radar sensors to sense objects ahead of, to the side, and behind the vehicle. The systems warn the driver when there is an object in the vehicle path and in some instances can slow or stop the vehicle to avoid or reduce the severity of a crash. Lane keep assist can also gently bring the car back into the center of the lane if it begins to drift toward the lane marker.

Chevrolet is also promoting its Teen Driver feature, which allows parents to monitor their teens’ driving habits. When activated, Teen Driver won’t allow any of the active safety technologies to be defeated including traction control and stability control systems. Parents can also set a maximum speed warning as well as a lower audio system maximum volume. Additionally, Teen Driver will mute the audio system if either of the front seat belts are unlatched (if there is a passenger in the front passenger seat). The vehicle displays a report card that includes distance driven, maximum speed traveled, over-speed warning issued, stability control events, anti-lock brake events, and forward collision alerts and forward collision braking events (if equipped).

GM has designed a practical and fuel efficient sedan with the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid that can be equipped with some of the automaker’s latest safety and infotainment technology.

2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
BASE PRICE	$29,520
PRICE AS TESTED	$32,100 (est)
VEHICLE LAYOUT	Front-engine, FWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan
ENGINE	1.8L/122-hp/129-lb-ft DOHC 16-valve I-4 plus 102-hp electric motor; 182 hp/277 lb-ft comb.
TRANSMISSION	Cont. variable auto
LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT	193.8 x 73.0 x 57.7 in
WHEELBASE	111.4 in
CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST)	3,363 lb (59/41%)
ACCELERATION, 0-60 MPH	7.4 sec
QUARTER MILE	15.8 sec @ 88.5 mph
BRAKING, 60-0 MPH	127 ft
LATERAL ACCELERATION	0.83 g (avg)
MT FIGURE EIGHT	27.5 sec @ 0.61 g (avg)
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON	48/45/47 mpg (est)
ENERGY CONS., CITY/HWY	70/75 kW-hrs/100 miles (est)
CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB	0.42 lb/mile (est)