For some reason I don’t get to test drive Chevrolets as much as I would like. So when I was delivered the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid I was excited. When I got behind the wheel to give the hybrid Malibu a whirl for the week, I was not disappointed.
Actually, I was blown away by the fuel economy on this mid-size sedan. I am prepared to say that for a family needing to clock a lot of time behind the wheel I can give this Malibu a big recommend.
Sporting an entirely new vibe for 2016, the Chevrolet Malibu has been completely redesigned. Drivers and passengers alike are going to love all the room inside and the handling and feel behind the wheel is worth a shout out.
Competition for the hybrid version of the Malibu includes the Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord in the hybrid versions of course.
The entire Malibu experience is different in 2016 since the styling as been changed on the outside and some tweaks on the interior are also worth pointing out.
The trim levels are L, LS, LT and Premier and the LT is offered in either a 1LT or 2LT with the 2LT offering a different engine. Finally, there is the Hybrid trim and that stands alone in the Malibu lineup.
The L trim is the base version with 16-inch wheels with keyless entry and ignition. You also get a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, 60/40-split folding rear seat and Bluetooth with OnStar and six speakers.
The LS trim is also 16-inch wheels, but alloy with automatic headlights, 4G LTE connectivity, rearview camera, MyLink infotainment system with a seven-inch screen and smartphone integration.
For the 1LT, there is 17-inch wheels, LED daytime running lights, heated mirrors, cool interior lighting, and an eight-way power driver seat. For the Hybrid version of the 1LT a dual-zone automatic climate control comes standard.
For the 2LT you get all the 1LT goodies with a stronger engine, 18-inch wheels and dual exhaust tips.
The high-end Premier trim has 19-inch wheels, LED taillights, remote ignition, auto-dimming rearview mirror and leather upholstery with a six-way power passenger seat. The seats are both heated and air-conditioned on the Premier trim and there is a heated steering wheel with a dual-zone automatic climate control. For technology features, there is a wireless smartphone charging, 120-volt power outlet, two USB ports and an eight-inch touch screen with navigation.
If you like the features on the Premier trim level, but don’t want the entire package, you can also opt for a few of the features to stand-alone on the lower trims. On some trims, you can add a sunroof, 18-inch alloy wheels and more advanced safety features.
Under the hood, the Malibu Hybrid I drove has a direct-injection 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with two motors that include an electric-drive system that will give you 182 horsepower and 277 pound feet of torque.
On the additional 2016 Malibu trims, under the hood all are front-wheel-drive with six speed automatic transmissions except the 2LT and Premier trims. The L, LS and 1LT trim have turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engines with 160 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque.
The 2LT and Premier trims are eight-speed automatic and the engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 250 horsepower and 260 pound feet of torque.
For safety features, you get antilock brakes, stability and traction control, front knee, front side, rear side and side curtain airbags. There is also the OnStar telematics that has automatic crash notification, on-demand roadside assistance and stolen vehicle assistance.
Depending on the trim, some additional safety goodies are also added like the rearview camera on the LS trim, but do take note of the several additional safety packages offered. The Driver Confidence package comes with front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure and a forward collision warning system. On the Driver Confidence 2 package, there is self-parking, adaptive cruise control and collision mitigation system with automatic braking.
The interior on the Chevrolet Malibu offers an upgraded look with the dashboard getting a facelift and the knobs and gauges standing out a bit more in the styling department. The MyLink is a bit tweaked and easier to use and the user-friendly menu for the touch screen option really stands out.
The amount of room in the 2016 Malibu, particularly in the backseat is impressive. The trunk is large at 15.8-cubic-feet, but the Hybrid version’s truck is a bit smaller with only 11.6 cubic-feet since the battery takes up space back there.
There is plenty of power behind the wheel of this one and the hybrid did more than enough in all phases of my driving experiences on the highway and driving around town. Even when the engine does kick in, on the Malibu hybrid, you will still find a quiet and smooth ride. Whatever midsize sedan you favor, be sure and check out the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu before making a final decision.
Should You Need to Know: Kudos to the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu and even though the hybrid is about $6,000 more than the fuel version, the fuel economy savings will definitely impress.
Miles Per Gallon: On the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu hybrid the miles per gallon is impressive with 47 in the city and 46 miles per gallon on the highway.
Cost: The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu hybrid I drove had a price tag of $31,730.
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