2013 Malibu Eco is Chevrolet’s rival for the fuel efficient hybrid and diesel mid-size saloons with 26 mpg in city driving and 38 mpg on the highway. The car’s priced under $26K.
That makes a formidable alternative for cars like Ford Fusion Hybrid, Volkswagen Passat TDI SE Diesel (with automatic), 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid and Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. With 182 hp / 134 kW, the Malibu is also more powerful than most of those cars.
The car utilizes General Motors’ eAssist battery electric/gas propulsion system, which uses a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery and an electric motor-generator to enable regenerative braking, electric assist and start-stop functionality.
Additional fuel-saving features include:
- Eco-specific lightweight components and systems, including an aluminum hood, aluminum rear bumper beam, low-mass carpet and dash mat and more, which save approximately 130 pounds (58 kg) over a comparably equipped non-ECO model
- An Eco gauge in the cluster that continuously responds to driving behavior, encouraging fuel-efficient driving. An Auto Stop Indicator on the tachometer informs the driver when the engine is in start-stop mode
- Seventeen-inch low-rolling-resistance all-season Goodyear tires
- The eAssist system mated to a fuel-efficient 2.4L Ecotec direct-injection four-cylinder engine and next-generation six-speed automatic transmission. The 2.4L engine, a variant of the same engine that was recognized as one of Ward’s Ten Best Engines in 2010, is lightweight and features dual-overhead cams, direct injection, continuously variable intake and exhaust timing and electronic throttle control. It also has a lightweight aluminum cylinder block and cylinder head.
