In its second year on the North American marketplace, Chevrolet’s Malibu Hybrid is a paradoxical offering. A true midsize sedan, the Malibu is a handsome machine with modern exterior aesthetics that are clean to the eye.

The Malibu Hybrid is a handsome machine with clean, modern lines. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

Inside it has comfortable seats and a very quiet cabin, again with aesthetics that are easy to take. Most everything about the look of this vehicle is inviting and soothing.

When it comes to road-going abilities, the 2009 Chevy Malibu Hybrid is considered a “mild” hybrid, one in which the electric motor/generator accompanying Chevy’s ECOTEC 2.4-litre DOHC 4-cylinder engine is relatively small (four kilowatts, or just over five horsepower) and propels the car only slightly. Its primary purpose is to quickly and seamlessly start the gasoline engine when it automatically shuts off to save fuel at traffic lights or similar stoppages using the “auto stop” feature. The electric motor also provides acceleration boost and "torque smoothing" for additional fuel savings, and during deceleration or braking it acts as a generator to recapture energy and charge the on-board battery.

The Malibu Hybrid’s electric motor/generator (with 36-volt advanced NiMH batteries) can, on its own, move the 1,604 kg (3,537 pound) car, but not for long distances as would a “full” hybrid such as the Toyota Camry Hybrid and technical clone Nissan Altima Hybrid against which the Malibu competes.

Power is from a 164-hp ECOTEC gasoline engine backed up by an electric motor rated slightly over five horsepower. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

For the sake of comparison, the Camry Hybrid’s 30-kilowatt motor can propel that car to about 50 km/h (30 mph) while the Chevy Malibu’s motor can work to about 8 km/h (5 mph).

As it is, the Malibu Hybrid’s gas engine produces 164 horsepower at 6,400 rpm on its 8,000-rpm tachometer and maximum torque is 159 lb-ft at 5,000 rpm, and while the electric motor does give some boost under heavy loads, it’s not something you notice in normal driving. Indeed, the best way to achieve maximum fuel savings is exactly the same as for any regular gasoline-powered car: trip planning to minimize total distance traveled, and smooth acceleration and braking. An ECO light on the dash tells you when you get it right.

Chevy fits a four-speed automatic transmission to the Malibu Hybrid, and in top gear the engine turns 2,550 rpm at 130 km/h (80 mph). With this gearing the Malibu Hybrid is happiest cruising at about 115 km/h (72 mph) and on flat ground. Acceleration is somewhat leisurely, with 0-60 times noted well above 10 seconds.

All this begs the question, “Why bother?” The front-wheel-drive Malibu Hybrid is not a gangly tub of steel, plastic and rubber; it is a very nice machine.

Interior aesthetics are inviting and soothing. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

But the mild hybrid system simply isn’t as mechanically sophisticated as those vehicles it considers competition. So, why bother indeed? The answer is that the mild hybrid system represents a step in the right direction, offering meaningful fuel savings in city driving at a very favourable price point. And mechanical sophistication might not be far behind — Chevy says it intends to place its dual-mode full hybrid package in the Malibu in the future.

Other than the drivetrain, there are few real differences between the Hybrid and a standard Malibu. Chevrolet has fitted all-independent suspension on every Malibu and, on this model, uses electric power steering that I found a bit vague and on the light side. Regenerative brakes with antilock capability are standard on the car, as are stability and traction control.

The Malibu has a generous 2,767 litres (97.7 cubic feet) of passenger volume from its 2,852 mm (112.3 inch) wheelbase, mounted on a platform that measures 4,872 mm long, 1,786 mm wide and 1,450 mm tall (that's 191.8 inches long, 70.3 inches wide and 57.1 inches high). The turning circle is 12.3 metres (40.4 feet), about right for a front-wheel-driven car of this size.

There is but one trim level for the 2009 Chevy Malibu Hybrid.

With a generous 2,767 litres (97.7 cubic feet) of passenger space, there's comfortable room for five. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

Similar to the mid-range LT Malibu model, it includes handsome tweed cloth seating and complementary panels about the cabin, three-spoke plastic steering wheel with audio/info controls on the left and cruise control on the right. The Malibu is well-equipped from the get-go, with its automatic climate control, power trunk release, six-speaker CD-based audio system with XM satellite radio (three months complimentary), driver’s seat with manual lumbar controls, driver information centre, tilt/telescope steering column and remote keyless entry. New for the 2009 Chevy Malibu Hybrid are good-looking five-spoke ultra light 17-inch alloy rims fitted with Firestone P215/65R rubber, an upgrade from 2008’s 16-inch specification.

Entering the cabin, the driver finds a triple pod of gauges rimmed in a blue colour — in fact, just about all indicators are of a blue hue in the Malibu Hybrid. Gauges are black with white letters and numbers. The tachometer lies to the left of the speedometer and includes auto-stop; the speedometer has an LED trip computer below it that is activated and changed with the steering wheel’s controls. To the right lie fuel and ECO gauges, the latter noting when the engine is under assist and when the motor/generator is recharging.

Above the centre stack is a shallow, closable storage area, and descending from there are dual vents, audio controls and the heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems.

For 2009 the Malibu Hybrid gets upgraded ultralight 17-inch alloys. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

The optional tire pressure warning light (there's no spare tire but Chevy includes a sealant and inflation kit) is next to the four-way flashers and passenger airbag alert. The large shift lever is on the floor and leads to a bi-level centre storage unit with rubber flooring. A covered 12-volt plug is at the base of the centre stack with small storage. The driver’s door holds a remote for the trunk, but there’s not one for the fuel filler.

Malibu earned five-star ratings for front and side impact crashes and four stars for rollover protection. There are dual-stage airbags in the front, outboard thorax side impact bags for front seat occupants and head curtain bags front and rear. There are three seat belts in the rear of the Chevy Malibu Hybrid but only two headrests; rear seat occupants have two pull-down cupholders and a 12-volt plug of their own, in addition to webbed pockets in the front seatbacks for storage.

The trunk space is good at 428 litres (15.1 cubic feet), even with the battery pack at the far end of the enclosure. Lift-in is nice and low and the remote pops the trunk upward a couple of inches to aid ingress. At the rear there’s a chrome exhaust tip – but who notices when the engine is so quiet? This Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid model has OnStar service and Bluetooth connectivity, but the phone controls on the right side of the steering wheel are very easy to hit without meaning to do so.

Base list pricing for the Malibu Hybrid is

Even with the battery pack at the far end, the Malibu Hybrid has plenty of trunk space. A low lift-in makes loading and unloading a snap. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

$29,670 including destination fees. Chevy adds some options to spice it up: a power tilt and slide sunroof that opens over the roof costs $1,195 and six-way power driver’s seat that goes for $345, bringing the total to $31,210.

During this test with the 2009 Chevy Malibu Hybrid, we put more than 1,100 kilometres on a vehicle that had only 1,715 kilometres at pick-up. That allowed us to break in the car a bit and to get to know its idiosyncrasies. Immediately we noted lethargy without a firm prod of the pedal; the first tankload yielded 7.84 L/100km from a vehicle rated at 8.5/6.2 L/100 km on regular fuel. The 60-litre tank yielded 7.35 L/100km on the second go-round and, after putting 130 kilometres on the third tank the trip computer stated there were 865 kilometres until empty. As any vehicle gains miles and the engine breaks in, the economy improves and the adage holds true with the 2009 Chevy Malibu Hybrid. By the time it has about 8,000 kilometres on the clock, this Malibu Hybrid should be managing 6.7 L/100km or better, judging by these numbers.

Chevrolet warrants this car with a five-year/160,000-kilometre powertrain policy;

Round reverse lights give the Malibu a distinctive look from the rear. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

the hybrid components have their own extended eight-year/160,000-kilometre warranty. Chevrolet has faith in this hybrid technology, and hopefully customers never need to use that warranty.

The 2009 Malibu Hybrid comes equipped as a “mild” hybrid and we had great expectations going in, because we like the standard gas-powered Malibu for its comfort, sporty handling, excellent build quality and acceptable fuel economy. The Malibu Hybrid retains most of these positive characteristics and improves the fuel economy but, perhaps not surprisingly, it seemed to me like the overall effect was only “mildly” different.

Specifications (2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid):

• Price Range (MSRP): $28,295 - $30,105 CDN
• Price as tested: $29,835
• Destination: $1,375
• Body Type: four door midsize sedan
• Layout: front engine, FWD
• Engine: 164-hp, 159 lb-ft of torque, 2.4L, 16-valve, DOHC, I-4, 4kW electric assist
• Transmission: 4-speed auto
• Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS, regenerative
• Dimensions (L/W/H/WB): 4,872 / 1,786 / 1,450 / 2,852 mm (191.8 / 70.3 / 57.1 / 112.3 in)
• Curb Weight: 1,604 kg (3,537 lbs)
• Tires: 215/65R17
• Cargo Volume: 428 L (15.1 cu ft)
• Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 8.5 / 6.2 L/100 km
• Observed Fuel Economy: 8.0 L/100 km
• Warranty (mo/km): 36 / 60,000 km comprehensive, 60 / 160,000 km powertrain, 96 / 160,000 hybrid
• Competitors: Nissan Altima Hybrid, Saturn Aura Hybrid, Toyota Camry Hybrid
• Website: www.chevrolet.gmcanada.com

Interior

Exterior

Mechanical

Safety

Dimensions

Misc

(J005) Standard Gloss Paint

(K05) Engine Block Heater

(58U.) Black Granite Metallic

(80U.) Red Jewel Tintcoat

(PDQ) LTZ Performance Package

(UJM) Tire Pressure Monitor

(CF5) Sunroof

(98U.) White Diamond Tricoat

(9L3) Tire Inflation Kit

(DE1) Rear Window Shade