2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco Priced at $25,995

[Camaro_Corvette]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

Sure, but most new cars are bought with a loan and not cash. A lower MSRP simply translates into lower monthly payments. Meanwhile, a car that uses less gas also means you'll be paying less for the vehicle over time. So by the end of each month, a Camry hybrid that gets substantially better mileage than a Malibu hybrid will end up costing you less, starting the month you drive it off the lot. Now, insurance might work out to be cheaper on the Malibu (I have no clue) thereby equalizing things again, but if you're looking to save money ... a few hundred bucks off MSRP means very little next to ~10 mpg combined city/highway. A couple thousand dollars, or a much smaller gulf between the fuel consumption of the two and its a different game altogether.

Don't get me wrong, I hate Toyota and it pains me to defend any of their blandtastic cars. I think that overall, the Malibu is a much better car but to those that are looking just at the dollars and cents, the Camry hybrid will save them more.

How much is substantially? Also, my sisters Camry was a total POS, for which toyata wouldn't warranty. Gonna have to add the POS costs to your evaluation.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by Camaro_Corvette

How much is substantially? Also, my sisters Camry was a total POS, for which toyata wouldn't warranty. Gonna have to add the POS costs to your evaluation.

Well, the 2012 Camry hyrbid is rated at up to 43 city/39 highway so 41 combined. The 2013 Malibu hybrid is 26/38 or 31 combined. So ... 10 mpg, on average.

Its all because the Camry uses a full hybrid system, while the Malibu uses a so called 'mild hybrid'. Basically, around town the Camry will try to use its electric motors as much as possible to drive, getting supplemented by the gas engine as needed. The Malibu's e-assist system uses the electric motors to give a bit of a boost to the gas engine. Thats why there is such a massive gap between city figures for the two. On the highway, both are basically operating as a regular gas engined car, and since they have similar engines, in similar sized cars, they get similar highway numbers.

And as I said ... the Malibu will be the better car. Its just that you might have to pay $15 more per month (when all is said and done) for the privilege.

[Camaro_Corvette]

Fine, but can we at least agree the Toyota sucks.

[CamaroSkooter]

But if you compare that mileage to what some people are currently driving, they're going to save a boatload regardless of which manufacturer they go with. And in that situation, most people will go with the one that's more aesthetically pleasing anyway since they already know they're going to be saving money with either option

[Brokinarrow]

Originally Posted by CamaroSkooter

But if you compare that mileage to what some people are currently driving, they're going to save a boatload regardless of which manufacturer they go with. And in that situation, most people will go with the one that's more aesthetically pleasing anyway since they already know they're going to be saving money with either option

Definitely like the Malibu's looks over the boring Toyota.