2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco Priced at $25,995

[FenwickHockey65]

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco Priced Under $26,000
Hybrid-like fuel efficiency for a non-hybrid-like price
Link to Press Release

November 22, 2011

DETROIT – The all-new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco midsize sedan will start at $25,995 when it arrives in dealerships in the first quarter next year, reinforcing the value proposition of the midsize segment’s longest-running nameplate.

The suggested retail price includes a $760 destination charge but excludes tax, title, license and dealer fees.

The 2013 Malibu Eco is Chevrolet’s most fuel-efficient Malibu ever. It is the first Chevrolet to feature 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. That helps deliver a GM-estimated 26 mpg in city driving and 38 mpg on the highway.

Malibu Eco’s highway efficiency is comparable the segment’s popular full hybrids and diesels, but delivered at a lower price:

• 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid – $29,395 / 36 mpg
• 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI SE Diesel (with automatic) – $27,895 / 40 mpg
• 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid – $26,660 / 39 mpg
• 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid – $26,545 / 40 mpg

Malibu Eco is part of the all-new, 2013 Malibu lineup – Chevrolet’s first global midsize sedan – designed to give customers more style, fuel efficiency, content and features, along with the craftsmanship and dynamic capabilities rivaling high-end sedans. It has a more powerful engine – 182 hp / 134 kW – than the Fusion (156 hp / 116 kW), Camry (178 hp / 132 kW) or Passat (140 hp / 104 kW).

Product highlights for North American models include:

• Expressive exterior designed to stand out, with a wide, athletic stance
• Aerodynamically optimized exterior, including underbody aero enhancements and electronically controlled shutters in the lower grille that close at higher speeds to push more air over and around the vehicle
• All-new, Chevrolet-signature dual-****pit interior that is more spacious, features premium materials and is engineered to be the quietest in the midsize segment
• First Chevrolet car to offer new Chevrolet MyLink connectivity, which integrates online services such as Pandora® Internet radio and Stitcher SmartRadio®
• European-influenced ride and handling traits
• More safety features and technologies, including eight standard air bags, ultra-high-strength steel and rearview camera system.

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.

A five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, as well as a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty is standard on the Malibu Eco. Certain eAssist components are covered by an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty, including the electric motor generator, three-phase electric power cables and high-voltage lithium-ion battery.

The Malibu Eco is offered with cloth or leather seats in eight exterior and three interior color choices. It is well-equipped in standard form and available with four equipment packages: Package 1 – Power Convenience; Package 2 – Premium Audio; Package 3 – Leather; and Package 4 – Navigation.

Standard powertrain and chassis content:

• Ecotec 2.4L direct injection with continuously variable valve timing and eAssist technology, rated at 182 horsepower (135 kW)
• Six-speed automatic transmission with tap-shift control
• 2.64:1 axle ratio
• Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS
• Regenerative braking
• Grade braking control
• Panic brake assist
• Electronic park brake with push button
• StabiliTrak electronic stability control system
• Electric power steering (rack-mounted)
• MacPherson strut front suspension
• Four-link rear suspension
• Seventeen-inch five-spoke aluminum wheels
• P225/55R17 all-season low-rolling-resistance Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max tires

Standard exterior content:

• Active front lower grille aero shutters and aerodynamic underbody panels
• Projector-beam headlamps with automatic exterior lamp control
• Heated, power-adjustable outside mirrors (body color)
• Fin-type combined OnStar/SiriusXM Satellite Radio antenna (body color)
• Acoustic-laminated, solar-absorbing glass
• Intermittent windshield wipers with structureless blades

Standard interior content:

• Chevrolet MyLink
• Six-inch-deep illuminated (when headlamps are on) hidden storage behind articulating touch screen radio face
• Air conditioning – dual zone automatic climate control with odor filter
• Audio system: AM/FM stereo with CD with MP3 playback and auxiliary input jack
• Seven-inch-diagonal color touch screen for the audio system
• USB port for the audio system
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio
• Six-speaker sound system
• Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity
• Cruise control
• Remote keyless entry
• Power windows with express down feature
• Power door and window locks
• Driver information center
• Tilt and telescopic steering column
• Steering wheel audio and cruise controls
• Ice blue ambient lighting
• Driver’s footrest
• Overhead console
• Compass display
• Two auxiliary power outlets
• Rear center armrest with storage

Standard safety content:

• OnStar with six months of Directions and Connections plan, including Automatic Crash Response, Crisis Assist, Stolen Vehicle Assistance, Remote Door Unlock, and more.
• Dual-stage frontal air bags
• Driver and front passenger thorax side-impact air bags
• Driver and front passenger knee air bags
• Head curtain side-impact air bags (front and rear outboard seating positions)
• Safety belt pretensioners
• Tire pressure monitoring system

Package 1 – Power Convenience includes all standard equipment plus:

• Eight-way power driver’s seat with lumbar control
• Rearview backup camera system
• Remote start
• Auto-dimming inside rearview mirror
• Universal garage door opener

Package 2 – Premium Audio includes all content in Package 1 plus:

• Pioneer nine-speaker audio system with high-output amplifier
• Fog lamps
• Leather-wrapped shifter knob and steering wheel

Package 3 – Leather includes all content in Package 2 plus:

• Leather-trimmed seating
• Eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat with lumbar control
• Heated front seats

Package 4 – Navigation includes all content in Package 3 plus:

• Navigation system
• Memory seats and mirrors
• Auto-up driver’s window

A power-operated sunroof is available on Packages 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Exterior Color Choices:

• Silver Ice Metallic
• Black Granite Metallic
• Summit White
• Crystal Red Tintcoat
• White Diamond Tricoat
• Taupe Gray Metallic
• Steel Blue Metallic (late availability)
• Champagne Silver Metallic (late availability)

Interior Color/Trim Choices:

• Jet Black
• Jet Black/Titanium
• Cocoa/Light Neutral

The Eco is the first trim level of an all-new Malibu lineup to launch in the United States. Other Malibu trim levels including LS, LT and LTZ are scheduled to begin production next summer in Fairfax, Kan. and Detroit-Hamtramck. The 2013 Malibu will be sold in nearly 100 countries on six continents and will serve as a flagship Chevrolet midsize in many parts of the world. The Malibu is built in multiple locations including the United States, China and Korea.

[DGthe3]

Nice car and all but ... how many versions of black, white, and grey do they need? I understand that purple, yellow, and orange might not be best on a Malibu, but shesh. The only actual colour available at first would be Chrystal Red Tintcoat? Followed by what I assume is going to be a darker blue. Come on. A dark green would work, as would a medium/light blue, or a medium red, perhaps a blue/green. But silver, black, white, white, grey, silver ...

[CamaroSkooter]

it's easier on the color-blind

[snizzle]

I like how c-o-c-k was censored from your post Fen.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by snizzle

I like how c-o-c-k was censored from your post Fen.

Haha. Dual ****pit apparently is a no-no.

[TOMS1SS]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Haha. Dual ****pit apparently is a no-no.

That's actually not a bad price.

[The_Blur]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Haha. Dual ****pit apparently is a no-no.

And then you repeated yourself.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by The_Blur

And then you repeated yourself.

Oops.

[TheCaptain]

Man that is a good looking car.

[Brokinarrow]

Not to be overly picky... but $500 cheaper than the competition's hybrid vehicles (Toyota and Hyundai) isn't THAT much cheaper. Just sayin.

[Camaro_Corvette]

Originally Posted by Brokinarrow

Not to be overly picky... but $500 cheaper than the competition's hybrid vehicles (Toyota and Hyundai) isn't THAT much cheaper. Just sayin.

Cheaper is cheaper. A penny pincher that is in the market for a fuel efficient vehicle may see it as a lot cheaper.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by Camaro_Corvette

Cheaper is cheaper. A penny pincher that is in the market for a fuel efficient vehicle may see it as a lot cheaper.

Until they look at the fuel cost, then that $500 goes poof pretty quick

[Camaro_Corvette]

Money in your hands now is worth more than money in your hands later.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by Camaro_Corvette

Money in your hands now is worth more than money in your hands later.

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.