N American car of the year, 5 star crash rating, hybrid (Rush was wrong again) We are buying one

[Omaha Steve]

I think it was yesterday Rush was talking about the cars Obama wants America to make. Light weight cars with good gas milage that would not be safe on the road. Read about the Chevy Malibu Hybrid.

http://www.chevrolet.com/malibu/

A few things to think about: Malibu has received over 30 awards including 2008 Automobile Magazine All-Star, Kelley Blue Book's™ kbb.com 2008 Best Redesigned Vehicle, and Best Family Cars of 2008.

Side-impact crash test rating is for a model tested with standard head-curtain side-impact air bags (SABs). Government star ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) New Car Assessment Program. (www.safercar.gov).

MPG: 26 city, 34 highway.

Marta and I just need to pick the color and a few other things.



LG view here: http://www.chevrolet.com/model/gallery/enlargedPhoto.do?imageZoom=/assets/en/images/model/2009/malibu/gallery/exterior/enlarge/09CHMA01023_Enlarge

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/Chevrolet_Malibu/

Chevrolet Malibu - What the Auto Press Says

The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu ranks 2 out of 23 Affordable Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 68 published reviews and test drives of the Chevrolet Malibu, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

Since its 2008 redesign, the Chevrolet Malibu has been the surprise of the automotive world. The car has won praise for its stylish good looks, spacious, well-designed and sharp passenger cabin, solid safety scores and driving dynamics that impress many who think they know GM products. The 2009 Chevy Malibu is competing with perennial class-leaders like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry -- and in many cases, it's beating them out.

The automotive press has grown accustomed to family sedans that offer some of the charms of sports sedans, some of the amenities of luxury cars, and some of the economic advantages of yesterday's midsize cars. But auto writers seem pleasantly surprised to find one wearing Chevy's bowtie badge. The 2008 Malibu took home a trunkful of awards from the press -- one of Car and Driver's 10Best, North American Car of the Year at the North American International Auto Show in January 2008, Kiplinger magazine's "Best in Class," Automobile Magazine's 2008 Automobile All-Stars -- the list goes on and on.

The Malibu now threatens the traditional favorites in this class. It's a viable alternative to the popular Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, and should be on your test drive list before you put money down on either of those. If you're looking for something more exciting, however, many find the all-new 2009 Mazda6 a more enthusiastic ride, particularly in corners, and a better-looking car.

Another argument in the Malibu's favor, at least until April 30, is GM's new Total Confidence Plan. Under certain circumstances, GM will now make up to nine payments on behalf of a Malibu owner who loses their income. The plan also offers some protection against lost equity. Once half the payments toward the car have been made, buyers can trade the Malibu in on any new GM vehicle, and if the owner owes up to $5,000 more than the car is worth, GM will forgive the difference. Vehicles from Ford and Hyundai carry similar plans, but Honda and Toyota have yet to match the offer.

Because of the success of the 2008 model, Motor Trend reports, Chevrolet "purposely kept the 2009 model year changes to a minimum. The most noteworthy include an expanded offering of the fuel-wise 2.4L/6-speed automatic powertrain combo, four new exterior colors, and the addition of Bluetooth with the new OnStar 8.0 system." Chevrolet has also taken steps to improve the Malibu's fuel economy for 2009, reacting to a market in which most consumers are concerned about high gas prices.

If fuel economy is an important consideration to you, keep in mind that s 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is also available and is reviewed separately.

The 2009 Malibu is available in four trim levels, with a choice of two engines and three transmissions. To Chevrolet's credit, even the most well-appointed LTZ trim level is available with the most fuel-efficient powertrain -- a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a six-speed transmission. Many of the Malibu's rivals couple their highest trims only with their thirstiest engines.

[MercutioATC]

1. Suggestion: Find out what dealerships GM is going to close first.

It'd suck to have to drive an hour to get the car serviced.

[Omaha Steve]

6. Good point

We have 5 dealerships within a 20-30 minutes tops drive. Part of GM's problem.

[TahitiNut]

2. While I may be biased, I think the 2009 Malibu hybrid is one of the best cars Chevy has made ...

... in about 50 years ... including the 6 years I worked there. It's an impressive product, imho.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

3. a few months ago,

I was creamed by someone running a red light at 50-60mph. the little escape I had saved my life. parts of me are still broken and suffering, but still. the alternatives were all worse. Gonna get another one. Thanks, Ford.

[Jack_DeLeon]

4. I prefer the Ford Fusion myself...

but with gas prices going up again I dont care what car people get aslong as they start buying them so that demand will be reduced for the benefit of the rest of us.

[donco6]

5. Ford Escape Hybrid here.

Best car I've had in years.

[SeeHopeWin]

16. Bought one two weeks ago, LOVE IT!

Getting about 30 mpg...compared to my toyota Rav4, got 20 mpg.

I am extremely happy with it.

[donco6]

18. Had a Volvo XC70 - 22 mpg if I was LUCKY.

Now I'm getting around 32 in town - really easy drive. I love the car. The look, the steering, I use the Sync, the bluetooth with my phone is flawless, it has plenty of power for the mountains, and it was great this winter. Absolutely no complaints.

[SeeHopeWin]

20. You know it is ranked the # 1 hybrid SUV in the world.....

I love the SYNC for my phone...and Sirius radio, how long is the free trial?

[donco6]

21. 6 mos.

I never thought I'd get into Sirius, but I really like it. I listen to OutQ 109 in the morning with Larry Flick - I laugh my ass off all the way to work.

And the NEWS. Listening to BBC juxtaposed with any US news just really makes you realize how awful our news is.

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. Only 26 mpg?

I know the Malibu is a good car. They make them here in KC. But damn, that's bad gas mileage.

[JVS]

8. Seriously, that sucks! I was just on carsdirect to compare it with the regular.

You get 4 mpg improvement in both city and hwy for getting the hybrid.

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. I drive a Japanese car that I want to replace with an American one when it's time

But number one for me is gas mileage. So far the Ford Focus is the only US made car that even matches the 30/37 mpg that I get now.

[JVS]

10. I thought those were made in Mexico

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. LOL Then I have yet to find an American car that meets my MPG requirements.

[JVS]

12. I just checked. Current ones are made in Michigan, the models up through 2007 were Mexican and US

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. Phew

Now hopefully they will find a way to increase the MPG before I am ready to buy.

Thanks!

[lefthandedlefty]

15. My wife`s 01 Focus gets 34 on highway around 26 in town

[SeeHopeWin]

17. Hybrid gets 41 mpg....An aswesome car.

[CRF450]

25. The cobalt gets similar fuel economy.

Do you expect the Malibu to get the same thing as a smaller lighter weight car? Might wanna check other midsize non-hybird car's fuel economy from the import makers too... They're not any better.

[Omaha Steve]

27. We looked at a Cobalt

It costs more to insure.

[CRF450]

28. Really? Well I guess it makes sense...

Since alot of Cobalt drivers are younger people who can afford the car.

[Omaha Steve]

22. Check a little more

It does qualify for the Hybrid tax incentive. It performs like a sports car. It has a super low gear for quick pick up when starting from a dead stop. So conversion from no engine running to out of the hole performance from a 4 cylinder is amazing.

GM is new to the Hybrid game. But it is making up for lost time in a hurry.

$1,500 rebate through the end of the month. It also has the stimulus tax incentive. Did I mention 0% financing?

The warranty is backed by the US Government.

The Malibu itself has a lower insurance cost.

We left Chevy when it stopped making the full size Caprice in the 90's. We got a Dodge. Next we bought a Nissan ONLY because our son in law was a salesman for them at the time. We are going back to Chevy.

[Orsino]

14. Chevy Malibu revised EPA mpg rating by model year.

2006 city/hwy 21/29 (non-hybrid 4 cyl.)
2007 city/hwy 21/31 (non-hybrid 4 cyl.)
2008 city hwy 24/32 (hybrid 4 cyl.) 22/32 (non-hybrid 4 cyl.)
2009 city/hwy 26/34 (hybrid 4 cyl.) 22/33 (non-hybrid 4 cyl.)

It looks as though the hybrid Malibu gets an extra mile or three per gallon. Not impressive.

[tabasco]

19. Limbaugh's followers live in fear.

They exemplify cowardice.

I drive an Echo that gets 45 mpg and has a 4-star front crash rating.

[Omaha Steve]

23. Change order, JVS was right

We changed to a 2LT. For the slightly less gas mileage, we got a lot more options. Sirrius for /XM for 3 months. On Star for a year.

[CRF450]

24. If you drive on some highway/rural areas along with city driving....

It'll get much better than that city fuel milage rating alone. Also what most are forgeting here is that compared to the same class of car, imports dont get any more or less fuel mileage.

[JVS]

26. BTW, I decided to compare hybrids of that size.

http://www.carsdirect.com/research/compareresults?cat=0&acodes=USC00FOC271A0,USC00HOC061A0,USB70HOC091A0,USB90CHC232A0,USC00TOC201A0,USC00TOC161A0

Honda's Insight and Toyota's Prius are still the best hybrids in my opinion as they combine the hybrid technology with the efficient use of space inherent to the hatchback and this are able to offer comparable space at a weight and length savings and a lower price tag. If choosing between conventionally styled sedans, I like the Ford Fusion, 41 city and 36 hwy is good mileage. I think the 250-odd HP accord V6 hybrid is a stupid execution of the concept. I generally think they should try to make these cars less than 100 hp, or maybe less than 120 for full sized family cars.

[yodoobo]

29. I've had those as a rental a few times

I don't remember anything special about it, but it seemed like an ok car.

Now that I think about it, I didn't realize it was a hybrid.