2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid Starts at $28,645
CARS.COM — When the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid goes on sale early next year, it will start at $28,645, including an $875 destination charge. Its competitors include hybrid versions the Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion and Hyundai Sonata midsize sedans.
Chevrolet redesigned the Malibu for 2016, and the hybrid model will be the first full-fledged Malibu gas-electric hybrid. Chevy previously offered a mild-hybrid version of the Malibu that relied mainly on a small electric motor and regenerative braking to boost fuel economy by an unimpressive 2-3 mpg.
Related: 2016 Chevrolet Malibu: First Drive
In comparison, Chevrolet estimates that the 2016 Malibu Hybrid will earn 48/45/47 mpg city/highway/combined. The EPA has not yet released its official fuel-economy estimates. If the estimated combined mileage becomes official, it would be 16 mpg higher than a non-hybrid Malibu with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine; 5 mpg higher than a Fusion Hybrid; and 6 mpg higher than a Camry Hybrid.
The new Malibu Hybrid uses several powertrain components of the second-generation Chevrolet Volt, including its two-motor drive system, regenerative brakes and auxiliary power unit, though it doesn’t have the Volt’s plug-in recharging capability or 53-mile electric-only range. Instead, the Malibu Hybrid operates like other hybrids in that it runs on electric power for short distances before the gas engine takes over, plus the electric motor assists the engine during acceleration up to 55 mph.
The hybrid model, which will come only in the LT trim level, has a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, a dual-mode continuously variable automatic transmission and a 1.5-kilowatt-hour, air-cooled lithium-ion battery. Standard equipment includes the MyLink infotainment system and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
The $28,645 base price for the Malibu Hybrid falls between the non-hybrid 1LT ($25,895) and the 2LT ($29,495). The Fusion Hybrid is available in three trim levels that range from $26,060 to $31,815; the Camry Hybrid comes in three trim levels that run from $27,625 to $30,975 (all prices include a destination charge).
