Why the Chevy Malibu Hybrid Failed Miserably

Avoid this hybrid sedan.

I usually don’t harp on a failed model, preferring to let each car speak for itself. However, I can’t resist taking a late swipe at the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, a vehicle whose lifespan was cut short and for good reason: it was a bomb.

Standard Malibus

Nope, this rip isn’t directed at the rest of the Malibu line which is, in my opinion, a solid contender in the midsize sedan market. Lots of people consider the Toyota Camry or Honda Accord, the two top sellers in the segment, but I believe the Malibu is better styled.

And, along with the Ford Fusion and 2011 Honda Sonata, the Malibu should be considered. But not the hybrid…not now…not ever.

So, why offer up some slappage against the Malibu Hybrid when it is no longer available for sale? I’ll tell you why: to serve notice that sometimes the best intentions of an automaker fall short or in this case never get off to a right start in the first place.

Ill Conceived

Everything about the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid was wrong. Unlike the Toyota Prius, Ford Fusion Hybrid and mostly everything else on the market, the Malibu Hybrid wasn’t a full hybrid. Yes, it utilized an electric battery but it didn’t do what the typical hybrid does and that is to deliver electric only power around town at speeds up to 25 to 30 mph.

Instead, the partial hybrid Malibu stayed in electric mode for up to 3 mph…just the speed you need when you back out of your driveway. In contrast, the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid can stay in pure electric mode until the car hits 47 mph. What a difference!

And, that chasm becomes evident in fuel economy as the Malibu Hybrid gets 26 mpg city, 34 mpg highway. The Fusion Hybrid gets 41 mpg city, 36 mpg highway. Not much of a difference on the highway, but a world of difference around town.

Partial Hybrid

The question that needs to be answered is this one: why did General Motors go with a partial hybrid instead of something on order of the Fusion and Prius? That’s a good question, perhaps it had something to do with price as the Malibu carried only a s slight price premium while still qualifying for a federal tax rebate (new energy credit for hybrids). Still, with just 2-3 mpg gained with the hybrid, there isn’t much going for it.

My “little rant” is also directed at those in autodom who chase after foolish projects and think customers will be wowed. When GM was planning its hybrid line up, it was losing billions of dollars monthly. Since then, it has moved through bankruptcy and is now restructuring; the hope here is that GM has learned many valuable lessons along the way and won’t repeat those mistakes. They can’t afford to as customers have many other choices available to them, giving GM no room for mistakes.

As far as buying a used Malibu Hybrid goes, that’s up to you. But I wouldn’t pay a premium for the model and I’d also be concerned about its long term quality. GM abandoned the Malibu Hybrid so why should you buy what is effectively an orphaned car?