2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

[DanStokes]

Randall, it's delicious for sure.

Actually, copper is fine - it's the smelting process that takes a HUGE environmental black eye. I'm not even too disturbed by the mining process as I'm pretty sure that the land (at least in the US) gets reclaimed and is monitored to make sure all is OK. Nickel has the same issues (as in NMH batteries - don't know what kind Chevy is using in these).

Again - no free lunch.

Dan

[TheSilverBuick]

Hey, whats wrong with copper =P

[DanStokes]

It's more accurate to go with the on-board fuel economy meter than to do the "top off the tank" method. There are SO many ways to get wrong results with fuel measuring and the meters are pretty good. To get reasonably accurate results with fuel measuring you really need a TON of data (many trips) to even out the variables.

I did these measurements as part of my job so I actually know something about this.

As far as the car goes - pretty nice ride for sure but it still has some of the negative environmental impacts that hybrids have (lots of copper, big batteries, etc). We've discussed this at length on here. Basically, there's no free lunch. Hope the folks have a great experience with it.

Dan

[Sticky Dipstick]

We rented the Malibu and also a Fusion on a recent trip to the East Coast.
The Malibu much nicer.

[antmnte]

Not a bad car,all of them I have seen are that color or black. Isnt there going to be a RS version of it? That new Impala is going to be a load with the standard 4 cylinder.

[oldsman496]

paint looks smooth, kinda surprising.

[SpiderGearsMan]

yep , the old aura/vue hybrid is back ..the starter/alternator generator ..I did lots of recalls in 2007

[mlcraven]

Was looking at a one year old Malibu tonight...soon going to have to get the better half something a little more up-to-date than her 2000 Xterra.

Anyway, the Malibu is very impressive, good looking, well put together. About time there was something out there to dethrone Camry.

[ls7gto]

Nice ride, My mom and dad bought a Cruz with the turbo. They love it. I drove it once, but I didnt flog it. The got way over 40 on a trip to Fla. and back. It looks like a baby Malibu. I seen the video for the new 2013 Impala, and the interior look great, and I kinda dig the outside. The used a 65 Imp SS in the ad, and there is a tiny resemblance in the roofline/1/4 windows.

[Thumpin455]

Well it looks much better than a Toyota. I wouldnt be opposed to one as the winter beater and for the wife, she drives all over the damn place. I bet her bunker gear and firefighter/EMT stuff would fit nice in the trunk and still have plenty of room.

[Supersport350]

43 mpg was actual calculation, based on topping off the engine after a round trip commute of about 180 miles. Detroit New reported the same on a round trip from Detroit to Chicago. Like I said, not exactly my kind of car...but, if I was in the market for a car that wasn't a matchbox car, had nice styling, and knocked down some good mpg, I think this would be it. I mean seriously, the SMART car sticker says the same 38 mpg highway as the Malibu, and real world, my dad got 43 mpg. Plus, the SMART car is more of a penny racer than a car, where as the Malibu is...well, a real car.

[455 LeMans]

They are sharp cars, if I had to commute further than the 2 blocks I currently do, I would think about something like that. Though I doubt I'd punch the salesman...

[bishir]

"Hi, welcome to Chevy World the largest dealership in the nation I'm Kyle"

me: "Hello, Kyle."

Kyle: "I bet you're here to try out our new exciting Chevy Eco mphhmp"

(Kyle gets punched in the mouth)

THE END!


This story made me happy. I hope you feel better too.

[milner351]

The stop / start makes a lot of sense, without adding all the complexity of a "full hybrid" power train.

Was the 43mpg calculated based on gallons used by topping off the tank - or by the vehicle's readout on a trip computer?

[JOES66FURY]

Nice looking car, if nothing else. 43 mpg, and 0-60 in 6.5 seconds? Not bad!!

agreed, if I was forced to go with a weenie mobile, this would be it.