When the refreshed 2014 Malibu begins arriving at Chevrolet dealerships this fall, it will be the first midsize sedan sold in the United States to offer fuel-saving stop-start technology as standard equipment on the base model equipped with the 2.5L Ecotec (LCV) engine.
Having received a substantial refresh for the 2014 model year only a year after the launch of the all-new 2013 eighth-generation model, the 2014 Malibu is EPA-estimated to deliver 25 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined, a 14 percent improvement in city fuel economy.
Stop/start technology allows a vehicle to conserve fuel by automatically shutting off the engine when the car comes to a stop (such as at stoplights or while in park). When the driver takes his or her foot off the brake, the engine automatically restarts. While the engine is shut off, an auxiliary 12-volt battery powers electric accessories such as heating and air conditioning, power windows, and radio. The system is also smart enough to determine when not to shut the engine off — such as when the battery is low on power and in stop-and-go traffic.
Valve-Actuation Technology
Joining stop/start technology on its base 2.5L I4 (LCV) engine and contributing to the Malibu’s improved fuel economy is valve-actuation technology. Known as Intake Valve Lift Control, the system operates during low-lift mode, pumping only the air it needs to meet the driver’s demand for power, then switching to high-lift mode at highest speeds or under heavy loads, thereby providing the full output capability of the engine.
The variable intake valve actuation enhances efficiency and helps lower emissions while boosting low-rpm torque, thereby increasing the feeling of power at lower speeds.
New 6T45 Transmission
In addition to stop/start, the 2014 Malibu’s base 2.5L Ecotec (LCV) engine is mated to a new six-speed 6T45 transmission, which includes improvements that reduce the energy required to pump transmission fluid, resulting in additional fuel economy savings.
Competitive Fuel Economy
The new technologies allow the 2014 Malibu with the 2.5L engine to deliver a higher combined fuel economy rating than many (but not all) of its class rivals, including the Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion, Kia Optima, Hyundai Sonata and Chrysler 200.
Model | Base Engine | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014 Chevrolet Malibu | 2.5L | 25 | 36 | 29 |
2014 Toyota Camry | 2.5L | 25 | 35 | 28 |
2014 Honda Accord | 2.4L | 27 | 36 | 30 |
2014 Nissan Altima | 2.5L | 27 | 38 | N/A |
2014 Mazda6 | 2.5L | 26 | 38 | N/A |
2013 Kia Optima | 2.4L | 24 | 35 | 28 |
2013 Hyundai Sonata | 2.4L | 24 | 35 | 28 |
2014 Ford Fusion | 2.5L | 22 | 34 | 26 |
2014 Chrysler 200 | 2.4L | 20 | 31 | 24 |
“In this competitive midsize segment, there is no standing still,” said Chevrolet marketing vice president Chris Perry. “In addition to fuel economy improvements, the 2014 Malibu is roomier and more refined than its predecessor.”
2014 Malibu Updates
Additional items that were updated on the 2014 Malibu include:
- Revised front-end appearance
- Roomier rear seat with 1.25 inches (31.7 mm) more knee room
- Redesigned center console
- Suspension enhancements derived from the all-new 2014 Impala engineered to contribute to a more dynamic driving experience
- Available Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert safety features
- Nearly 14 percent more torque from the available 2.0L turbo engine – 295 lb-ft of torque (400 Nm) and engineered for a greater feeling of power on demand
2014 Malibu Pricing
The 2014 Malibu will be available in LS, LT and LTZ trim levels. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Pricing, which includes an $825 destination charge but excludes tax, title, license, and dealer fees, is as follows:
TRIM LEVEL | PRICE |
---|---|
LS | $22,965 |
1LT | $24,335 |
2LT | $26,040 |
LTZ | $28,515 |
Comments
Impressive and it isn’t using CVT so it should still provide users with a somewhat exhilarating experience.
Nice to see these better gas mileage numbers. I went with my dad the other day when he test drove a new Altima, my first experience in a CVT car. That was weird no shifting going on. I have one concern about the stop-start thing though. How does that set up handle hot weather like continuous over 100 degree days in keeping systems running sufficiently keep the inside cool, etc. while in traffic a lot?
Paul — the system relies on the auxiliary 12-volt battery to power accessories whenever appropriate. Reportedly, if the battery doesn’t have enough juice, then the stop/start system will keep the engine from stopping. But in all of the vehicles (not only those from GM) I’ve driven with the system so far, this has not happened — even in stop-and-go traffic in very hot weather.
Update: the stop/start system has built-in logic to account for various situations, including not having enough power in the auxiliary battery and for stop-and-go traffic. More details here:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2013/08/mailbag-can-the-stopstart-system-in-the-2014-chevy-malibu-run-out-of-power/
Is there a way of turning-off that silly stop & go feature. I find it very annoying and I can just imagine replacing starters and transmissions more often. I was thinking of disconnecting the auxiliary battery, maybe this will deactivate the stop and go feature.
Thanks, I thought about it a little more after posting and came up with the same answer. Should have known better, I guess.
Not a problem. Here’s some more info about how the system handles low-power availability and stop-and-go traffic situations:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2013/08/mailbag-can-the-stopstart-system-in-the-2014-chevy-malibu-run-out-of-power/
But if the 2.5 is making the same efficiency as the 2.4 E-assist, then what’s the point of having E-assist on this car?
It isn’t e-assist as you know it in the 2.4L; it is a direct system instead of belt-driven – less expensive and quieter.
True but if you’re putting an eco badge then you would expect to get a much better mileage but this model year of the eco is 1mpg less than the 37 mpg thats on today’s Malibu eco
I get you on this. The e-assist also would activate during your drive to add a little extra power when it was needed, i.e. hilly highway travel – the belt driven electric motor added enough torque to keep a constant speed without a transmission downshift.
The new 12 volt system is much simpler, cheaper (I think GM a lost money on every Eco sold) and robust. The biggest downside to the new system is that everything now relies on the redesigned starter motor to perform stop/start so the ability to add torque while driving is lost.
Personally, I’d much rather own this new version, as I keep my cars forever, and a starter motor or 12v battery is much easier and cheaper to replace than the old system. 🙂
I have a malibu with e assist couldn’t be happier! I get way higher then the 30 combined city highway
As for the car I never understood why people didn’t like the car? I saw no reason to redo it a year or so after the car came out!
I totally agree… despite of the backseat issue I don’t find any problems with the rest of the car… camrys are boring, altimas looks boring inside with monotone colors and what is up with them putting turning signals on the bottom of the car? Fusion looks really awkward Because it just look so long and narrow despite of the Aston Martin face, Hyundai and Kia sucks at interior, vw is bland despite of being bigger, and Mazda is the same with Hyundai and Kia.
The real news here is the new valve technology. This will already enhance the low end of this engine and make more low end torque. This and the VVT have tamed the DOHC cam engines so you do not have to rev the things like Banshee to get any torque.
I wonder what the cost of repair will be if and when these starters go bad or if the electronics fail. The belt was always a concern for me as belts are wear items. With people keeping cars near 11 years anymore these things can come into play. The cost of keeping a car on the road is a factor many will face in the future. Many are now just learning about timing belt replacements as many cars today need them at around 65,000 miles. Even cars with chains are now going back to belts for added MPG.
I own one and if it’s a belt it shouldn’t be a problem, as for anything else as long as you keep it under the bumper to bumper warranty then I don’t see what the concern is
I think they should have an 8 speed auto with DSC and a 6 speed manual. AWD should be an option. As for engines, possibly:
A 1.1L Twin Turbo I4 with 176HP and 220LBS-FT. TQ. 26 mpg City / 38 mpg Hwy / 31 Combined
A 2.5L I4 eAssist with 202HP and 181LBS-FT. TQ 27 mpg City / 40 mpg Hwy / 33 Combined
A 2.8L Turbo V6 with 300HP and 295LBS-FT. TQ. (SIDI, VVT, AFM, and DOHC) 24 mpg City / 32 mpg Hwy / 27 Combined
A Hybrid Plug In/2-Mode 2.2L Turbo Diesel I4 187 HP/320 TQ. 33 mpg City / 48 mpg Hwy / 39 Combined
I doubt the 2.8 will have the FE numbers
All of them have Start/Stop. I4’s have iVLC and are DOHC. The V6 has VVT, SIDI, DOD, and is DOHC. Do you know what DOD is? It’s Displacement on Demand, it will be a 6 cylinder when it needs power and convert down to a 4 cylinder when it doesn’t need as much! So in other words 24 City mpg (V6) and 32 mpg Hwy (V4) and it has an 8 speed auto instead of the 6 speed!
You mean active fuel management?
Oh yeah, DOD is what it was formerly known as. . . .
You have to admit, that is a pretty darn good list. There’s an engine to compete with Ford’s Ecoboost, Toyota’s V6, VW’s TDI’s, and other mild Hybrid cars. . . .
Alex, you should watch for the 2014 Chevrolet Impala with eAssist when it arrives:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/33853.shtml
http://www.hybridcars.com/2014-chevrolet-impala-production-starts-35-mpg-with-eassist/
I knew that it would be an option after reading the Owner manual, which has several pages covering the eAssist operation. Getting up to 35 MPG on an Impala is a historic event!
I don’t like start/stop I think it has its dangers and on tjhe other note, POOR starter and battery lol having to do that in rush hour or something…. and what if your in gear will the car go tink? Or lung forward and start?
Don’t knock a stop/go system until you have driven one. I have and really like it. The starting is seamless, as is takeoffs. The car remains in gear while it shuts down, so no shifting required. Plus, there is no start/jerking because it’s in gear. Again, seamless.
As mentioned, it is a learning system which knows that in stop and go traffic (rush hour), it will not shut the engine down because it wouldn’t be off long enough and wear/tear the system.
Again, go out and drive this system before knocking it.
Yes people knock the system until you’ve spent some time with one, but then again the pig head people would still not like it and dream up something they don’t like!
I have a malibu eco couldn’t be happier and I’m very surprised in how smooth and easy the system works most of the time I don’t even know it’s working which is a good thing!
Hi Alex… Question for you. You said “the system relies on the auxiliary 12-volt battery to power accessories whenever appropriate.” So what does the ISG directly leverage? A 12-volt battery? 36-volt? Thanks for clarification…
looking to buy a 2014 Malibu with the stop/start feature. Do you know about the warranty coverage (starter motor, auxiliary battery, etc).
Chevrolet.com doesn’t say what the coverage/warranty is on the Start/Stop system. So ask your local dealer about it. .
OK guys, I know this is an old thread, but I just replaced my 2011 with a 2014 due to my ’11 being demolished for hail damage. (My 3rd Malibu starting with my ’65 SS Convertible in 1976)
I took it on a longer cruise yesterday for first time after wrestling the wheel from my wife.
Impressions on the 2.5 eco versus the 2.4L: the 27 or so HP and the 31 extra ft/lbs of torque are instantly noticeable and gee whiz fun between lights, although I am a conservative driver. I averaged 28 in mixed but hilly PA driving, up about two on my regular commute, which includes a long uphill that made the 2.4 scream and downshift, but not the 2.5. I look forward to putting it on the interstate to see if it surpasses the 31 or so I would get in the ’11 in that situation.
The start stop works great, but does not engage every time, as designed, so it is a little confusing, especially to my wife and a customer I sold a ’13 to last week. When it works, it works, albeit with a little bumping around when you release the brake, which will take some getting used to.
I love the interior room, the 5″ less wheelbase, which gives the car a more sporty feel and a shorter turn radius (my wife’s lone complaint about the ’11). It is not noticeable in the front especially; in fact, the front seats go back almost too far!
Console is much improved without the roll-top that was always open and collected dirt in the hundred lines in it. The cup holders being split rather than the side to side arrangement allows us to have 2 large commuter cups without them bumping together or leaning precariously towards both our laps like leaning towers of Pisa. Two Cellphone slots work great, as does the USB charger slot inside to console, with a notch cut out thoughtfully to route a cord through it. The faux wood grain in a gray color is awesome, as well.
The 7 ” myLink screen is worth the price of upgrade alone, with the colorful and changeable display and the next generation Bluetooth, which allows audio streaming from phones and other devices, text messaging and answering from the radio, voice activated station changing (who needs to touch buttons!) weather, closest gas and movie info, all with dialable phone numbers, and color rear camera, of course
Other pleasant content surprises going from 1LT to 1LT: Homelink for garage door opener added, auto-dimming rearview (to kill the monster trucks and fog lights in clear weather behind me) Turn signal indicators on the outside mirrors seen only on higher level cars in the past, more room in the doors for water bottles or umbrella storage, inconvenient rear cupholders for the mother-in-laws starbucks moves from the floor to a new seatback mounted and huge armrest. Remote start remains in the package, but a stylish new “switchblade” key and fob, with a rich-looking gold raised bowtie on it is a small but nice touch to upgrade the free swinging key and teardrop fob. Heated mirror are new to the standard LT list too.
A few minor observations, the bumping of the brakes when stopping and restarting will take some getting used to; it’s not unlike some of the regen pedals i have felt in the Volt and Priuses I have driven and sold, and a bump, and what feels like a downshift going down that same long hill I mentioned earlier, what seems to me like regenerative braking, although I can’t be sure, and is the reason I jumped on this forum to find out (before I crack open my Product Source from GM on my day off to see for sure). I also would have like the ’13’s electronic E-brake and am unsure what the reasoning behind the reversion to mechanical handbrake.
All in all a great ride and upgrade from the 2011, in power, technology, gas mileage and front seat amenities and hip and shoulder room and visual styling. I’ll leave the back seat review to my picky mother-in-law.
I just bought the 2014 Chevy Malibu LTZ. Is there a patch for the MYChevy MYLink?
Thank you.