General Motors took a gamble offering the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu with a standard stop/start feature, but brand marketing manager John Hahn says the chance paid off, so much so that it’s more than likely the system will find its way into other Chevrolet models.
Stop/start, offered on the base 2.5 liter Malibu, is one of the many changes made to the car for the 2014 model year. It also features a revised front fascia and more interior space over the 2013 model.
Chevrolet says the Stop/start system brings many of the benefits of a mild hybrid without having to lug around a heavy battery. The 2013 Malibu was offered with an eAssist feature, but it was ditched for the 2014 model year when the current stop/start system proved to be equally as efficient, offering 36 mpg highway, 25mpg city and 29 mpg overall.
“We get the benefit of 15% better mileage, or 36 mpg highway and a 650-mile driving range on a fill-up, without the added cost of a hybrid battery pack – a sedan that starts at $22,900, not at the upper-$30,000 end of hybrids (and offers) the mileage benefits of a hybrid without the cost of a hybrid.” Chevrolet Marketing Manager John Hahn told Wards Auto.
Other automakers offer stop/start, but GM is the first to offer the system on a high volume mainstream model as opposed to an expensive niche hybrid, such as the Ford Fusion Hybrid. In addition, Consumer Reports made the 14’ Malibu a recommended buy.
More importantly, Chevrolet Malibu sales are rebounding, rising 58% in October and 41% in November.
As far as expanding the system into other Chevrolet models, Hahn had little to say, but did add that putting the system into the Impala would be a good idea.
“We have no plans to announce a stop/start expansion at this time,” he said. “But you could expect an announcement in the future, and while I won’t talk about Impala I think a lot of people would agree that would be a good feature for Impala.”
Comments
It might be selling better (to fleet buyers?) but it’s still a very uninspiring design inside and out. The exterior is slightly better, but it should be more similar to the new impala. The mass market cars in the chevy line up should share more design elements.
The interior is awful. This car is so far behind the ford fusion, mazda 6, Hyundai/Kia and Nissan Altima and GM thought a new grill, seats, cup holders and start stop would solve the problem?
Actually, the interior quality is top notch. It’s hard for me to believe that you’ve actually been in any Mid-Size sedan as of late. The 2014 Malibu not only got a new front fascia, center stack, and Stop/Start, but Intake Variable Valve Lift, suspension enhancements, transmission shift-point reconfiguration, and electric power steering adjustments.
Personally, I think that most Mid-Size sedans have drab exteriors with mix-match styling, hideous interiors with “tried too hard” materials, and unrefined engines. The Mazda 6 isn’t bad nor is the new Hyundai Sonata. The Malibu is one of the best out there in terms of technology, comfort, quality, dependability, performance, efficiency, and safety.
Amazing? It’s ordinary and ugly. It might have the ugliest wheels I have ever seen. There are some interesting elements to the the rear, but the front-end is hideous. The huge bow tie looks so cheap and awkward. The interior is very dated. The steering wheel is horrible.
Did you drive a mazda 6, a ford fusion, Hyundai sonata, Kia optima, honda accord? The Dodge Dart might actually be better, and that’s not saying much.
@Dan Dodge Dart is considered a Compact, not a midsize. I also must admit that the Fusion, Sonata, Optima, and Accord are looking dated already.
@EvanR
What the Mailbu needs and what is in it’s price point are two very different things. What you want would be all fine IF the Malibu was a $35k car.
Also, throwing every abbreviated piece of technology on an engine won’t automatically make it better.
You also completely omitted the 3.6L, which for over 10 years, in varying iterations, has been a key power source in the General’s fleet and will continue to be for years to come.
Because the 3.6 V6 is long in the tooth and gets bismal gas mileage in nearly every vehicle it is put in. With a few tech upgrades, it should do fine. It already uses Variable Valve Timing and Spark Ignited Direct Injection, but Intake Variable Valve Lift should be used to increase efficiency by a 4-5mpg in both city and highway driving. The 8-Speed RWD Auto and 9 Speed FWD Auto will also be coming soon to boost fuel economy even higher. IVVL can also help improve power ratings by as much as 225HP and 280LB-FT.
Well its obvious you don’t drive a GM vehicle now that you vented. And I believe it would make any difference that CR call’s it a recommended buy.
IMO… the Malibu is a good looking car. It was treated unfairly by the auto press, that all of a sudden decided the Malibu’s back seat space was a good enough reason to not buy it. I’m sure that I’m not alone in saying that this was not a significant reason to not buy one. Look around… 99% of the time, nothing is in the back seat.
I’m glad the Malibu is doing well.. . Is a good car. If the General puts the diesel in the Malibu, I’ll buy it, instead of the Cruz diesel.
I wish GM would make a Malibu wagon. That “affordable wagon for America” thing that Ruess was talking about is most likely about a Cruze. The 2.0L TDI in the Cruze is quite slow, plus the Cruze is a compact. GM needs to boost that engines performance or put a 2.5L TDI in it instead! I like the idea of having a Malibu diesel! I also think that there should be a Malibu Hybrid.
Like the Malibu maxx? @EvanG
Very good looking car in a class that usually isn’t.
I think that the Malibu is certainly one of the best looking cars in the mid-size segment. Also, I do agree that it have been targeted by the auto press unfairly. I live in Barbados, and would love one of these 2014 model ones as my everyday car. Others to consider, would be the Accord V-6 and the Mazda 6. However, the Malibu and the Mazda 6 are the best looking cars in the segment.