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GM Discontinues Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

Sources across the Chevrolet dealer network have told GM Authority on Monday that the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid has been discontinued for the 2020 model year.

The Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid first arrived with the nameplate’s ninth generation for the 2016 model year. The electrified model used components shared with the Voltec powertrain in the much-loved Chevrolet Volt, but the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid was a “standard” hybrid model that did not come with a plug.

Unfortunately, with GM halting production of the Volt earlier this year, it makes sense the Malibu Hybrid is axed as well.

In retrospect, the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid was a very solid offering, boasting upwards of 46 mpg combined, as rated by the EPA. Those figures range right up there with rivals like the Honda Accord Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid, which offer an EPA-rated 48 mpg combined and 52 mpg combined, respectively.

For reference, the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid was equipped with a 1.8L inline four-cylinder gasoline engine and electric drive unit with two integrated electric motors, which combined to produce 182 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. The system could also run on electricity alone at speeds up to 55 mph.

Besides the obvious fuel economy benefits, the ‘Bu Hybrid was also quite torquey, delivering very healthy acceleration. In fact, it was not a difficult endeavor to chirp the wheels from a standstill on dry pavement.

The Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid (model 1ZE69) started at $29,000 in the United States and was based on the LT trim level. Standard features included 17-inch aluminum wheels, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen for infotainment.

While we hate to see yet another GM sedan shuffle off to that big parking lot in the sky, it’s possible we could see a successor in the form of some all-electric model variant in the next few years. Indeed, GM has plans to offer 20 new electric cars by 2023, so we’re eager to see if that’s indeed the case.

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. Sucks it wasn’t advertised at all

    Reply
    1. My comments exactly!

      Reply
  2. This is the perfect way to respond to a potential increase in oil prices.

    Also funny that the hybrid had a bigger ICE than the standard Malibu.

    I can’t fix F1 AND GM! Somebody step up with some common sense at either location, please!

    Reply
  3. Trunk was too small (11 cu. ft.)
    Plus with sales of standard Hybrids falling off a cliff, it’s only a matter of time before god quits making Priuses.

    Reply
    1. While I agree that the battery pack took up a fair amount of space and reduced the cargo volume significantly, I can’t think of a time where I have had my trunk entirely full. For me personally, it is a fair trade-off for the fuel economy.

      Reply
  4. They marketed the hell out of these when they came out but no one really cared. As Peter stated the sales of Hybrids are not what they used to be.

    Reply
  5. Sometimes I swear GM is run by a bunch of imbeciles and nincompoops. GM did not try to sell this car, at all! No advertisements, no promotions, nothing. Im wondering if they did this deliberately.

    Reply
  6. Really sad. I daily a Malibu Hybrid. It’s the best car I’ve ever owned. I get 36 mpg in the city and 50 mpg on the highway. If GM doesn’t keep it around, how will they compete against Japanese hybrids ? Do they have an EV that can compete against the Camry, Accord, and Optima Hybrids ? Or will GM just go bankrupt once again.

    Reply
    1. No, GM is looking ahead to a game (segment) it can actually win in. That game is called EVs.

      GM believes it can make a huge dent from a sales and market share standpoint with EVs, and get the leg up on the competition with EVs. It has not been able to do so with hybrids or PHEVs. Meanwhile, the automakers you mention are significantly behind GM in the EV race. Mind you, we have yet to see the fruits of GM’s electric onslaught… but when it comes, it will be yuge.

      Reply
      1. Yeah, I’m probably going to get an EV sedan once my Malibu hybrid has run its course. But it’s a great car nonetheless, and will be missed.

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      2. Lets hope so. The Bolt came out a long time ago. Been waiting for the next EV from Chevy for a while now.

        Reply
        1. This push to EV’s by the automakers depends on a few things:
          – There are enough people with enough money/credit to afford EV’s
          – EV owners live in homes with enough electric service to provide fast charging
          – The decimation of reliable coal energy is miraculously replaced by magic
          – The raw material mining-related human trafficking required for EV parts is sufficiently handled and hidden in third world countries.

          This is a dream that everybody is hoping will become reality if they just keep saying it’s true.

          Reply
  7. Truth be known, I had no idea of such a beast especially as Chevrolet and General Motors didn’t spend a penny advertising the vehicle especially how it achieved an EPA rating of 46 mpg.

    Reply
  8. Wow the product holes at GM grow by the month. All for this onslaught of all electric vehicles that we keep hearing about that are somehow going to set the world on fire, cost the same or less than today’s equivalent models, have a range of 500 miles and superchargers are going to magically sprout from the ground everywhere with free power for everybody with zero impact on the ancient power grid. We are all going to throw away our internal combustion engines overnight and live prosperously with our magic EV’s. I’m so glad that we have a company like this that is so much smarter than everybody else and has our best interests at heart. Oh and all of this will happen in just 3 years time. LOL

    Reply
  9. 2013 and all others with a 2.4 L engine
    Pretty much got robbed because of their defects especially with oil consumption
    I still owe 13000$$ and it was my first car I bought and I’ve only had it 3 years and I can’t even drive it.. I’m so disappointed..
    Chevrolet dealership says … let’s have you pay $9000 for a new motor.. if I did that I would have bought my car 3 times..
    trying my best to explore all options and I can’t afford to pay for
    what to do

    Reply

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