Car and Driver: 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid Priced, Lands in the Thick of Things

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Three months after announcing pricing for the redesigned new 2016 Malibu, Chevrolet has filled in the final price of the puzzle by releasing the figure for the new Malibu hybrid.

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The gas-electric ‘Bu will start at $28,645. Unlike the hybrid versions of its mid-size competitors—the Ford Fusion, the Honda Accord, the Hyundai Sonata, and the Toyota Camry—the Malibu Hybrid comes in the single trim level, LT. Compared to the regular Malibu LT, the Hybrid commands a premium of $2750.

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The Malibu Hybrid LT’s MSRP is more than $2000 higher than that of its least-expensive rival, the Ford Fusion S hybrid ($26,060), and also more than the Fusion SE hybrid ($26,875), but less than the top-dog Fusion Titanium hybrid ($31,815).

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Looking next at Hyundai, the Chevrolet slots midway between the two Sonata hybrid offerings, the SE ($26,835) and the Limited ($30,935).

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Chevrolet comes in a bit higher than the base Camry hybrid, the LE ($28,020) and a bit lower than the Camry SE ($28,803). The Camry XLE is another two grand dearer, at $30,975.

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The (2015-model) Honda Accord hybrid has the loftiest starting point of the lot, with the base model some $1500 more than the Malibu at $30,140. Things go up from there, with the $32,890 EX-L and the $35,890 Touring. The Accord hybrid, however, is taking a hiatus for 2016 before returning with an improved powertrain for 2017.

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Unlike the previous-generation Malibu hybrid, the new version has beefed up the electric side of the equation, and can thus propel itself on battery power alone (which the previous car couldn’t do at all) under light throttle loads at speeds up to 55 mph. Pairing a 1.8-liter four with the two-motor electric-propulsion system from the new Volt, the new Malibu hybrid is expected to achieve EPA ratings of 48 mpg city, 45 mpg highway (although official figures aren’t yet in). That’s worlds better than the old car’s 25/37 ratings. More important, it fares pretty well against the competition, beating all comers in both the city and highway, with the exception of the Accord’s 50/45 mpg.

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• All-New 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Gets Lower Starting Price-
• 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid: Chevrolet Finally Takes the Hybrid Thing Seriously-
• Chevrolet Malibu News, Reviews, Photos, Buyer’s Guide, and More-

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Chevy would appear to be serious about the hybrid version of its mid-size sedan for the first time ever. But the ultimate arbiters deciding how strongly it competes will be hybrid shoppers—a dwindling population, what with depressed gas prices. They’ll begin to have their say once the Malibu hybrid reaches showrooms this spring.

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[Ghost]

so, a lot less Prius owners in the future? and it seems a lil to "fastbacky".

[Ringo64]

5 minutes ago, Ghost said:

so, a lot less Prius owners in the future? and it seems a lil to "fastbacky".

Let's hope so