2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

Review the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid gave us a complete Information. We read the accolades accorded to the gas-only version, the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, after its launch late last year, which reminded us of the good press received by the Saturn Aura the year before. And the Malibu Hybrid, with its belt alternator starter (BAS) hybrid system, reminded us of the mild hybrid system of the Saturn Aura Green Line. It seems that GM pioneered a good car launch story with the Aura, and chose to repeat it with the Malibu this year. We’ve started taking bets around the office whether GM will repeat the strategy with Buick or Pontiac later this year.
From a tech point, the Malibu Hybrid doesn’t stand out. The hybrid system doesn’t progress the emissions rating and only carry out a small economy boost. The cabin electronics rely on OnStar for most of their functionality. We like the stereo interface, which is simple but functional. The Malibu Hybrid works mainly as a value proposition, giving you a lot of car for relatively little money.
2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid with no options. The car comes in with an inexpensive base price of $22,140. Add on the $650 destination charge, and our total was $22,790, making it one of the cheapest hybrids you can get. But you get what you pay for, and, as we’ve pointed out, we aren’t terribly impressed with this hybrid system. For a comparably-sized hybrid, you would get a much better, and more expensive, tech car with either the Toyota Camry Hybrid or the Nissan Altima Hybrid. Both alternatives use a much more capable hybrid system and have excellent tech options. GM has started rolling out its more capable two-mode hybrid system in its SUVs, and we hope to see this system appear in sedans like the Malibu.

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