The new Chevrolet Malibu is nearly upon us. With 2008 models only a few months away from delivery and the mega-money ad campaign gearing up, General Motors is excited to reveal that the Bowtie’s bread-and-butter sedan can be had for less than $20K.
Though Chevy’s claim of the Malibu having “$40,000 looks” can be debated, its $19,995 MSRP for the base LS cannot. Nor can the fact that its pricing of the Malibu Hybrid ($22,790) undercuts Toyota’s Camry Hybrid by a useful $2500.
Prices move up incrementally through the rest of the range. $20,955 gets you into the 1LT, $22,635 for the 2LT, and at the top of the line the LTZ measures out to $26,995. Chevy seems confident that the pricing scheme will make them serious competitors for the family dollar, going so far as to say that customers will, “see everything we’ve packed into a sedan starting under $20 grand and think there’s a typo on the sticker.”
With competition in the Malibu’s segment tighter than ever, Chevy had better hope that plenty of folks start to get excited about that “typo.”
(Click on the jump to read Chevy’s official press release along with full pricing and details for the 2008 Malibu)
All-New 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Delivers A Lot Of Value Starting At $19,995
CHICAGO – Chevrolet today announced pricing for its all-new 2008 Malibu midsize sedan lineup, with MSRPs starting at $19,995 for the base LS and for the first time, a hybrid for $22,790. The Malibu continues to drive home Chevy’s commitment to dependable, fun-to-drive cars packed with value.
“When we debuted Malibu at the North American International Auto show in January, we promised that its $40,000 looks would cost half as much,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “Well, we’ve kept our word. Customers will see everything we’ve packed into a sedan starting under $20 grand and think there’s a typo on the sticker.”
Malibu is built to be the best midsize car in the market, having been benchmarked against the top names in the class and loaded with standard features that many competitors don’t offer at any price. The design team focused on the attributes that mattered most to midsize car buyers such as families and commuters.
All Malibus are equipped with a long list of standard features, including six air bags (dual-stage frontal, seat-mounted side-impact thorax and head-curtain side air bags); four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with all-speed traction control; OnStar Gen 7 safety and security system with Turn-by-Turn Navigation; air conditioning; and XM Satellite Radio.
Along with the LS and Hybrid, the Malibu lineup includes the 1LT and 2LT trim levels and the top-of-the-line LTZ. MSRP for the 1LT is $20,955; 2LT, $22,635 and the LTZ, $26,995. All include the $650 destination charge.
Malibu , arriving in dealerships in November, combines fuel efficiency, performance and a long list of standard amenities wrapped in a design that carries the new face of Chevrolet. It features a strong body structure, precise build quality and refined driving dynamics. It is more than three inches longer than its predecessor, with a six-inch-longer (112.3 in / 2,852 mm) wheelbase.
GM’s StabiliTrak electronic stability control system is standard on LT, LTZ and Hybrid models. A number of equipment packages also are available and include features such as power-adjustable pedals, premium seating, uplevel interiors; power equipment groups and a deluxe audio system.
Malibu performance comes from two powerful yet fuel-efficient dual-overhead cam four- and six-cylinder engines, including a standard 169-horsepower (126 kW) 2.4L Ecotec DOHC four-cylinder engine that delivers 30 mpg highway, 22 city (’08 EPA); and an available 252-horsepower (188 kW) 3.6L DOHC V-6 with variable valve timing, rated at 26 mpg highway and 17 city.
The Malibu Hybrid, featuring the affordable GM Hybrid System, also goes on sale in November. Powered by a hybrid version of the 2.4L Ecotec, it is rated at 32 mpg highway and 24 city.
Four-cylinder-equipped models come with a four-speed transmission with overdrive. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard with the 3.6L V-6 and will be available next spring on the four-cylinder-equipped LTZ – the first four-cylinder engine/six-speed transmission combination in the segment.
Other highlights of the redesigned 2008 Chevy Malibu include:
* All-new refined and contemporary exterior with a new grille design and heritage-inspired twin round taillamps
* Upscale interior design with a choice of cloth, suede and leather inside; available two-tone cockpit in a number of color combinations; gauges with Chevrolet blue LED backlighting
* Ambient lighting in areas such as the overhead console and door-pull pockets for a more inviting cabin
* Standard four-wheel independent suspension for a more controlled and confident driving experience
* One of the segment’s quietest, most refined driving experiences, thanks to noise-reducing materials such as a liquid spray-on sound deadener, laminated steel, laminated “quiet glass” and composite wheel liners
* Standard theft-deterrent system for vehicle and contents
* Remote vehicle starting (standard on 2LT and LTZ; available on 1LT) and standard universal home remote on 2LT and LTZ
* TAPshift manual shift control, available on 2LT and standard on LTZ
* Sixteen-inch standard wheels on LS and an available family of large wheels, including 18-inch ultra-bright aluminum polished wheels available on 2LT and standard on LTZ
* Available rear power center includes 110-volt AC adapter with three-prong outlet on 1LT, 2LT and LTZ (included and available only with Rear Power Package)
* Available sunroof on LT and LTZ models
* Premium eight-speaker, 210-watt sound system standard on LTZ and available on 2LT.
* Standard tire-pressure monitoring system“We strive to offer the best value in every segment where we compete, and midsize cars are not different,” Peper said. “For example, the Chevy Impala has been one of the biggest success stories in this industry during the past two years, gaining more than two points of market share. Now, combined with Malibu, this gives us a solid one-two punch in midsize cars and puts Chevy back into the car game in a big way.”
The Malibu is built at the GM Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas City, Kan. The dependability of the 2008 Malibu is backed by GM’s five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, the best protection package in the industry, providing customers with added peace of mind and value during their ownership experience.
The pricing on the hybrid may be low, but so is the mileage. Its only 2mpg better than the non hybrid version. Why would anyone pay the additional cash for increased weight and complexity is beyond me. It will likely follow in the footsteps of the failed hybrid accord.
@ Nonsense,
Nowadays, people buy hybrids for the green message it sends. Fuel economy really doesn’t quite make it into the picture all the time.
Actually, in reality the gas mileage on the hybrid will a lot better than the standard 2.4L. The 2.4L in other cars gets lower mileage than the EPA figures state.
Jonathan,
You need to talk to regular people not enviro folks. Regular people buy hybrids for the gas mileage savings and that’s pretty much it. Regular people want to see how this technology benefits them now.
@ John:
I could give a fig about the “greeness” of a hybrid…I’m in it to save money.
why can’t chevy bring its great korean car the Chevy,”epica ” aka the Dae woo Tosca to the usa. it would be an improvement over these malibus. we wont accept junk over here in Korea. dan
Dan,
Get a grip. The Daewoo Tosca is not that nice… The old Malibu was not the greatest car either, but this new one is a completly new car on a new architecture. Please reserve your negative coments until you drive the car…. Oh, you will not be able to becuase the Korean Government prevents imports by taxing them so much.
And Koreans do accept junk. Most of their cars are junk. They have improved in recent years, but if you do not consider price, the Korean cars are not very attractive.
I’d like to see how many on dealer lots you’ll actually see at $19,995
Pricing it slightly higher than the competition. This is an interesting marketing strategy. Let’s see how this plays out.
Before anyone comments - the mailbu hybrid is the only model that is cheaper than the competition but I don’t know that they’d sell many of those anyway.
In reply to Dans “we would not except junk over here in korea”….. We have been accepting the JUNK that Korea has been sending over here for years… It really wasnt till recenlty in the last 4-5 years or so that the Korean JUNK has been getting increasingly better…. and I must say alot of Korean Cars are being built here in America now.
I have an 03 Hyundai Elantra - 90K miles and the only maintenance have been oil changes and tires. It seems that the junk is getting better.
$2500 less than Camry seem like kind of a good deal, But looking at the fuel econ. I don’t know. Shouldn’t Hybrids get better City miles than Hwy miles. Even the now defunct Accord Hybrid got better mileage than this and it was a V6.
Doug, my wife has a 04 Sonata. 72k miles and same experience as ziggy - other than it had a headlight burnout.
The Nissan Altima 2.5L CVT is rated EPA 2008 26 mpg.
The Saturn Aura Hybrid is rated EPA 2008 27 mpg.
So surely the Aura/Malibu hybrids are better than the competitor’s non-hybrids. But are you going to pay that mild-hybrid premium, for a 1 mpg gain?
“I have an 03 Hyundai Elantra”
ziggy - my apologies. If only I had known…
@ Don
http://www.omninerd.com/2005/11/11/articles/41
A very mathematical article that shows you that you are probably going to end up losing money buying that hybrid over another fuel efficient gasoline only car (or especially a diesel.)
The conclusion: “it is painfully obvious that existing hybrids lack the ability to make up for their steep prices with gas savings.” The qualification however, is that the article is nearly 2 years old, and gas prices have gone up since then.
Still, I think it’s generally agreed that the premium you pay on the hybrid will not balance out the fuel savings. As nonsense pointed out, in this case, it’s only 2 more MPG…not a whole lot.
Ducati minor -
you probably drive something from GM. Don’t need to be rude to fellow bloggers.
guys take it easy the car ain’t at the dealers, so we can’t judge this car yet. even the old malibu sold well, this is because it fulfilled the needs for every day’s commuting. It wasn’t fast nor sporty, but it was a good enough car for the family. If the new one is charred with the aura, then I believe it’s gonna be good.
the other topic that is twisting the minds is the hybrid. Well, I never favoured hybrids over gasoline engines. This is because hybrids are more expensive, more complicated, have more problems and are less reliable than the regular gasoline engines. Therefore, the amount of money you save for gas goes for maintenance and other extra costs that are required for hybrids, so why would you bother your head. And even when I think about it, why would I ruin the joy of driving for going green. Let others go green, I will enjoy my car.
One last thing, Korean cars are becoming really good. I personally prefer a sonata over a camry or an accord.
“you probably drive something from GM.”
Paul J:
I don’t.
I’m with mo on this much–it’s unfair (even stupid) to judge a product that hasn’t come out yet or even been reviewed by the press. GM has put in a lot of effort into the Malibu, just as Ford had done with the Taurus in the 1980s. The Malibu is a family sedan–not my kind of vehicle, but one millions use.
Hybrids are a fairly recent trend in the market. Like most fresh technology, added cost versus personal savings probably don’t work out well. But more R&D is being put in for smaller, lighter, and longer-lasting batteries. I am certain we will be seeing a realistic diesel-electric prototype soon, though the hurdles faced with a diesel-electric powertrain (in cost and weight) will take more time. And with the promise of plug-in hybrids raising the electric input factor in driving, hybrid technology (in some form or another) has life in it.
Edmunds featured a three-way comparison test between the Camry Hybrid ($30,600), Altima Hybrid ($30,500), and AURA Green Line ($23,100). The Saturn came in last with a mixed-driving average of 26 mpg. The Camry Hybrid averaged 43 mpg–a very promising number. The Altima Hybrid came in second place with 40. Not terrible numbers in my opinion.
Ducati, what crazy made up numbers, even EPA only rates the hybrids at 34 mpg average.
Camry Hybrid $30,667, 32.6 mpg
Altima Hybrid $30,535, 31.5 mpg
Aura Hybrid $23,070, 24.5 mpg
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=121755
Those were the driving averages from the test. Here are some more:
MotorWeek:
Saturn AURA Green Line (30 mpg combined)
Toyota Camry Hybrid (38 mpg combined)
Car and Driver:
Toyota Camry Hybrid (33 mpg combined)
Nissan Altima Hybrid (23 mpg combined)
Saturn AURA Green Line (23 mpg combined)
Consumer Reports:
Toyota Camry Hybrid (34 mpg combined)
[…] the future can be judged from the first two weeks of Chevrolet Malibu sales, the car’s marketing tagline may have to be revised from “the car you can’t ignore,” […]
[…] the future can be judged from the first two weeks of Chevrolet Malibu sales, the car’s marketing tagline may have to be revised from “the car you can’t ignore,” […]
[…] used as the “base” comparison) with a payback time of 4.2 years. Following closely behind were Chevy’s Malibu Hybrid at 4.6 years, and Toyota Camry at 4.8 years. Last on the list? The other end of Toyota’s Hybrid […]
Diesel with Attitude: The Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro
Report: Volkswagen Working on Driverless Self-Parking System for Production
More Spied Images of New Camaro Interior
Early Scoop on Volkswagen Tiguan's U.S. Launch, Diesel Delayed? Not Coming? 
Report: Mercedes-Benz to Leverage Aluminum for Next E-class
Send to a friend
HTML Formatting Tips
- To make something bold: <strong>Text to bold</strong>
- To make something italic: <em>Text to italicize</em>
- To make a hyperlink: <a href="URL">Text to link</a>
- To quote something previously said, you can use <blockquote>text</blockquote>
Markdown Formatting Tips (advanced)This site also allows use of Markdown formatting in the comment section. This accomplishes the same formatting as HTML but is typically easy to use.
my code* Second item
• Second item
1. Second item
2. Second item
<email@add.com>