10 Things You Need to Know About the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

As electric vehicle ranges increase and prices drop, more consumers are considering fuel-less transportation. However, while some can afford two cars — an EV for shorter distances, and a gas-powered car for longer journeys — others must consolidate. Gas-electric hybrids are perfect for those who can only justify one vehicle, but desire maximum efficiency.

Preparing for a 370-mile trek from LA to Scottsdale, AZ, where the MLB’s Spring Training is held each year, I considered the right automotive companion. I knew a pure EV would run out of juice long before I reached my destination, and a regular gas-powered vehicle could cost as much to fill up as the game tickets. That led me to the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid.

This extensive road trip, which included highways, surface streets, and crowded parking lots, afforded me plenty of real-world seat time. Drawing from that experience, here are 10 things you need to know about the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid.

Chevrolet’s Malibu has always sold in respectable, but not remarkable numbers. Buyers traditionally chose the Malibu for its comfort, interior volume, and reliability, but when it came to redesigning its midsize model, Chevrolet knew it would take more than extra legroom to move up the pack.

A fresh design, significantly improved cabin materials, and advanced convenience features elevate the Malibu nameplate to the top rung of its segment. Chevrolet also knows that buyers are looking for any excuse to transition from a sedan to a crossover, so the American automaker has rewarded sedan stalwarts with ample value for money.

The 2017 Chevrolet Malibu was redesigned for the 2016 model year, transforming the vehicle from an uninspiring option to one of the most attractive vehicles in the segment. Chevy’s designers had the difficult task of creating something fresh and broadly appealing without going overboard. The resulting shape shows off the car’s longer, lower body in an elegant-yet-refined way.  

At the front, a 2-piece grille and LED daytime running lights give the Camaro-inspired nose a nice edge. In profile, the raked roofline helps the Malibu look more like a 4-door coupe than a traditional sedan. Standard 17-inch wheels are adequately sized, but larger 19-inch options (like the Premier trim) would be a plus. A tidy rear end with a small lip integrated in the trunk lid is a smooth finish to the handsome exterior.

Inside, the aesthetic goodness continues. Forget every rental car Chevy Malibu interior you’ve experienced; the new car’s cabin is premium all the way. It’s easy to forget the Malibu is targeted at mainstream consumers given the interior’s plushness. Soft leather, brushed metal trim, stitched panels, and an artful dashboard layout blend comfort and design.

While the base Hybrid model feels a bit less special, available packages add leather-wrapping to the steering wheel, gear selector, and most other interior surfaces. Heated, power, lumbar-adjustable front seats remain comfortable over just about any distance and a Bose 9-speaker audio system is the perfect companion for a road trip.

Under the hood of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is a 1.8-liter direct-injection 4-cylinder engine paired with a 2-motor electric drivetrain (derived from the Volt) and a 1.5-kWh lithium-ion battery, for a combined 182 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. Though the Malibu Hybrid is no sports car, its prodigious torque figure helps the sedan get up to speed quickly.

Smooth power, responsive steering, a hushed cabin, and a taut-yet-comfortable suspension are native features of luxury vehicles – and the Chevrolet Malibu. BMWs, Audis, and Mercedes-Benzs costing more than twice as much are no more relaxing to drive.

While a German luxury product may outperform the Malibu in a straight line or through twisty back roads, the hybrid Chevy can’t be touched in terms of fuel economy. In fact, only the Honda Accord Hybrid can match the Malibu Hybrid’s combined rating of Malibu’s 47 mpg. In the city, the Malibu returns 49 mpg; on the highway, it averages 43 mpg. Crunching the numbers, the Malibu will manage 611 miles of range from every 13-gallon tank. How does filling up once a month sound? Pretty good, I’m sure.

Though the Chevrolet Malibu Premier comes with a more extensive list of safety technologies, including my personal favorite, adaptive cruise control, the Malibu Hybrid’s Driver Confidence Package ($1,195) can put your mind at ease while you navigate today’s hectic motorways.

Safety features include low-speed automatic braking, front pedestrian braking, automatic high beams, front and rear parking assist, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, following distance indicator, forward collision alert, and rear cross traffic alert. Whether you become distracted or another driver behaves unpredictably, these technologies will help keep you safe.

Even if you choose not to equip the Malibu Hybrid with driver assistance features, its excellent visibility, high-strength steel body, and 5-star crash safety rating have you and your family covered.

There’s nothing wrong with playing your greatest hits sometimes. Chevrolet improved its Malibu in many ways, but still prioritized passenger space. Four full-size adults can sprawl in the Malibu’s cabin with generous legroom and headroom, and a fifth adult can join in relative comfort.

As with any hybrid, the trunk-mounted battery reduces cargo capacity, but the vehicle’s 11.6 cubic feet of storage is plenty for most tasks. For greater utility, the rear seats can fold, but the battery does obstruct some of the pass-through window. If you need maximum volume, it’s best to stick with the still-frugal, gas-powered Malibu models.

Each of Chevrolet’s latest models excel when it comes to smartphone integration and connectivity. Credit is due to standard 4G LTE Wi-Fi and Chevy’s brilliant MyLink infotainment system.

An available 8.0-inch display is both crystal clear and snappy, with easy-to-use functions for audio, navigation, weather, traffic, and more. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on the Malibu Hybrid. Among its rivals, Chevy’s system is the most intuitive and responsive, signaling the brand’s focus on tech-savvy buyers. Though the system is a touchscreen, there are physical button redundancies and useful steering wheel controls to avoid driver distraction. Front passengers can each charge their device via two USB ports, and two optional USB slots take care of rear passengers.   

Working in tandem with the center-mounted display is a color TFT driver screen mounted between the speedometer and tachometer. Within this interface, drivers can scroll through fuel consumption info, audio settings, telemetry data, and current speed.

The 2017 Chevrolet Malibu is loaded with standard goodies, but its packages are equally attractive. Starting at $27,875, the Malibu Hybrid includes dual-zone automatic climate control, a backup camera, Sirius XM, a 3-month OnStar trial, automatic headlights, LED DRLs, heated side mirrors, 10 airbags, a 6-speaker audio system, and Teen Driver settings.

The Convenience and Tech Package ($895) adds an 8.0-inch infotainment system, wireless phone charging, remote vehicle start, and dual USB ports for rear passengers.

The Leather Package ($2,140) includes — you guessed it — leather, along with a power-adjustable front passenger seat, heated driver and front passenger seats, and a Bose 9-speaker audio system.

Despite the shift in consumer appetites towards high-riding models, the midsize sedan segment is still one of the most competitive categories. The hybrid market has fewer players, but must also contend with the rising tide of pure electric vehicles. These factors stack the chips against Chevrolet’s 2017 Malibu Hybrid, yet the sedan still comes out on top.

A classy exterior, beautiful interior, supple ride quality, and strong mpg ratings create a compelling argument for the Malibu Hybrid when matched against Ford’s Fusion Hybrid, Honda’s Accord Hybrid, and Toyota’s Camry Hybrid.