Autoblog

Fortune writer says Chevy Malibu Eco is "most disliked car of the year (so far)"

Michael Harley — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 19:29:00 EST

We often comment that the automobile industry, as a whole, does a decent job building cars these days - today's new vehicles are much better than they were even five years ago, and every subsequent generation seems to improve on its predecessor. Yet despite the forward progress as evident by the current crop, an oddity always seems to creep into the mix. Enter the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco.

As Alex Taylor III points out in Fortune, the new Malibu Eco has been taking its fair amount of guff these days over its cramped rear seats, unimpressive fuel economy and lackluster driving dynamics. It has earned, what Taylor calls, the "most disliked car of the year (so far)" title. The unflattering label is admittedly based purely on the author's overview of the vehicle's reception among the media thus far, but there's probably something to his thoughts. The mild-hybrid Chevrolet left us scratching our heads when we compared it to the brand's own Cruze Eco in our review, a car that is actually larger in many dimensions while being far less expensive.

Those on our staff who have driven the Malibu Eco have come away disappointed with the car's handling, fuel economy, tight rear quarters and pricing, but "most disliked" is strong language. We can't help but wonder how the car might have faired if General Motors hadn't rushed to pull production ahead, in the process only making the Eco available instead of a full range of models (we hear there was an engine capacity problem that forced GM's hand).

Is Taylor's label fair? What do you think your "most disliked" new car or truck of 2013 is? Have your say in Comments.

Fortune writer says Chevy Malibu Eco is "most disliked car of the year (so far)" originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Jul 2012 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy recalls 2013 Malibu Eco over unintended airbag deployment fears

Zach Bowman — Thu, 24 May 2012 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Chevrolet

General Motors has announced the automaker is recalling certain 2013 Chevrolet Malibu models for a potential sensor failure. Under hard braking, the vehicle's sensing and diagnostic module may reset itself, and if that occurs just before an abrupt turn, the vehicle could trick itself into sensing a rollover. In that event, the roof rail airbag could deploy outside of a crash situation. What's more, the seat belt pretensioners could then fail during a severe crash. Needless to say, it could be a dangerous situation.

The recall covers a total of 4,304 units manufactured between October 24, 2011 and March 31, 2012. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, GM will notify owners and reprogram the sensing and diagnostic module free of charge. The campaign is set to get underway on June 1. Check out the full recall notice for yourself.

Continue reading Chevy recalls 2013 Malibu Eco over unintended airbag deployment fears

Chevy recalls 2013 Malibu Eco over unintended airbag deployment fears originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IIHS crowns three new Top Safety Picks [w/video]

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 17 May 2012 09:27:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Safety, Hatchback, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Toyota

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has crowned two sedans and a hatchback as Top Safety Picks: the 2013 Chevrolet Malibe Eco, 2012 Hyundai Azera and 2012 Toyota Prius c. The redesigned 2013 Malibu joins its 2012 model-mate as a Top Pick, and the 2013 earned a good side impact rating even without its optional side airbags.

The Prius c also has siblings that have won the award, the Prius and Prius v. The Azera had been rated in a few earlier tests, but in completing the testing regime with good marks all 'round it earned the accolade. The Top Pick moniker is given to vehicles that score "Good" in the IIHS's front, side, rollover and rear-impact tests.

Have a look below for video of the Malibu and Prius c going through their side-impact exams.

Continue reading IIHS crowns three new Top Safety Picks [w/video]

IIHS crowns three new Top Safety Picks [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 May 2012 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

Jeff Sabatini — Mon, 07 May 2012 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Chevrolet, GM, New Car Reviews

Mild-Hybrid Malibu Proves Only Mildly Interesting

Don't judge a book by its cover. The sentiment certainly applies to cars as well, but doubly so. Years of driving and photographing new vehicles have taught us that you can't evaluate a new model - or even judge its styling - based on photos alone, no matter how good or bad the images or the sheetmetal might seem. And you can't really know anything until you get that car off the auto show stand and out in the wild, driving it on the street in its natural habitat.

We explain this because when we first spied the new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, we didn't think much of it: Mostly carryover front fascia, grafted-on Camaro taillights, Bangle butt. Move along, nothing to see here. But a funny thing happened when we got behind the wheel of the Malibu Eco for a week. We warmed up to it. We actually liked it.

Continue reading 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 May 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

Zach Bowman — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Chevrolet, First Drives

Meeting The Next-Generation Chevrolet Mid-Size

It's been a very long time since the midsize market went easy on American automakers, and recent years have conspired to make an uphill sales slog even steeper with a rash of new and redesigned models. Kia and Hyundai have taken up arms by offering buyers the stylish and efficient Optima and Sonata in an effort to dethrone longtime D-segment stalwarts like the Honda Accord and the freshly redesigned Toyota Camry. Not one to back away from a fray, Nissan has been busily sharpening the next-generation Altima to do battle with the rest of the war horses on the field, and Volkswagen has just recently unleashed a new Americanized Passat to riotous praise from the automotive press.

The barbarians aren't just at the gates for automakers like Ford and General Motors. They're picnicking on the front lawn.

Ford has turned to its global operations for help designing a new Fusion fit to beat back the invading hordes while General Motors has focused on transforming the aging Chevrolet Malibu into a weapon capable of carving out a more sizable market share. Built on new bones borrowed from the company's Global Mid-Size architecture, the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu will boast an all-new direct-injection 2.5-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine by mid-2012 and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder version will debut shortly thereafter.

But buyers who flock to Chevrolet dealers in the first quarter of 2012 won't find those vehicles waiting for them on the show room floor. Instead, GM has moved to launch the new 2013 Malibu with just one engine option - it's most efficient. Meet the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco.

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2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York 2011: Chevrolet debuts 2013 Malibu, surprises with 38-mpg ECO model

Chris Paukert — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 13:10:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedan, Chevrolet

2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO (above) and LTZ (below right) - Click for high-res image gallery

It says something about the breakneck pace of America's mid-size sedan segment that the departing Chevrolet Malibu was beginning to feel long in the tooth. Introduced for the 2008 model year to great fanfare and critical praise, General Motors' family four-door has seen its appeal dinged by new entries from companies like Kia, Hyundai and Volkswagen, along with massively updated models from companies like Ford (not to mention perennial favorites from Honda and Toyota).

Despite its evolutionary styling, this is more than a simple refresh of the current Epsilon-based car, the Malibu that debuted today at the 2011 New York Auto Show actually gains some revised proportions for its eighth generation thanks to its migration to GM's Epsilon II platform. Shorter overall, the new Malibu nevertheless boasts increased trunk space and a number of enhanced interior metrics thanks to increased width, though sitting inside, we found rear-seat headroom to be tighter than we remembered. Part of the reasoning why Chevy has chosen to go with a shorter overall length is to increase the car's global appeal - the Malibu will be sold in over 100 world markets (and in many of them, bigger is not always better).

Powered at launch by a 2.5-liter Ecotec four-cylinder paired with a six-speed automatic, the powertrain will produce 190 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque. A forced-induction four-cylinder is expected at a later date, but the Malibu is likely to follow Hyundai-Kia's lead in eschewing six-cylinder power altogether.

Thus far, Chevy isn't releasing fuel economy figures, but it claims the 2013 Malibu is the most aerodynamic car in its segment (helped, no doubt, by drag-reducing active shutters up front), along with being the quietest. Officials have told us that they believe the car will return fuel economy above 30 miles per gallon.

Chevrolet surprised attendees at its press conference today by also rolling out the Malibu ECO, an eAssist-equipped high efficiency model that's expected to earn fuel economy ratings of 26 mpg city and a lofty 38 mpg highway. Powered by a 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder and aided by the aforementioned eAssist mild hybrid system and special aerodynamic tweaks, GM says the Malibu ECO can go up to 550 miles between fill ups, delivering fuel economy figures that would make some hybrid family sedans envious.

Follow the jump for the official word from Chevrolet on the new 2013 Malibu models, and check out our galleries below.

Gallery: 2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO

Gallery: 2013 Chevrolet Malibu

Continue reading New York 2011: Chevrolet debuts 2013 Malibu, surprises with 38-mpg ECO model

New York 2011: Chevrolet debuts 2013 Malibu, surprises with 38-mpg ECO model originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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