2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid review

1. Exceptional fuel economy 

The 2018 Chevy Malibu Hybrid offers an EPA-estimated 49 mpg in the city and 43 mpg on the highway, making it a great choice for city dwellers or if you commute in stop-and-go traffic.  A huge part of that fuel economy is owed to the hybrid system. According to Chevrolet, the Malibu Hybrid’s regenerative braking system — borrowed from the Chevy Volt — can manage up to 55 mph on the 1.5 kWh battery and motor set up before the gasoline engine kicks in. Designers also focused on improving body aerodynamics by refining the mirrors, headlamps, and decklids.   

2. Hybrid offers benefits  

On its own, a 1.8L four-cylinder engine may not be much to look at, but the 2018 Malibu Hybrid’s battery and two electric motors may do some convincing. The power delivered by the electric drive unit handily compensates for the small engine, helping it to reach 182 horsepower. A bonus of the hybrid system is that there’s no plugging-in required; the battery’s power is maintained through regenerative braking. Another hybrid feature is the exhaust gas heat recovery tech, which heats the engine and cabin using warmth from the exhaust — helping to maintain those fuel-sipping credentials.  

3. A roomy cabin  

The 2018 Malibu Hybrid is a tall-person-friendly sedan, offering the driver and front passenger an ample 42 inches of legroom and 39.1 inches of headroom. The rear bench — which seats up to three passengers — offers up a respectable 38.1 inches of legroom and 37.5 inches of headroom. In the trunk, the battery pack takes up valuable space, but you're left with 11.6 cu-ft in which to fit your groceries, sports gear, luggage, and kid stuff.  

4. Comfortable for long drives 

The large front bucket seats and adaptive cruise control make the 2018 Malibu Hybrid a reasonably comfortable car, particularly on those longer commutes and road trips. Other little touches amplify the Malibu’s comfort. For instance, the infotainment system is at shoulder height, just above the climate control functions; together, the combination of touchscreen and tactile buttons and knobs make adjustments easy. Cup holders are in the center console, and the padded storage box doubles as a driver armrest.  

5. Carries most in-demand infotainment options 

The 2018 Malibu Hybrid has Bluetooth® connectivity, plus Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration, as well as USB-A and aux ports. A convenient wireless charger sits inside a recess in front of the storage box, sized to fit most smartphones. Those inclusions cover most drivers’ basic infotainment needs. A six-speaker stereo comes standard on the Malibu Hybrid, although you might find used vehicles with the optional nine-speaker premium sound system from Bose®. Make sure to look out for that upgrade when scoping out the online classifieds.