2016 / 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid Review and Road Test | DETAILED in 4K

[@coureurdebois]

Better interior then what you find in the Fusion and Camry along with far better connectivity, more features, better interior materials with more soft touch points, and class leading size making this the largest in it's segment. well done chevy.

[@gugamenteshashvili1331]

interior is much worse than it is offered in its competitors

[@westcoastkhmer]

interior is definitely not better than the Camry and I own a 2016 malibu hybrid with leather seats.

[@Evil_Twin]

I bought the 2017 Hybrid Premier and now with 87K miles I've averaged 43.8 mpg overall. I've really loved everything about the car except one very important thing...the AC only works well in cooler weather. Once it gets near 90 degrees outside it barely works at all and will not cool the cabin of the car down at all. I started complaining about it to the dealer at the very first oil change and they consistly told me that it was because it was a hybrid. Everything else I love but that I hate! I often get home from work in the summer after driving the 22 miles home with the AC on high the whole way and when I get out of my car, my garage is cooler than the interior of the car.

[@93455Driver]

Just had a LT rental Malibu and I was surprised how comfortable the seat were. Found the steering light but suspect folks get use to it. Overall was impressed.

[@brianchandler7143]

Alex, you have the absolute best auto reviews I've heard on the web. Keep up the good work!

[@jeffreysegal2065]

Wow, this video is so comprehensive, but not tedious or repetitive. I appreciate that. Good job.

[@DimachkaS]

Best reviews on the web, keep it up Alex!

[@RightOnRay]

Thanks, Alex, for your great, consistent, comparable reviews! Amongst other print- and multi-media sources of information, I relied heavily on your excellent reviews to down-select and eventually purchase my fantastic, loaded 2017 Malibu LT! In-particular, this review of the 2016/2017 Malibu -- along with your reviews of the recent Cruze and Equinox (as well as other vehicles) -- helped me zero in on the Malibu as my ideal daily commuter car as the best combination of comfort (and, with the leather interior, I'd even say, luxury), efficiency, technology, price/value, and great style! Thanks!

[@nekoforever8428]

Alex is the gold standard for car reviews.

[@miket.8528]

Excellent in-depth review!! One of the best hybrid sedan comparisons anywhere.

[@jeffcrutchett7993]

I have a 2017 Malibu Hybrid and I am getting higher mileage then it is rated. In town I have gotten 61 miles per gallons one trip. On the highway I am getting 50. I am very happy with it.

[@wyrenutz]

jeff crutchett I also have a 2017 malibu hybrid. I love it. I get 42 to 45 mpg, I drive the crap out of it.

[@jx906]

Many hybrid Malibu owners average between 55 and 60 MPG according to the Malibu Hybrid forums.

[@RelaxedKoi]

The little rubber pocket for the cellphone is the Wireless charger. so if you have a phone that has wireless charging enabled. you got yourself a charge! It's a nice pocket! I'm glad to have one since I own the Samsung Galaxy S7.

[@25gwolfable]

I really like the detail on how you explain the vehicle and how it works it doesn't work for some people you're doing a great job keep it up

[@jeffreywoodin8549]

I bet in the 0-30 times the Malibu Hybrid does well against any of the the other cars mentioned. My 2017 Volt (especially in Sport mode) launches!! :)

[@MrNeuroticRA]

This format is so good man. So clear and good info. Keep up the good work man!

[@baldheadlogic]

Great Review Alex. I owe a 16 Camry Hybrid. I routinely average between 40 and 42 mpg in my XLE. Between 70 and 80 degrees, I average upper 40s and have seen it hit mid 50s... Also, since my tank is bigger than the Malibu, I will have a larger cruising range.

[@Buc_Stops_Here]

Aisen makes very good transmissions, thanks for sharing that. I currently still own a 2006 Saab 9-3 with an Aisen transmission and it never has and issue. Now with 157,000 miles I essentially just put in regular services and gas (averaging 28 mpg on mixed driving). This might be a replacement car in a few years when I decide I want a more modern car (mechanic tells me Saab will last over 200,000 miles without major service but not sure I want to drive it that long).

[@PETERLINNAH]

Another excellent review Alex. I hope you can do the new 2017 Ford Super Duty soon.

[@Theonestrongbusleader]

If I buy a sedan? This is the right one Alex.

[@_cmoll]

I've all but decided to buy one of the '16 hybrid models thanks to the 20% off tag sale from Chevy. I sincerely appreciate your video reviews, Alex. They've been invaluable as I've navigated the automobile landscape. I've spent more time with you and your videos over the past two weeks than I have with my girlfriend! :)

[@grahamjefferson4854]

I love the styling, which is strange because I have never liked the looks of most Chevy cars and trucks before. Also surprised that this is one of the largest cars in the segment. I never got that impression when I saw it in person.

[@americantroy77]

Excellent review Alex. This video helped me narrow my search down to to the Malibu Hybrid or Accord Hybrid. I really wanted the Accord but ended up going Malibu just because the Accord was a little to low getting in and out of and I have back problems. The Malibu’s seat can be adjusted very high to help with that. Thanks again for the video.

[@TacticalRecon23]

How do you like it? Looking at one now. Any issues?

[@americantroy77]

@@TacticalRecon23 it has so many problems. I returned it to Carmax after 60 days and got a 2018 Kia Niro and the Nero has zero cool factor but I average about 45 miles to a gallon And have put about 50,000 miles on it in the year that I’ve had it and have had zero problems

[@TacticalRecon23]

@@americantroy77 you think I’m just better off going traditional gas engine then? I was interested in a hybrid bc I am in sales and driving sometimes over 100+ miles in a day and liked the mpg of a hybrid but also don’t want to buy new. There’s plenty of gas large sedans that’s can get up to passed 30+ mpg so thank you!

[@americantroy77]

@@TacticalRecon23 definitely not if you’re doing all that drive you definitely want a hybrid you electric in my opinion. You can’t go wrong with the Accord Hybrid. The Kia Niro I have is a hybrid and it’s been great for me. I deliver for Amazon DoorDash and Walmart so like I previously said I’ve done 50k in it. I brought it at 50k miles so now I’m at 100k and have had zero problems and it only take $30 to fill up, premium at that and that will give me 504 miles per fill up.

[@j.wagner8639]

Accord and Malibu.. for me the best of the best in this class

[@Hhla8485]

Thanks a lot for the review; very detailed. great report and easy to navigate through, I appreciate it.

[@IrisMG]

Looking at this as a used car. Thanks for the info!

[@Buc_Stops_Here]

Just found out the 2017 Malibu addresses some of the complaints about this car. The safety features that are not available on the 2016 Hybrid model are now available in a Drivers confidence package for 2017. The gas mileage is unchanged in the EPA estimate for 2017 as well. So those two factors are different the following model year. Thanks.

[@Zericans]

awesome review. for a minute thought I thought you were talking to us in the trunk after you got in. :)

[@ssr1680]

I was hoping Alex would get the premier model. But this is okay

[@n1wakeboarder42]

My malibu hybrid got exactly the EPA rating, mountains and freeway so..

[@larryspiller15]

great detailed video but I didn't catch if this can run in purely electric and for how long? I probably missed it in the video

[@sergeyyevtukh388]

Excellent comparison of current hybrids, Alex rocks in his analytics of car values! Thanks for the hard work. Although it's has to be seen what's Kia going to bring in 2017 plug in model , especially for those who appreciate the exterior design over mpg, just my 2cents ;-)

[@botneyspears4529]

No more ambient lighting strips? That was my favorite part of the previous gen Malibu!

[@werbrown]

Another great review, thanks Alex.

[@RoboLancer24]

For the cabin noise score, you said in the video that the noise was 73 dB. However, the end credits state 71 dB. Which one of the two is it? Car and driver have measured their tester hybrid at 70.6 dB during a 70mph cruise.

[@CCandWally]

Great work again Alex!

[@pickadilli]

Alex, I may have missed it, but with 375lbs of torque for the hybrid, this thing really has to pull, correct? That is really appealing to me, but I wondered what your opinion was in regards to that. Nice work as always man.

[@ricardof9394]

New sub. Your reviews are on point.

[@nobreyner60]

The 2LT Malibu is the weird one as I've researched the car. Sure with more options on the 2LT you might as well buy the Premier as I plan to. The 2LT does not allow you to add many options at all. You cannot option up with leather or a sunroof. However, the 2LT does one thing no other Malibu trim has is the Confidence package 1 comes standard on the 2LT, but is still a $1,000+ option on the Premier.

[@stalag14]

Beautiful car. Hopefully the GM reliability factor gets a much needed boost.

[@loveanimals-0197]

Is a 2016 Malibu Hybrid with 70k miles on it worth it for 22K? Or do newer models with better tech like 2021 Corolla LE for the same price better?

[@dmosisover9000]

$22k is too much for it. See if you can find something with lower miles.

[@Noname-yu8sx]

what did you end up doing? I'm on the same page

[@loveanimals-0197]

@@Noname-yu8sx stayed without a car but would have bought 22 Mazda CX-30 instead

[@Noname-yu8sx]

😁@@loveanimals-0197

[@mwwhatever]

looks like there's a 12V battery in the front and the rear? Plus the hybrid battery?

[@Jeremy_Cook]

Great review! Thanks Alex.

[@Thebuscommunityleader]

I'm looked to buy 2016 Chevy Malibu Hybrid.

[@jimmacmurdo355]

I just purchased a new Hyundai Sonata Limited Hybrid a week ago. Drove the Fusion, Malibu, and the Hyundai. Very much liked the Fusion -- truly the best handling car of the bunch. Nicely equipped (Platinum model) and reasonably peppy. The rear seat was the smallest / tightest of the group, and the trunk is compromised a bit by the battery pack. I found the Malibu just too spartan for my taste; many of the advanced features available on the Fusion and the Sonata just aren't available on the Chevy. I chose the Hyundai because it drove more like "a normal car" with this 6-speed transmission, it was as quiet as the Ford and quieter than the Chevy, it had the smoothest overall ride, and the trunk is flat and easy to use. Finally, it had more available features (has the Ultimate package) than any of the other two models. After 360+ miles, am averaging ~47 mpg.

[@rod22lt]

Can u explain what features are missing in the Malibu opposed to the fusion? I personally will not buy a car without CarPlay/android auto and the ford missing that is a huge fail.

[@jimmacmurdo355]

Unavailable on the Malibu were memory drivers seat, cooled front seats, auto high beam control, and rain-sensing wipers -- all of which were standard on the Fusion Platinum. I got all these features, plus heated rear seats, on my Sonata Limited.

[@jimmacmurdo355]

Also, radar-adaptive cruise control is similarly unavailable on the Malibu -- that one was the strike issue for me. I had it on my 2014 Mazda6, which I traded in, and will not own another vehicle without it.

[@rod22lt]

That's inaccurate. Memory seat/cooled seats and adaptive cruise are definitely available on Malibu. I haven't researched the rain sensing wipers but GM has had those available on many models for 10 years so I'd be surprised if they are not available. Auto lights are standard on most gm but I don't know about high beam activation. Not a concern for me anyway. What I really care about is the wifi/android/CarPlay, wireless phone charging and 8 spd auto. Thanks for your reply

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

He may have been thinking of the hybrid. For some reason Chevy doesn't offer ACC on the Malibu Hybrid although I have hopes that will change next year.

[@divisioneight]

Excellent review!

[@throughtheneverending5252]

Good job with this video!

[@pfetkvtz11]

Very knowledgeable Russian guy. Respect.

[@NiharM77]

22:05 Foreshadowing? Ford Fusion is next?

[@johntrussell7228]

GM is building such fantastic cars these days, absolutely crushing the Germans and Asian automakers.

[@alanexknight9810]

Nope GM are lazy car makers

[@Skyhawk1987Turbo]

Agree

[@Skyhawk1987Turbo]

+Alanex Knight no way douche

[@alanexknight9810]

Skyhawk1987Turbo Many auto reviewers have told that they have to wake up and step up the game especially their luxury brand, Cadillac, which is going down on sales and marketing.

[@Orangefabs]

And that has to do with GM, how?

[@RigginTheRod010]

Wish they kept making this !😊

[@matthewyim1736]

Hey Alex, will you review the gasoline Malibu, and when you will upload it?

[@augustbiernbaum4841]

Matthew's Car Corner no

[@feruzaxtamov233]

Akumlatr necha vold tok chiqarishi kerak

[@hunglukenguyen]

good review

[@moviesmetalmusicmotorvehic4828]

Will you review the 2018 Chevy Traverse when you get a chance?

[@LeonidDragun]

I want to get the hair dryer and floss out to take off that tacky side lettering - horrible. Accord hybrid FTW but will wait for 18 to see what the redesign brings. Looking forward to the Accord H review Alex.

[@davitkatamadze9477]

Can't decide which one should I get, 2015 honda accord hybrid or this, anybody any advice?

[@dmosisover9000]

The infotainment system, safety features and the Bose audio system is the only thing that's better in the Malibu hybrid than the Honda hybrid.

[@vegasbab.y3740]

No I thought it was a 9 speed and 6 speed only or is the 8 speed for the hybrid

[@ARentz07]

Wait, so the Accord and Camry exceeded their EPA ratings, which are 48 and 41 combined respectively, and the Malibu failed to meet its rating, which is 46. The Malibu got 38 to 39 MPG in your test. However, you also say the Camry did worse than the Malibu. If the Toyota got at least 41, and this got 39, what gives?

[@mb013962]

yeah I think he made a mistake...during his tests the 2015 camy hybrid got 34.5 or 36 mpg I believe

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

I may have misspoken there, I'll go back and re-listen to that part but here are the numbers from our tests: Camry Hybrid got 35 in our last test which was was below the 38 MPG 2017 EPA score (we tested the 2015 model some time ago). The Malibu was 41.4 by the complete end of the week (fuel economy scores are always in the end credit and include the last few days after filming) which was below both the 2016 EPA score of 46 and the adjusted 2017 EPA score of 44 which just came out this week. The 2017 Accord was 49.5 (that video should be out tomorrow or Friday)

[@ARentz07]

Ah, okay - yeah I think you just misspoke when you said the Camry outperformed its EPA numbers. Thanks for clearing that up!

[@chimingyin9904]

seems you did so much job, really diligent

[@fangchen6805]

I have 2012 Camry hybrid, MPG 39, 60000 miles.

[@JuanGarcia-zq5tp]

The torque numbers are wrong for the hybrid. You don't add the torque of the electric motor(s) and the gasoline as when they work together they are limited. So the combined torque is 277 lb ft, the horsepower is correct.

[@TuxedoMonkey]

can you review the mercedes gls

[@johnhammel8415]

ok nice review

[@j.wagner8639]

My next car purchase is totally based here

[@abmiles3]

375 lb-ft of torque, really!?! 2:37

[@oldtwins]

surprised this wasn't mentioned in the driving narrative. you'd think that kind of torque would more than make up for the lack of horsepower, i.e. should be like driving a diesel where it feels super powerful taking off and at low speeds, no matter what the acceleration times dictate. So is it really feeling like 375lb-ft or not?

[@jx906]

The Malibu hybrid will break the tires loose from a standing start with traction control disabled.

[@underlordtico]

I was excited for the Hybrid version of this car until I saw how severely compromised the trunk space was. Why they didn't put the battery where the spare tire would go is beyond me. Also the mileage not meeting the EPA rated 46mpg is a disappointment. Seems to me the Sonata Hybrid is the best hybrid midsize sedan on the market now.

[@jx906]

Placing the battery above the rear wheels makes the car safer by increasing traction in the back during accident avoidance. Placing a heavy hybrid battery in the spare tire well would cause the vehicle to oversteer. Engineers keeping you SAFE.

[@ascott2168]

So after 100,000 with the proper maintenance care, will this Malibu breakdown or will it last another 309 miles then breakdown.

[@JaykeBlayde]

6 years later ... Reports of hybrid batteries only lasting 120-150K miles, and NO replacements in stock. ($4000 part + $1000 labor) Warranty expires after 100K miles. Another swing and miss by GM.

[@Maxi_Shubert]

376lb torque? and 8sec to 100km/h ? sounds unreal with this torque

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Torque alone doesn't get you to 60 faster

[@Maxi_Shubert]

hmmm. i thought torque makes you car faster. thanks for clarifying

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

There's a balance, you need both for acceleration. Higher torque numbers allow the car to feel like it's "struggling" less when hill climbing, but boosting torque along really won't get you to 60 faster.

[@manoman0]

Allison was part of GM a few years ago, so no wonder they buy transmissions from them.

[@jx906]

He said "Aisin" not Allison. Allison never was a "part of GM", they supply transmissions just like Aisin does, except for heavy busses and trucks. The Duramax/Allison combination is still available on GM trucks, and it is the best combination out there.

[@Pattayaman999]

Who exactly is the 6' - 5" passenger he always refers to?

[@mountainhobo]

That's me in a hat.

[@nobreyner60]

Me with my hand flat on top of my head

[@RaofKGN]

why only American cars got red turn indicators ?

[@MikeStoddart]

Because other countries know that amber is better.

[@laichin3108]

yall think this is impressive?? Nissan has a mini van (serena e-power) which go 62 mpg, a minivan with 62 mpg, no joke

[@Landofmagic678]

Love the car, hate the rear end

[@Lumberbeast]

A wtf review: Not a mention of the very unique, all electric acceleration and power delivery. Handling is more to the European side but gets a B-minus ? Talked plenty about the curb weight and subjective "handling" impression, without a mention of limit handling, under/oversteer, slalom, cornering G's, body roll or anything informative. Steerimg doesnt feel as good as the Mazda6 - that's informative! (not). Spent at least 5 minutes talking about competitors or the old Malibu model.

[@Ktheodoss]

No spare tire is absolutely unacceptable to me.

[@jx906]

People have gone 100,000 miles without using the spare tire. I'd rather have the extra room to hide something and less weight.

[@jsponson]

I'm glad that there's still a spare tire well though. I'd put one in myself. And to J X, some people are luckier than others. At around 80k miles, I've already used my spare twice.

[@VOVGIRL]

Is anyone experiencing loud road noise

[@Omnis2]

I wish I knew why they made the seats like sitting on soup cans. No leg support...

[@mss627]

Wow. What's up with American manufacturers? Why can't they tell the truth about fuel economy?

[@mglmouser]

It's the EPA that standardizes the fuel economy tests. Problem is, most of tests are in-lab with semi-random on-the-road tests. Reason for this is to normalize tests by not introducing temperature, incline, wind and other factors that would impact the measures. Fuzzy math is taken worked in to average-out the lab/street differences. The downside is, these standardized tests favour some cars because is so happen that the measurements are well adjusted for some car systems and less for others. Thus, EPA values dont mean much in reality but it's a rule-of-thumb number that is easy to digest. It's also how WV (aka, NOT an American manufacturer to counter-criticise your comment) got around cheating EPA and other agencies. Knowing what the tests are, the coded around those tests to tweak the car so it appeared to have better emissions than it would otherwise have.

[@jaywin5373]

The front look like a catfish. I would prefer the premier trim.

[@ast5515]

Front end looks weird...

[@Landofmagic678]

The rear end looks weird

[@ast5515]

+CrazyFastRapper Well, it looks like the entire car is weird.

[@charlemagen5356]

disagree. this looks much better than the Camry, 200, Fusion, or accord. It has more personality and over all it's more unique in it's design.

[@ast5515]

It is more unique, yes, but in my mind, that doesn't make it pretty. But this is where choice comes in. If you like it, you buy it. I like something else, I buy something else.

[@jx906]

It has the front end of the Impala and Camaro, and the roof line is similar to the Audi A7.

[@cargo4441]

When will Chevy drop in a 3.0 turbo v-6 with 375 hp and call it a Malibu. SS then I will give my money to GM.Come on Chevy gas is less than 2 bucks a gallon. Who cares about a hybird. My guess they aren't going to sell good.

[@FloresWilliam]

Gas will eventually go up again.

[@EquusMusic]

two words. CAFE standards

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

375 BHP in a FWD sedan? No thanks.

[@cargo4441]

Ford is packing 2.7 Ford eco boost in the17 Fusion it's AWD.

[@jayp4114]

It's now over $3.00 a gallon in major Metro areas.

[@TheXfams]

Funny how you never mention the size difference in the comparison of each one of these vehicles. Lol. How big the car is and how it performs against other vehicles is going to make a major difference. When doing a comparison do it right.

[@swanblake]

such an ugly front end. Angry catfish

[@charlemagen5356]

disagree. this looks much better than the Camry, 200, Fusion, or accord. It has more personality and over all it's more unique in it's design.

[@Hhla8485]

looks way better than Camry, you cant beat the ugliness of back of Camry its just awful.

[@vegasbab.y3740]

Charlemagen truuue