18 malibu redline11/21/2023 ![]() In addition to an electrically assisted four-cylinder setup producing 182 total system horsepower, the Hybrid also benefits from leather upholstery, generally more upscale and attractive interior materials and presentation, dual-zone automatic climate control, and keyless entry and ignition. The 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, on the other hand, goes all the way in the other direction by restricting itself to one well-equipped trim level. No mighty motor is made available to seek the elusive upper rev range alluded to by the Malibu’s special moniker. My LT tester was in fact a “Redline Edition” model, but even this special appellation meant nothing outside of red hash marks on its black 19-inch wheels, a black grille and badge, and red highlights for the sedan’s badging. The weakness of the base motor might be a bit more acceptable were there an accessible upgrade path to the Malibu’s 250 hp, 2.0L turbo four and nine-speed autobox outside of the Premier model, but it’s an all-or-nothing exercise at ordering time. ![]() These figures fall short of the 194 horses available from the previous-generation Malibu’s base engine, despite offering similar real-world fuel efficiency and while the engine is certainly adequate for daily driving, it’s not quite competitive in terms of performance when compared against what its rivals from Toyota (Camry), Honda (Accord), and Ford (Fusion) have to offer. The Malibu is offered with a pair of gas-only drivetrains, but unless you pop for the Premier model that sits at the apex of the car’s pricing pyramid, you’re stuck with a 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder that puts out 160 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, matched with a six-speed automatic transmission. I split my time over the course of a week between the Malibu LT Redline Edition and the Malibu Hybrid, two examples that well-illustrate Chevy’s philosophy when kitting out the car. Seen from another angle, however, Chevrolet’s insistence on sequestering engine choices and options packages so rigidly from one trim level to the next makes it hard for would-be owners to piece together their ultimate edition of the Malibu without leaving something on the table. On the one hand, the car is elegantly styled, comfortable to drive, can be had with an array of appealing features, and tackles the two-headed beast of value and fuel economy head-on, especially when considering the Hybrid edition of the car. This is part of what makes the Malibu a bit of a puzzle. One might think that in an environment where SUVs are slaughtering traditional passenger cars like the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu left, right, and center, there would be a concerted effort on the part of parent General Motors to put its absolute best foot forward in courting mid-size sedan shoppers.
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