Shaping up to be a great highway hybrid?
Hybrid choices are a good thing
Are hybrid cars only for the city? New hybrid offerings, such as the Hyundai Sonata hybrid continue to test that assumption, as have Honda hybrids since the beginning.
And the upcoming 2012 Chevrolet Malibu Eco, based on GM’s E-Assist hybrid drive, seems prepared to help redefine the hybrid space as well.
Compared to the current Malibu, GM claims that the new Malibu Eco will improve city fuel economy by 4 mpgs to 26 mpg, while improving highway fuel economy by 5 mpgs to 38 mpg. While such fuel economy numbers lag the hybrid competition in this class in the city, the highway numbers are very competitive. Consequently, if GM can price the Malibu right, the Malibu Eco could be a compelling hybrid offering for more highway-based drivers.
But that might not be the key comparison.
Instead, how will the Malibu Eco compare to the conventional Malibu? What will be the hybrid payback time?
If payback can be kept under a few years, GM’s plans to make its E-Assist hybrid drive the base powertrain of the future will take a big step forward.