Redesigned Chevrolet Malibu Eco more sporty, yet spacious

Buyers looking for stellar fuel economy in a car don't have to go compact or full hybrid thanks to the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco.

Already a stellar option in the mid-sized market, the Malibu was redesigned by Chevrolet for the new model year. The car, whose stylish grille also graces the Equinox and Traverse crossovers, was given some Camaro mojo in its new iteration which is most obvious in the rear taillights and wider stance.

The new Malibu has a wheelbase that is 4.5 inches shorter than the outgoing model but it's been given a broader stance with a two-inch wider stance. The car's interior room has grown by four cubic feet of volume and has 1.5 more inches of shoulder room in front, 3.2 inches in back and three more inches of hip room. Its 14.3 cubic-foot trunk is also slightly bigger than the previous model's.

What this means to buyers is the Malibu is more sporty looking yet more spacious, too. And while the well-designed, exceptionally comfortable interior feels intimate, passengers front and rear will enjoy the accommodations for many hours on the road.

And drivers will be able to spend many hours in the Eco model thanks to the eAssist system which mates a lightweight Ecotec dual overhead cam 2.4-litre engine generating 182 horsepower to a 115-volt lithium-ion battery and 15-kilowatt motor generator and a six-speed automatic transmission.

Theoretically, the Eco can get 580 highway miles - or 965 kilometres - on one 15.8-gallon (59.9-litre) tank. I sure could have used that kind of mileage on my Ontario fishing trip when the truck needed gas as often as I needed a stop from too much coffee.

Fuel economy for the Eco is rated at a stellar 35 mpg city and 53 mpg highway. And that is for a car that will carry five adults and their gear.

The Eco also employs a fuel-saving active shutter system in the front grille which automatically closes airflow through the lower intake opening when air intake is least needed. When closed, the shutter system enhances aero performance by redirecting airflow around the front of the vehicle and down the sides, rather than through it. The shutter is open or closed based on engine coolant temperature and speed, says Chevrolet literature.

The eAssist system also gives Malibu drivers more punch when they need acceleration which was clearly evident in a highway test of the red Eco this week. eAssist also includes regenerative braking which helps recharge the battery and it automatically shuts off fuel delivery when the Malibu is stopped.

The stop-start functionality is absolutely superb, I must say. Drivers will notice the silent running at a stop light but they won't feel the gas engine start up again when the light turns green. GM deserves kudos for refining a system that in other vehicles I've driven have made those cars feel like a golf cart. eAssist also will shut off fuel delivery during deceleration to further decrease fue consumption.

Safety features on the Eco include StabiliTrak stability control and traction control, eight airbags and four-wheel disc brakes with ABS. Lane departure warning and forward collision alert systems will be available later in the model year.

While the Eco is the first Malibu to roll into showrooms, there will eventually be five models. The Eco is available in two trim lines, the 1LT tested here and the 2LT.

Standard equipment in the 1LT includes dual exhaust, 10 airbags, halogen projector headlights, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth, XM's Satellite radio, Chevroleta's easy-to-use MyLink communications system with seven-inch colour LCD screen, tire pressure monitoring system, automatic dual zone climate control, a driver information centre with multi-colour display and 17-inch painted alloy wheels. It also has a superb six-speaker sound system.

The price tag? A mere $30,020.

While many automakers are installing technologically confusing infotainment systems in their vehicles, MyLink is one that can actually be mastered in seconds. The touch-screen - with as many as eight icons - is easy to navigate and has voice-activation technology that actually works plus real buttons and dials for us oldtimers. The system can also be activated with redundant controls on the steering wheel. If I can master it, anyone can.

And anyone will appreciated the smooth quiet ride of the Malibu. The previous generation of the Malibu was one of the quietest mid-sized sedans on the road. But the 2013 model may even be more hushed. Not a trace of wind or road noise reaches the cabin even at higher speeds.

With its spacious cabin and generous trunk, the Malibu is a car that's going to hit the sweet spot for many buyers.

It's comfortable, spacious, frugal on fuel and fun to drive.

By Al Beeber, Lethbridge Herald