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After the new-for-2013 Malibu met with middling critical acclaim, Chevrolet's planners and engineers wasted no time jumping back up to the drawing board to fix the sedan's shortcomings. The result is the 2014 Malibu you see here, which has been subtly updated with sharper styling, an improved interior, a retuned suspension, and some fresh engine technology for better fuel economy. Chevy has finally announced pricing info for the '14 Malibu and its three available powertrains—base 2.5-liter four, turbocharged 2.0-liter four, and Eco eAssist hybrid; the new 'Bu goes on sale this fall. For 2014, the base Malibu LS's cost of entry goes up a minor $160, to $22,965, but it gains some more standard equipment. An engine stop-start system is now standard, and together with the entry-level 2.5-liter engine's new-for-2014 Intake Valve Lift Control (iVLC) contributes to an EPA-estimated 25 mpg in the city and 36 on the highway—improvements of 3 mpg and 2 mpg, respectively. The higher-spec 2.5-liter-equipped Malibu 1LT, 2LT, and LTZ are all $340 dearer than before, for new prices of $24,335, $26,040, and $28,515. The Malibu's optional, turbocharged 2.0-liter four returns for 2014, and is offered on the $27,575 3LT model, as well as the top-of-the-line $30,675 2LZ-spec LTZ. As for specifics regarding model-by-model features and options, Chevrolet tells us they will be close to 2013's.
Interestingly, thanks to the '14 Malibu's more stylish (but apparently less aerodynamic) grille shape, the Eco eAssist hybrid model sees its EPA fuel-economy estimates actually downgraded from 25/37 mpg to 25/36—a 1-mpg reduction on the highway. Despite the hit to its highway economy, the Eco starts at $26,670, $875 more than last year. That price also falls awfully close to those of the (slightly more expensive) Ford Fusion and Toyota Camry hybrids, both of which post markedly better fuel economy ratings. Honda has yet to put a price tag on its non-plug-in hybrid Accord, but it, too, delivers far better fuel efficiency than the Chevy.
Compared to its four-cylinder, mid-size sedan competition, the base 2.5-liter Malibu's price remains pretty much in the middle of the pack. It costs less than the automatic-equipped 2014 Honda Accord, Mazda 6, and Toyota Camry, but slightly more than a Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, or Nissan Altima. We'll bring you driving impressions of the 2014 Malibu as soon as, well, we drive it.
from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com | |||
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Thursday, August 29, 2013
2014 Chevrolet Malibu 2.5L Priced from $22,965, Eco Hybrid from $26,670
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