In the GMI (Canada) Garage: 2013 Malibu Eco 1LT

[FenwickHockey65]

Malibu has some angles at which the car looks absolutely fantastic. Just have to photograph the right ones.

[hrcslam]

my cobalt averages like 25-27 in city concentration. i recently started work where my trip is one way over 40 miles and mostly at 70+ mph. My Cobalt (5 speed) won't exceed 30 overall unless i put small engine gas in it. that is why i have interest in the malibu. I would imagine I may get almost the same mpg.

My Ion would get 16 mpg avg. when I had a 7 mile (one way) commute that only lasted about 8 mins. It was 5 stops and 65 mph speed limits. It was fun at times, but horrible for mileage.

When I lived in Colorado Springs it would get me about 26-28 mpg avg. (all city with stop and go traffic after work). That commute was about 15 miles and took about 1/2 hr.

But on long road trips it would routinely top 38 mpg. And I've gotten as high as 42 mpg when driving from Colorado Springs to OKC to visit the in-laws. The return trip would get me about 38 mpg.

These new vehicles are amazing for gas mileage. GM finally figured it out. It's about maximizing BSFC at given speeds. The EPA has it's routines, but most people I know drive 70-90 mph on the highway (depending on which one; like the 101 and 202 is about 70-75, while I-10 is 80-90). So on the EPA cycle the Malibu may turn in 37 mpg (as rated) but in the real world at higher speed it could actually get better!

Like this video from Top Gear. Skip to 1:25.

[Ed753]

Fuel economy estimates can be readily attained with judicious driving habits. We experienced mileage numbers of 8.3L/100km (28 mpg) in the city and 5.7L/100 km (41 mpg) on the highway.

How many miles/tank-fulls did you amass to establish your MPG numbers? (what you are claiming would result in mid-30's mixed driving)...

The (optional) premium cloth seat fabric is a certifiable butt grater: it's like riding with an S.O.S pad inserted into your posterior.

I believe these seats are standard on the ECO and 1LT's (at least in the US).

Also these are the seats that the consumers report video reviewer said was "scratchy" (and everyone jumped all over him).

[megeebee]

Malibu has some angles at which the car looks absolutely fantastic. Just have to photograph the right ones.

I think that's called Damning with faint praise.

[CheetahDC]

The 2.4L engine definitely lumbers along from a full stop but it's more than adequate for passing on the highway.

In terms of interior space, I'm 5'9" and 180 lbs and I find the back seat area to be surprisingly roomy. If you're carrying larger passengers around regularly I'm not sure that any mid-size vehicle would be comfortable, even with a few extra cubic feet of space.

Eh, I'm a smidgen over 6 feet tall and I find backseats of mid-size cars pretty good, for the most part... as long as they don't have that coupe-like C-pillar which has become all the rage these days. Compact cars are a tighter fit though...except the Honda Fit, surprised at how much room I have in the back of my friend's Fit.

[ne_one]

How many miles/tank-fulls did you amass to establish your MPG numbers? (what you are claiming would result in mid-30's mixed driving)

Our press fleet cars are generally available for only a week so mileage estimates are limited to that window. On average that ranges from 300 - 500 miles on a vehicle that has not been miled out.

[ponchoman49]

I haven't been in either for a while but here is the closeup from the brochure:



The raised fabric is in the interior of the seats between the bolsters.

The only thing I like about these seats is that the side vinyl bolsters are easier to clean than the fake synthetic garbage cloth that most companies are using today so that is a plus for me. The black cloth in my 2008 Impala is far better than the harsh fake cloth IMO and still looks like new, cleans with but a single swipe of a damp cloth and stays clean looking for a long while.