For 2014, Chevrolet manufacturer has tweaked the bread-and-butter 2.5-liter four, adding variable valve timing to the intake side and incorporating stop-start technology. These changes improve fuel economy slightly to 23/35 mpg city/highway. Those numbers still trail class leaders like the Mazda 6, which gets 38 mpg on the highway.
The company also put the underwhelming Malibu Eco in an awkward position. The mild hybrid receives no powertrain changes and promises a meager 2-mpg advantage in the city and highway compared to the cheaper, more powerful 2.5-liter model. At the other end of the spectrum, the 2.0-liter turbo is now the same hi-output version that’s found under the hood of the Buick Regal GS. That amounts to a 35 lb-ft increase in torque, good for an impressive 295 lb-ft overall.
The turbo Malibu spools out 259 horsepower, and torque is up to 295 pound-feet this year, which may push its 0-60 mph time close to an even six seconds. The Malibu goes down a curvy road well, with a ride that's tauter than in the past, but better damped than in 2013. Electric power steering does well in giving it a precise feel here.
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The company also put the underwhelming Malibu Eco in an awkward position. The mild hybrid receives no powertrain changes and promises a meager 2-mpg advantage in the city and highway compared to the cheaper, more powerful 2.5-liter model. At the other end of the spectrum, the 2.0-liter turbo is now the same hi-output version that’s found under the hood of the Buick Regal GS. That amounts to a 35 lb-ft increase in torque, good for an impressive 295 lb-ft overall.
The turbo Malibu spools out 259 horsepower, and torque is up to 295 pound-feet this year, which may push its 0-60 mph time close to an even six seconds. The Malibu goes down a curvy road well, with a ride that's tauter than in the past, but better damped than in 2013. Electric power steering does well in giving it a precise feel here.
further automobilemag.com
