Malibu Hybrid: A happy turn of events

Can technology make you happy?That is a question that social researchers have been asking since the Industrial Revolution, and, so far, the answer is inconclusive.Perhaps the human condition dictates that, when it comes to happiness, the glass is always half full or half empty, depending on your point of view. Maybe that's what drives us toward the next advance -- trying to fill that glass.That may be why some people are so happy to drive hybrid vehicles. They accept the professional prognosis that Earth is suffering a terminal condition and that a technological breakthrough is required.While cars like the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid are not totally harmless, they are traveling in the right direction on the road to lower fuel prices and fewer greenhouse gases.And many environmentally minded motorists take additional comfort in General Motors' development of plug-in hybrids and all-electric models such as the Volt concept car. These drivers see themselves more as part of the solution than the problem.For consumers, the Malibu Hybrid is a pretty easy move in the right direction. At $25,345, it's not even the most expensive Malibu in the lineup. In fact, General Motors touts the Malibu as the most affordable mid-size hybrid on the market.Looking beyond the sticker price, Chevy earned recognition from NADA Guides, publishers of the so-called "Bluebook" of new and used car values. The guides found only five hybrids whose fuel economy would overtake the price premium before the car was sold (based on typical duration of car ownership). The Malibu Hybrid was second on the list behind the Toyota Camry Hybrid.That means the Camry Hybrid's costlier power system would pay for itself quicker than the other five on the list. In Los Angeles, with gas pegged as high as $4.59 per gallon recently, the Camry Hybrid would break even against a Camry XLE in 18,292 miles. In the same city, the Malibu Hybrid would break even against the Malibu LT in 32,206 miles. Rounding out the list were the Nissan Altima Hybrid, the Toyota Prius and the Honda Civic.Camry Hybrid is Malibu's direct competitor, earning slightly better fuel economy of 33 city miles per gallon and 34 on the highway. Malibu Hybrid, which uses a different type of electric power, goes 26 city mpg and 34 on the highway.While the Altima Hybrid competes primarily in California, an erstwhile midsize competitor, the Honda Accord Hybrid is gone. Honda found less demand for the sedan than expected and deferred to the popular Civic Hybrid.The Malibu Hybrid introduced as a 2008 model uses a "mild hybrid" system that is essentially an oversized electric starter motor that replaces the alternator and keeps the crankshaft turning when the gasoline engine is shut down. The 36-volt electric motor/generator then starts the gasoline engine seamlessly when it is needed and supplies extra power at wide-open throttle.Nickel metal hydride batteries packing 10,000 watts of peak power are stored in a series of cassettes in the front of the trunk, taking up little cargo space. The electric motor recharges the batteries when it is not needed for the sedan's auxiliary power.The 164-horsepower, 4-cylinder Ecotec gas engine provides brisk acceleration, and the decreased rolling resistance of the tires offers a splendid feeling of gliding down the road. The only time the hybrid system became noticeable was when the car was slowing around a turn (causing the gas engine to shut down), followed by abrupt acceleration at the end of the turn. The throttle response was adequate but not instantaneous.For 2009, Chevrolet is offering new 17-inch ultra bright aluminum wheels with touring tires as standard equipment. But the base price is also rising about $800.Beyond the hybrid system, the sedan is the same Malibu whose sales have soared amid media raves in its first model year, 2008. Sharing a platform with the Saturn Aura, Pontiac G6 and Europe's Opel Signum, the sixth generation emerged from the design studio with a wheelbase 6 inches longer than its predecessors, gaining 3 inches in overall length.Designers created an attractive, intuitive interior with a "just right" feel. The exterior styling was sufficiently brave to win Car of the Year honors at Detroit's North American International Auto Show in January but is still unlikely to attract a lot of attention on the road. What will be noticed is the green "Hybrid" emblem on the decklid. WHAT'S NEW: 17-inch bright aluminum wheels, new color choices in second model year.PLUSES: Fuel economy, comfort and ergonomics, value, innovation.MINUSES: Mild hybrid system is less efficient than pure hybrid.BOTTOM LINE: Happy motoring.(E-mail Richard Williamson at motorfriend(at)sbcglobal.net)