2013 Malibu to Start at $22,390

[xcel]

Malibu MSRP is $1,495 more than Sonata, $1,390 more than Optima, $890 more than Altima, $335 more than Camry and $110 more than Accord.

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - Jun 22, 2012

2013 Chevrolet Malibu - $22,390 to start and a fuel economy rating estimated to arrive at 23/34 mpgUS although official numbers have yet to be released.

The all-new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu midsize sedan is scheduled to reach dealership showrooms this summer with a segment leading 10 standard air bags including front, side, side curtains, front driver and passenger knee and an exclusive segment first outward rear side airbags as standard equipment.

Following the Cruze and Sonic, Chevrolet’s product planners and program managers installing the additional air bags is most certainly a boon just in case of the worst, all competitors except for Nissan’s 2012 Altima at 4-stars (the 2013 has yet to be tested) have already earned 5-stars overall on the NHTSA crash tests.

According to GM, Malibu is the midsize segment’s longest-running nameplate and will be made available in LS, Eco, LT and LTZ trims for 2013. Malibu Eco went on sale this spring for $25,235 and will be followed by the LS, LT and LTZ models.

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Pricing

• LS (1LS trim): $22,390
• LT (1LT trim): $24,005
• LT (2LT trim): $25,240
• Eco (1SA trim): $25,235
• Eco (2SA trim): $26,945
• LT (3LT trim with turbo): $27,950
• LTZ (1LZ trim): $27,830
• LTZ (2LZ trim with turbo): $30,165

GM Charges $760 destination and Handling for all Malibu’s

All 2013 Malibu with the 2.5L I-4 Ecotec are expected to achieve a 34 mpgUS highway rating which will match the current segment bottom dweller in the form of the current 2012 Accord (an all-new 2013 Accord is scheduled to arrive this summer).

All Malibu’s are covered by a transferrable five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, as well as a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty.

Standard equipment

• Ecotec 2.5L direct injection with continuously variable valve timing, rated at 197 HP
• Six-speed automatic transmission with tap-shift control
• Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS
• Panic brake assist
• Electronic park brake
• StabiliTrak electronic stability control system
• Electric power steering (rack-mounted)
• MacPherson strut front suspension
• Four-link rear suspension
• Sixteen-inch aluminum wheels
• Active front lower grille aero shutters (LS, Eco, 3LT Turbo)
• Projector-beam headlamps with automatic exterior lamp control
• Fin-type combined OnStar/SiriusXM Satellite Radio antenna (body color)
• Acoustic-laminated, solar-absorbing glass
• Intermittent windshield wipers
• A/C
• Audio: AM/FM stereo with CD with MP3 playback
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio (with three-month trial period)
• Six-speaker sound system
• Bluetooth phone connectivity
• Cruise control
• Remote keyless entry
• Power windows with express down feature
• Power door and window locks
• Driver information center
• Tilt and telescopic steering column
• Steering wheel audio and cruise controls
• Driver’s footrest
• Overhead console
• Compass display
• Two auxiliary power outlets
• Rear center armrest with storage

In addition to the content included on LS models, Eco, LT and LTZ models add:

• Seven-inch color touch-screen with concealed storage behind
• Chevrolet MyLink connected radio
• Bluetooth streaming audio for select phones
• USB port and auxiliary input jack
• Ice-blue ambient lighting
• Dual-zone automatic climate control (Eco, 2LT, 3LT and LTZ models)
• Color driver information center (Eco, 2LT, 3LT and LTZ models)

On 2LT, 3LT and LTZ models, an available advanced safety package adds Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning. A leather package for Eco (2SA) and LT (2LT/3LT) adds leather-trimmed seating and heated front seats.

LTZ features the following equipment:

• LED taillamps
• Eighteen-inch Alloys
• Dual exhaust with bright chrome accents
• Silver grille insert
• Fog lamps
• Chrome door handles
• Leather-appointed seats
• Heated front seats
• Eight-way power-adjustable driver and passenger seats with power lumbar
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
• Remote start
• Power sunroof (2LZ)

An available premium package on the LTZ adds passive entry/keyless access, push-button starting, high-intensity discharge headlamps and driver’s memory seat and mirrors. Nineteen-inch wheels are also available.

For more on the 2013 Malibu Eco, consider our Preview.

Competitive Comparison

Incentive Spend and 36-month Residual Value Comparison

Make	Model	Q1 2012 Average Incentive Spend (Autodata, March 2012)	2012 MY 36-month Residual Values (ALG Mar/Apr 2012)
Hyundai	Sonata	$1,127	52%
Toyota	Camry	$1,936	50%
Honda	Accord	$3,608	50%
Nissan	Altima	$3,646	47%
Chevrolet	Malibu	$4,075	43%

Midsize Sedan – Feature and Attribute Comparisons

Year	Make	Model	Engine	HP	Torque (lb-ft.)	Fuel Economy (mpgUS)	Turning Diameter (feet)	Passenger Volume (cu. ft.)	Cargo Volume (cu. ft.)	Total Volume	EPA Size Classification
2013	Hyundai	Sonata	2.4L I4	200 @ 6300	186 @ 4250	24/35	35.8	103.8	16.4	120.2	Large
2013	Chevrolet	Malibu	2.5L I4	197 @ 6300	191 @ 4400	23/34*	37.4	100.3	16.3	116.9	Midsize
2012	Toyota	Camry	2.5L I4	178 @ 6000	170 @ 4100	25/35	36.7	102.7	15.4	118.1	Midsize
2012	Honda	Accord	2.4L I4	177 @ 6500	161 @ 4300	23/34	37.7	106.0	14.7	120.7	Large
2013	Nissan	Altima	2.5L I4	182 @ 6000	180 @ 4000	27/38	36.1	100.9	15.4	116.3	Midsize

*Estimated

Early Conclusions

Expect strong incentives to begin almost as soon as the non-hybrid Malibu’s reach dealership showrooms. It simply does not have the differentiation needed to demand a higher retail price than its Asian counterparts let alone incentives will provide lower residuals that harm its new owner(s) at time of resale years down the line.

[ALS]

Hi Wayne,

I don't know about the rebates coming soon on this car. 2010 LS's with 15K miles are selling used by me for $18K and the 11's with around 10K miles are running $18.5-$19K.

Al

[Carcus]

Eco model (e-assist) is 2.4 l and estimated 25/37 mpg.

Too bad it has a big lithium battery liability, costs about $4,000 more, but gets bested in the mpg department by the 27/38 mpg Altima.

Guess which one has 500+ pounds of additional curb weight?

[Blackbelt]

Wow, this seems like a huge swing and a miss for GM. Looking at the car, it's equipment, specs, and price, there is a LONG list ahead of it for my car buying dollar. I am not a domestic hater, far from it, but this is a disappointment. I would buy a Camry, Sonata, Fusion or any number of others before this Malibu. Heck, i can get a better equipped Suzuki Kizashi, with a better warranty and with AWD for less money than this Malibu(AWD is a BIG plus for me)

[EdwinTheMagnificent]

I don't have any real axe to grind with GM , but I don't know who would buy this car except old bowtie die-hards. You know, those guys who buy a car because "we always buy Chevy's" or "if it was good enough for dad, it's plenty good for me".

I'm a Jap-car lover who would actually consider buying a Cruze Eco. But this Malibu is a day late and a dollar short.

[waltermlee]

Rant: with regular traffic jams - not having stop-idle tech is a TCO handicap - I've seen driver who having turned off their vehicles at long traffic lights to save gas only to have a heck of time restarting. Having stop-idle tech automates the process and makes it a no brainer. One of the reason I bought a hybrid was because stop-idle tech is normally standard for a hybrid. IMHO With the long term trend of higher gas prices -stop-start tech should be standard on all new cars. It's dissappoint that it's still missing in newer designs.

Can the Malibu safely use E15 or E85?

[chilimac02]

Guess that's what happens when you have huge union contracts.

[rfruth]

Will Apple - GM - Seri thing be offered ?

http://gmauthority.com/blog/2012/06/...y-sonic-spark/

[civic94coupe206]

the messed up thing is that after a few years, a camry or accord will hold up its value way better than the more expensive malibu.

heck, even a 20 year old 200k camry/accord that is running can still command 1500 bucks if its running, while chevy products just go to the junkyard

[Indigo]

Originally Posted by chilimac02

Guess that's what happens when you have huge union contracts.

Yeah... cuz the CEO and top-level executives are soooooooop underpaid for all the haaaaard work they do.