2013 Malibu Turbo Track Test | Chevy Malibu | Chevrolet - YouTube

Not bad, but nothing special, and nowhere near class leading performance. I still think not having a V6 option is a mistake in this segment. Accord, Camry and Altima all have a V6 option. If the Malibu had the 300hp 3.6 as a option it would have class leading performance.

 

It's good enough for that car segment. 6.3 seconds is faster than an RX8.

 

I would have to disagree on the need of a V6. The main conern of most people who buy this type of car is fuel economy, reliability and safety. I think as long as the performance is reasonable which at 6.3 sec certainly is. There is no need to invest in putting the V6 whick would have a very low take rate.

 

I think those numbers are pretty damn impressive for a Malibu. It's not like it's a really sporty vehicle. What are the V6 numbers like of its competitors?

 

Small displacement, turbo engines are the way to go especially if you want a combination of good performance and even better mileage.

I think as you get older, especially in my case, having a loud V8 with an even louder exhaust takes a backseat to performance, mileage and a relative quiet engine.

 

Does anyone still want to argue that CAFE isn't affecting decisions to not offer a V6? Luckily, today is just the Malibu.

-Geoff

 

And the 2013 Fusion and the 2014 Mazda 6 for upcoming vehicles.

And Buick Regal, Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima were already 4 cylinder only mid-sizers.

 

The problem with turbos is they don't get real-world MPG. The promising Ecoboost 6 in the F150 is rated well, but real life experience has shown that it doesn't really get much better MPG than the 5.3L V8.

 

The problem with turbos, is they don't get real world MPG because their drivers enjoy driving them too much.

People who argue the EB F150 doesn't get advertised mileage suffer from selective reading. Read from the real owners................... you know, at least hundreds of them to be a tad objective. They will range from the bottom of the epa estimates to the top. Gosh............. what a shock. Tip into the happy pedal, and you will not get as good of mileage as if you don't. 365hp is still 365hp. Live in mountainous country and you will not get as good of mileage as someone in the flats. Tow a blunt fronted trailer and you will not get as good of mileage as someone towing an aerodynamic trailer.

It really is quite simple.

Or, did you honestly think you could floor it all the time, and get the epa averages?? The 5.3 doesn't either, and it has nowhere close to 365hp and 420lb ft of torque.

BTW, yes, I read all of the F-series forums, and follow all of the threads because I love the engine.

 

For reference, Edmunds ran the 2012 V6 Malibu to 60 in 6.7 seconds and called it "one of the quicker V6 sedans in the class". So a ~0.4 second improvement with a more efficient (on paper) engine isn't bad at all.

 

Was anyone ever truely under the impression it wouldn't? They would be clinically called delusional.

 

It is has more HP and much more torque than the 5.3L.

What makes me scratch my head... the Regal GS does 0-60 in 6.7 seconds...

 

Auto or manual? Plus, Regal is probably heavier, and it has those giant 20" wheels.

 

I have read 6.7 in lots of places, but usually the tranny isn't mentioned. Also, the 20" wheels are optional. You can get 19" wheels. Either way, disappointingly slow. The GS weighs 60 to 80 pounds more. Has more HP and more torque, gets less MPG, and slower 0-60 time. I am guessing that the tranny is the problem.

 

It would be interesting to see what the V6 take rate is on the current Malibu. I would say its less than half. With the new model not offering a V6, it could have a backlash with some buyers walking away and going for the new Altima or similar sedan with a V6 option.

Last month Malibu sales were flat with no improvement over last year at this time, even though lots are full of 2013 Eco models. Even the old Impala out sold Malibu by over 4K units last month. I am sure sales will pickup once the full model line up is out in the coming months. But it will be interesting to see if the new Malibu with no V6 option will be as good of a seller as the previous model.