Chevy Adds Six-Speed, Four-Cylinder Malibu

When the new Malibu was announced last year, its four-cylinder engine was paired to a four-speed automatic, much to the chagrin of the automotive journalist community. After driving the four-speed I didn’t really see anything wrong with it, but that didn’t stop Chevy from apologizing for it profusely and announcing a six-speed was on the way. Now we get the final details about the more refined transmission. 

Unlike the four-speed, the six-speed will only be available in the top-of-the-line LTZ trim with a starting price of $25,895, not including a $650 destination charge. The power plant returns mileage of 22/32 mpg city/highway. That takes it just beyond the five-speed automatic Honda Accord — 21/31 mpg — and ties it with the 2009 Hyundai Sonata as the class leader. A similarly equipped Honda Accord EX-L starts at $25,860, while the Sonata Limited starts at $23,970.

Lesser Malibu trims — the LS and LT — retain the four-speed four-cylinder and its measly 22/30 mpg for the foreseeable future. The new four-cylinder LTZ goes on sale this spring.

Related
2008 Chevrolet Malibu Expert Review (Cars.com)
2008 Chevrolet Malibu Videos (Cars.com)
More Malibu News (KickingTires)

Comments

But the two mid-range models get the 6 speed auto for '09
Standard in the 2LT, optional on the 1LT (not available on the stripper model LS)

It's finally nice to see domestic companies compete head on with the Japanese nameplates on fuel efficiency. For years, Honda/Toyota have offered cars with best in class MPG.

Toyota needs to step up with all cars to offer 5- and 6-speed transmissions now. This competition only does good.

More importantly, it's good to see the domestics offering leading edge tech and equipment before the imports.

So long as all but the most basic model get the option of the 6-speed then it's all good. If just the LTZ ever gets it then it just emphasises that they are willing to sacrifice customer satisfaction for a few pennies of increased profit, which would stick in my craw a little (a lot).

We'll see in 09 i guess...

Well, to be fair the imports have been offering the higher tech transmissions for years, well ahead of GM. Camrys have had 5- and 6-speed transmissions since the last gen, so has Honda. They haven't been as prevalent in the 4-cyl models though, and that needs to change.

Regardless, 1mpg isn't a huge difference. It really needs to be a 3-5 mpg difference to make it significant.

Well, to be fair the imports have been offering the higher tech transmissions for years, well ahead of GM. Camrys have had 5- and 6-speed transmissions since the last gen, so has Honda. They haven't been as prevalent in the 4-cyl models though, and that needs to change.

Regardless, 1mpg isn't a huge difference. It really needs to be a 3-5 mpg difference to make it significant.

Mart,

Before the imports?
Doesn't the Camry equip with a 6AT since the 07 model year?

"Well, to be fair the imports have been offering the higher tech transmissions for years, well ahead of GM. Camrys have had 5- and 6-speed transmissions since the last gen, so has Honda. They haven't been as prevalent in the 4-cyl models though, and that needs to change."

They had more gears but not better mileage. Under the old EPA standards the G6 and Malibu (last gen) got the same mileage as the I-4 Camry and Accord. The last gen Malibu got better mileage with its 3.5 V6 than the 2006 Camry got with its 3L and 5 speed auto. The idea that import cars in this class have long had a significant mileage advantage isnt true.

While Honda had a 5 speed auto before the domestics it should be noted that all of the domestic brands have offered 6 speed autos before Honda. Ford has been selling one since 2005.

"Before the imports?
Doesn't the Camry equip with a 6AT since the 07 model year?"

He is talking about four cylinder models. The Aura came out with a 6 speed auto about 6 months after the camry back in 2006. Toyota barely beat GM in that regard. Honda and Hyundai do not offer 6 speeds in their midsize offerings.

The Fusion is getting a more powerful standard engine and 6 speed auto later this year.

The Malibu Hybrid would benefit more from this technology and make the extra cost seem worth while, me thinks.

Stop this gear craze.
It doesn't matter how many gears. Mileage is matter.
Altima has CVT (no gears) and class-leading mileage.

Tony, I think essentially you have that the wrong way around. The CVT essentially provides UNLIMITED gears, making sure the car is always at the optimum revs etc.

If you look at it that way, we should be looking for MORE gears!

and, yes. If engeneers will ever figure out supper efficient car with internal combustion engine the key wouldn't be in tranny but in fuel and engine itself.

Mart,
I know.
Here is the best example of opposite
RAV-4 2.4 liter 4spd - 23mpg average
CR-V 2.4 liter 5spd - 21mpg average

Means, pack RAV-4 engine with CR-V tranny and get 24mpg

But even after they equipped it with a 6 speed, all they got is just 1mpg difference? Just a heavier right foot will diminish that difference right on the spot.
22/21 is an insignificant number of advantage.

The current EPA numbers are 22/30 for the 4t45 4 speed automatic.

GM estimated a gain of 0 mpg city (unlikely in the real world, you should gain 1mpg) and 2mpg highway (also unlikely, probably just 1mpg)

http://www.caranddriver.com/content/download/91979/1180288/version/1/file/The+Buzzard-and-Baloney+Brigade+-+Powertrain.pdf

So if it gets an extra mpg in the real world, and is faster and smoother, about time.