2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco Now on Sale

The wait is over for customers eager to get into the redesigned-for-2013 Malibu, but there's a catch. The Malibu is just now hitting U.S. dealerships, but the first model offered for sale is the Eco version, which uses the gas/electric powertrain GM calls eAssist.

The mild hybrid system is a re-engineered version of the hybrid powertrain in the old Malibu and now-defunct Saturn Aura sedan and Vue compact SUV. It was a flop for GM due to elevated prices and disappointing fuel-economy figures.

Cars.com Podcast: 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco, 2012 Buick Verano, 2012 Audi A6

This week's podcast covers three totally redesigned or new models, each of which is integral to its respective make. We start with the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, which features a radical interior design and the return of a mild hybrid system to the model. Next up is the 2012 Buick Verano, the brand's first compact vehicle in more than a decade. Finally, we talk about the new-for-2012 Audi A6 and its tech-centric focus. Recapping all our thoughts and insights on these models are Executive Editor Joe Wiesenfelder, Industry Analyst Kelsey Mays and editor Mike Hanley.

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Year-End Deal Reality Check: Chevrolet

As the year comes to an end, Chevrolet is offering some unique deals on select models, including no-money-down leases or financing that defers the first monthly payment for a few months.

Special deals are available to shoppers of the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, Traverse and Impala (LS trim only). All three have attractive 0% financing with the option of having no monthly payments until the spring, according to Chevy.

Well-qualified shoppers can get 0% to 3.9% financing for 60 months, depending on the model. The new 2012 Chevrolet Sonic and popular Cruze have 2.9% financing deals for 60 months. The soon-to-be-defunct Impala has $3,000 cash on the hood; so does the 2012 Chevy Avalanche. You can take off $2,000 on a new 2012 Traverse, while the hot-selling 2012 Chevy Tahoe and Suburban have only $1,500 on the hood.

The deals are even more attractive for those looking to lease a new Chevy. Under the Sign & Drive program, you can lease a new 2012 Cruze ($199 a month), Malibu ($229 a month), Traverse ($299 a month) or Silverado ($381 a month for All Star Edition trims) for no money down with 39-month and 39,000-mile terms.

All current Chevy deals end Jan. 3. For more information, go here.

Cars.com Reviews the 2013 Chevy Malibu Eco

Chevrolet has been on a bit of a roll lately producing comfortable and quiet new vehicles like the Equinox, Cruze and Sonic. Cars.com executive editor Joe Wiesenfelder says the redesigned Chevy Malibu follows that same trend. His review tackles the high-efficiency Eco model that will go on sale next year, but he thinks the Malibu lineup looks promising.

2013 Chevy Malibu Review

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco Priced at $25,235

When the redesigned 2013 Chevy Malibu goes on sale early next year, it will only be available as a high-efficiency trim called the Malibu Eco. Today, Chevy announced that trim level will start at $25,235, excluding a $760 destination fee. The Malibu Eco is estimated to get 26/38 mpg city/highway.

The Malibu Eco is about as expensive, but less fuel efficient, compared with the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid ($25,900 and 43/39 mpg) and the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid ($25,795 and 35/40 mpg). It is more affordable than the 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid but still not as fuel efficient ($28,700 and 41/36 mpg). The 2010 Chevy Malibu Hybrid cost $25,925 when it was on sale, but it only achieved 26/34 mpg.

What gives?

What's the Most Affordable Midsize Sedan?

The midsize sedan is by far the most popular car segment in the U.S., with more than 2 million sold so far this year. So it’s no surprise that some of the best-selling vehicles in the country are midsize family sedans, such as the Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima and Ford Fusion. It’s also one of the most competitive markets, with over 20 moderately priced models on sale today.

Over the past few months, the market has heated up even more. Toyota is launching the all-new 2012 Camry this month, and it will boast more features, improved gas mileage and more-affordable pricing for midlevel trims. The redesigned 2012 Volkswagen Passat is now a legitimate player in the moderately priced family sedan category, moving away from the premium category. Its starting price of $19,995 offers novel features, such as dual-zone automatic climate control, standard.

So which sedan is the best-equipped — and also the most affordable — car for the money? For this latest affordability study, we decided to pit the redesigned 2012 Camry and 2012 Passat against the 2012 Hyundai Sonata and the 2012 Fusion. All four have attractive pricing with lots of features.

It's Time To Buy 2011s, But Incentives Are Hard To Find

Around this time every year, dealers are hard at work trying to sell the remaining cars on their lots as new-model-year vehicles start to roll in. This year is no different, and while some 2012s haven’t arrived yet, it’s still the best time to buy a 2011 … as long as you know what to look for. That’s where we come in.

We diligently report on even the slightest changes between model years as soon as possible. Sometimes this means a car will look the same but get an all-new engine and transmission like the upcoming 2012 Mazda3 sedan that’s expected to get 40 mpg highway. Other times, nothing significant has changed between model years, and then there are the all-new cars that have been redesigned from the ground up.

You’ll find the best deals in that second group of vehicles that go from 2011 to 2012 without much change. It’s been a challenge this year to find bargains because manufacturers are making more significant model-year changes and incentives for these older models just aren’t that alluring.

Here are some of the best deals we could find:

Impressive New Six-Speed Transmission Heading to 2012 GM Cars

As I mentioned in my earlier Quick Drive report, the eAssist mild hybrid system performs well in the 2012 Buick LaCrosse, but to me the greater impression from that test drive was how well the next-generation six-speed-automatic transmission behaved. There's hope for GM yet.

The LaCrosse is the first model to integrate the second generation of GM Powertrain's GF6, the global front-wheel-drive six-speed automatic transmission. I've complained about hesitancy among GM automatics for years, including everything from the early Saturn Outlook (since retired) and current Cadillac CTS to the new Chevrolet Cruze. The kickdown delay on the Cruze is the single major blight on an otherwise excellent model.

Top 10 Best-Selling Cars: April 2011

High gas prices and the Japanese quake have dramatically shifted the best-sellers’ list for April. It’s now skewed toward high-efficiency cars as well as Korean and American makes.

April’s big winners are Hyundai and Chevrolet. Hyundai laid claim to two slots on the top 10 list — the first time the automaker has achieved this feat — for its redesigned 2011 Hyundai Sonata and Elantra sedans. 2011 Elantra sales were up an astonishing 128.8% in April. The model outsold nameplates like the Ford Focus and Fusion and Nissan Altima, which are usually best-sellers.

For the first time, the Chevrolet Cruze joins the top 10 ranks with 25,160 vehicles sold for the month. The new compact managed to outsell all its competitors except the Honda Civic. Despite the Cruze’s success, Silverado sales lagged for the month. The truck fell from its usual second place to fourth. The Ford F-Series remained the best-selling vehicle in America for April, but high-gas prices have affected that truck’s product mix. V-6-equipped F-150s made up 50% of the model’s sales, which is up from 40% in March, according to PickupTrucks.com.

For the month, most major automakers saw double-digit month-over-month sales growth: Nissan (12.2%), Hyundai (40.3%), GM (26.4%), Ford (16.4%), though Toyota (-2.4%) and Honda (5.7%) trumped the trend.

This is the first time in at least 12 months that Japanese automakers didn’t control at least half of the places on the top 10 list. Nissan doesn’t have any vehicles within the top 10 ranks for April. Typically, the Altima sells well; it’s still the third best-selling midsize sedan year-to-date.

Nissan, Toyota and Honda are in the midst of a supply crunch, which is due in part to the March earthquake and tsunami that continue to thwart Japanese industrial output.

The full top 10 list is below.

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Video

The current-generation Chevrolet Malibu was a turnaround vehicle for General Motors in the midsize-sedan segment despite some of its shortcomings, including lackluster design and powertrain. The next-generation 2013 Malibu warms over those problem areas, according to Cars.com senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder, though rear passenger space might be a little tight compared with other cars in the segment.