Three engines are available in the 2013 Chevy Malibu: a 2.4L mild hybrid that promises 36 mpg highway, 2.5L that’s noticeably quiet, and a punchy 2.0L turbo that outguns its competition. The 2.5-liter is the one that hits all the right notes, though.
Key Points
- Three engines are available in the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu: 2.4-liter mild hybrid, 2.5-liter, and 2.0-liter turbo. All three come with a six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive.
- The 2.4-liter mild hybrid promises up to 36 mpg on the highway, but according to reviews, it fails to meet that expectation in reality.
- The then-all-new 2.5-liter engine is reportedly very quiet and smooth, offering fuel economy that’s just as good as the mild hybrid.
- The 2.0-liter turbo models are faster and more powerful than the comparable Ford Fusion with 259 hp and a 0-60 mph time of 6.3 seconds.
- And while the 2.0L turbo is certainly tempting, the 2.5-liter and its 197 horsepower and solid fuel economy is all most 2013 Malibu buyers will ever need.
2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco’s 2.4-liter Engine Hybrid Fails to Deliver on Fuel Economy Claims
The least powerful but most economical model in the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu range is the Eco. Exclusive to it is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that comes paired to a mild hybrid system with an electric motor and small lithium-ion battery.
The engine itself produces 182 hp at 6,200 rpm and 172 lb.-ft. at 4,900 rpm. The electric motor adds an extra 15 hp from 1,000 to 2,200 rpm and 79 lb.-ft. at 1,000 rpm. GM estimates it should get the Malibu Eco from 0-60 mph in 8.7 seconds, which is average for a car of this type.
The Eco is primarily focused on gas mileage. It’s easily the most efficient in the range on paper, promising 25 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined. However, those claims fail to stack up in the real world.
A scathing article from Fortune compiled critics’ reviews which were overwhelmingly negative – poor fuel economy in reality was largely to blame. It’s also nowhere near as efficient as the comparably-priced Toyota Camry Hybrid which manages 40 mpg combined.
Beyond that, the hybrid system also proved to be problematic enough to prompt a recall. The Generator Control Module could stop functioning properly, potentially causing the engine to stall or even cause a fire in the trunk.
Oil changes are recommended every 7,500 miles for all 2013 Chevrolet Malibu variants, with 5.0 quarts of 5W-30 synthetic oil required. Should you need to replace one of these engines, it will likely cost around $3,200 for a rebuilt unit.
2.5L Engine Offers Impressive Real-world Fuel Economy, Getting Up to 33 mpg Highway
With the Eco model being so poorly received, the all-new, all-aluminum 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that arrived in the months after the 2013 Malibu’s initial launch is the one many hung out for. Peak power is higher at 197 hp at 6,300 rpm and 191 lb.-ft. at 4,400 rpm, making it good for 0-60 mph in an estimated 7.9 seconds.
Thanks to a next-generation six-speed automatic transmission, along with direct injection, it’s efficient enough to nearly match the Eco. The official claim is 22 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined. Those figures look to be easier to match in the real-world, too.
This engine has been praised for its quietness and refinement, with GM claiming a 40 percent noise intensity reduction compared with the 2.4-liter.
A forged steel crankshaft, structural front engine, and cam covers, and a composite acoustic intake manifold cover make the biggest advances in this regard. It also doesn’t have any problems common enough to prompt a recall like the Malibu Eco did.
5W-20 oil is recommended for the 2.5-liter; capacity remains at 5.0 quarts and oil change intervals at 7,500 miles. A replacement 2.5-liter engine will cost around $1,500 on average.
Upgraded 2.0L Turbo Engine Gets the 2013 Chevy Malibu From 0-60 in Just 6.3 Seconds
Sitting at the top of the 2013 Chevy Malibu range is the smallest engine on offer. This four-cylinder is just 2.0-liters in displacement, but it’s turbocharged to deliver 259 hp at 5,500 rpm and 260 lb.-ft. across a broad plateau from 1,700-5,500 rpm.
With that sort of grunt, it can get the Malibu from 0-60 mph in a claimed 6.3 seconds, making it quicker and more powerful than the equivalent Ford Fusion EcoBoost 2.0. Given the extra performance, 2.0-liter models feature larger rear brakes and unique steering and suspension tuning.
Car and Driver notes it’s still powerful enough to overwhelm the front end, though, claiming it “gets light and its tires go darty under full acceleration.” The publication also criticizes the poor shift logic of the previous generation’s automatic transmission.
For that performance, you pay a bit of a price at the gas station. Fuel economy is the worst in the range, achieving 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. Premium fuel is also recommended to help it perform its best, although it will still run on regular gas.
The same 7,500-mile oil changes and 5.0-quart oil capacity remain, with 5W-30 recommended for the 2.0-liter turbo. Replacement engines are expensive, costing up to $3,739.
Mild Hybrid Malibu Eco is One to Avoid, But the 2.5-liter is the Sweet Spot of the Range
If there’s one clear engine to avoid in the 2013 Chevy Malibu range, it’s the Eco model’s 2.4-liter mild hybrid. The critical response to it was incredibly poor at launch and it isn’t as economical as the more powerful 2.5-liter in the real world, plus it proved to be problematic as well.
The positive response to the 2.5-liter engine makes it the real sweet spot in the range, though. It’s refined, has the latest and most efficient automatic transmission available, and is just as economical as the mild hybrid. The 2.0-liter turbo’s additional grunt is certainly tempting, but the 2.5-liter is all most 2013 Malibu buyers will ever need.
Photos: Chevrolet
