In these days of escalating gas prices, peak oil, and tighter emissions requirements, carmakers have to do the right thing.....whether they want to or not, and there’s a large green bandwagon in the industry that manufacturers ignore at their peril. More than ever, optics are everything.

This at least partially explains the current proliferation of hybrid automobiles. They’re not perfect and still emit fumes and consume fossil fuel, albeit at a lower rate than most conventional automobiles, but every manufacturer’s got one, it seems, and if they don’t, they probably will sometime soon. One of the newer models is General Motors’ Malibu Hybrid, which made its debut last Fall.

Virtually indistinguishable from the impressive and well-received latest generation of Malibu, the hybrid version is what’s known as a "mild" hybrid, in that it won’t run on pure battery power alone. The electric motor provides an extra performance boost, and the vehicle shuts down during idle, automatically starting up again when you take your foot off the brake pedal. GM has used a similar set-up on other models.....the full-size Silverado/Sierra pickups and Saturn Aura Greenline, for example, and if the goal is to reduce emissions and increase fuel economy, then it has to be deemed a success, though not an overwhelming one. The Malibu Hybrid is the thriftiest version of this mid-size sedan and returns fuel economy of 8.5 L/100 km in town and 6.2 L/100 km on the highway. These numbers don’t stack up too well against other hybrids such as the Toyota Prius or Honda Civic, but they’re pretty decent for a vehicle of this size. By way of comparison, a non-hybrid, four cylinder Camry returns 9.5 and 6.2 respectively and a garden-variety, four cylinder Malibu is good for 9.6 and 6.5.

The powertrain for the Malibu Hybrid consists of the redoubtable Ecotec four cylinder gas engine, which displaces 2.4 litres, and a 36-volt electric motor that adds some five horsepower to the gas engine. Transmission is a four-speed HydraMatic only, and the Malibu Hybrid can’t be described as a powerhouse, by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, with a full complement of five passengers, it’s a slug, and I was, quite frankly, disappointed by its lack of performance and almost total lack of reserve power. I wasn’t expecting a tire-shredding hot rod, but the Malibu Hybrid is possibly the slowest mid-size sedan on the market. It even felt slower than the regular four cylinder version, which I’ve also driven....maybe it’s the extra weight of the hybrid drivetrain. Apparently, a six-speed automatic is on the way, but I can’t see it doing much to enhance the car’s get up and go.

For those with thrift in mind, a little graphic readout on the instrument panel lets you know when you’re consuming battery power or adding to it with the regenerative braking system, and a cute little green "eco" light is activated whenever you’re consuming the

ideal amount of fuel. When you stop for a traffic light, the engine shuts off, but it’s almost indiscernible, with just a slight shudder emanating from the front of the car when it starts up again. After awhile, you don’t even notice it, and during my time with this car, I pretty much forgot that I was behind the wheel of a hybrid.

And anyway, you’re not likely to be contemplating this type of car if burning up the pavement is your number one concern. Decent fuel economy and a reasonable sticker price probably top your list of must-haves, and you get both with this vehicle.

Not to mention a healthy dose of practicality. Hybrid drivetrain aside, this is a roomy, accommodating, and highly driveable five-passenger sedan with a good sized trunk: 428 litres. The driving experience is a reassuring one, and in terms of ergonomics, creature comforts, and interior elbow room, the Malibu Hybrid is at or near the head of the pack, as far as I’m concerned. Standard equipment level is surprisingly high, with things like cruise control, tilt/telescoping steering, one-touch power windows, power door locks, steering wheel-located audio controls, 60/40 folding rear seat, a vehicle stability control system, and air conditioning with a power-saving mode all coming with the just under $27,000 base price.

Which is possibly the Malibu Hybrid’s strongest selling point. The Toyota Camry Hybrid, for example, starts at $32,000 before taxes and extras, and the Honda Civic Hybrid, which is admittedly a smaller vehicle, starts at about $26,500. As an aside, both of these vehicles have CVT transmissions, but completely different hybrid systems. The Malibu Hybrid’s in-house competitor, the Saturn Aura Greenline, is priced at $27,500 and the two share many components.

But there’s no getting around it; on the freeway of life, this one is a right lane dweller.

AT A GLANCE