2014 Malibu comes standard with stop/start technology

We love that as the automotive market gets more competitive, that mainstream automakers are offering luxury incentives as standard features. Technology such as back-up cameras were only available in luxury model cars when it first debuted, but now is available in most mainstream auto brands. And aside from it becoming available, you no longer have to hunt down cheap oil changes to be able to afford it. Stop/Start technology is another example that has been offered as an incentive on luxury model cars, but is being made a standard mainstream feature by Chevrolet.

The automaker has announced that the 2014 version of the Chevy Malibu will be sold with stop/start technology standard. The midsize sedan will be available this fall, and will be the first in its class to offer the fuel-saving feature standard. The midsize family sedan is a mainstream as any vehicle can come, and in order to illustrate the importance of fuel economy, Chevy has chosen the Malibu to have the technology come standard. Along with the start/stop technology, which works by shutting the engine down when the vehicle comes to a complete stop, and automatically restarting when the brake is released, the 2014 Malibu also features a sportier front end and other technological features.

The new Malibu also gets a 14% bump up in fuel economy, thanks in part to the start/stop technology and also the six-speed transmission. With an average of 29 miles per gallon combined highway/city, the Malibu has higher fuel economy than comparable midsize sedans from other top automakers. The 2014 version of the Malibu will be offered this fall and starts at $22,965.