2014 Malibu 2.5

[2James1]

Looking for experiences with:
Reliability(long term with stop/start, DI engine, etc)
Real World fuel economy
Ease of maintenance (such as oil changes)

Thanks

 

[pbm]

My friend had a 2014 Equinox with that engine and traded it in due to timing chain (tensioner I think) noise.

Oil changes were routine with an easy to access canister filter up top.

 

[WishIhadatruck]

Originally Posted By: pbm
My friend had a 2014 Equinox with that engine and traded it in due to timing chain (tensioner I think) noise.

Oil changes were routine with an easy to access canister filter up top.


Equinox had the 2.4L, different motor.

I rented a 2014 with the 2.5L and start/stop. I thought it worked pretty well and didn't bother me at all. I could only get the on board computer to average about 32 mpg in steady 65 mph driving. Not really competitive in 2014-2015. The 2016 with the 1.5L turbo is much nicer all around and I got 41-42 mpg on a all day trip with a rental.

Can't tell you anything else.

 

[gabriel9766]

Originally Posted By: 2James1
Looking for experiences with:
Reliability(long term with stop/start, DI engine, etc)
Real World fuel economy
Ease of maintenance (such as oil changes)

Thanks

I have had my 2015 malibu with the 2.5L DI I4 for a lil over a yr and 19k. The start stop took about a month to get use to. I average between 27-30mpg combined. Ive once gotten 37mpg ona trip back from branson to KC. I have used a Full Synthetic 0w20 for my malibu since new. Oil changes are cake. Over all i love the car. Just wish i would have opted for a few more options but I'm satisfied with the car.

 

[pandus13]

i thought user LS1Mike had one (Limited)....

 

[ls1mike]

Originally Posted By: pandus13
i thought user LS1Mike had one (Limited)....


I do except I have the LTG 2.0 turbo. I really like the car. It is a LTZ. Quiet, has great brakes and some nice features.

From what I understand is the 2.5 is much better than the old 2.4.

If you are getting a pretty good deal should be a decent car. I have not heard anything bad about the 2.5

 

[2James1]

I rented a 2014 with the 2.5L and start/stop. I thought it worked pretty well and didn't bother me at all. I could only get the on board computer to average about 32 mpg in steady 65 mph driving. Not really competitive in 2014-2015. The 2016 with the 1.5L turbo is much nicer all around and I got 41-42 mpg on a all day trip with a rental.

Can't tell you anything else.[/quote]

Im glad the start/stop worked well. Surprised about the mileage my 3.5 V6 struggles to get less than 30-31 Hwy hand calculated. And PA is not flat.

 

[2James1]

[/quote]
I have had my 2015 malibu with the 2.5L DI I4 for a lil over a yr and 19k. The start stop took about a month to get use to. I average between 27-30mpg combined. Ive once gotten 37mpg ona trip back from branson to KC. I have used a Full Synthetic 0w20 for my malibu since new. Oil changes are cake. Over all i love the car. Just wish i would have opted for a few more options but I'm satisfied with the car.
[/quote]

37mpg not bad at all for a car that size that is not diesel or hybrid. Standard spin on type filter right? How do you like the transmission?

 

[gabriel9766]

Originally Posted By: 2James1
[/quote]
I have had my 2015 malibu with the 2.5L DI I4 for a lil over a yr and 19k. The start stop took about a month to get use to. I average between 27-30mpg combined. Ive once gotten 37mpg ona trip back from branson to KC. I have used a Full Synthetic 0w20 for my malibu since new. Oil changes are cake. Over all i love the car. Just wish i would have opted for a few more options but I'm satisfied with the car.


37mpg not bad at all for a car that size that is not diesel or hybrid. Standard spin on type filter right? How do you like the transmission? [/quote]

Yes spin on filter. I'm using a acdelco ph64 right now. Transmission is smooth, only complaint about the trans is if u come to a quick stop sometimes u can feel it downshift a bit hard.

 

[2James1]

Rpm at 70mph?

 

[2James1]

Any complaints/ praises about fuel mileage both average and road trip? definitely see complaints online

 

[gabriel9766]

Originally Posted By: 2James1
Rpm at 70mph?

2k. Very quiet engine.

 

[gabriel9766]

Originally Posted By: 2James1
Any complaints/ praises about fuel mileage both average and road trip? definitely see complaints online
right now im averaging 24-27mpg due to remote start and winter blend fuel.

 

[2James1]

Originally Posted By: gabriel9766
Originally Posted By: 2James1
Rpm at 70mph?

2k. Very quiet engine.


Nice. Exactly or almost exactly the same rpm at 70 as my malibu.

 

[2James1]

Originally Posted By: gabriel9766
Originally Posted By: 2James1
Any complaints/ praises about fuel mileage both average and road trip? definitely see complaints online
right now im averaging 24-27mpg due to remote start and winter blend fuel.
That's definitively not terrible considering that. Is that a lot of short trips or 50/50?

 

[2James1]

Thanks for all of the responses so far. I'm leaning more towards a Malibu(2014-2015 design) than Cruze(2015) when it comes buying time. Especially if the real world mileage for the malibu will be at a minimum better than my current one.

 

[ls1mike]

So what are you looking for MPG wise? We are getting 25mpg in mixed driving winter blend on our Turbo Malibu.
I have gotten 31 MPG on the highway with it. No start/stop is this car.

We have been really happy with the 2.0 Turbo. 259 HP and 295 FT/LBS of torque. It does pretty good for what it is.

 

[Silverado12]

The Malibu is a decent size car. I was thinking high 20s, low 30s was pretty good for avg fuel economy. If you're looking for really good mileage, look at a Cruze. Mine averages 35 mpg and gets 37-40+ if I'm on a road trip.

 

[gabriel9766]

Originally Posted By: 2James1
Originally Posted By: gabriel9766
Originally Posted By: 2James1
Any complaints/ praises about fuel mileage both average and road trip? definitely see complaints online
right now im averaging 24-27mpg due to remote start and winter blend fuel.
That's definitively not terrible considering that. Is that a lot of short trips or 50/50?

60/40 right now. I filled up tonight and averaged 27.7mpg.

 

[2James1]

Originally Posted By: ls1mike
So what are you looking for MPG wise? We are getting 25mpg in mixed driving winter blend on our Turbo Malibu.
I have gotten 31 MPG on the highway with it. No start/stop is this car.

We have been really happy with the 2.0 Turbo. 259 HP and 295 FT/LBS of torque. It does pretty good for what it is.


I would like to be able to at least 34mpg+ hwy consistently. On a trip back from South Eastern OH on Christmas Day I averaged 31.8 mpg I believe it was when I filled up the next day. This includes mountains in both WV and MD. I have going 34mpg on this trip.