2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco gets $25,995 sticker

The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco sedan will start at just $25,995, including destination, General Motors said on Tuesday.

The redesigned Malibu Eco, which we drove in September, will be the first Chevy car to feature GM's new eAssist battery-electric/gas propulsion system. The Buick LaCrosse hybrid also will have the same system. It employs a lithium-ion battery and an electric motor while saving fuel with regenerative braking, electric assist and a stop/start function. Chevy says the new Malibu will return 26 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.

The Malibu Eco comes in at about $3,000 less than the Ford Fusion hybrid and $2,000 less than the new Volkswagen Passat TDI SE. It lands within $1,000 of the Toyota Camry hybrid and the Hyundai Sonata hybrid.

The Malibu gets a decent roster of standard features in addition to the 182-hp, 2.4-liter engine and six-speed automatic transmission. Some of the highlights include projector headlights, Chevy MyLink, keyless entry, power windows and locks and a few other bits and pieces.

The 2013 Chevy Malibu Eco will hit dealerships in early 2012.

By Jake Lingeman