Buyers interested in a hybrid for their next vehicle may be interested in the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, but they may be disappointed in this car's mpg figures. However, that didn't stop this model from being named the 2008 North American Car of the Year.

The Chevy Malibu Hybrid does have a stylish appearance. With its 18-inch alloy wheels and chrome accents, it's a great looking ride. The interior gives the buyer heated bucket seats in front, an automatic climate control system, and a two-tone instrument panel.

Buying a Malibu makes sense to the person who wants to combine a sporty appearance with a reliable family vehicle. If you enjoy driving, you will appreciate this Chevy's six-speed automatic transmission. The 2008 model has also been given a five-star crash rating on side and frontal tests, which is the highest level that can be given to a vehicle.

One reason why the modern car buyer may be attracted to the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is because they want to make choices that are more environmentally responsible. In the case of the Malibu, you may not find that buying a hybrid will end up saving you much money. Even with its 164 hp 2.4 Liter 4-cylinder engine, it can be difficult to achieve the stated 24 mpg for city driving and 32 mpg on the highway.

To keep the idea of driving "green" in the front of the driver's mind, the Malibu is equipped with a light on the dashboard that will indicate when you are operating it most efficiently. This may be a good feature or a distraction while you are on the road, depending on the individual involved.

This model is equipped with OnStar to help you navigate your way from Point A to Point B more efficiently (as long as you are in an area where cell phone service is available). Hands-free calling is also available, but you will need to have a phone number assigned to you by OnStar for this purpose.

The stereo system on the 2008 Malibu includes a CD player, an auxiliary input jack, and XM satellite radio. If you want to scan a CD into the system, it will take a short time and you need to be prepared to rescan it every time you want to listen to it.

The MSRP on the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is a very reasonable $23,640, and you get several good features for the price.