Chevrolet Malibu

Overview: Is the Chevy Malibu a Good Midsize Sedan?

The Chevrolet Malibu brings sensible, affordable family transportation to the midsize sedan segment. Sold as a front-wheel drive four-door (the Malibu Maxx hatchback was available from 2004 to 2007), the five-passenger Malibu relies on four- and six-cylinder powertrains for commuting, road trips, and daily errands. Although Malibus have been built since 1964, this overview looks at the seventh (2008-2012), eighth (2013-2015), and ninth (2016-current) generations.

The Malibu is the only non-Cadillac sedan in GM’s current vehicle portfolio, resulting from the automaker focusing on SUVs and trucks (like the Chevy Trax, Trailblazer, and Silverado). Most Malibus sold in the U.S. are built at the company’s Fairfax assembly plant in Kansas City.

Note: Equipment, features, and trims can vary by model year. Always confirm these details when looking for used Chevrolet Malibu cars for sale.

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Related: Are Chevy Malibus Good Cars?

Key Features

The Chevy Malibu offers:

• Four-door mid size sedan body style
• Four-cylinder (I4) and six-cylinder (V6) engines (varies by year); a hybrid was available for select years
• Front-wheel drive
• Automatic transmission or continuously variable transmission (CVT) (varies by year)

Trims

Seventh-generation Malibus mostly come as LS, LT, and LTZ trims. Later editions offered a base L version, with the Premier taking over for the LTZ as the top offering for the Malibu nameplate. Chevy also added a mid-tier RS trim for a more sporty Malibu. The latest lineup reflects the LS, RS, 1LT, and 2LT editions.

Comfort, Technology & Cargo

The Chevy Malibu offers ample space in both rows, making the car well-suited for trips of any length, although the middle spot in the back seat has less legroom. Older Malibus are less tech-centric, typical of midsize sedans from 10-15 years ago. In contrast, newer Malibus are embedded with the latest features, like a touchscreen infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and advanced driver assist tech. The Malibu’s trunk size is competitive with the Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, and other vehicles in this class.

How It Drives

Turbocharged gas engines supply smooth, willing acceleration, but newer Malibus rely on a CVT, which zaps power a bit. Meanwhile, hybrid editions focus on MPGs. 2016 was the last year for a Malibu with a V6 internal combustion engine.

Safety

The Chevy Malibu received a four- to five-star (out of five) overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Scores for specific frontal- and side-impact crash tests fall in the four- to five-star range.

Reviews

Consumer feedback for the seventh and eighth generations is favorable, with owners giving these Malibus an average 4.3 score (out of 5.0) via Kelley Blue Book. Reliability and quality are the highest-ranking factors. However, the current (ninth) generation’s score drops to 3.9, with owners giving these cars mediocre marks for reliability and quality.

Learn More: Here Are The Chevy Malibu Years To Avoid

FAQs

Why is Malibu popular?

Excellent passenger space and affordability keep the Malibu cars among America’s top-selling midsize sedans. Strong Chevy Malibu MPG is another selling point.

How many miles can a Malibu last?

Properly maintained Malibus have a potential lifespan that can easily exceed 150,000 miles. Follow factory recommendations for fluid changes and maintenance to reach this mileage mark.

Is Malibu bigger than Camry?

The Chevy Malibu and Toyota Camry are similarly sized, offering near-identical legroom and cargo space.

What is the most common Malibu issue?

Electronic glitches are among the most prevalent Malibu problems across model years. Carcomplaints.com also reports that engine trouble is another frequent Malibu problem.

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