more about this model
Pros Attractive cabin, elegant sheet metal, good ride/handling balance, intuitive control layout, rear seat offers three sets of child-seat anchors.
Cons Disappointing rear-seat space, small trunk opening, missing certain key convenience features.
Years ago, there was an ad for a well-known bodybuilding program that went something like this: A skinny guy — the prototypical 98-pound weakling — gets sand kicked in his face as he tries to chat up a lady at the beach. He gets on board with a bodybuilding program and blossoms into a shredded muscle god. He returns to the beach, humiliates the bully and gets the girl. In certain respects, the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu is his automotive equivalent.
Not that long ago, the Malibu was an also-ran in the family-sedan segment — something to snicker at, and a monumental step down from segment leaders like the Honda Accord. However, a 2008 redesign brought with it significant upgrades. Offering almost everything that most folks crave in a family sedan, the current Malibu is a genuine contender.
In other words, its sheet metal is elegant, its cabin is tasteful and its handling is surprisingly poised. The problem is, the bar in this segment has been raised to nosebleed heights. The Chevy may have gone from runt to ripped, but there's no shortage of talent in this segment — strong as the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu is, there are choices in the family-sedan category that match and surpass it in certain respects.
The Ford Fusion and the Mazda Mazda 6 get your blood pumping with more athletic handling, and the Accord boasts more interior space. However, the one thing that separates the Malibu from all the other metaphorical hunks on Muscle Beach is its styling. Its distinctive sheet metal oozes refinement. Factor in its other solid attributes and the competitively priced Malibu becomes a respectable pick for car buyers interested in putting a dignified face on affordable family transportation.
Performance The 2009 Chevy Malibu 2LT has ample get-up-and-go thanks to its optional 3.6-liter V6 good for 252 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque (this engine is optional on 2LT and LTZ trims). At 3,619 pounds, the car is one of the huskier members of the family-sedan class, yet despite this, it manages capable acceleration. From a standstill, it gets to 60 mph in just 6.7 seconds.
This places the Malibu only one-tenth of a second behind a recently tested Mazda 6, and ahead of cars like the Honda Accord (7.2 seconds) and the Hyundai Sonata (7.4 seconds). Unfortunately, the car's six-speed transmission doesn't quite crest the same level of achievement. Shifts are a bit coarse in automatic, and when manual-shift mode is employed, they become downright surly.
You'll likely forgive it this shortcoming, though, if you have the occasion to get brutish with the throttle. When pushed hard in a straight line or around corners, the Malibu does a surprisingly good job of keeping its cool. It's not a poor man's sport sedan like the Mazda 6 or Ford Fusion Sport, but it remains confident and well-mannered whether at highway speeds or tackling sinuous mountain roads.
The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu held its own in slalom testing, with our test driver noting that "there's enough info through the controls to toss it around comfortably." Steering feels overly heavy, though, with limited feedback and a giant steering wheel. This prevents it from really being considered fun.
Of course, things that go fast must halt at some point. The Malibu manages an impressive stopping distance, hitting zero from 60 mph in 122 feet. In so doing, it bests the stopping distances achieved by rivals like the Mazda 6 and the Honda Accord. However, though the sedan stops well, its brake pedal feels overly soft.
The Malibu's powerful V6 brings some compromises with regard to mileage. It's rated at 17 mpg city/26 mpg highway and 20 mpg combined — the V6 Accord and Sonata will net you better fuel economy, and of course, there's always the Malibu's more frugal standard four-cylinder to consider.
Comfort With family sedans like the 2009 Chevy Malibu, comfort and quiet are obviously highly desirable ingredients, and the 'Bu does a commendable job of keeping the cabin serene, drowning out wind and road noise better than most rivals, especially the noisy Accord. The Malibu's front seats generally satisfy the comfort requirement, though some editors noted that the seats would benefit from increased lumbar and thigh support. Between the height-adjustable seats and the tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, it's easy to find a satisfactory seating position, though some may find the pedals uncomfortably spaced.
Things are less amenable in back, where passengers will find less head- and legroom than in the Malibu's main competitors. Shoulder room also gets tight when three squeeze into the rear seat, and the Malibu lacks a center armrest, a center head restraint and roof-mounted grab handles.
Function From the look of the car's dash, the Malibu's designers chose to make simplicity their mantra. This is a good thing — everything is exactly where you'd expect to find it. If you've ever struggled with the complicated multi-button interface presented by the Accord's climate control system, you'll find solace in the Malibu's straightforward three-knob setup. The car's audio controls are equally intuitive, with an easy-to-manage tuning knob and GM's smart radio preset system that allows you to mix and match FM, AM and XM stations.
One Malibu feature that you won't find in family sedans like the Accord and Sonata is three sets of LATCH anchors in the backseat. Most sedans offer lower anchors on both door-adjacent rear seats, but they are usually absent on the middle seat. This is unfortunate, since the middle seat is said to be the safest location for child seats. Middle-seat placement is not only safer but more practical as well, since it makes it easier for parents seated in front to keep an eye on the child.
Unfortunately, a couple of popular features are absent. A traditional navigation system isn't available on this or any 2009 Chevy Malibu (instead, OnStar offers its turn-by-turn navigation feature). Dual-zone climate control is also a no-show.
At 15.1 cubic feet, the Malibu's trunk is larger than the Accord's, but a cube or so smaller than that of the Fusion, Mazda 6 and Sonata. It seems smaller than the number would suggest, though. It's big enough to accommodate golf clubs and suitcases, but the space is shallow, and loading becomes a challenge due to the narrow opening.
Design/Fit and Finish The Malibu's sheet metal boasts clean lines and a stylish look. Particularly impressive is the spare but sophisticated design of the rear fascia. Interior design is also quite pleasant — metallic accents and a two-tone color scheme give the car's cabin an eye-catching ambience that its rivals lack. At night, the gauges are illuminated in a soothing shade of turquoise. Ambient lighting in this hue also illuminates the car's interior door handles; it's an appealing touch.
Interior quality is hit or miss. There's ample soft-touch plastic, and the leatherette/faux suede combo that shrouds the car's seats is sufficiently convincing. Switchgear is well-damped, and the shifter, too, feels substantial. Unfortunately, there are just as many hard plastic panels and signs of poor construction, like misaligned panels and a flimsy center console.
Who should consider this vehicle The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu 2LT is a suitable choice for shoppers who want an affordable, competent midsize family sedan that's more distinguished than the usual suspects. Its backseat is on the small side, though, and certain features like a traditional navigation system aren't available. Also, three-car-seat families will appreciate the three sets of LATCH anchors in the rear seat, a rarity in the sedan segment.
Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Mazda 6, Nissan Altima.
Used 2009 Chevrolet Malibu listings and inventory:
Shop Edmunds' used car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million pre-owned vehicles to find a cheap used and certified pre-owned (CPO) 2009 Chevrolet Malibus for sale near you. There are currently 679 used and CPO 2009 Malibus listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as 3,800 and mileage as low as 35,019. Simply research the type of used car, SUV, or truck you're interested in and then select a vehicle from our massive database to find cheap pre-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the used 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. Then select Edmunds' special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to 281 on a used or CPO 2009 Malibu available from one of 2,632 dealerships in your area.
What's a good price on a used 2009 Chevrolet Malibu ?
Save up to $280.9 on one of 24 used 2009 Chevrolet Malibus for sale at dealerships within 25 miles with prices as low as $4450 as of May 26, 2018, based on data from 18 dealers and 40 consumer-driven dealer ratings ranging from 1 to 5 out of 5 stars.
Price comparisons for used 2009 Chevrolet Malibu trim styles:
The used 2009 Chevrolet Malibu LS is priced around $6450 with average odometer reading of 75652 miles.
The used 2009 Chevrolet Malibu LT2 is priced around $6690 with average odometer reading of 81157 miles.
The used 2009 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ is priced around $8643 with average odometer reading of 72557 miles.
The used 2009 Chevrolet Malibu LT1 is priced around $5608 with average odometer reading of 129186 miles.
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near you. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
What options are available on the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu?
Available Chevrolet Malibu 2009 Submodel Types: HybridSedan
Available Chevrolet Malibu 2009 Trims: LTPremierLT w/1LTHybridLS FleetEcoLTZBaseLT1LSLT2LT w/2LTFleetL
Exterior Colors: Mosaic Black MetallicNightfall Gray MetallicBlue Velvet MetallicCajun Red TintcoatIridescent Pearl TricoatChampagne Silver MetallicArctic Blue MetallicPepperdust MetallicButte Red MetalllicAtlantis Blue MetallicSandy Ridge MetallicAshen Gray MetallicMocha Steel MetallicTaupe Gray MetallicWhite Diamond TricoatCrystal Red Tintcoat Crystal Red TintcoatSable MetallicAutumn Bronze MetallicBlackGold Mist MetallicImperial Blue MetallicRed Jewel TintcoatSilverstone MetallicBlue Topaz MetallicDark Gray MetallicAmber Bronze MetallicBlack Granite MetallicDark Blue MetallicLight Driftwood MetallicSilver Ice MetallicSilver Moss MetallicSilver Topaz MetallicSport Red MetallicSummit WhiteWhiteButte Red Metallic (Late Availability)Dark Jade Green MetallicDark Tropic Teal MetallicGolden Pewter MetallicMedium Gray MetallicMonterey Maroon MetallicSandstone MetallicSilver Green Metallic
Interior Colors: Jet Black premium clothJet Black leatherDark Atmosphere/Medium Ash Gray premium clothJet Black leatheretteJet Black/ Titanium premium clothDark Atmosphere/Medium Ash Gray leatherDark Atmosphere/Loft Brown leatherJet Black/ Titanium leatheretteCocoa/ Light Neutral leatheretteJet Black/ Titanium (Fleet) premium clothCocoa/Light Neutral leatherEbony leatherCocoa/ Light Neutral premium leatherCocoa/Cashmere leatherCocoa/ Light Neutral premium clothTitanium clothGrayEbony premium clothJet Black/ Titanium leatherNeutralCocoa/Cashmere clothEbony clothEbony/Brick leatherTitanium suedeCashmere clothCocoa/Cashmere suedeEbony suedeTitanium leatherTitanium premium cloth
Popular Features: USB InputsBack-up cameraKeyless Entry/StartMobile InternetApple Carplay/Android AutoAutomatic Emergency BrakingMulti-Zone Climate ControlLane Departure WarningBlind Spot MonitoringParking sensorsNavigationPre-collision safety systemUpgraded StereoCooled SeatsAdaptive Cruise ControlAlarmAudio and cruise controls on steering wheelAux Audio InputsFold Flat Rear SeatsPost-collision safety systemPower Driver SeatRear Bench SeatsStability ControlTire Pressure WarningTrip ComputerBluetoothRemote StartHeated seatsUpgraded HeadlightsSunroof/MoonroofUpgraded EngineAuto Climate ControlLeather Seats
Engine/Mechanics: 46 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATICDIRECT_DRIVE
Fuel Types: premium unleaded (recommended)regular unleadedflex-fuel (unleaded/E85)
Drivetrains: front wheel drive
Used 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Overview
The used 2009 Chevrolet Malibu is offered in the following submodels: Sedan. Available styles include LTZ 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A), LS 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A), and LT2 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A). Pre-owned Malibu models are available with a 0-liter gas engine, with output up to 0 hp, depending on engine type. The used 2009 Malibu comes with front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 6-speed shiftable automatic, 4-speed automatic.
