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Chevrolet Malibu Reviews

Owner Reviews

5(49%)
4(8%)
3(11%)
2(9%)
1(23%)

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

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Surprisingly Nice!
4 out of 5 stars
Cory, 09/09/2019
2020 Chevrolet Malibu LT 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
I rented a 2020 Malibu with the base 1.5L engine and the CVT transmission which I had initially expected to perform horribly on the highway. I was wrong and this car was a pleasant surprise in almost every regard. I averaged 37 MPG in mixed city/highway driving, the car rode very smoothly and handled better than expected. The seats were comfortable, even on a 5 hour drive and there was … enough space for 4 adults to be comfortable the whole time. The android auto worked flawlessly and the heated seats were quick to warm up and the settings allowed for optimal comfort. Overall, I was highly impressed with this car, particularly because I expected to be disappointed. My lease on my Terrain ends in a few months and I may replace it with a new Malibu. The Malibu handles better, gets better MPG and overall was more fun to drive.
Sticking with the Malibu
4 out of 5 stars
Rick katai, 01/31/2021
2020 Chevrolet Malibu Premier 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
I am a car guy. I absolutely do not like, or need an SUV. It is getting more and more difficult to find a car made by an American manufacturer. That being said, I am very pleased with my Chevy Malibu with the top of the line Premier trim package. It basically loads up the car with all the goodies. I chose the black cherry metallic color with a black and gray interior that garners … many compliments. The 4 cylinder turbo along with the 9 speed transmission gives good performance along with about 30mpg combined city/highway mileage. It is a very comfortable long distance road car. The Bose sound system is very good. My only complaint and warning to new car buyers is the totally worthless spare tire inflater system instead of an actual spare tire. It does NOT work. My dealer quickly got me an actual tire and jack at no charge.
A real and honest review
5 out of 5 stars
MalibuIsLife, 08/01/2021
2021 Chevrolet Malibu Premier 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
I own a 2021 Malibu Premier and have also owned a 2019 Malibu LT. In my experience, this vehicle is very reliable if standard maintenance is performed routinely (as should any vehicle). I prefer the Premier model for the power and 9-speed auto transmission. The LT is good for economy driving. The handling is very good as well. The Premier recommends/requires using 93 octane fuel, which i … stick to and recommend using that. So gas is more expensive. The LT has the CVT transmission, which is slow to shift and does not like cold weather! Must let warm up and go easy on transmission for first few miles. The one negative I have is that the interior could feel more premium, but its good for what you pay for.
Love my Malibu
5 out of 5 stars
Barry Cantor, 02/05/2021
2020 Chevrolet Malibu RS 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
Bought a 2020 RS, the gas mileage is amazing (37 on the highway), the 1.5L engine has plenty of power and the cvt tranny is very smooth. The black bow ties, grill, and spoiler are a great addition to this model. This car looks sharp. The Apple CarPlay is great for all iPhone users. I would recommend this to anyone as a daily commuter.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu, so we've included reviews for other years of the Malibu since its last redesign.

2021 Chevrolet Malibu video

2018 Chevrolet Malibu Features Rundown

NOTE: This video is about the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, but since the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.


Safety

Our experts’ favorite Malibu safety features:

Forward Collision Alert
Warns the driver of potential obstacles ahead. (Automatic braking is available as an optional extra.)
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
Informs the driver of vehicles in perpendicular motion behind the car when reversing.
Pedestrian Detection
Warns the driver of pedestrians in the roadway and automatically applies the brakes if the driver does not take action.

NHTSA Overall Rating 4 out of 5 stars

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash RatingRating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash RatingRating
Overall4 / 5
Side Barrier RatingRating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger3 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsRating
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat3 / 5
RolloverRating
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover10.3%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Marginal
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Poor
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good



FAQ

Is the Chevrolet Malibu a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2021 Malibu both on the road and at the track. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2021 Malibu gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 47 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Malibu has 15.7 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Chevrolet Malibu. Learn more

What's new in the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu?

According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu:

  • Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality
  • New Sport Edition package with blackout exterior trim
  • Part of the ninth Malibu generation introduced for 2016
Learn more

Is the Chevrolet Malibu reliable?

To determine whether the Chevrolet Malibu is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Malibu. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Malibu's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu is a good car. Our consumer reviews show that the 2021 Malibu gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 47 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2021 Malibu is a good car for you. Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu?

The least-expensive 2021 Chevrolet Malibu is the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu L 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $22,140.

Other versions include:

  • L 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) which starts at $22,140
  • LS 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) which starts at $23,270
  • LS Fleet 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) which starts at $23,270
  • RS 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) which starts at $24,270
  • LT 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) which starts at $26,670
  • Premier 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) which starts at $33,370
Learn more

What are the different models of Chevrolet Malibu?

If you're interested in the Chevrolet Malibu, the next question is, which Malibu model is right for you? Malibu variants include L 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT), LS 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT), LS Fleet 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT), and RS 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT). For a full list of Malibu models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in New Mexico
$169/mo  for Malibu L
vs
$232/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Calculate my fuel costs