2021 Chevy Malibu Trims Comparison
2021 Malibu trim level differences
The Malibu midsize sedan available in five trim levels: L, LS, RS, LT and Premier. Two engines are available. Most Malibus come with a turbocharged 160-hp four-cylinder connected to a continuously variable automatic transmission. For the Premier trim, Chevy fits a bigger turbocharged four-cylinder engine that's good for 250 hp. It's connected to a nine-speed automatic transmission. All Malibus are front-wheel-drive. Highlight features include:
Which 2021 Malibu trim does Edmunds recommend?
We don't usually recommend the most expensive trim, but when it comes to the Malibu, we feel the top-of-the-line Premier is far and away the best option. It's the only trim that gets the powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter engine as well as many other desirable features that are simply unavailable on lower trim levels.
Compare 2021 Malibu trims side-by-side
Comparing average pricing near
San Antonio, TX
| Vehicle | Malibu L | Malibu LS | Malibu LS Fleet | Malibu RS | Malibu LT | Malibu Premier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle | ||||||
| Hide similarities | ||||||
| Section Title | Features | Features | Features | Features | Features | Features |
| Bluetooth | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard |
| Navigation | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard |
| Satellite radio | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | standard | standard |
| Keyless Ignition | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard |
| Cruise control | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard |
| Adaptive cruise control | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | optional |
| Parking assistance | Not Available | optional | optional | optional | optional | Not Available |
| Upholstery | premium cloth | premium cloth | premium cloth | premium cloth | premium cloth | leather |
| Heated seats | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | standard | standard |
| Cooled/Ventilated seats | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | standard |
| Folding rear seats | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard |
| Sunroof | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | optional | standard |
| Section Title | Specifications | Specifications | Specifications | Specifications | Specifications | Specifications |
| Country of final assembly | United States | United States | United States | United States | United States | United States |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | front wheel drive | front wheel drive | front wheel drive | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Engine power | 160 hp @ 5,700 rpm | 160 hp @ 5,700 rpm | 160 hp @ 5,700 rpm | 160 hp @ 5,700 rpm | 160 hp @ 5,700 rpm | 250 hp @ 5,300 rpm |
| Engine torque | 184 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm | 260 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm |
| Engine displacement | 1.5 l | 1.5 l | 1.5 l | 1.5 l | 1.5 l | 2.0 l |
| Engine configuration | inline 4 | inline 4 | inline 4 | inline 4 | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Transmission | continuously variable-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic | 9-speed shiftable automatic |
| Tire size | 205/65R16 | 205/65R16 | 205/65R16 | 245/45R18 | 225/55R17 | 245/40R19 |
| Wheel size | 16 X 7.5-in | 16 X 7.5-in | 16 X 7.5-in | 18 X 8.0-in | 17 X 8.0-in | 19 X 8.5-in |
| Wheel type | painted alloy wheels | painted alloy wheels | painted alloy wheels | painted alloy wheels | painted alloy wheels | painted alloy wheels |
| Run flat tires | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| Section Title | Fuel economy | Fuel economy | Fuel economy | Fuel economy | Fuel economy | Fuel economy |
| City/Hwy/Combined MPG | 29 / 36 / 32 MPG | 29 / 36 / 32 MPG | 29 / 36 / 32 MPG | 29 / 36 / 32 MPG | 29 / 36 / 32 MPG | 22 / 33 / 26 MPG |
| City/Hwy/Combined MPGe | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Fuel Capacity | 15.8 gal. | 15.8 gal. | 15.8 gal. | 15.8 gal. | 15.8 gal. | 15.8 gal. |
| Driving Range (city/hwy) | 458 / 569 miles | 458 / 569 miles | 458 / 569 miles | 458 / 569 miles | 458 / 569 miles | 348 / 521 miles |
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded | regular unleaded | regular unleaded | regular unleaded | premium unleaded (recommended) |
| Section Title | Dimensions | Dimensions | Dimensions | Dimensions | Dimensions | Dimensions |
| Turning circle | 37.0 ft. | 37.0 ft. | 37.0 ft. | 37.0 ft. | 37.0 ft. | 37.0 ft. |
| Curb weight | 3,126 lb. | 3,135 lb. | 3,135 lb. | 3,135 lb. | 3,159 lb. | 3,223 lb. |
| Ground Clearance | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Overall Width with Mirrors | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Overall Width without Mirrors | 73.0 in. | 73.0 in. | 73.0 in. | 73.0 in. | 73.0 in. | 73.0 in. |
| Height | 57.9 in. | 57.9 in. | 57.9 in. | 57.9 in. | 57.9 in. | 57.9 in. |
| Length | 194.2 in. | 194.2 in. | 194.2 in. | 194.2 in. | 194.2 in. | 194.2 in. |
| Wheelbase | 111.4 in. | 111.4 in. | 111.4 in. | 111.4 in. | 111.4 in. | 111.4 in. |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Cargo Space | 15.7 cu. ft. | 15.7 cu. ft. | 15.7 cu. ft. | 15.7 cu. ft. | 15.7 cu. ft. | 15.7 cu. ft. |
| Cargo Space, Rear Seat Down or Removed | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Front Head Room | 39.1 in. | 39.1 in. | 39.1 in. | 39.1 in. | 39.1 in. | 39.1 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.5 in. | 41.5 in. | 41.5 in. | 41.5 in. | 41.5 in. | 41.5 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 58.5 in. | 58.5 in. | 58.5 in. | 58.5 in. | 58.5 in. | 58.5 in. |
| Rear Head Room | 37.5 in. | 37.5 in. | 37.5 in. | 37.5 in. | 37.5 in. | 37.5 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.1 in. | 38.1 in. | 38.1 in. | 38.1 in. | 38.1 in. | 38.1 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 57.1 in. | 57.1 in. | 57.1 in. | 57.1 in. | 57.1 in. | 57.1 in. |
| Section Title | 5-Year Ownership Costs | 5-Year Ownership Costs | 5-Year Ownership Costs | 5-Year Ownership Costs | 5-Year Ownership Costs | 5-Year Ownership Costs |
| True Cost to Own® | $36,417 | $36,163 | Not Available | $38,238 | $36,785 | $44,836 |
| Average Cost Per Mile | $0.49 | $0.48 | Not Available | $0.51 | $0.49 | $0.6 |
| Depreciation | $9,595 | $9,926 | Not Available | $10,657 | $9,744 | $12,196 |
| Financing | $2,827 | $2,907 | Not Available | $3,206 | $3,133 | $3,673 |
| Taxes & Fees | $1,281 | $1,307 | Not Available | $1,408 | $1,383 | $1,564 |
| Fuel | $6,773 | $6,773 | Not Available | $6,773 | $6,773 | $10,752 |
| Insurance | $7,556 | $6,865 | Not Available | $7,061 | $7,061 | $7,401 |
| Maintenance | $5,488 | $5,488 | Not Available | $6,236 | $5,794 | $6,353 |
| Repairs | $2,897 | $2,897 | Not Available | $2,897 | $2,897 | $2,897 |
| Section Title | Colors | Colors | Colors | Colors | Colors | Colors |
| Interior | Jet Black, premium cloth Dark Atmosphere/Medium Ash Gray, premium cloth | Jet Black, premium cloth Dark Atmosphere/Medium Ash Gray, premium cloth | Jet Black, premium cloth Dark Atmosphere/Medium Ash Gray, premium cloth | Jet Black, premium cloth | Dark Atmosphere/Light Wheat, leather Jet Black, leather Jet Black, premium cloth Dark Atmosphere/Medium Ash Gray, premium cloth | Jet Black, leather Dark Atmosphere/Light Wheat, leather |
| Exterior | Silver Ice Metallic Summit White | Mosaic Black Metallic Silver Ice Metallic Summit White Black Cherry Metallic Shadow Gray Metallic | Mosaic Black Metallic Silver Ice Metallic Summit White Black Cherry Metallic Shadow Gray Metallic | Mosaic Black Metallic Silver Ice Metallic Summit White Black Cherry Metallic Shadow Gray Metallic Cherry Red Tintcoat | Mosaic Black Metallic Northsky Blue Metallic Silver Ice Metallic Summit White Black Cherry Metallic Shadow Gray Metallic Cherry Red Tintcoat | Mosaic Black Metallic Northsky Blue Metallic Silver Ice Metallic Summit White Black Cherry Metallic Shadow Gray Metallic Cherry Red Tintcoat |