2022 Chevy Malibu
MSRP Range: $23,400 - $33,500 Price range reflects Base MSRP for various trim levels, not including options or fees.
2022 Chevrolet Malibu Review
byChristian Wardlaw
Correspondent
Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at Edmunds and was the first editor-in-chief of Edmunds.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.
Pros
- Spacious interior with lots of front headroom
- Easy-to-use touchscreen interface
Cons
- Lackluster acceleration from the base 1.5-liter engine
- Limited outward visibility
- Advanced driver safety aids don't come standard
- Dated cabin design
What's new
- Base L model is discontinued
- Standard electronic parking brake
- Part of the ninth Malibu generation introduced for 2016
Overview
Call it the last Chevy sedan standing. The 2022 Chevrolet Malibu is the only new family car that still wears a bow-tie badge, and it's now a 7-year-old design with no direct replacement in sight. The 2022 Malibu is also the only midsize sedan made by a traditional domestic automaker, though numerous rivals are also built in the United States.
Despite its age, the Malibu continues largely unchanged. The bargain-basement L trim level has been dropped for 2022, leaving four versions for your consideration. All have a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but only the larger and more powerful one in the Premier trim supplies any semblance of driving satisfaction.
Inside, the Malibu features simple controls and displays that look increasingly dated. The dashboard is mounted low and practical storage is limited, but the Malibu is roomy enough for four adults and offers a reasonably sized trunk. As another sign of the Malibu's age, its advanced driving assistance systems, such as adaptive cruise control, are optional for all trim levels. Most 2022 rival sedans offer them as standard.
Clearly, the Malibu's days are numbered. For businesses, governments and consumers seeking an affordable made-in-America sedan from a U.S.-based automaker, the Malibu is the only choice. If that doesn't describe you, we recommend buying one of the Malibu's rivals, such as the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5 or Toyota Camry.
Which Malibu does Edmunds recommend?
Malibu buyers seeking long-term satisfaction from their purchase should get the Premier trim level. It's the most expensive version of the car, but it comes with a rewarding powertrain and a full load of equipment that will help to keep owners happy for years to come.
Chevrolet Malibu models
Chevrolet eliminates the base L trim level from the 2022 Malibu lineup, leaving LS, RS, LT, and Premier trims. All but the Premier have a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine (160 horsepower, 184 lb-ft of torque) driving the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission. A larger 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is exclusive to the Malibu Premier, providing 250 hp and 260 lb-ft. It uses a nine-speed automatic transmission.
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FAQ
Is the Chevrolet Malibu a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2022 Malibu both on the road and at the track. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2022 Malibu gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 44 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 2022 Chevrolet Malibu?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu:
- Base L model is discontinued
- Standard electronic parking brake
- Part of the ninth Malibu generation introduced for 2016
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 2022 Chevrolet Malibu a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu is a good car. Our consumer reviews show that the 2022 Malibu gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 44 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2022 Malibu is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2022 Chevrolet Malibu?
The least-expensive 2022 Chevrolet Malibu is the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu LS 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $23,400.
Other versions include:
- LS 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) which starts at $23,400
- LS Fleet 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) which starts at $23,400
- RS 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) which starts at $24,400
- LT 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) which starts at $26,800
- Premier 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) which starts at $33,500
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 LS 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT), LS Fleet 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT), RS 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT), and LT 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT). For a full list of Malibu models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more