2022 Chevy Malibu Review

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.

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.