Used 2014 Chevrolet Malibu 3LT for sale 

There are 4 main trims available: LS, LT, LTZ, and Eco. The price starts from $22,140 and goes all the way up to $29,850 for the top-of-the-line trim. All the trims get 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, keyless entry, cruise control, air-conditioning, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a power driver-seat height adjuster, a 60/40-split-folding rear seat, OnStar, Bluetooth phone connectivity, and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player as standard. 

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We recommend the completely loaded LTZ trim. It offers the most features, has good fuel economy figures, and comes with equipment such as adjustable seats, auto-dimming, and is better safety equipped. You also have the option of a turbocharged engine, which makes it a value for money option in the lineup.

The Malibu comes with 3 engine options, out of which 2 are specific to 2 trims. The base engine, a 2.5 L I-4 makes 197 hp @6300 rpm and 191 lb.-ft @4400 rpm. The second engine option is a 2.4L I-4 that makes 182 hp @6200 rpm and 172 lb.-ft @4900 rpm. This engine is coupled to an electric motor.

This hybrid setup feels much better compared to last year. This engine option is limited only to the Eco trim of the Malibu. The superior engine, a turbocharged 2L I-4 makes 259 hp @5300 rpm and 295 lb.-ft @5200 rpm, available on the 3LT and 2LZ trims. All the engine options are coupled with a 6-speed auto w/OD transmission and work as a front-wheel-drive car.

The Malibu’s performance is better than last year. It clocks a 0-60 mph in about 8.3 seconds, with the quarter-mile coming up in 16 seconds. Also, the top speed has improved since last year. Even though all the 3 cars considered are 2.5-liter engines with FWD, it is the Malibu that finds the middle ground, with the Fusion being the slowest and the Accord being the quickest.

Fuel economy remains the most important performance aspect while choosing a family car. The Malibu’s fuel efficiency has improved quite significantly, overall. You have a much better range in the city, although the highway range has dropped down a little compared to last year. The Malibu’s figures are much better than both the compared cars, which is a big positive for this car. The sedan offers 25 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway, and 29 mpg combined.

The Malibu has the smallest fuel tank, and we wish the 2014 upgrade would have given it better tank capacity. The range stands at 347 miles in the city and a mere 537 on the highway. Even though mileage talks are positive, the range is still less comparatively. The Accord is the most balanced car in this test, with good fuel economy figures as well as a great range of 413 miles in the city and 589 miles on the highway.

The upgrade to the Malibu’s interior shows the hard work put in by the designers for this cabin. It comes very close to the entry-level luxury car segment. Well laid out features, with a lot of soft-touches, make this a very attractive cabin. The front seats are among the very few front seats that make you feel like a King in the segment. The active headrests work very well and are not trouble, unlike the active headrests you find in some other cars. However, the car does have its share of problems.

For starters, the back seat space was an issue in the 2013 Malibu, and frankly, even though it’s been redesigned, it really doesn’t do any good. Then, the short wheelbase causes you to sit with your knees high up, providing very little under-thigh support. As always, the attention to detail in the car is very high. The leather seats give you a sense of premium in this car. The sedan comes with a cargo capacity of 16.3 cubic feet.

In comparison, all three cars have similar amounts of space for front-seat passengers. The Fusion is slightly ahead in terms of available leg-room. Also, the Fusion is better for rear-seat occupant comfort. When considering cargo capacity, the Chevrolet Malibu’s 16.3 cubic feet trunk is better than the other two. Some standout interior features include:

• Leather Upholstery
• Steering Mounted Controls
• Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel
• Heated Mirrors
• Power adjustable driver seat

How intuitive is the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu’s infotainment system?

The infotainment system on the Malibu is better than last year and is well equipped with an array of standard features. With the base trim, OnStar, Bluetooth, and touchscreen infotainment interface are the standard and get connected to a 6-speaker sound system.

With the upper-level trims, Chevrolet MyLink smartphone integration (includes voice controls, Pandora and Stitcher Internet radio compatibility), an upgraded audio system with a touchscreen infotainment interface, an auxiliary audio jack, and an iPod/USB audio interface are added. Also, an optional package provides you with the nine-speaker Pioneer audio system. Some standout infotainment features include:

• Satellite Radio
• Auxiliary Audio Input
• USB Connection
• CD Player
• AM/FM Stereo
• MP3 Player

The 2014 Chevrolet Malibu showcases a redesigned front-end. The suspension has also been retuned for driveability. We had mentioned in the 2013 Malibu review that the design did not feel cohesive. However, this year the new design actually makes the car look much smoother, and thus the entire design looks very cohesive. The lower, larger grille adopts a hexagonal shape, which is very common in this segment.

Thin chrome bands help the flowing lines along the side of the car with a very fluid shape. The big headlamps suit the car well, and the throw is good. The tail section is similar to last year, but the rounded corners of Malibu's high rear lamps bring it more in line with other current Chevys. The car has a total length of 191.5 inches. It is 73 inches wide, 57.6 tall, and has a wheelbase of 107.8 inches. 

Though the difference in dimensions and overall proportions may seem microscopic, the Ford Fusion has the longest wheelbase. When it comes to curb weight, Ford Fusion is the heaviest on the block, whereas the Accord is the lightest, weighing 3,615 and 3,192 lbs, respectively. The Malibu is the widest car in the segment. Major exterior highlights of the sedan include:

• Rear spoiler
• Xenon Headlamps
• Sunroofs
• Alloy Wheels
• Front and Rear Splash Guards

The Chevrolet Malibu scores highly in the crash tests conducted by the NHTSA and procures a 5-star rating. As standard, it comes equipped with features like brake assist, traction control, and ABS. Also, you can get the optional Advanced Safety package, which includes forward-collision warning, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert systems. Some standout safety specifications include:

• Dusk sensing headlamps
• Remote Anti-Theft Alarm System
• Auto delay off headlamps
• Child Seat Anchors
• Tire-Pressure Monitoring System

With all the upgrades, the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu has got some good tricks up its sleeves. In our eyes, it still is not a segment leader, but it is a car worth test-driving. The base Malibu does not feel like a compromise at all in any front, but the other cars in the segment offer something better at the base trims. It has got good performance, great build, and a lot of comfort. Therefore, to make the final call, we do recommend you to consider the Malibu while deciding the next family car you buy.