Used 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Base for sale 

The 2017 Chevrolet Malibu is available in 4 trim options, namely L, LS, LT, and Premier. The base L trim comes with a standard turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine and decent overall features. If you wish to go higher with luxury features you could opt for the Convenience and Technology package, which includes even more features. Premier trim would not only give us better features, but also a better engine - a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Here is a list of the key features that are available with the trims of the Chevrolet Malibu:

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Since the base trim is quite bland it is recommended that the LT trim of the 2017 Malibu with the Convenience and Technology package is fairly priced and gets you a nice assortment of luxuries. The limited 1.5-liter engine can be a downside with this trim but the additional luxury package covers it up.

The 2017 Chevrolet Malibu sedan is available in two engine options.  The first is a base 1.5-liter turbo-4 that produces a healthy 140 horsepower and 158 lb-ft of torque. The engine produces enough power for medium-duty commuting. The Premier trim of the Chevrolet Malibu includes a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine roaring with 250 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque mated with a brand new 9-speed automatic transmission which is the latest addition in its fleet of Malibu.

The base engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. It is not the smoothest and feels sluggish at times. But the 9-speed transmission is much better and provides a refined experience. With the base engine, the Malibu is not the most powerful and that reflects on the other aspects of the performance. The Malibu does great without multiple adjustments for the throttle, like Eco, Normal, and Sport modes found in other cars.

Compared with the 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder in the Honda Accord, Malibu is preferred as its version has a more refined character. Apart from shedding 300 pounds of fat the new Chevy Malibu has nailed the calibration for the accelerator, transmission, and steering boost. The Honda Accord as well the Mazda 6 are the most powerful in this comparison at around 185 hp. 

2017 Chevrolet Malibu 0-60 mph Acceleration

The standard engine of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu gives out adequate firepower with its 1.5-liter turbocharged engine while the Premier model's 2.0T, which accelerates quickly when you stomp on the gas can be a tough competition for its peers.

The 2017 Chevrolet Malibu is the slowest in this comparison with 0-60 mph reached in 8.0-seconds. But the Malibu takes off in the second half and provides a much better quarter-mile performance. The quarter-mile distance is covered in just 14.3 seconds which is the best in this comparison. 

The base engine of the Malibu which takes 8 seconds to swiftly move from 0-60 mph which is full one second less than the Toyota Camry. Both the Honda Accord and the Mazda 6 Sport trail the same line with 7.3 and 7.6 seconds respectively to go from 0-60 mph.

2017 Chevrolet Malibu Ride and Handling

In spite of its non-sporty position and size the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu corners with more athleticism than most family sedans. Its all-season tires can be a bit of an irritant as it howls loudly when pushed but the sedan remains composed and predictable. The driver would enjoy driving the car on the city sides as it gives easy maneuverability and responsive steering.

Sometimes the steering may feel a bit rubbery during the initial turn-in but the turning effort is consistent and appropriate for this type of car. Overall the vehicle is responsive enough to instill confidence and can keep up with those who drive exuberantly.

2017 Chevrolet Malibu Braking Performance

In the panic speed test, the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu took 113 feet to come to halt from 60-0 mph which is a decent number in its class. Its pedal action seems smooth and predictable while driving and firms up during panic situations. Its excellent all-season tires is an added advantage as it makes the odd uneven pedal more comfortable.

From the data, it becomes evident that among its rivals the Toyota Camry and the Mazda 6 Sport takes the maximum distance to stop in the panic break test-taking of around 126 and 129 feet respectively. The 2017 Honda Accord follows the Malibu with a braking distance of 117 feet. 

There is no question of doubting the score of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu in fuel efficiency as it has a good mileage for a mid-size sedan which can be seen only on more expensive hybrid models. The trims which come with turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 manage 27 mpg city, 36 highway, 30 combined, according to the EPA which makes a good fuel-efficient family sedan.

Switching to higher trims, which is equipped with a 2.0-liter turbo-4 and a 9-speed automatic are no slouches either as they get EPA rates of 22/33/26 mpg which makes them more efficient mid-size sedans without electrification. The Mazda 6 Sport follows the Malibu with a combined fuel economy of 29 mpg, while the Honda Accord sits at the bottom of this chart with a combined fuel economy of 26 mpg. 

The interior of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu is quite charming and appealing to look at. The brand has quite smartly managed to include a pretty-looking cabin by utilizing affordable materials such as fabrics and fine quality metals to make the interior attractive, yet functional. Being one of the most spacious mid-sizers the Chevrolet Malibu is cleverly packaged to make it look roomier. Despite having a relatively smaller wheelbase the Malibu gives the benefit to rear-seat passengers with 38.1 inches of legroom. 

It makes the ride comfier with active noise cancellation and sound deadening which helps quell the harsh vibrations from the road and powertrain. The dash has been lowered and with low driving positions making the passenger in the front seat feel better. The sedan's thoughtful touches like console padding at knee height make the interior feel bigger than many other luxury midsize sedans.

From the data, it is evident that the Chevrolet Malibu and Honda Accord have somewhat similar specifications in the interior even though the Honda Accord might provide negligibly more space. The Toyota Camry offers the most spacious rear row seats whereas the Mazda 6 is the least spacious vehicle in comparison to its rivals. Some of the main interior features of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu include:

• Audio And Cruise Controls On Steering Wheel
• Keyless Ignition
• Dual Illuminating Vanity Mirrors
• Front And Rear Cupholders
• Leather Steering Wheel
• Dual Zone Front Climate Control

2017 Chevrolet Malibu Infotainment System

The 2017 Chevrolet Malibu doesn't shy away from upgrading its infotainment system with the latest tech even after keeping the cost of the vehicle low. It comes with a standard 7.0-inch touchscreen which is placed on the dashboard.

The Malibu is equipped with smartphone integration through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which is much more convenient. Apart from that, the Malibu gets all the standard infotainment features that we generally see in this segment. Some of the active standard features that you'll find on the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu are:

• Bluetooth connectivity
• Apple CarPlay
• Android Auto 
• Wi-fi HotSpot
• AUX connection
• USB Ports
• Navigation
• 9-speaker Bose audio system (optional)

2017 Chevrolet Malibu Cargo Volume

The 2017 Chevrolet Malibu offers nearly 15.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. The hump in the middle that you'll encounter while storing your items in the trunk is because of the batteries present there, apart from that it is livable. The available cargo volume is standard of what we see in this segment.

From the data, it is evident that both the sedans, Honda Accord and Chevrolet Malibu get 15.8 cubic feet of cargo space, which is average for this segment, however, the Mazda 6 Sport offers the least cargo space of 14.8 cubic feet. 

The exterior of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu has been inspired by the Chevrolet Impala. The Chevrolet Malibu, however, gets better proportions, is more handsome and bigger than the Impala, in addition to having a longer body. Moreover, the Malibu dives in with some subtle waves stamped into its sheet metal and a gentle intersection of sculpting that includes the design of the "flame surfacing". 

When compared to its previous generation models the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu has longer and lower upfront, even though overall weight is down. The latest variant of the Malibu has been retrofitted with higher strength steel to make it look lighter, brighter, and longer. 

Narrower taillights on the Malibu are a much talked about the feature as it is all the rage for mid-sizers, including Mazda and Kia, however, it's worth pointing out how the new Malibu has managed to visually balance this new look. Some of the main exterior features of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu include:

• Dark Chrome Grille
• Custom Molded Front And Rear Splash Guards
• 18" Aluminum Wheels
• Power Sunroof
• Black Bowtie
• Alternate Finish Mirror Caps

The new Chevrolet Malibu can be considered to be one of the safest models on the road presently. This statement is further backed by official data which confirms the same. The IIHS has given the 2017 Chevrolet Maliibu a “Top Safety Pick” Award whereas, the NHTSA has given it an overall rating of 5-stars. The Chevrolet Malibu comes prepared with a plethora of active and passive safety features including 10 airbags, a LATCH system, rear child safety among others. The main safety features of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu include:

• Post-Collision Safety System
• Stability Control
• Emergency Braking Assist
• Tire Pressure Monitoring
• Traction Control
• Remote Anti-Theft Alarm System

Chevrolet Malibu vs Honda Accord

The 2017 Honda Accord has a roomy cabin along with attractive and stylish soft-touch materials. You'll experience a comfortable ride quality when driving through its bumpy roads and on the highway due to its good quality suspension. Its engines also provide impressive acceleration and score points on decent fuel economy. Even being a midsize car, the Honda Accord doesn't fail to provide you with sporty handling.

But the sedan is limited when it comes to upgrading the vehicle with some luxurious features. Sometimes the river aides become overly sensitive, especially the frontal collision warning system. Its optional touchscreen interface is a source of constant frustration as it scores low on ease of usability.

Chevrolet Malibu vs Mazda 6 Sport 

Having a very responsive engine and transmission makes the 2017 Mazda 6 Sport makes it feel faster and comfortable than most family sedans. With a fairly good score in fuel economy, the Mazda 6 Sport can compete with any car in its class. Its handling is quite reassuring combined with responsive steering make the car entertaining to drive. It also boasts one of the best technology interfaces in its class.

The Mazda sedan has also managed to grace its body with attractive styles both inside and out. It does not, however, offer any hybrid model or all-wheel-drive option like many other cars in this class. It scores low on ride quality as it feels a bit stiffer than its rivals.

Chevrolet Malibu vs Toyota Camry 

The Toyota Camry is quite roomy and makes full effort to make its passengers comfortable. Its outward visibility is better than most of the cars in its class. Buyers would be pleased to upgrade to its various trim levels which have distinct luxury features.

Toyota has made much effort to make the interior controls of the Camry easy to use, read, and operate. However, its fuel economy is as much as you would expect from a car of its class.

The latest variant of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu is indeed a very smooth operator. Chevy has done a pretty good job to keep out external noise from its cabin but you can expect some rough vibrations to make their way through their doors. In order to keep its price low, the sedan has compromised with the interior quality of the cabin with its plenty of soft-touch surfaces clearly visible where it matters but the number of color and surface combined is very limited.

 As most new car buyers base their initial judgment on external looks and with specs and drive comfort coming in as secondary requirements the exterior styling does work well for the car. But with stiff competition, it's hard to say whether a buyer would go for Malibu instead of other sedans in this variant as they are just as good.