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Overall Rating
The updated Chevy is one of the best designed and well-built sedans in the segment, but despite the flashy design, reminiscent of the Camaro, the Malibu is not picking up in sales numbers.
The Chevrolet Malibu continues to stay in the competition in 2019 thanks to its spacious cabin, easy infotainment system, and down-to-earth design and dynamics. However, there is stiff competition from sedans like the Honda Accord, the Toyota Camry, and the Ford Fusion. Priced at $22,090, the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu offers a great deal of value and manages to surprise you in interesting ways. Read on to find out whether the Malibu is worth your money or not, based on our pricing, performance, reliability, and interior reports.
The best bang for your buck model is the RS trim which gets the Malibu some sporty aesthetics and 18" wheels. It has improved handling as well as leather-wrapped interior which makes the cabin feel more premium.
Premier 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
Premier 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
Premier 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
Premier 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
Premier 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
Premier 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
The updated Chevy is one of the best designed and well-built sedans in the segment, but despite the flashy design, reminiscent of the Camaro, the Malibu is not picking up in sales numbers.
The Chevrolet Malibu continues to stay in the competition in 2019 thanks to its spacious cabin, easy infotainment system, and down-to-earth design and dynamics. However, there is stiff competition from sedans like the Honda Accord, the Toyota Camry, and the Ford Fusion. Priced at $22,090, the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu offers a great deal of value and manages to surprise you in interesting ways. Read on to find out whether the Malibu is worth your money or not, based on our pricing, performance, reliability, and interior reports.
The mid-size sedan, Malibu comes in 5 gasoline variants starting from the base model Malibu L at $22,090. The pricing ladder goes all the way to the Premier trim at $31,820 which includes an engine upgrade to a turbocharged 2.0L engine and a 9-speed automatic gearbox. The following table gives you an overview of all the trims and features offered with the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu.
Model |
L |
LS |
RS |
LT |
Premier |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$22,090 |
$23,220 |
$24,220 |
$26,620 |
$31,820 |
Key feature |
StabiliTrak Electronic |
16" aluminum wheels |
Black Chevrolet bowtie emblems |
LED daytime running lamps |
9-speed automatic transmission with overdrive |
Stability Control System |
Acoustic-laminated windshield |
Blacked-out grille |
LED taillamps |
Dual-outlet exhaust with polished tips |
|
Tire Pressure Monitoring System |
Teen Driver technology |
Rear spoiler |
Outside heated power-adjustable body-color mirrors |
18" aluminum wheels |
|
Theft-deterrent system with content-theft alarm |
Compass and outside temperature displays |
18" Black chrome-finish aluminum wheels |
17" aluminum wheels |
8-inch diagonal HD color touch-screen display |
|
Rear Vision Camera |
Visor vanity mirrors for driver and front passenger |
Dual-outlet exhaust with polished tips |
Remote vehicle starter system |
Bose 9-speaker premium audio system |
|
Daytime running lamps |
|
8-way power driver seat with power lumbar control |
Dual-zone automatic climate control |
Wireless charging |
|
Halogen projector-beam headlamps with automatic exterior lamp control |
|
Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob |
8-way power driver seat with power lumbar control |
Heated and ventilated driver and front passenger seats |
|
Outside power-adjustable Black mirrors |
|
Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob |
|||
16" steel wheels with painted wheel covers |
|
We Recommend
The best bang for your buck model is the RS trim which gets the Malibu some sporty aesthetics and 18" wheels. It has improved handling as well as leather wrapped interior which makes the cabin feel more premium.
The 2019 Chevrolet Malibu is offered with two engine configurations; a 1.5L Inline-4 engine which produces 160 hp and 184 lb-ft, while the 2.0L turbocharged engine makes 250 hp and 260 lb-ft torque. The base-level engine delivers smooth power from the get-go, but you want the punch, you should opt for the 2.0L turbo instead.
Power is transferred through a CVT to the front wheels, which simulates gear shifts pretty well and makes the Malibu a great sedan to drive around the city and on the highway. Although, we find it important to mention that the lack of power is pretty apparent once you jam the pedal. The 9-speed automatic which comes paired to the 2.0L feels solid and responsive with good in-gear acceleration. Overall, both powertrains feel sturdy and offer enough power to get you going for most of your needs.
Models |
Chevrolet Malibu |
Honda Accord |
Kia Optima |
Ford Fusion |
Toyota Camry |
Buick Regal Sportback |
Hyundai Sonata |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
TBD |
$23,720 |
$22,900 |
$22,840 |
$23,845 |
$25,995 |
$22,300 |
Engine |
1.5L I-4 Turbocharged |
1.5L Inline-4 |
2.4L I-4 |
2.5L I-4 |
2.5l I-4 |
2.0L Inline-4 |
2.4L Inline-4 |
Transmission |
CVT |
CVT |
6-speed automatic |
6-Speed Automatic |
8-speed automatic |
9-speed automatic |
6-speed automatic with SHIFTRONIC |
Horsepower |
160hp @ 5700 rpm |
192hp @ 5500 rpm |
185hp @ 6000 rpm |
175hp @ 6000 rpm |
203 hp @ 6600 rpm |
250 @ 5400 |
185 @ 6000 |
Torque |
184 lb.-ft. @ 2500 rpm |
192 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm |
178 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm |
175 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm |
184 lb.-ft @ 5000 rpm |
260 @ 2000-5200 |
178 @ 4000 |
The main competitor to the Malibu, the Honda Accord comes with a 1.5L inline-4 engine which manages to produce 192 hp, 32 hp more than the Chevy. The Kia Optima and Ford Fusion also offer stiff competition, with 2.4L four-bangers under the hood. The Buick Regal, interestingly, offers the most power and torque, standing as a powerful alternative to the other sedans in the lot.
The Chevrolet Malibu accelerates smoothly and without any jerks from a standstill, but it lacks brute force which becomes apparent when you try gunning the sedan down a highway or try to accelerate hard. In terms of 0 to 60 times, the official tests are yet to be conducted, but based on previous-gen numbers, the sprint takes approximately 8.5 seconds.
Models |
Chevrolet Malibu |
Honda Accord |
Kia Optima |
Ford Fusion |
Toyota Camry |
Buick Regal Sportback |
Hyundai Sonata |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0-60 MPH(sec) |
8.5* |
7.6* |
6.8* |
8.9* |
7.5s |
6.2 |
6.8 |
Quarter mile(sec) |
16.0* |
15.9* |
15.2* |
15.2* |
15.9 |
N/A* |
15.8 |
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year) |
5.9* |
5.3* |
6.1* |
7.1* |
- |
7.4* |
- |
Curb Weight (lb..) |
3126 |
3131* |
3411* |
3431* |
3241 |
3748 |
3247 |
The rivals in this segment have better figures in response. The Kia Optima attains the same in 6.8 seconds, while the Honda Accord takes 7.6 seconds to reach the mile-a-minute mark. However, the Malibu manages to cover up the gap when it competes in the quarter-mile. The Kia Optima and the Ford Fusion put down the best quarter-mile runs, while the Malibu delivers the tardiest quarter-mile times.
The 2019 model year Malibu is a comfortable A to B commuter, but athleticism is not a trait it boasts. The suspension is soft and compliant, absorbing most of the bumps before they reach the cabin, however, a few sharp ones manage to sneak past the security. The steering is numb and lacks feedback, as is the case with most sedans in this segment.
Quite unlike the hybrid, you won't get the immediate rush of torque from the get-go. The power comes gradually, a bit too much so to be even called punchy. The throttle response is rather diluted and mellow, great for cruising, but if you feel adventurous, the Malibu bails out.
The Malibu's brakes bite down onto the speed effortlessly without any sudden jerks. However, with sudden braking, the brakes panic, and the suspension has a hard time keeping up. The 11.8-inch discs up front are larger than you find on most sedans and are ventilated for better heat dissipation.
Models |
Chevrolet Malibu |
Honda Accord |
Kia Optima |
Ford Fusion |
Toyota Camry |
Buick Regal Sportback |
Hyundai Sonata |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brake Front (in.) |
11.8 |
11.5* |
12 |
11.8 |
12 |
NA |
12 |
Brake Rear (in.) |
11.3 |
11.1* |
11.2 |
11.9 |
11 |
NA |
11.2 |
70-0 MPH (ft.) |
113(60-0) |
163 |
124(60-0) |
122(60-0) |
122 (60-0 MPH) |
162 |
TBD |
When the brakes are put through their paces in the braking test, the Malibu is the first to come to a halt, while the Kia and Ford need extra tarmac to stop. In terms of pedal response, the Accord is the sedan to be in, with excellent brake modulation.
The mileage for 2019 Malibu hasn't been tested for the 1.5L engine yet, but the 2.0L turbo engine returns 32 MPG on highways and 22 MPG in the city. Based on the figures from the outgoing model, we estimate a similar or a slight improvement in numbers from 36 MPG on the highways and 29 in the city. Additionally, we do know for a fact that the Malibu comes fitted with a 15.8-gallon fuel tank.
Models |
Chevrolet Malibu |
Honda Accord |
Kia Optima |
Ford Fusion |
Toyota Camry |
Buick Regal Sportback |
Hyundai Sonata |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MPG (city) |
29* |
30 |
24 |
21 |
29 |
22 |
26 |
MPG (highway) |
36* |
38 |
33 |
32 |
41 |
32 |
35 |
MPG (combined) |
32* |
33 |
27 |
25 |
34 |
26 |
29 |
Fuel Tank Capacity(Gal.) |
15.8 |
14.8 |
18.5 |
16.5 |
14.5 |
16.3 |
18.5 |
The Honda Accord is the one to keep an eye on, with the skyrocketing mpg in the city as well as the highways. The ones that lag behind are the Optima and especially the Fusion, particularly because of the 2.4L engines which drink like camels. However, the Kia Optima does come fitted with the largest fuel tank, which enables it a driving range at par with other fuel-efiicent sedans of this segment.
The 2019 Chevrolet Malibu comes with a comfortable and well-laid-out cabin, which serves the purpose of keeping you cozy and pleased during all your routine commutes. The seats in the Chevrolet offer great bolstering and support, creating a comfortable habitat for long rides. Even the back seats are accommodating, but the middle seat is best avoided for long journeys.
The materials in the cabin are soft and premium to touch, while road and engine noise is effectively muted out. The top-end trim comes with countless bits of luxury, starting from leather upholstery, to power-adjustable perforated seats.Â
Models |
Chevrolet Malibu |
Honda Accord |
Kia Optima |
Ford Fusion |
Toyota Camry |
Buick Regal Sportback |
Hyundai Sonata |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Passenger capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) |
40.1/58.5/45.3 |
39.5/58.3/42.3 |
39.8/58.1/45.5 |
39.2/57.8/44.3 |
38.3/57.7/42.1 |
39.6/55.5/41.5 |
40.4/ 57.9/ 45.5 |
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) |
37.5/57.1/38.1 |
37.3/56.5/40.4 |
37.8/56.4/35.6 |
37.8/56.9/38.3 |
38/55.7/38 |
37.8/54.5/34.6 |
38.0/56.5/ 35.6 |
The eight-way adjustable seats and the telescopic steering are easy to customize according to the driver's needs, meanwhile providing excellent visibility all around. Comparatively the sedans in the segment have very similar interior character, with most manufacturers focussing their attention on providing optimal passenger comfort. In terms of practicality, there's a good amount of space for storage too. The 2019 model year Malibu comes with a comfortable armrest which also doubles as a sizable container. There's loads of space in the glove box, the door bins, and seatback storages, enough to classify the Malibu as fairly practical on the inside.Â
The Malibu has good standard infotainment features, but it lacks standard driver aids and active safety features that are now common in the class. The standard 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and the range of OnStar services are excellent, and Wi-Fi is standard on all but the base trim.
The Malibu also comes with Bluetooth Audio Streaming which applies to up to two devices at a time. Chevrolet also offers SiriusXM Satellite Radio with the Malibu, including a 3-month trial period. Additionally, the 2019 Malibu offers an irresistible 9-speaker Bose sound system, which genuinely scales up your infotainment experience. Some key infotainment features offered with the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu include:
The 2019 Chevrolet Malibu comes with a respectable amount of cargo storage, which feels fairly adequate for most of your cargo-hauling needs. The loading and unloading height is low enough so you needn't strain your back. The interior storage is below average compared to the rest of the segment, however. The Chevrolet Malibu offers cargo space of up to 15.8 cubic inches.Â
Models |
Chevrolet Malibu |
Honda Accord |
Kia Optima |
Ford Fusion |
Toyota Camry |
Buick Regal Sportback |
Hyundai Sonata |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cargo Capacity (lb..) |
15.8 |
16.7 |
15.9 |
16 |
14.1 |
19.2 |
16.3 |
The Honda Accord has a slight advantage of almost 1 cubic foot over the Malibu, thus winning the battle of practicality. The Ford Fusion and the Kia Optima also have similarly mediocre-sized trunks at the rear, while the Toyota Camry's trunk disappoints with its 14.1 cubic feet cargo capacity.Â
The redesigned 2019 Malibu comes with a large new grille upfront, which redefines the aura from a tame city cruiser to an edgy modern sedan. The long sloping roofline makes the rear visually stunning and the chrome styling accents the fascia perfectly. The sharp geometrical LED daytime running lights give the sedan a futuristic flair.
All in all, the updated styling feels very consistent with the sedan's dignified persona. The new design language offers a strong road presence that certainly outweighs that offered by the Malibu's competition.
Models |
Chevrolet Malibu |
Honda Accord |
Kia Optima |
Ford Fusion |
Toyota Camry |
Buick Regal Sportback |
Hyundai Sonata |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Curb weight (lb..) |
3126 |
3131 |
3219 |
3411 |
3241 |
3748 |
3247 |
Length(in) |
193.8 |
192.2 |
191.1 |
191.7 |
192.1 |
192.9 |
191.1 |
Width(in) |
73 |
73.3 |
73.2 |
75.6 |
72.4 |
73.3 |
73.4 |
Height(in) |
57.6 |
57.1 |
57.7 |
58.1 |
56.9 |
57.3 |
58.1 |
Ground clearance (in) |
TBD |
|
5.3 |
|
5.7 |
N/A |
|
Wheelbase (in) |
111.4 |
111.4 |
110.4 |
112.1 |
111.2 |
111.4 |
110.4 |
The Chevrolet Malibu's size is perfect to maneuver around city blocks and tight parking lots. Although the Chevy is a bit longer than most of its competition, it's also a bit narrower and weighs less than most of the cars in this segment. The Malibu offers one of the longest wheelbases in the segment, sharing its figures with the Honda Accord and the Buick Regal.
The 2019 Chevrolet Malibu has not just been redesigned visually, the safety and driver assistance features have also been brushed up and made ready for 2019. Owing to its updated safety merit, the NHTSA has awarded the Chevrolet Malibu an impressive 4-star safety rating. While the safety score isn't flawless, the Chevrolet sedan does manage to secure 5-star ratings under "Overall Front Safety" and "Overall Side Pole". Additionally, the 2019 Malibu scored "Good" scores under most of the IIHS's evaluation criteria, which speaks volumes about the Malibu's safety merit. The standard safety features offered with the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu include:
The Honda Accord has long been revered as the class leader of the mid-size sedan segment. It has the perfect blend of performance, economy, utility and technology. Compared to the Malibu, the Honda not only has a brawnier engine, the driving dynamics are also much more refined.
The interiors focus on function rather than fancy in both of these sedans. From the outside, the designs are equally impressive and completely subjective. Overall, the Honda sits a notch higher than the Chevy in the segment.
The Kia Optima comes with the same engine as the Hyundai Sonata; the 2.4L inline-4, which makes 185 hp, while the 1.4L engine on the Malibu manages to make 160. The smaller displacement also means that the Chevy gives you better fuel economy.
On the inside the Optima uses space optimally to keep the rear roomy for taller passengers, while the middle seat in the Malibu gets cramped. The front grille of the Optima resembles the Stinger GT, while some would find resemblance of the Camaro in the Malibu's new front grille.
The Ford has fused the sedan with a mix of comfort and practicality, but the engine lacks the punch you'd expect considering it comes with a 2.4L engine. Even in terms of fuel economy the Malibu has better mileage.
The Sync3 optional infotainment in the Ford Fusion is the best in class available, compared to the one on the Chevy, it's far better. The Malibu's design is much more impressive compared to the Fusion which looks tame and dated.
The 2019 Chevrolet Malibu is a fun, well-equipped, and reliable sedan. The Malibu comes with refined handling and performance, and the styling has been revised to fit in 2019. Both the engine configurations make good power and are responsive to the throttle, especially the 250 hp 2.0L turbo engine. Fuel efficiency is pretty decent too, with the Malibu saving you a good amount of gas money. The interiors and the infotainment are fundamental and functional, with no fancy bells and whistles. The top-end trim does spice things up though, offering genuinely high-quality premium features for those willing to shell out a few extra thousand dollars. All in all, the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu may not be the best in the segment, but it's a good option for those who don't want to buy any run-of-the-mill sedan. It offers everything you'd need for your daily grinds while assuring you with the American touch of dependability, quality, and sturdiness. We'd certainly suggest you to list the Malibu for your next purchase!