2021 Chevy Malibu Review

　　

2021 Chevrolet Malibu Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　The Chevrolet Malibu has been around in various forms, as well as various levels of success, since 1964. The 2021 Malibu, somewhat surprisingly, is now Chevy's only sedan. Everything else, from the smaller Cruze to the bigger Impala, has been put out to pasture.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu L 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$118/mo  for Malibu L

　　Malibu L

　　L 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $22,140 MSRPLS 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $23,270 MSRPLS Fleet 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $23,270 MSRPRS 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) (Most Popular) - $24,270 MSRPLT 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $26,670 MSRPPremier 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $33,370 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　A well-equipped Malibu Premier with the upgraded turbocharged engine is likable enough. The problem is that any other Malibu trim — which would be most of them you find on a dealer lot — isn't going to be competitive against other midsize sedans. The base engine lacks power, and Chevy doesn't add the latest advanced driver safety aids as standard equipment as most automakers do these days. The Malibu's interior design and materials could also use a thorough redo.

　　Unless you can get a great deal on a Malibu, we'd suggest going with a more appealing rival sedan such as the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, Mazda 6 or Toyota Camry.

　　

Which Malibu does zzdcar recommend?

We don't usually recommend the most expensive trim, but when it comes to the Malibu, we feel the top-of-the-line Premier is far and away the best option. It's the only trim that gets the powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter engine as well as many other desirable features that are simply unavailable on lower trim levels.

　　

2021 Chevrolet Malibu models

The Malibu midsize sedan available in five trim levels: L, LS, RS, LT and Premier. Two engines are available. Most Malibus come with a turbocharged 160-hp four-cylinder connected to a continuously variable automatic transmission. For the Premier trim, Chevy fits a bigger turbocharged four-cylinder engine that's good for 250 hp. It's connected to a nine-speed automatic transmission. All Malibus are front-wheel-drive. Highlight features include:

　　L

　　Starts you off with:

　　16-inch wheels 8-inch infotainment touchscreen Wireless compatibility for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Six-speaker audio system Cruise control Keyless ignition and entry Cruise controlLS

　　Adds a few features to the L such as:

　　4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot Teen Driver (allows for custom settings to encourage responsible driving) Buckle to Drive (prevents vehicle from being driven until driver's seat belt is fastened) Driver and front-passenger vanity mirrors RS

　　Dresses up the Malibu with:

　　18-inch wheels Rear spoiler Black grille and badging Dual exhaust Body-colored outside mirrors Power-adjustable driver's seat Leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheelLT

　　Starting from the LS, the LT gets you:

　　Dual-zone climate control Satellite radio Power-adjustable driver's seat Heated front seats Rear passenger vents Three available appearance packages: Midnight, Sport and RedlinePremier

　　Tops the range with:

　　250-hp engine 19-inch wheels LED headlights Dual-pane sunroof Leather upholstery Upgraded infotainment touchscreen with navigation Nine-speaker audio system Driver-seat memory settings Ventilated front seats Heated steering wheel Auto-dimming rearview mirror Heated outboard rear seats Wireless device chargingThe Malibu doesn't come standard with any advanced driver safety features. Instead, Chevy offers them through a few different Driver Confidence packages. These features include:

　　Rear parking sensors (alerts you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking) Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while in reverse) Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Lane keeping assist (steers the car back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Collision mitigation braking (applies the brakes automatically to stop the vehicle to avoid or minimize a collision)

　　

2021 Malibu Highlights

Trim: LLSLS FleetRSLTPremierL

　　

Base MSRP	$22,140
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	32 MPG
Cost to Drive	$118/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	15.7 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles