2023 Chevy Malibu

　　

2023 Chevrolet Malibu Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　The current Chevrolet Malibu generation has been around since 2016, and since then it has never quite found a solid footing against other midsize family sedans. It's also the last traditional sedan in Chevy's lineup that is dominated by SUVs and trucks. Perhaps it comes as no surprise that the Malibu is headed out to pasture after the 2023 model year, and it's not likely to be replaced.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu LS Fleet 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 $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$125/mo  for Malibu LS Fleet

　　Malibu LS Fleet

　　LS Fleet 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $24,700 MSRPLS 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $25,000 MSRPRS 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $26,000 MSRP1LT 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) (Most Popular) - $28,100 MSRP2LT 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $31,500 MSRP

　　vs

　　$165/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　In its final year, the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu lineup loses last year's top Premium trim and the more powerful 2.0-liter engine it included. Many of the Premier trim's features are still available in the new 2LT trim. It's not all bad news, as all Malibu models now come standard with a handful of advanced driver assist features. Otherwise, the Malibu returns with its weak base engine and dated interior.

　　While we credit the Malibu's spacious interior and accommodating trunk as some of its best attributes, it falls well short of the mark set by the Kia K5 and Hyundai Sonata. More importantly, there's a new Honda Accord on the way, which has the potential to claim class-leading status.

　　

Which Malibu does zzdcar recommend?

We suggest stepping up to the Malibu's top 2LT trim since it doesn't represent a huge price increase and the additional convenience and luxury features make it more competitive against its rivals. We'd also consider adding the optional Driver Confidence packages for their safety features.

　　

Chevrolet Malibu models

The 2023 Malibu is offered in four trim levels: LS, RS, LT and 2LT. All are powered by 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.

　　LS

　　The most affordable Malibu comes with:

　　16-inch alloy wheels Keyless entry and ignition Remote start Air conditioning Cloth upholstery Cruise control 8-inch infotainment touchscreen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration (with wireless connectivity) 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot Six-speaker audio systemStandard driver assist features include:

　　Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position) Rear seat reminder (alerts you to check the rear seat before exiting the vehicle) Automatic high beamsRS

　　For a sportier look, the Malibu RS includes:

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

　　The popular LT offers the most variety in the Malibu lineup. Standard features include:

　　17-inch wheels LED running lights Heated outside mirrors Heated front seats Rear passenger air vents Dual-zone automatic climate control Satellite radio2LT

　　For a Malibu with all of the trimmings, the top 2LT trim includes:

　　19-inch wheels LED headlights and taillights Ambient interior lighting Heated steering wheel Leather upholstery Driver's seat memory settings Partial digital instrument panel Power-adjustable front passenger seat Ventilated front seats Auto-dimming rearview mirror Upgraded infotainment touchscreen with navigation Nine-speaker Bose premium audio system Wireless device charging 120-volt power outletSome features are available in supporting trims as options. The LT and 2LT models are also eligible for Sport, Redline and Midnight appearance packages as well as a dual-pane sunroof. There are also two option packages that add driver assist features:

　　The optional Driver Confidence package is available on all trim levels and includes:

　　Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse) Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)The Driver Confidence and Cruise package is only offered on the top 2LT trim and comes with:

　　Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Malibu and the car in front) Semi-automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention) Automatic emergency braking above 50 mph

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