2015 Chevrolet Malibu review
Chevrolet Malibu highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- Well-appointed, upscale interior
- Comfortable ride and quiet cabin
- Strong turbocharged engine
Cons
- Less rear legroom than competitors
- Touchscreen interface can be slow to respond
Mileage (EPA estimate)
21 city, 30 highway, 24 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
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2015 Chevrolet Malibu stays classy and connected
Two years after a significant redesign, the Chevrolet Malibu carried into 2015 with no significant changes. It added a Wi-Fi connection hub and subscription-based 4G LTE data plan, but otherwise maintained its place as an American-made midsize family sedan slightly lost in the shuffle of higher-profile rivals. Wi-Fi hotspots require a data plan to activate and may also require a compatible device. See the owner's manual or manufacturer website for more information.
However, you don’t buy the Malibu for flash, but for its strengths, like the classy and tasteful interior design, quiet cabin, and large trunk. It also offers a choice of fuel-efficient four-cylinder or more powerful turbocharged engine if you prefer maximum performance. The Malibu’s tech — the touchscreen, specifically — is also fussier than what you’ll find elsewhere. These attributes don’t vault the Malibu to the head of the class, especially since most rivals offer a larger rear seat and some offer more zest from behind the wheel, but the Malibu still hits the basics at a price that undercuts contemporary rivals from Honda, Toyota and Nissan.
All Chevrolet Malibu years
What is new for the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu?
- The ECO trim has been discontinued for 2015.
- Blind Spot Monitor and Flex Fuel Vehicle features are now available as options on select trims.
5 reasons to buy the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu
What We Like
Driving: The 2015 Malibu offers a choice of fuel-efficient 2.5-liter four-cylinder or hopped-up turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Both are satisfying in their own right. The 2.5-liter features a start-stop system and an EPA-estimated 29 mpg combined fuel economy — not class-leading, but respectable enough for commuting or family shuttling.
Interior: The 2015 Malibu’s upscale interior is punctuated by tasteful design, quality materials and controls, and ample sound insulation. It gives the Malibu a feeling of solidity that’s absent in some of its competitors. The center stack and infotainment interface seem overloaded with buttons, but it’s easy enough to navigate the functions after a short time behind the wheel. Chevy added in-car Wi-Fi and a subscription data plan to the 2015 Malibu, although modern smartphone connections and tethering options make it more of a novelty today.
Storage: At 16.3 cubic feet, the 2015 Malibu offers huge trunk space. It was class-leading at the time. Only the Hyundai Sonata matched it, and the Ford Fusion and Volkswagen Passat were close. The Malibu's trunk is still sizable among today's sedans, about as large as full-sizers like the Toyota Avalon and Dodge Charger, making it an ideal alternative to an SUV for those warehouse bulk-shopping trips.
What Needs Improvement
Rear Seat Room: The Malibu’s large trunk eats into the rear seat room, making it tighter than its rivals. Rear legroom is typically two to three inches shorter than most competitors from the time, meaning tall rear-seat passengers are at the mercy of front seat passengers to slide forward and make room. The 2015 Malibu retains the thinner front seatbacks introduced in 2014, which help make a bit more knee room, but the Malibu back seat is a tight squeeze all around, especially for rear-facing car seats. Surprisingly, the Malibu is actually just slightly roomier than the Sonata in back, one of the few competitors where it holds an edge.
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Ratings & reliability
Customer ratings
4.3 out of 5
23 customer reviews| 5 Stars | 14 |
|---|---|
| 4 Stars | 5 |
| 3 Stars | 2 |
| 2 Stars | 1 |
| 1 Star | 1 |
RepairPal gave the Chevrolet Malibu an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Chevrolet Malibu 10th out of 28 among Midsize Cars.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Chevrolet MalibuChevrolet Malibu features and specs
LT 2WD 4D Sedan
Standard Features
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Bluetooth Technology
- CD Audio
- Cloth Seats
- Cruise Control
- Lane Departure Warning
- Leatherette & Cloth
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Seat(s)
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Remote Start
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Traction Control
- Turbo Charged Engine
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Bluetooth Technology
- Front Seat Heaters
- Lane Departure Warning
- Leather Seats
- Leatherette & Cloth
- Navigation System
- Parking Sensors
- Pioneer Sound System
- Power Seat(s)
- Rear Spoiler
- Rear View Camera
- Remote Start
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Sunroof(s)
Drive Wheels
Front Wheel Drive (2WD)
Engine size
2.0L
Horsepower
259
Torque (ft-lbs)
295
Engine type
Turbo Gas
Fuel capacity
18.5
Wheelbase
107.8"
Overall length
191.5"
Width
73"
Height
57.6"
Leg room
F 42.1"/R 36.8"
Head room
F 39"/R 37.5"
Front tires
P235/50R18
Rear tires
P235/50R18
Seating capacity
5
Transmission
Automatic
2015 Chevrolet Malibu FAQ
The 2015 Chevrolet Malibu is available in multiple trims, each with its own estimated fuel economy, here are the EPA estimates for each trim:
- LT: 25 MPG City and 36 MPG Highway
- LTZ: 25 MPG City and 36 MPG Highway
- LS: 25 MPG City and 36 MPG Highway
The Chevrolet Malibu received a rating of 4 out of 5 stars from RepairPal, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks the Chevrolet Malibu as 9 out of 28 among Midsize Car
The 2015 Chevrolet Malibu has received an average 4.3 out of 5 stars from our customers. If you're in the market for a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu, check out reviews from customers just like you. 2015 Chevrolet Malibu Reviews.
Here is what's new for the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu:
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Flex Fuel Vehicle
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