2019 Chevrolet Malibu review
Chevrolet Malibu highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- Spacious interior with ample front-seat headroom
- Hybrid trim offers high fuel efficiency and brisk acceleration
- Easy-to-use touchscreen interface
Cons
- Lackluster acceleration from base 1.5-liter engine
- Limited outward visibility
- Interior looks dated compared to rivals
Mileage (EPA estimate)
22 city, 32 highway, 26 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
Slightly dated, the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu is still underrated
The 2019 Malibu’s fundamentals are solid. The front end was updated with a more prominent lower grille, and a continuously variable automatic transmission joined the base 1.5-liter engine for an EPA-estimated 2 mpg combined bump in fuel economy, from an EPA-estimated 30 mpg combined to an estimated 32 mpg combined. Fuel economy figures are based on EPA estimates for when vehicle sold as new. Fuel economy may vary for reasons like driving conditions and vehicle history. Unless specified, figures are for vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission. See fueleconomy.gov. The updated infotainment system offered new software and features, including improved voice controls and a standard eight-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ again came standard. A new RS trim with black exterior trim also debuted. Competitors may have sported newer looks, but the Malibu retained its quiet, comfortable composure.
That said, three years is a lifetime among midsize sedans. In 2019, the Chevrolet Malibu already looked a little dated next to fresher rivals, despite a thorough redesign three years earlier. Both the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry were redesigned in 2018, and the Hyundai Sonata and Mazda 6 were given a new dash of style. The Nissan Altima had also made a quantum leap, especially with its cabin quality.
All Chevrolet Malibu years
What is new for the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu?
- The Malibu is available in a new trim called the RS.
- Malibu trims have been upgraded with Rear Seat Heaters and Rear Spoiler as standard equipment this year.
- The LT trim now comes with Remote Start, Front Seat Heaters, and Auxiliary Audio Input as standard equipment.
- The L trim now comes with Rear View Camera, Android Auto, Auxiliary Audio Input, and Apple CarPlay as standard equipment.
- The LS trim now comes with Auxiliary Audio Input as standard equipment.
2019 Chevrolet Malibu trims
L:
- 160-hp, 184-lb-ft of torque 1.5L
- Rear Defroster
- Cruise Control
- Cloth Seats
- Power Mirrors
- Traction Control
- Side Airbags
- Overhead Airbags
- Rear View Camera
- View our Chevrolet Malibu L inventory
LS:
- Includes all features available on the L
- Alloy Wheels
LT:
- Includes all features available on the LS
- Remote Start
- Power Seats
- Front Seat Heaters
- Satellite Radio Ready
- View our Chevrolet Malibu LT inventory
RS:
- Includes all features available on the LT
- Rear Spoiler
- View our Chevrolet Malibu RS inventory
Premier:
- Includes all features available on the RS
- 250-hp, 260-lb-ft of torque 2.0L
- Leather Seats
- Memory Seats
- Rear Seat Heaters
- A/C Seats
- Heated Steering Wheel
- BOSE Sound System
- Navigation System
- View our Chevrolet Malibu Premier inventory
Chevrolet Malibu photos
5 reasons to buy the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu
What We Like
Driving: The best experience behind the wheel of a 2019 Malibu is with the hybrid, oddly enough. Since it operates more like an EV at slow speeds, thanks to a Chevy Volt-derived hybrid setup, there’s always a healthy dose of instant electric torque before the gas engine kicks in. We recommend it. Regardless of engine choice, the Malibu remains surprisingly agile in turns and can be legitimately fun to drive.
Interior: Rivals like the Honda Accord and Mazda 6 offer exceptionally nice interiors in the wake of redesigns, but the Malibu is no concession prize. The dash and cabin design may feel a bit dated alongside some competitors, but the material quality and soft-touch surfaces are what you’d expect in a more expensive, full-size sedan.
Comfort: A quiet, hushed interior is a signature Malibu trait, aided by ample sound insulation. It’s an often overlooked quality, but one you’ll endlessly appreciate during a stressful commute. A longer wheelbase than the last-generation Malibu helps open up rear seat legroom, but competitors also enlarged their backseats since the Malibu’s redesign. The Accord and Malibu are the same length, for example, but the latest Accord manages two more inches of rear legroom.
What Needs Improvement
Transmissions: Malibus from 2018 and before had a sluggish and clumsy feeling transmission, which Chevy fixed by eliminating the six-speed automatic and replacing it with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) for the base engine. It helps eke out a few more mpg, but it’s not an upgrade. Chevy’s product isn’t as refined as some competitors, and exhibits the kind of unnatural and noisy acceleration feeling typical of lower-end CVTs. Meanwhile, the nine-speed automatic paired with the 2.0-liter engine is still clumsy at low speeds and while braking.
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Ratings & reliability
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
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Bluetooth Technology
- Cloth Seats
- Cruise Control
- Front Seat Heaters
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Seat(s)
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear View Camera
- Remote Start
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Smart Key
- Traction Control
- Turbo Charged Engine
- Automatic Transmission
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Lane Departure Warning
- Leather Seats
- Panoramic Sunroof
- Parking Sensors
- Remote Start
Drive Wheels
Front Wheel Drive (2WD)
Engine size
1.5L
Horsepower
160
Torque (ft-lbs)
184
Engine type
Turbo Gas
Fuel capacity
15.8
Wheelbase
111.4"
Overall length
194.2"
Width
73"
Height
57.3"
Leg room
F 41.5"/R 38.1"
Head room
F 39.1"/R 37.5"
Front tires
P225/55R17
Rear tires
P225/55R17
Seating capacity
5
Transmission
Automatic
2019 Chevrolet Malibu FAQ
The 2019 Chevrolet Malibu is available in multiple trims, each with its own estimated fuel economy, here are the EPA estimates for each trim:
- LT : 29 MPG City and 36 MPG Highway
- Premier : 22 MPG City and 32 MPG Highway
- RS : 29 MPG City and 36 MPG Highway
- LS : 29 MPG City and 36 MPG Highway
- L : 29 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 2019 Chevrolet Malibu has received an average 3.1 out of 5 stars from our customers. If you're in the market for a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu, check out reviews from customers just like you. 2019 Chevrolet Malibu Reviews.
Here is what's new for the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu:
- RS
- Rear Seat Heaters
- Rear Spoiler
- Remote Start
- Front Seat Heaters
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We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to indicate that a particular vehicle is currently available or recommended for you.
Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
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